“It’s entirely possible,” he admits. “The only reason he didn’t try to kill us at Hologrid Hub is because you were armed with my gun, and he wasn’t prepared. Which is another reason he shouldn’t helm the organization. I’m always prepared.”
I watch Alexei carefully like I would any predator. The entire atmosphere has swelled, heated, and changed from his presence. My skin electrifies, and I don’t like it. My clit tries to argue, and I mentally order that bitch back to hibernation. I’ve never had a man in this room—and I usually date easy going and carefree men. Not intense possible murderers. “Is there any way to find peace with your brother?”
“I don’t have a brother,” Alexei returns. “Hendrix is anything but.”
“I think he’s probably charging the crystals at Hologrid Hub,” I murmur, waiting for a reaction. I don’t get one.
The man is a master at masking his thoughts and emotions. “Probably, but the crystal felt weak to me. Speaking of which, I’m surprised you didn’t ask any questions when you dropped me back off at the bar.”
I shake my head. The guy was half-asleep as if healing himself had taken a boatload of energy, and I didn’t know what to ask. “I wasn’t surprised. I know all about the use of the crystals in powering the servers.” Sure, it’s a lifelong deadly secret, but he has a right to understand my insight as his attorney.
His chin lifts very slightly. “I was not aware of your knowledge, which unfortunately puts you in danger. I suggest you don’t advertise, to anybody but me, your comprehension about crystals and power. My guess is that yes, Hendrix is charging the crystals at the company. I think Cal was better at it, but there’s no choice now, is there?”
“So you’re better at interacting with the gems?” Not everybody in the lineages is able to charge the crystals.
“Yes.” Alexei smiles, making my vagina perk up again. “I touch an amethyst, and the charge is immediate.” The purple eyes on the panther dance across his skin.
I blink. That must’ve been a hallucination. The panther looks like he wants to take a bite out of me. Maybe two. My breasts tighten more as if trying to reach for him. I have totally and completely lost my mind—and any control of my body. I must get him out of here. “Since you have very little money, at least right now, I can help you find a hotel. I don’t have an empty room here.”
He glances at the bed again, and awareness ticks down my back. “Like I told you, I’m staying here.” He runs one knuckle down my face.
I gulp, my feet frozen to the ground. Which doesn’t make sense because my entire body has gone firestorm hot. “You can’t sleep with your attorney.” My voice shakes, and I concentrate on watching the panther watch me.
“I have no plans to sleep.” His voice is low and dark, licking across my skin.
I shiver, and his answering half smile should piss me off. But there’s so much intent in it that wings flutter through my abdomen ... and lower. Much lower. I press my lips together, tight, to keep from whimpering. “Sex is off the table,” I whisper.
“How about over the bed?”
Overthe bed. Notonthe bed. Notinthe bed. But bent over the bed. My core screams a holy yes while I shake my head. “No.”
He clasps my jaw between a roughened thumb and finger. “I know when a woman wants me, Rosalie.” He says my name like he’s tasting heaven.
I’m sure every woman within a two-mile radius wants this man, just from the pheromones zinging around. “You want my brain and not my body. Trust me.”
“I’ll possess both.”
Who says that? Seriously. “You get neither.” I look up, meeting his gaze evenly, instantly wishing I hadn’t.
His eyes are black pools of intrigue and desire along with warning. “Your choice.” He releases me and turns his back, pulling the T-shirt over his head. He flings it to the chair, revealing hard muscle and several scars down his strong back. Knife wounds, whip marks, and other scars I can’t identify—including a fresh one on his shoulder. My vagina rolls over and moans. That fucking bitch. She needs to crave safety and not ... this. Whatever this is.
I glance at the bed. “You are not staying here.”
He turns, his hands already unzipping his jeans. “Then call your ancient boarders for help, and we’ll get this over with now. I’ll try not to harm them too badly, but I can’t guarantee all seven will survive.”
My knees tremble. There’s too much trembling, shuddering, and vibrating throughout my entire body right now—with different feelings and emotions attached. He knows more about me and mine than I like.
He tosses the pants, leaving himself in black boxer briefs that are filled out. I mean seriously filled out. His gaze softens. Slightly. “I’m tired, Rosalie. It’s been a long seven years, and the next couple of months aren’t going to be any sort of picnic. Get your sweet ass in that bed, and I promise, this once, I won’t touch you tonight. Won’t even tempt you.”
The man tempts me just by existing. “Fine.” I’m too tired to fight him. But I’ll cover myself with heavy vanilla scented lotion while preparing for bed. I’m sure that will mask his scent and send those pheromones fleeing. “You’ll love my winter pajamas. I find them in the great-grandma aisle at the women’s shelter.”
NINE
Rosalie
Pleasure drowns me, and I moan, every nerve in my entire body shooting electricity. Colors and mysterious shapes flash in front of my eyes. I gasp, on fire. Somehow, I’m flying. The smell of motor oil battered by pelting rain fills my senses.
A sound awakens me, and my eyelids flip open even as another moan escapes from my chest. I jerk awake, gyrating against fingers playing with my clit. My pajama bottoms and panties are gone, and I’m bare to the cool air. “Oh God,” I whisper, the blood rushing through my head so fast, my ears ring. I partially roll to face Alexei. The breath bursts out of my lungs, and I grab onto his biceps, digging my nails in. “What are you doing?” I gasp, my head spinning, my nipples sharpened to fine points beneath the thin camisole top.
