HIS BABY TO BEAR - FIVE

"I'm just checking in to see whether you're all right, honey."

"By focusing your eyes on my ass?"

"You know, it needs to be defended as well," he smirked. "And nothing beats having the Navy on your side."

He could tell she was attempting to annoy him, but he missed the faint smile that went across her lips for a single second. Oh, absolutely. He had her there. He already had a thing for her spirit.

"You know, you should be proud of yourself for today." "There aren't many women who can jump off a skyscraper without losing their calm."

"Did it appear like I hurled myself off?" she asked, sitting across from him, her chin resting on her hand.

"I'm just trying to keep you alive, honey," he said, emphasizing the word "honey."

Because of the way she jerked a little bit every time he uttered it, his blood was boiling with hunger.

"You think you're so smooth," she murmured, rolling her eyes. "Has anyone ever told you you're too cocky and arrogant?"

"A lot has been said about my cock, honey," he yawned, stretching his arms back, "but it's typically in incomprehensible forms like groans and screams. "I can't really keep count," he yawned, stretching his arms back.

His tendons were hardening and the heat in his muscles should have dissipated, but his heart rate remained elevated. Jerome realized why. That gorgeous piece of ass sitting next to him, smelling like sex on legs, was getting to him.

He was ready to bite something when his earset pinged.

"I'm paying attention," he murmured, his gaze riveted on Libby.

"Perimeter appears to be clear. Shaun has adopted a defensive stance. Mitch and Tom are on the first shift. Pickup is scheduled for 0600," Tim replied matter-of-factly.

Jerome extracted the device from his ear and set it on the windowsill next to his weapon. Right now, you have nothing to do but entertain yourself.

He now has nothing to do but entertain himself with the succulent delicacy in front of him.

Normally, if Jerome desired anything, he would make it clear. It was, however, never a mark. It was never someone that he was taked with protecting. And no one ever compelled him to act that way. He was willing to give her some breathing room and allow her to get a better look at him. But he knew he'd regret it for the rest of his life if he didn't have that woman that night.

Libby's face wrinkled as she asked, "What was that?"

"Exciting news!" he cried, grin on his face. She appeared hopeful for a brief period. "You've got six hours of my company and mine alone; tell me what you're going to do with it."

"I'd like you to tell me something logical. Why is a SWAT unit around me, and why were they attempting to murder me? After all, that was what was going on. They had planned to assassinate me. I have a job as a secretary. I don't know anything," Libby admitted, her face buried in her hands.

He half expected her to cry, but she wasn't that kind of lady. She wouldn't break beneath the pressure, but she might bend somewhat. But isn't that why he was there?

"I'm afraid I can't tell you anything I don't know, honey." I'm not sure what they believe you know or have, but it's apparently enough to kill and maim you. As a result, you're valuable. And, you know, I like to keep expensive stuff protected. I can tell you that nothing horrible will happen to you while I am present. I'm not going to let you go until I can give you to someone who appreciates the value of valuable things as well as I do, okay? "

Who is this man, and what had he done to Jerome? Jerome heard himself say all of those things as if he were watching rather than participating in the act, and worst of all, he meant it. He wasn't just acting on duty when he said those things; he truly wanted to make sure Libby was secure. He'd bring the moon down from the sky if it made her feel better.

His bear roared deep inside him as another whiff of her smell floated into his nose, driving him mad with want.

She had a wonderful scent. She didn't seem to belong anywhere but in his arms.

He was filled with envy when he realized he'd have to pass her over to another squad the next morning. And it reminded him of another time when he had felt the same way, and how it had absolutely erupted in his face.

Her name lingered at the back of his head, mocking and plaguing him. Olivia. He couldn't keep the sneer from coming to his lips as her name appeared in his brain, the ideal incarnation of loss, humiliation, and wrath that he could imagine.

The noise shocked Libby. That brief flash of anxiety on her exquisite face drove him to set his feet firmly on the ground and take a few sure, short steps to reduce the gap between them. He crouched in front of her and slowly took her hands away from her face, cupping them in his enormous paws. They were a little cool, and he had to resist the impulse to blow on them or kiss her fingertips to warm them up.

Part of him told him to dig in his heels and wait till he could figure things out. However, a much larger, far more demanding part of him was having none of it, and to be honest, Jerome agreed heartily.

"Hey. Everything will be alright, Libby. Nothing will ever damage you. Whatever the reason, a solution will be found. You will start a new life, one you will be able to design however you see fit. So what if you crossed paths with some scum? "It'll make you stronger," he asserted emphatically.

When she stared at him, her hazel eyes twinkled with something he couldn't quite make out.

As a result, he did the only logical thing in that situation.

Jerome slid his hand behind her neck and kissed her on the lips, hard and deep.