A veil dropped over his eyes. “True. But I’m hoping you’ll stay in my world. At least give it a chance.”
Why? So far, his world sucked and was mired in the customs of a century long gone. Besides, her past had screwed her up enough that all she knew how to do was fail at relationships. “I like you, and I’m attracted to you, but that’s all I have to give.”
He gripped her chin, his hold firm. “You’re more than what you think, Mia. Trust me.”
She didn’t trust anybody. Not really. “For tonight, I will.”
His hold firmed, and he lowered his lips to slide against hers. “That’s a start, now isn’t it?”
Allowing a wolf shifter to bite her shouldn’t be done lightly, but she was short on time. Aunt Dotty and Gena were in danger, and if this would save them, then she had no choice. “Yes. It’s a start.” At the words, calmness centered her. She hadn’t meant to promise anything, and yet her heart hitched.
Raising his head, he twined his fingers with hers, slowly leading her toward the bedroom.
He brought the gun with him.
Entering the quiet room, he nudged the door shut and slid the lock into place. He leaned the shotgun against the wall and held out a hand for her Glocks, gently placing the weapons on the night table.
Guns and sex. She tried to shake her head at the absurdity of the night, but the sexy man kept her attention. Seth was tall and strong, and an intensity lived within him that matched the wild animal he kept inside. Right now, he wanted to protect her for as long as possible.
That fact drew her even more than the passion sparking through her skin.
He reached for the hem of her shirt and slowly slid the material over her head. Gently, almost reverently, he unclasped her bra and smoothed the straps down her arms. Heat flared in his darkening eyes. “You’re beautiful.”
She’d never felt that way until Seth had really looked at her, his expression changing. For the first time, she felt beautiful. Flattening her hands on his rippling abs, she hummed. “You’re something amazing.” Something beyond human, which now made sense. “So strong.”
He reached for her jeans, undoing the button and sliding down the zipper. “The marking hurts, Mia. Most humans can’t take it, which is why we normally mate other wolves. I’m sorry to cause you pain.”
Pride lifted her chin. She was as tough, if not tougher, than any female wolf out there. “I can take it. Don’t worry.”
“I know you can take the pain, but I wish you didn’t have to.” He frowned. “Maybe you should take a painkiller or something first.”
Irritation jerked her head back. “Do female wolves take painkillers first?”
He stiffened. “No.”
“Then I don’t need one.” Her stubbornness didn’t make sense, but she didn’t care. Nobody would ever say that she wasn’t as tough as a female wolf.
“Okay.” His palm slid up to cup her breast.
Fire ripped through her core.
Thunder roared across the sky outside, and rain began pelting the metal roof. Even so, the storm was nothing compared to the whirlwind inside her. His mouth took hers. She swayed, caught in his heat. So much need—so much want. Why did she respond like this to him?
Her eyes fluttered closed, and she sighed deep in her throat. The kiss was hot, sexy, and consumed all thought.
An explosion split the night.
Seth jerked away and grabbed the shotgun.
Shock widened her eyes to let in more light, while Seth’s narrowed. He lifted his head and sniffed the air. Men’s bellows echoed for him to come outside.
He growled. “There are at least ten, and I smell Frank Barnby.”
“You can smell individual people?” she gasped, reaching for her gun.
“Yes. They’re here against Ben’s orders. Probably want to kill us and then deal with Ben as heroes.” Seth grabbed her free hand and stalked toward the closet. Shoving shirts to the side, he exposed a large door, which he opened to reveal a dark tunnel. He pushed her inside, shut the closet door, and fixed the shirts before following her. “Run.”
Chapter23
