Yawning, I closed my eyes. “Yeah. Yeah. You talk tough, but you’re a pussycat.”
“You obviously don’t know me,” he whispered as he slid his hand into my nightgown, fondling my breast. “But you will learn, just like you’re going to accept my control.”
“Not in a hundred years.” Closing my eyes, I whimpered the second he pinched my nipple, the ache between my legs increasing. Grinning, I crawled my fingers down to his cock, marveling at his full arousal.
“That’s where you are wrong.”
When I stroked the base, taking my time to roll my fingers up to his cockhead, he issued a series of low and husky growls. “No, I’m never wrong.” When he forcefully removed my hand, I huffed, my exhaustion already tugging me toward sleep, the warmth and comfort as enjoyable as anything I’d felt in such a long time. As I started to drift off, his face remained in the forefront of my mind.
So masculine.
So gorgeous.
So full of blatant authority.
“I love you,” I whispered, another series of beautiful images floating into my brain, pulling me deeper into a luxurious sleep.
Another branch hit the window, this time creating an entirely different wave of anxiety. I could even swear a strange odor wafted into my nose, adding to the sickening feeling pooling in the pit of my stomach. As clawed fingers clutched around my throat, the stench became recognizable, a sickening premonition rushing into my mind, images so stark and cold that I was suddenly unable to breathe.
Death.
Chapter 14
Danni
Nightmares.
I hadn’t been plagued with them for years, even after the ugly experiences I’d endured since moving back to Montana. During the two hours of fitful sleep, I’d had at least three, one coming after the other. I’d finally given up close to five in the morning, easing out of bed without disturbing the sleeping giants. As I stood by the window, peering into the darkness through the ice crystals that had formed on the glass, I realized that Mustang had slept peacefully, barely moving. Even the two dogs were at peace, their heads nuzzled together as if they’d been buddies their entire lives.
I pressed my hand against the frigid glass, thankful that my sleeping hero had insisted on staying the night. While I had no fear of the assholes returning at this point, I agreed with Mustang that they weren’t finished with their warnings.
Especially if I refused to give in to their tyranny.
When I was younger, I’d had several premonitions, some of which had come true, although none of them were as troubling as the one I’d experienced regarding Mustang. I couldn’t fathom why my mind would have gone to such extremes, other than the fact every muscle in my body was suffering from the exhaustion I felt. I couldn’t budge the sickening sensations or the gnawing fear that remained in my gut, nor was I able to answer the question of why anyone would be out to get Mustang and his friend.
And how the hell had I gotten in the middle of the mess?
“Come back to bed, Danni.”
His deep baritone cut through the quiet, a beckoning that my body instantly responded to. He was controlling in every way, even though his eyes often twinkled with a mischievous side. Still, I shuddered from the few words spoken, heat rushing into my cheeks for no apparent reason. “I couldn’t sleep.” I heard the rustle of covers and didn’t need to see in the darkness to know he’d thrown them off his body.
“I said. Come,” he commanded.
He turned on the light by the nightstand, inching onto his elbow as he studied me. The sight of his naked body lying in my bed was far too delicious to resist. When Zorro lifted his head, he said something under his breath. Within a few seconds, the pup nuzzled Rattler until he roused from his slumber, both gradually getting off the bed.
I moved closer, allowing my heated gaze to fall slowly down the length of Mustang’s body, dragging my tongue across my lips. “You have a way with animals.”
“I know a thing or two.”
“I’m impressed.”
His nostrils flared as he tilted his head. “Remove your nightgown. I need you naked.”
Everything about him was so damn masculine, every chiseled muscle highlighted in the warm glow of the lamp. I took a few seconds to enjoy and appreciate the view before edging closer, yet not close enough he could reach out and grab