Chapter Twenty-Two
Anger shot through her so quickly, Nari’s head ached. Even so, the idea that Angus felt responsible for her to the degree that he’d be such a complete ass warmed her girlie parts. She’d have to resolve her issues with that later. For now, she had to face down this stubborn male and win. “I don’t work for you, I’m not dating you, and I have not asked for your opinion on my safety or plans.” Her jaw hurt from gritting her teeth, so she tried to relax it. “While Neanderthals might interest some women, I am not one of them. I suggest you rejoin this century. Like, now.”
“So far, I’m not liking current times,” Angus rejoined. He was standing way too close to her with just the dog between them. “I know I’m neither your boss nor your boyfriend, but I got you into this mess and I’m getting you out of it.”
“I can take care of myself,” she said.
“Didn’t say you couldn’t.”
Roscoe looked from one to the other of them, stood, and walked over to jump back on the sofa. He yawned hugely and put his muzzle on his paws.
She eyed the animal that had just abandoned her to a pissed-off male. “Angus, you’re being an ass.”
“I’m okay with that.” On the side of his face, fresh bruises mixed with slightly older ones. One along the left side of his jaw no doubt corresponded with a bump on the back of her shoulder from when he’d tackled her to the ground as the cabin exploded. When he’d put his body between her and danger, possibly sacrificing himself.
Her breasts tingled. It was late and her defenses were down, while her emotions were up. “Think of another plan because I’m not leaving right now. The team, if we’re staying together, needs me. You know that.” She was the one who held them together.
“You’re more important than any team,” he said softly, towering over her without meaning to do so. A dark desperation swirled in his deep, green eyes, drawing her to him more surely than any challenge could.
His sweetness would always be her undoing. Even so, she lifted her chin. “The answer is no.”
“There wasn’t a question,” he said.
That was it. She shoved him, right in the gut. Faster than she could follow, he manacled both of her wrists and turned them, putting her butt to the wall. Gently but firmly. He stepped into her, his spicy male scent washing over her entire body.
“You don’t want this,” he rumbled, his voice hoarse.
“Maybe you don’t,” she challenged, her breath quickening. There wasn’t anything she wanted more right now than his mouth on her. “What are you afraid of, Angus? Little ole me?” Yeah, she could take him down with one move.
He scoffed. “Right.”
Challenge accepted. She lifted her leg and curled it, catching him behind the knee while pushing her whole body forward. At the last second she twisted and sent him down to land on his back on the thick carpet.
He kept her hands, yanking back, and let gravity pull her down.
She landed on him, the breath whooshing out of her lungs from impact with his hard chest. In one smooth motion he rolled them over, pinning her arms above her head.
Her gasp was half cough and half laugh. She tried to pull up her knees to get leverage with her heels.
“Oh no you don’t.” He flattened his legs over hers, pinning them.
God, he felt good on top of her. Solid and strong. An immovable object in a dark and frightening world. She smiled, not bucking against him. “You can’t keep this hold forever.” Her legs were immobile and he had her wrists extended above her. She could headbutt him, but they weren’t in a real fight, so giving herself another concussion and possibly breaking his nose seemed like overkill. But it was in her arsenal, just in case. “You make one move and you lose your leverage.”
For an answer, he secured both of her wrists in one of his large hands. “I made a move. Your turn.”
She couldn’t. Well, not without hurting both of them. She could call for the dog to help, but she didn’t want to confuse or scare Roscoe. “There’s not much you can do with that free hand at the moment,” she whispered.
His eyelids dropped to half-mast. “Are you about done throwing challenges?”
“Nope.” Not until he accepted one. “In fact, I think we should talk about why you—”
His mouth crushed down on hers. Finally. He went deep, his body on hers, his strength all around her. The kiss was raw and heated, filled with anger and loneliness and lust.
Desire plowed through her, shoving out every other emotion. All fear, all anger, all uncertainty disappeared with the force of his mouth on hers. His tongue swept inside her mouth, taking what he wanted. She kissed him back, her hands trapped above her head, adding to the need raging through her.
He released her mouth and then kissed along her jawline, nipping her ear and going lower, suckling her collarbone with his impossibly hot mouth. “How badly are you hurt?”
She ached like crazy. Fighting against the hold on her wrists, she gasped when she couldn’t free herself. Warmth flushed through her, pounding down her torso to land between her legs. “I’m not hurt. Bruised, but not broken. Like you.” She gasped, widening her legs.
