Protector: The Elect, Book 1 Read Online Free Page B

but she was a virgin. She could block other people’s thoughts as long as they weren’t touching her. Add physical contact and it was game over. It was damned hard to have sex with a man when you could read his mind. When he was thinking her breasts were too small or her ass was too big. She’d given up trying long ago. But she didn’t feel anything from Brax but approval. Nothing but need and desire. She shared it and had every intention of indulging it. When she knew Carter and Kaden were safe.  
    “I have to call him.”  
    Somehow she made her voice firm and regained her outward calm, though she knew he saw through it. He nodded, stalked to the door, and jerked it open, barking orders at whoever was out there. He trailed a finger down her cheekbone when he returned, and she swore her knees knocked.  
    “You won’t relax until they’re here, will you?”  
    She bit her bottom lip—it was the only way to not beg him to take her—and shook her head. “I need to know they’re safe,” she whispered.  
    She needed him thrusting inside her. That wasn’t happening yet, but she saw the promise in his eyes. That and so much more. He edged closer. His hands settled on her hips, stroking up and down her sides as he stared down into her eyes.  
    “I hope you’re ready, baby,” he whispered. He was gentle. Seductive. “We’re not human. My needs aren’t human.” His head dipped to her shoulder and he nipped her, humming at her jerked response. “And neither are yours.”  
    Oh God, she was in so much trouble here. He released her, a wicked, carnal smile curving his lips that made her pussy clench in anticipation.  
    “Call your brother.” He motioned to the phone on his desk. “Tell him Mason Cole is picking him up with a team.”  
    She dialed the number, licking her dry lips as it rang.  
    “Yeah?”  
    His greeting was abrupt and unfriendly. She wondered if Carter would ever soften. She’d like to blame his Special Forces training for his attitude, but he’d been cold and distant long before he joined them. They’d only honed the cold that was already there.  
    “It’s me,” she said softly.  
    “Jesus. Where the fuck are you?”  
    She scowled at the phone. That was over the top even for Carter. “With a…friend. Listen, I’m sending someone to pick you two up. Pack a bag for a few days.”  
    There was a long silence and she wondered if the connection had been broken. “Carter?”  
    “What’s going on, Esme? When you missed our meeting, I went by the campus. Your lab and office look like a hurricane swept through.”  
    She flashed hot, then cold. She couldn’t help searching the room for where she’d dropped her bag and breathing a sigh of relief it was still there by the door. Zach had acknowledged receipt of her email, but after twenty-four hours of no other contact, Esme had panicked. She’d saved all her research and notes onto flash drives then wiped all of her computers clean. She’d burned the papers. Whoever had been through her office wouldn’t find anything.  
    “There’s nothing left to find. I’ll explain it when you get here.” Braxton’s paranoia was wearing off on her. She didn’t trust the phone, but she didn’t want to have a prolonged telepathic chat with him either. It was taxing and she wasn’t sure if anyone could listen in if she was using that much power. She had to risk a short conversation.
    “Why don’t I just come to you?”
    She looked at Brax, standing so close she knew he heard Carter’s side of the conversation. He shook his head no.  
    “ Carter, just do it. ”
    “It’s better if someone picks you up,” she said, trying to sound steady and calm. The last thing she needed was Carter rushing to her rescue when it wasn’t necessary. This was going to freak him out bad enough as it was.  
    “ What’s going on, Esme? ” he countered.
    “Is this about the tests?” She could hear the concern for his son in his voice.