and now savior. The truth was, she had enjoyed being wrapped in his arms a little too much for her own peace of mind.
He stood watching her, again. It was as if he were trying to peer inside her head, or as if he were trying to gain access to her private thoughts and feelings. Joanna suddenly felt as if the walls were closing in on her. She needed to put some distance between them.
“I think you should rest a while longer. There’s no hurry.”
“I told you, I’m fine,” Joanna insisted as she rose quickly from the couch where he had deposited her moments ago. She charged toward the stairs intent on escaping Landon’s piercing gaze.
Midway across the room it occurred to her that she had not thanked him for interceding on her behalf today with Royce. She stopped and turned to face Landon intending to correct the oversight. However, he wasn’t where she had left him. As she spun back toward the stairs, she found her exit blocked by a seriously pissed-off Were.
Darn, he could move fast. She took a step back. He took a step forward. He was stalking her! As she continued to step back, Landon continued to move forward. Soon she felt the wall at her back. Her retreat had reached an abrupt halt.
He kept moving forward trapping her as he flattened his palms against the wall on either side of her body. As he dipped his head, she drew a quick breath and braced her heart for Landon’s blistering kiss.
Instead, he growled, “Don’t. Feed. Me. That line of shit! Play the independent, cold-hearted, untouchable Witch with someone else.”
This time tears really did fill her eyes. Joanna dropped her head on his chest as the first sob left her lungs. The arms that had been stiff with anger moments ago, wrapped around her to pull her tightly into his chest. The voice that had growled moments ago, now whispered. “Joanna, I know it hurts. I know you’re afraid. I can smell pain and fear all over you. Don’t shut me out.”
“I’m fine,” Joanna whispered. “I’m fine,” she said, a little stronger this time. “I promise. It’s getting better.” Resting her palm on his chest, she continued, “Thank you, Landon. Thank you for running interference for me with Royce. I know he’s really pissed at me. Thank you for cleaning me up, and everything else you’ve done to take care of me today.”
“Royce needed to cool down, and you needed to recover. Royce cares very deeply about you, Joanna. He would never forgive himself if something happened to you on his watch. Cut him some slack.” Knowing that it would get her blood flowing, he added, “And, if this is too much for you to handle on your own, don’t be too proud to call for backup.”
Mission accomplished. Her eyes sparked with anger; which he preferred to tears.
“You think I can’t handle it, Wolf-boy?” Joanna hissed. “You think I’m just a weak female? Let me assure you, I’m nothing like the kind of woman you are used to dealing with. I can take care of myself, and I don’t need you, or Royce, or anyone else worrying about me,” Joanna ranted as she pushed him away.
“I can take it from here. You don’t need to see me home. I’ll call a cab,” Joanna said, wishing he would just go. She had told him she felt fine, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. She felt as if she might break into a million pieces at any moment.
“There is only one problem with that. I told Royce I would get you home safely,” he countered. “That’s just what I’m going to do, even if I have to tie you up to do it.”
“Try it Wolf, I dare you.”
“Just remember, you asked for it, Jo.” Landon reached over to open a cabinet as he made his way slowly toward her. Without breaking stride or taking his eyes off her, he withdrew a coil of rope and clicked the door shut with soft finality.
Ok, so maybe things had gone too far. “Stop! Landon, this isn’t funny,” Joanna said breathlessly. At one time, being tied up by a man like Landon Smith would have been her idea of fun. But--?
Shaking his head slowly from side to side, eyes glinting he said, “I’m not laughing,” as he continued to move toward her.
Joanna backed away taking care to make sure she was backing toward the stairs rather than into a wall. As