I’d made a couple of calls about Samuel on the way to my house, discovering nothing that would raise any red flags. What I needed to do was have a discussion with the other members of Raven Intel. Collectively, we might be able to get a handle on how to go forward with the situation if needed. Or if that shouldeven be an option. Yes, she’d received a phone call. I’d seen the unknown number on her phone. The redial had led to nowhere as expected.
At this point, that was all there was to go on.
One decision I had made. Whether she liked it or not, I would do my best to keep her protected.
Alexia spun in a circle as she studied the room, biting her lower lip. Maybe from nervousness. Which I doubted. Maybe out of frustration. Which made much more sense. There were several things wrong with this scenario.
I was much older.
I’d saved her life from a madman.
She was idealizing the man who’d saved her, a far cry from the person I’d become.
And the pièce de résistance? I wasn’t remotely interested in a relationship of any kind and she deserved more than some asshole fucking her for one night.
That meant I should stop what I was doing right now.
Now, in my bedroom, I could tell by the flash in her eyes what she was thinking. We both knew this was just for one night, but the connection was too strong, so intense we couldn’t pull away. There was no reason for words, although we needed to discuss the situation and come to an understanding.
There was no concept of foreplay. We’d barely finished one drink before I’d agreed to bring her to my home to go over my notes.
Whatever rational stance I’d taken seemed out of place given what was about to transpire between us. I threw back my scotch,enjoying the light burn in my throat. It had been a long time since I’d indulged in the experience of being alive.
Only a few people in the world would understand the sentiment.
Whether or not my voice within the pages of my books had indicated what a dominating man I’d become would soon be tested. My hunger was already too extreme to back away now.
“Undress.” My dick was pinched hard against my jeans, enough so my upper lip twitched, movement she noticed.
And she smiled.
Using only my index finger, I brushed hair from her face, allowing the tip to trail down the long line of her neck.
She shuddered at my touch, her answer breathless. “Here?”
“Right here.”
I sensed she wanted to glance out the window, perhaps worried someone might see us. Or second guessing her decision. “Obey me, Alexia. When I give you a command, you will comply immediately. Understood?”
“Yes, sir. I mean Master.” Her playfulness returned, the little wink exaggerated.
I kept my grip for a few additional seconds before lifting her chin higher. “You don’t know what you’ve started.” The honest truth.
“What happens if I want to find out?”
“Then your wish will be granted, but only if you’re a very good girl.”
“That would be taking all the fun out of the moment.”
All I could think about in the back of my mind was that she was a precious jewel, a creature to be treasured. I let her go, watching as she backed away, still nervous, but excitement lingered, the crackle of electric current running strong.
As she pulled her shirt from her tight skirt, I took a deep breath. I’d seen several aspects of her personality in just a few hours. Trepidation to defiance. Frustration to certainty. Yet she was still searching for a hero even after all her accomplishments.
The thought hit at the decency inside of me more than I thought possible. But dear God, if the monster still existed, this time there were no rules that would keep me from hunting the son of a bitch down, no matter what swamp he slithered into.
He’d pay a price that would transcend time and opportunity. He’d learn about the experience of utter anguish.
Seeing the purposeful flutter of her eyelashes skimming her cheeks, I pulled myself away from the imaginary revenge. She was far too enchanting to ignore.
