“I guess.” Gently yet firmly, he led her back to the driver’s side of the truck and helped her in, waiting until she’d scooted over before settling his bulk in the seat. “You hungry?”
“No.” Her head ached from the smoke, and the last thing she wanted was food. “I think I’ll head home.”
He turned his head slowly, the blue of his eyes cutting through the darkness. “How about you come to my house?”
Chapter19
The fire cast a heated glow. Warmth slid against her skin, and shadows swayed on the cedar walls, darkening the indentations and hiding the grooves.
Seth’s place was a secluded cabin in a quiet bay of the lake. Mia shook her head, settling more comfortably into the leather cushions. Why had she agreed to come here? She knew exactly why. After arriving at the cabin, Seth had made a fire and then hustled into the shower to wash off the smoke and soot.
A large kitchen sat silent to the left, and the bedroom lay to the right. The comfortable main room held the huge fireplace, a TV, and a shotgun by the door.
Seth suddenly filled the bedroom doorway. His wet hair curled at his nape while his broad chest gleamed in the dim light. He’d yanked on faded sweats and was barefoot. Even his feet looked strong.
His gaze on her, he stalked forward and sat. Mia tipped toward him and quickly straightened herself.
“No.” He turned and lifted her to straddle his lap.
She teetered, gasping as her dress rode up, and his thighs heated hers.
He brushed her hair back from her face with both hands. “From the first second I saw you, I imagined you here, lit by fire. You’re beautiful.” The low rumble of his voice sparked her blood hotter than the crackling flames.
Her hand trembling, she slid her palm along his sharp jaw. So much strength. Men like him didn’t exist. How was he possible? So masculine, so deadly.
Blue eyes pierced hers. “Why did you come with me tonight?”
She took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to the strong cords of his neck. “You’re dangerous and scary…and yet you make me feel safe.” Of course, it didn’t make sense.Theydidn’t make sense. “And you’re lonely. That made me feel needed.”
Vulnerability shrugged her shoulders forward, but she didn’t know any other way to be with him. The truth mattered. Instinct whispered that the moment held importance.
She swallowed. “Why did you ask me to come with you?”
He tugged her hands and trapped them on her thighs, his palms warming her knuckles. “I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you. When we danced at the ball, when you smiled at me, you changed me.” The corner of his mouth quirked. “And you’re right—I am lonely.”
She shook her head. “I can’t fill you.”
“You already do.”
Such sweetness from the man she’d seen pulverize a bully and fearlessly fight a fire tempted her to let go. Completely. “We’re not a good match.”
This time, sadness marred his smile. “I’m fully aware of that, ex-FBI agent Mia Stone. I don’t care.”
“I don’t either.” She tried to tug free to touch him again.
Wickedness darkened the blue hue. “Here we play my way, sweetheart.”
Her lungs trapped the air as well as Seth had trapped her hands. She breathed out. “Um, I’m not exactly the tie-me-up type of gal. Let me go.”
“I don’t need to tie you up.” Quicker than possible, he captured both her wrists in one broad hand. The other dug into her hair, pulling back.
Her neck elongated. She struggled to keep her balance. “Seth…”
“Relax your body, Mia. I won’t let you fall.” The unrelenting grip tightened at her nape.
She didn’t have much of a choice. Her nipples peaked. Arousal heated her core. The display of dominance was too natural to be a game, and for some reason, it was sexy as hell. Dangerous and sexy. Slowly, she relaxed her muscles and allowed him to hold her in place. “I’m not the submissive type.”
His lids lowered to half-mast. “Then when you submit, the moment will be all the more rewarding.”
