AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, sir.” The words were thrown like bullets but thankfully Lieutenant Yost spun and marched down the stairs.
Jensen took Livvy’s arm and escorted her back into the bedroom. He flicked the light on and shut the door. Livvy blinked against the sudden brightness. He released her arm and stepped back.
“What happened?” she asked, fearing the worst. Treven had gone after her parents and brother and was holding them hostage to get her to come to them. Treven was coming with an army.
“I’m sorry, Livvy.”
Oh no. Treven had already hurt someone she loved. Who?
“I didn’t believe you,” he continued. “Treven’s lookalike is in prison.”
He knew the truth. She didn’t care about being vindicated but she did want Jensen and everyone on high alert.
“I didn’t want to be right, but I knew I was.” At least Treven hadn’t hurt anyone else. Yet. She rubbed at her chest. It felt too tight. “He’s coming for me.”
“We don’t know where he is.” His gaze became piercing again. “But I will do everything in my power to track him down and I will keep you safe, Livvy.”
The determined and protective look in Jensen’s dark eyes accelerated her heartbeat and strengthened her.
“I know you will.” She held his gaze, and then she boldly took a step closer.
Jensen’s gaze swept over her face, warm and full of her. He’d said she was brave. Could she show him how brave she was?
“Thank you, Jensen,” she said in a breathless voice she hardly recognized.
He nodded, the tension between them drawing tighter than a piano string. His gaze was concentrated on her. She could hardly catch a breath for her thumping heart.
Maybe her timing was wrong. Treven’s darkness was oozing toward them. But she needed Jensen, his comfort, his strength and she wanted him to know how deeply she cared.
Livvy took another step. She was inches from him, inhaling that unique pine and musk scent and studying each nuance of expression in his eyes and on his face. He would be here for her. He cared for her. Would he hold her, comfort her, kiss her?
Neither of them moved, her quick pants for air far too loud in the otherwise quiet room. Jensen’s breathing sounded labored, too. He moistened his lips and swallowed. She thought he might say something, but it was as if he was reluctant to move or to break the silence.
Brave. Be brave.
Livvy rested her hands on his chest.
Jensen sucked in a breath and then let out a telling groan. “Livvy …”
She gently pushed him against the wall. He let her, his gaze growing in intensity, a fire in its depths for her and her alone.
Still, he didn’t touch her. Why not?
Livvy had to do this. Metaphorically strut out onto a precarious stage with thousands of fans watching, not knowing if she could complete the difficult piece she’d been assigned to play.
She lifted onto tiptoes, slid her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his.
For a brief moment, Jensen didn’t respond. He seemed frozen, and fear filled her. He wasn’t interested. He was too focused on his work, too noble to return the kiss of a ‘victim.’
Then Jensen wrapped his arms tight around her back, held her so close every dream was within reach, and returned her kiss.
Oh, how he returned it. Livvy heard the strains of Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” playing in her head. She was transported to another world in Jensen’s arms, his lips working with hers like a magical instrument, like an angelic harp. She was safe, she was brave, she was in love, and she was loved.
Livvy would’ve happily kissed him all night. The joy she found in his arms was unparalleled. She’d never felt like this, not even when thousands of patrons had cheered and given her a standing ovation. Jensen was the only audience she’d ever need, the only man who could protect and lift her to higher plains. The man who would be there for her.
Jensen released her from the kiss and stared at her as if captivated. His eyes sparkled with the same magic and music she’d felt as he kissed her.
He looked for all the world like he would kiss her all over again. Yes, please. She’d initiated their first kiss, and she would never regret that. She would let him initiate this one.
