Sitting on the couch, I watched Tobin walk out, a controlled storm of protective anger. I almost felt sorry for the poor bastards that trashed Jade’s place. Almost. When Tobin finds them, and he will, he always does, he’ll unleash the fury he keeps under lock and key. Damn. I wish I could see just a little bit of the show. Maybe this will help Tobin absolve himself and return to Jade unfettered with guilt. The guy was too hard on himself, to the point of being insufferable to those around him who are just trying to help, namely, me.

I shook my head, sighing at his retreating back before it disappeared out of view. I felt for the man, understood his burden, even if I disagreed with the convoluted way he managed to bullshit himself into shouldering the guilt he managed to drum up over Alexander’s death. Hell. I wasn’t even there and it hit me hard but Tobin took it harder. Much harder. It hurt sometimes, to look at the man, watching him destroy himself from the inside out. Some days it was too much to bear.

I slumped back against the cushions, closed my eyes, and thought about Jade, her swirling green eyes hidden behind long dark lashes, her voluptuous body pressed against mine when I carried her to the bedroom. She was an innocent needing protection, a woman needing love, a searcher needing guidance. I could be that for her. I could be her tether to reality, her rock, her foundation, her protection from evil. I could be all that and more.

Or, at least, I wanted to be. I opened my eyes and realized I was lying to myself. I couldn’t be Jade’s everything. No, not everything. There were some heavy hitters in the Guard, and I couldn’t offer her the protection she would need to survive the coming onslaught. I couldn’t even extend that protection to myself. But Tobin, he’s been taking care of me for years. He could ensure Jade’s safety in a way that I never could. She needed him. I needed him. We both did.

But, at the very least, I could be what she needs right now. I could keep her grounded and supported through this frightening time. Sighing, I ran a hand through my tousled hair feeling the greasy strands. I need a shower. I stood up and walked towards the bathroom.

The light in the bathroom flickered on and an eerie fluorescent glow reflected off the fixtures. I fumbled for my phone, checking my pockets only to realize I left it in the living room. Exhaustion had set in and I was too tired to go back downstairs and get it. On autopilot, I reached through the shower and adjusted the temperature to Southern California hot with a dash of winter snowboarding. While the water temperature regulated, I stripped out of my clothes and stretched to relieve the soreness in my shoulders.

Standing under the heavy stream of water, I closed my eyes and imagined the pelting of the water across my shoulders was Jade massaging the stress away. Reaching for the soap, I imagined her small hands sliding down my chest as I lathered up, softly stroking my abdomen and coming to rest on my hips. I got hard thinking about Jade in the shower with me. I gripped myself and visualized Jade’s luscious lips moving across its length as she kissed and nipped her way up and down it. Her tongue flicked and licked at the sensitive underside, sending shivers of pleasure up my spine.

I groaned when Jade wrapped her lips around my bulging cock, slowly moving her head down while her tongue rubbed and swirled around my shaft. Her hands splayed across my ass, pulling me deeper into her wet mouth. Her tongue moved side to side, stroking me, begging me to thrust into her beckoning lips. I was lost in the sensation, all thought of sweetness abandoned. I heard her choke, a soft, muffled gag when the head breached her tonsils, rubbing the sides of my swollen member with every thrust. My eyes rolled back in my head when I felt her hand squeeze the base of my shaft. Picking up speed, I pumped harder, implaling her gorgeous face, as the pressure built.

Jade’s vibrant green eyes looked up at me, her mouth stretched wide around my cock. She was so beautiful submitting to me, struggling to breathe between my powerful thrusts. Gripping the back of her head, I plunged to the hilt, exploding. I spasmed, cumming into her throat. Caressed her cheek softly, I let her lick and suck me clean.

Jade looked up at me from her knees, a silent question in her eyes.

I hoarsely whispered, “Good girl.”

She smiled up at me licking her bruised lips.

Opening my eyes, I saw the cold, enamel tub where Jade had been kneeling moments before. Cum covered the spot she looked up at me from with wide eyes begging for approval. I slowly turned around, allowing the stream of water from the showerhead to wash away the remnants of one hell of a daydream. Or was it a night-dream? I grabbed the soap and lathered up again, sighing as it all went down the drain.

My desires would have to wait. I would be whatever Jade needed me to be, however she chose to have me. Right now, that would be as a protector and, as such, I needed to rest. Drying off, I grabbed a pair of sweatpants from the closet and got dressed. At least, I should be able to fall asleep now. I stalked down the hall towards the other bedroom.

Standing in the middle of the hallway, I looked between the two doorways. Two roads diverged, if you will. I could choose morality, and the cold lonely bedroom across the hall from the room Jade was occupying, or I could give in to temptation, and spoon with Jade in immense pleasure. I told myself it was just out of duty. I reasoned that if I slept too soundly I may not be able to hear from across the hall, should something happen, should she need my protection.

Yes. It was for her protection that I quietly slipped into the room, slid under the covers, and spooned against her back, pulling her tight into my chest. I reassured myself it wasn't for my pleasure that I breathed in her scent and forgot all about Tobin and his bad attitude, the people responsible for trashing Jade’s apartment, and the dangers we were facing. I felt Jade nestle against me and relax into my embrace. My cock was cradled perfectly between her ass cheeks. I closed my eyes and remembered her words, speaking right to my heart. Hold me, Owen. I don’t want to be alone. I fell asleep to the vision of piercing green eyes peering up at me from the bottom of the bathtub.