“Did you, now?” He stopped on the other side of the sofa, in complete control of the room. “And?”
“You’re uncontrollable.” The idea thrilled her to the point of being too dangerous. “That’s why I didn’t choose you back then.”
At the reminder of her messing with his brother, he changed. Nothing obvious. She noticed it because she’d watched him secretly for years. She’d wanted him so badly for eons. His eyes glittered, focusing on her with a preternatural stillness. Here was the deadly soldier she’d heard whispered about from immortals who actually feared him.
The predator he hid down deep. Brutal, primal, and terrifying.
She wanted to make him hers. “Your calm façade is disappearing, Reese. You’re looking a bit deadly,” she breathed, her abdomen quivering.
“I am deadly. You might want to keep that in mind.” His voice had lowered, turning gravelly hoarse.
The tone bit across her skin, heading down to the pulse between her legs.
He lifted his face, his nostrils flaring. “You’re aroused, baby.”
“That’s impolite,” she returned, moving slightly to the left.
“We left politeness a long time ago.” He matched her movement. “I’m going to give you one more chance. Get your ass into the bedroom. Now.”
“That’s not what I want,” she whispered, eyeing him, preparing to run. “Not even close. The question is: What do you want?”
“You.” He was up and over the sofa in a wisp of sound.
She’d been waiting. She somersaulted in the air over the nearest chair, landing by the window. “You’re fast.”
“So are you.” He stalked her around the chair, his hungry eyes unblinking and focused like any predator on prey. Her challenge had stripped him down to the dark and primitive beast at his core.
At that look, alarm trembled through her along with anticipation. She’d wanted him unleashed. Now could she handle him? The need to run was real this time. She feinted left and went right, rushing for the bedroom and the door that hopefully had a lock.
He caught her by the nape and the waistband, ripping her off her feet and flinging her over his shoulder. Not missing a beat, he strode toward the bedroom and kicked the door shut with enough strength to crack the door frame. One hand planted on her ass, and he flipped her over, tossing her on the bed.
Her shoulders hit first, and the wind whooshed out of her lungs. Before she could strike out, he’d ripped her jeans free of her body. She rolled to the side and tried to lever off the bed, a shocked laugh escaping her when he planted one hand across her entire lower back and somehow ripped off her shirt. She squirmed on the bed like a wriggling kitten, fighting to get free, wanting him to keep her close but unwilling to give in so easily.
She couldn’t dislodge his hand.
He waited, the patient hunter, with her wearing nothing but her thin bra and panty set.
The bra released. “You ever been tied up?” he asked, no exertion in his voice.
“No,” she gasped. A slow burn rolled through her body. He held her down with one hand, her face in the bedclothes, her feet kicking uselessly. The man had been bruised and burned. How was he fighting so well and easily? Adrenaline was flooding her body, giving her strength, but she couldn’t match him.
Her thighs rubbed together, and she bit back a groan. “If I had my fire, I’d burn you to a crisp.”
“This is for leaving the apartment.” The smack to her ass shocked the heck out of her. She arched, gasping. Fire shot through her skin, followed by a chill that made her tremble.
He slapped her butt again, making her skin come alive with brutal tingles. “This is for robbing a bank. A Realm bank.” Three very hard smacks followed in rapid succession.
She cried out and arched again, every nerve sparking. Nobody had dared treat her so, and yet she was primed and ready for him. Her breasts felt heavy and needy, while her sex contracted several times, needing something. Needing Theo Reese. She clenched her jaw to keep from begging for him.
He held his hand against her smarting rear, holding in the heat. She panted, her eyes wide, wondering what he’d do next. After the count of two heartbeats, he flipped her over.
Then he was on her.
Finally.
Chapter 12
Theo had waited too many damn long years to wait any longer. He kissed Ginny, and the taste of woman exploded on his tongue. Honey and spice and all intrigue. She tunneled her hands through his hair, kissing him back, her body softening for him. Her thighs rose on either side of his hips, and his jeans suddenly felt way too tight.
