sobbing in the bathroom had unleashed my fury at having to rip away her life. That alone had almost destroyed me, pushing me over an edge I hadn’t gone over in so long. The woman had unceremoniously found a way through my layers of darkness. However, there was no sense in falling into a self-deprecating moment. That would do no good for either of us.
After taking a deep breath, I walked back inside, determined to manage at least a couple of hours of sleep. While crude, I’d provided enough deterrents in order to buy at least a few minutes in order to get out of the house quickly if necessary.
The warm glow of the fire was enough to highlight the woman standing at the bottom of the stairs. She seemed surprised to see me, her mouth twisting as she fisted her hands. The effort had allowed them to disappear under the oversized man’s flannel shirt. She stood in her bare feet, only a few buttons fastened. And dear fucking God, no woman had ever looked so beautiful.
“I’m sorry. I hope your friend doesn’t mind I borrowed this. I didn’t really think about buying anything to sleep in,” Chloe half whispered, twisting her body from side to side.
The simple move was enough to push my cock against my zipper. Even my damn pulse had quickened, the fire burning in my belly more pronounced than before. “Of course. He won’t mind.”
She nodded, obviously nervous in my presence. “Okay, good. I was just getting some… water. If that’s okay, I mean.”
“You have free rein of the house, Chloe. Please, get what you need.” I locked the door then moved toward the fireplace, forcing myself to study the fire. I didn’t need to hear her moving into the kitchen or the way the refrigerator door was opened to feel her presence all around me. She was the firestorm building in my system, her scent lingering long after it should have gone away. I pulled the Heckler & Koch from the small of my back, engaging the safety then placing it on the hearth.
The damn bastards had better not fuck with me tonight.
After a few seconds, I heard the simple creak of the bottom stair. “Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Chloe.” I took several deep breaths, doing everything I could to push her out of my mind. Flexing my fingers, I stared down at them, growling from the twitches that continued. I was out of my fucking mind, but I could no longer stop the beast from feasting. “Chloe. Wait.”
“Yes?”
Her voice floated in my mind, ringing in my ears. The taste of her. The feel of her. The need for her. “Come. Here.”
My command was just as dark and dangerous as my intentions. I threw back the rest of the whiskey, placing the glass on the hearth before turning around. She was still hesitant, the flicker of light allowing me to see the questions in her eyes.
Yet she came to me, moving ever so slowly as if in her mind, she was doing everything she could to tempt me. The little vixen made my mouth water. There was no turning back.
She belonged to me.
Not only for tonight.
For as long as we were both alive.
When she was only inches away, I took another deep inhale, savoring her subtle yet powerful scent.
“Closer,” I commanded.
Her entire body quivered, a single twitch on the corner of her mouth another statement of her seductive beauty. She took her time closing the distance, tilting her head so she could still maintain eye contact. So brave yet so innocent.
The combination was irresistible.
As I towered over her, I reached out, brushing the backs of my fingers across her cheek. Instantly, a single but beautiful moan slipped past her luscious lips. They were perfect in every way, the curvature providing lurid images of her mouth wrapped around the tip of my cock.
She continued to quiver but she nuzzled my hand, her long eyelashes fluttering against her cheek.
I rubbed my thumb back and forth, struggling with my needs as well as my emotions. The electricity shot through both of us, a wildfire of almost desperate desire. Every hair stood up on my body from the way her gaze had pierced my armor. There was no way I could drag the beast back into his lair even if I wanted.
After wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I dragged her against the heat of my body. She planted her hands on my chest, the way she dug