Jenna’s Protector (Guardian Hostage Rescue Specialists: CHARLIE Team #4)

22. Carter

TWENTY-TWO

Carter

I barely drift off to sleep before Jenna’s sudden thrashing and whimpers jolt me awake. In the darkness of her bedroom, the only light comes from the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Jenna’s forehead glistens with sweat, her body tangled in the sheets as she battles her nightmares.

“Jenna, wake up. It’s just a dream,” I whisper, my voice steady and soothing.

“No… Please… I’m sorry…” Her mumbled words are punctuated by unintelligible pleas. “Don’t… Please, don’t put me in there…”

I reach out, gently smoothing her damp hair away from her face, but my touch triggers a violent response.

Jenna’s eyes snap open, wild and unfocused, and before I can react, her fist connects with my jaw. Pain explodes in my face, the sharp taste of blood on my tongue.

Despite the throbbing ache, I can’t help but chuckle at her mean right hook.

“Jenna, wake up.” I try to keep my voice calm, but urgency bleeds through. “You’re having a nightmare. ”

Max, alerted by the commotion, jumps up on the bed, his soft whines joining my efforts to wake her. He nuzzles Jenna’s hand, offering his own brand of comfort, then licks her face. Though I don’t usually allow him on the bed, I let it slide, seeing how Jenna responds to his presence.

Jenna finally wakes. She scrambles away from me, pressing herself against the headboard. Her chest heaves with panicked breaths; her fear a palpable presence in the air.

Max cocks his head, a low whine escaping as he moves in to cuddle with her. Not wanting to add further insult to injury, I hold up my hands in a placating gesture.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s me, Carter. You’re safe. You’re in your apartment. In your bed. Max is here too. Everything’s alright.”

Recognition slowly seeps into her eyes, her body sagging with relief as she whispers my name.

“Carter?”

“Yes, love. It’s me. And Max is here too. He’s worried about you.”

Gathering her into my arms, she shakes against me, her skin clammy and her nightgown damp with sweat. The sour scent of fear clings to her, mixing with the lavender of her shampoo and the fragrance of her sheets.

“I’ve got you. You’re safe. It was just a bad dream.” I rub slow circles on her back, trying to calm her down.

She clings to me, her fingers digging into my shoulders almost painfully. Max offers his own brand of comfort as he senses her distress. Which means he nuzzles and licks her until she lifts an arm and pulls him close to her side.

The three of us stay like that for a long moment, holding each other in the darkness as Jenna’s breathing gradually evens out. Tension slowly drains from her body. I brush a strand of hair from her damp forehead, tucking it behind her ear.

“Want to talk about it?”

“It was Lucian. He was punishing me…” Shuddering, she presses her face into my chest, her voice muffled against my skin. “He was making us run laps in the freezing rain. I collapsed… And then —and then he put me in the hole.”

Anger and protectiveness surge through me. My arms tighten around her. The thought of what she endured and the cruelty she faced makes me want to find Lucian and make him pay.

“He can’t hurt you anymore. I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again.” My voice is rough with emotion, my jaw clenched tight.

She nods against my chest, trembling with the aftereffects of her dream. Her heart races beneath my palm, and her breaths come out staggered and raw.

“I’m sorry I woke you.” Her fingers brush over my jaw, feeling the tenderness there. “Oh God, did I hit you?”

“It’s nothing. I’ve had worse from Max’s tail when he’s excited.” I catch her hand and press a kiss on her palm.

That earns me a watery chuckle and a small smile curving her lips. We settle back down. Jenna curls into my side, her head on my chest. Not to be left out, Max snuggles with us. His warmth and weight are a comfort to her, so I don’t order him off the bed.

He can have this.

I stroke Jenna’s hair, trying to soothe her back to sleep, and smile at how she and Max are bonding. It means a lot to me because as much as I love Jenna, I could never get rid of him.

“Max, you’re such a good boy.” She scratches his ears as we all settle back down.

I have a feeling my No-Dogs-In-Bed-Rule is about to be broken.

He’s a good dog, and he makes her happy. When it comes down to it, that’s all that matters. Although, I’m not sure how I feel about sharing my bed with a dog.

I press a kiss to the top of her head and breathe in the scent of her, cherishing this moment, but even as her breathing deepens and evens out, I remain awake, staring into the darkness.

My mind churns with worry, with the need to protect her and find the bastards who hurt her, ensuring they never touch her again.

Her anxiety and fear are getting worse by the day.

This isn’t lost on me. It breaks my heart to see her like this, to know that even in sleep, she can’t escape the horrors of her past .

With those thoughts swirling in my head, I finally drift into an uneasy sleep.

I wake to the soft sound of Jenna’s breathing, her body warm and pliant against mine. The first rays of morning light filter through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across her peaceful face.

Careful not to disturb her, I press a soft kiss on her forehead and slip out of bed. Max lifts his head, his tail thumping against the mattress as he watches me with sleepy eyes. I give him a quick scratch behind the ears before heading to the kitchen to start the coffee.

It doesn’t take long before the rich aroma fills the apartment, mingles with the crisp morning air that seeps in through the cracks in the windows. It’s cold, hinting at the coming winter, but the warmth of the coffee and the promise of a hot shower chase away the chill.

I’m just pouring two steaming mugs when Jenna surprises me by wrapping her arms around my waist. I was so intent on making breakfast that I didn’t hear her enter.

“Morning. Smells good.” She molds her body against my back. Her voice is still husky with sleep.

“Coffee or me?” I turn in her arms, handing her a mug with a smile.

“Both.” She takes a sip, her eyes sparkling over the rim of the mug.

She sets the mug down and grabs the waistband of my briefs, pulling me out of the kitchen with a seductive smile. I stumble slightly, torn between my desire for her and the sizzling bacon on the stove.

“Wait.” I chuckle and gently stop her. “As much as I want to follow you right now, I’m not burning breakfast twice. I learned my lesson last time.”

“Well, we can’t have that, can we?” Jenna’s eyes sparkle with mirth and mischief.

She releases me with a wink, letting me hurry back to the stove to save our meal. I quickly flip the bacon and scramble the eggs, the tantalizing aroma filling the kitchen .

“Okay,” I announce, putting the food in the oven to keep it warm and safe from Max. “Breakfast is officially saved. Now, where were we?”

Jenna saunters over, a playful grin on her face. “I believe I was about to lure you back to the bedroom.”

“Ah, yes.” I pull her into my arms. “Lure away, my temptress.”

Laughing, she takes my hand and guides me down the hallway. We make our way back to the bedroom, the promise of sex hanging thick in the air.

Her fingers trail along my skin as we move, leaving goosebumps in their wake. I can’t resist pulling her close, capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss. She tastes like coffee and something uniquely Jenna, a flavor I’m quickly becoming addicted to.

We shed our clothes slowly, savoring each brush of skin against skin. Jenna’s hands explore my body, her touch both tender and electrifying. I return the favor, mapping out her curves and planes, committing every inch to memory.

Our kisses grow more heated, more urgent, as our desire builds. Jenna’s fingers tangle in my hair, tugging gently as she pulls me closer. I groan into her mouth, my hands sliding down to grip her hips, pressing her against me.

We stumble toward the bathroom, reluctant to break contact for even a moment. Jenna reaches into the shower and turns on the water, adjusting the temperature until steam fills the room.

She steps back into my arms, her skin flushed and her eyes dark with want. “I need you,” she whispers, her lips brushing against mine. “Now.”

Words fail me in the face of her raw honesty. I guide her into the shower, following close behind.

The shower beckons, steam already fogging up the glass. We step in together, the hot water cascading over us. Jenna tilts her head back, letting the spray wet her hair, and I can’t resist pressing kisses along the column of her throat.

She sighs, her hands sliding over my slick skin, pulling me closer. Our bodies align, fitting together as if we were designed solely to please each other. The heat between us builds to a slow, delicious burn that consumes every thought and every breath.

We take our time exploring and discovering, losing ourselves in sensation. Jenna’s sighs and soft moans mingle with the pounding of the water, a symphony of pleasure that echoes off the tiled walls.

As we make love to each other under the spray, the outside world fades away. There’s nothing but this moment, this connection, the overwhelming rightness of being together.

Afterward, we towel off languidly, stealing kisses and soft touches. Jenna’s skin glows, her eyes bright and sated. I pull her close, breathing in the scent of her damp hair, a mix of her shampoo and something intrinsically her.

“I could get used to mornings like this.” I nuzzle her neck, wishing we never had to leave her apartment.

She hums in agreement, her fingers playing idly with the hair at the nape of my neck. “Me too. Waking up with you, it feels…”

“Right,” I finish for her, pulling back to meet her gaze. “It feels right.”

She smiles, soft and radiant, and leans in to kiss me once more. It’s a promise, a seal on this moment, on everything we’ve shared.

As we eventually make our way back to the kitchen, drawn by the enticing aroma of coffee and the promise of breakfast, I can’t wipe the grin off my face.

This, right here, is everything I never knew I needed. Now that I’ve found it, I’m never letting go.

I turn the stove back on and finish cooking the eggs and bacon. Today, the wonderfully delicious aroma of crisp bacon and eggs fills the apartment, rather than the charred stink of burnt eggs.

Jenna laughs as she watches me man the stove, spatula in hand. Her eyes are bright with mirth, and she can’t resist a little teasing.

“At least this time, we didn’t ruin breakfast because we got distracted.”

“I’m a fast learner.” I flip a perfectly crispy strip of bacon.

We eat at the counter, Jenna’s hand resting on my thigh as we talk about the day ahead. It’s a simple moment, but one that fills me with warmth. These small pockets of time feel precious and fragile in the face of all we’re up against.

Max and I walk with her to the café. The streets are quiet. The town’s just starting to wake up around us.

Max trots at our heels, his nose to the ground as he takes in all the fascinating smells. At the door to the café, I pause, an idea forming in my mind. I scratch Max behind the ears.

“What would you think if I left Max with you for the day? He can look over you while I’m gone.”

“That would be great. Max is always welcome here.” Jenna’s face lights up, her hand automatically reaching out to pet Max’s head.

Max senses a change in plans. His tail wags with excitement as he leans into Jenna’s touch. As I head off toward Guardian HRS headquarters, there’s a strange emptiness at my side, a space that’s usually filled by Max’s comforting presence.