to stay the night with him and his wife.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Because I’m fine,” she snapped, getting annoyed. She couldn’t explain that she couldn’t fall asleep with others nearby—that she was a danger to them. And what business was it of his anyway? “It’s just for one night. He’ll repair the window tomorrow.”
“One night is all it takes to freeze to death. And can you make it any easier for …”
“For what?” she pressed, her eyes scanning him intently. Was this it? Would he say what he knew? Would he admit to possessing knowledge that matched her own suspicions?
“Can you make it any easier for danger to find you?” he finished, his eyes glowing again.
She pulled back, her gaze narrowing. “What are you talking about? Truly? Stop being vague.” She spoke quietly, almost as if she didn’t want the night to overhear her words.
Deep in her bones, she felt there was more to this man. A lot more. Things he knew that she knew, too. They were toeing a dangerous line, dancing around each other with their secrets.
“There are all kinds of things that could harm a woman alone. And you’re more vulnerable than most.” He motioned to the boarded-up window, but she noticed that his gaze drifted, moved to her front window, out at the sky, to the full moon hanging low on the night.
“What business is it of yours anyway?”
At this, he stared at her, a cold shutter falling over his gaze as the truth of her question drilled deep.
“What do you care?” she demanded, pushing the point, feeling she was close. Close to pushing him away. Close to running him off for good. As much as the thought of this stung her, she charged ahead, needing to drive him away. “You don’t know me. I don’t know you.”
A heavy beat of silence stretched between them, strained and uncomfortable.
He inhaled. “You’re right.” He moved toward the door.
She couldn’t make herself move or speak. She had to see him leave, had to watch him walk away even as an inexplicable ache built in her chest. She watched the broad shoulders, the rigid set of his spine and embraced that she’d never have him or any other man ever again.
She’d said the words, done everything to get him to leave her alone—even as her heart, her body willed him to stay, willed him to come closer. To touch her as he had earlier with that simple brush of his fingers. To touch her more than that. To fill the ache of loneliness gnawing away at her.
Weak, she knew, and foolish and selfish. But that was how she felt. Thankfully only how she felt. She gave nothing away, no outward sign, no indication that she wanted him to do any of those things. She was responsible, at least.
What choice do you have?
He stopped then, turned back and stared at her, pinned her with his deep gaze. She forgot how to breathe beneath that intense stare, both afraid and hopeful that he would read her want, her need.
“Go,” she whispered, inwardly cringing at the pathetic whisper of her voice. Hardly convincing.
He angled his head, the light in his eyes intensifying the longer he stared, taking her apart piece by piece, opening her up to see what it was she hid inside … who she was.
He moved before she could process it. A blur and rush of wind that bewildered her.
Before she had time to process just what happened, he was in front of her, hauling her into his arms, lifting her off her feet as he claimed her mouth. Heat. That was her first impression as he enveloped her. Encompassing heat and male strength.
Shock rippled through her at the sensation of his mouth on hers. She gasped and he took advantage, deepening the kiss, forcing her mouth open for his slanting lips.
His lips were warm like the rest of him. They moved firmly, expertly, robbing her of all will as he pushed deeper inside her apartment, backing her up against a wall.
Her hands hovered for a moment at her sides, warring with her weakening will. She should push him away, end this insanity before it went further. And yet she failed to do any of that.
With the fleeting thought that she really should know better than to do this flashing across her mind, she seized his shoulders. She was lost. There was no going back. She clung to him, pressing against him as their mouths fused, moving feverishly, tasting and sucking.
She yanked