and he didn’t like it. “You’ve had an adrenaline-filled night, you must be scared of that wacko in the car, and I hit you with the fact that I’m dying. None of those are good reasons to make yourself vulnerable.”
She tilted her head, studying him. “Do I look like I feel vulnerable to you?”
“No.” She looked like temptation and innocent sin, which was a contradiction he’d never imagined. Until now.
She moved into him, sliding her hands from his abs up to his chest, humming in what sounded like appreciation. “Do I look scared or like I feel sorry for you?”
His cock pressed so hard against his zipper that he barely hid a wince. “I’m trying to do the right thing here.”
She curled her fingers and her nails bit into his skin through his T-shirt. “So am I.” With that illusive statement, she levered up on her toes and kissed him. Her lips were full and soft, and a temptation he’d never be able to deny, regardless of noble intentions.
He let her play for a moment and then slowly took control of the kiss, deepening it when she slid her hands beneath his shirt and across his abs. His stomach undulated, and he forced himself to slow down. While she was a siren, he was twice her size, and he had to be careful.
Her touch was hot. Very. He leaned back, desire clawing through him. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She tugged on his shirt, and he ducked his head to let her yank it up and away.
Something caught his eye, and he grasped her right hand, turning it over to look at a tattoo on her palm. Winding vines surrounded the letter R, looking both ancient and delicate. It was beautiful work, whoever had drawn it. How had he not noticed it before? “R for Rusko?” he murmured.
“Yes.”
“It looks fresh.” Maybe he wasn’t the only one trying to hold on to the past.
Her chuckle swam down his skin and landed in his balls. “You could say that. It’s very new.”
“It’s stunning.”
“I’m glad you think so,” she said, her eyes nearly looking silver for the briefest of moments. Then she reached for the snap of his jeans.
Chapter 6
Tabitha saw the second Evan gave up the fight to protect her for her own good. His eyes shifted, and his shoulders went back. Smoothly, he lifted her and easily carried her to the bed. His strength gave her a slight pause. If he was this strong as a human, what would he be like immortal? Then he leaned over and kissed her, and she forgot all about reservations.
The cop could kiss.
He set her on her back, one knee next to her on the bed, his mouth working hers as if they had all the time in the world. His lips were firm, and he explored her, sliding his mouth away from hers and along her face, nipping where her jaw met her neck.
She shivered, her body lighting on fire.
Slowly, gently, he drew her blouse up along her ribcage with both hands, his fingertips caressing and teasing her rib cage. She reached for him, sliding her hands through his thick hair like she’d wanted to do for weeks. Then she tugged.
He paused, his palms warm against the sides of her breasts.
She smiled. “I don’t need slow, and I’m not breakable.”
His eyes burned the dark hue as dusk gave up the fight to night. “I’ll go as slow as I want, and baby, I won’t break you.” Then he pulled her shirt over her head and looked down, male satisfaction curving his lips. “God, you’re beautiful.”
She wish she’d worn her fancy bra instead of the comfortable cotton one, so she reached for the front clasp and released it. “I’m okay,” she murmured, having fun. She wasn’t exactly well endowed, but by the flaring of his eyes, he didn’t seem to mind.
He reached for her, palming both breasts, no longer holding back. Electricity zipped through her skin and right to her core, and she arched against him, surprised at the intensity. Then he leaned down and kissed her again, taking control in the smoothest of ways.
Everything felt so good. He felt so good against her. She dug her fingers into the still hard planes of his chest, sliding her palms down to dig into each rippling muscle in his abs, need rioting through her so fast she could barely breathe.
He released the button of her pants and slid them down her legs, standing by the bed as he