In the Woods

It felt as though a blast of cold water shot right through her. She shoved against him, putting her hands on his chest and pressing hard. He shook his head in confusion at the sudden change of events. “Protect me? This is why you want to make love to me, so you can protect me?”

He sighed and shook his head. “Brenna, what’s wrong? I want to make love to you because I love you! You want it, too. There just happens to be a very big side benefit in it protecting you.” He reached for her again.

She scooted to the edge of the bed, held her arms between them, and kept him far from her. “Slaton, I love you. I have saved myself for you. I have been through hell and back these last few weeks with you there beside me and helping me be strong. I don’t want our first moments together like this to be about my protection or a source of power. I want it to be about love.”

He pushed his hand through his hair. “It is, Brenna. I love you. I want to show you how much.”