her through the open door. Once on the other side, he set all the security back into place.
She was stiff beside him. “You’re not coming up with me.”
“Then I’ll go without you.” He lifted her aside and started up the stairs with her muttering a string of curses behind him.
“Why are you doing this?”
“I have questions,” he reminded her.
“About my brother.”
“And your father.” At the top of the stairs, he waited, allowing her to take the lead. When her hand went to her face, her fingertips skimming the bruise, he had his answer. “Your father struck you.”
She dropped her hand and briskly opened the final door to her home. “Not your problem.”
She was right about that, but he wouldn’t let it drop, couldn’t let it go. “Tell me what I need to know and I’ll go away.” Every cell in his body screamed in denial. He hung fast and firm to his resolve.
Leaving him just inside the door, she marched to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator unit, and pulled out a tube of flavored drink. Cracking it open, she took a long swallow. “And if I don’t? You’ll sneak back in the middle of the night? I know it was you. Sure the voice was different, but that’s easy enough to do, isn’t it?”
“You tell me.” Neither confirming nor denying her accusation, he strode toward her, allowing his footsteps to echo on the floor.
“Take down that hood. We’re alone here. If we’re fighting, I want to see you.”
“Is that what we’re doing?” He shoved the covering back, enjoying the way her eyes widened. He’d never been vain about his appearance before. His looks were what they were. But knowing she found him attractive made him stand a little taller.
She pointed a finger at him. “You’re playing a dangerous game. Helldrick and Balthazar are not men to cross.”
It struck him that she’d used Helldrick’s name instead of calling him her father. Moving toward her, he crowded her back against the counter.
“Stop that.” She set her drink down and pressed her hands against his chest.
“Make me.” What was he doing? He should be down in the bar planting his remaining listening devices. A tendril of golden hair lay against the curve of her cheek. He hooked it over her ear.
Her fingers curled inward. He cursed his clothing and the battlesuit beneath, wishing she was stroking his bare skin. Her breathing quickened.
Unable to resist the lure of her sweet mouth, he leaned down and brushed his lips against it. Heat exploded, rushing to his groin and surging outward, traveling at light speed through his body. It was even better than he remembered. She made a sound, a cross between pain and pleasure, and her tongue flicked out to taste him.
This was what he’d wanted since he’d left her last night. She’d followed him into his dreams, leaving him restless and overheated, and haunted his waking hours. Not even a full day of training had been able to oust her from his thoughts.
He wanted to strip her naked and learn every inch of her skin, kissing and stroking until they were both screaming for release. Drawing on every ounce of discipline he possessed, he ran his fingers over her delicate collarbone. She shivered and licked her lips.
“This is crazy.”
“Why?” She was right, but he was curious about her reasoning.
“I know…” She trailed off, huffed out a breath, and began again. “I know you broke into my room. You never denied it.”
“I never confirmed it.” Her skin was softer than Darkata silk. The pulse in her neck fluttered wildly, drawing him. He dragged his tongue over the sensitive spot.
“Gods, you have to stop.” On a shudder, she pushed away, and he let her go. “There’s no need to seduce me for information.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing?”
Etta grabbed her drink and took a large swallow. “Do you answer every question with a question? It’s an interesting technique.”
The silence between them grew until she threw up her arms. “So it’s questions or silence. Let me tell you what I think.” She dumped the rest of her drink in the sink and went into the living area, pacing the space.
“You’re my intruder. You’re here because Balthazar is involved in something.” Her gaze flickered to him. “Something dangerous.”
And she had a good idea what that might be. It was in the fearful sidelong glance, the slight tightened of her mouth. His hot blood cooled, his desire faded. He stalked toward her, not surprised when she took a