Simon swept her back into his arms and was walking in his steady, measured pace through her apartment.
“Where—” he began, but apparently Malik was leading.
A moment later, Simon had crossed through her apartment and into her bedroom. She flushed when she realized she hadn’t made her bed and that there was dirty laundry—specifically dirty underwear—in full view beside her dresser. Her brother had called in a panic, and she’d rushed out without taking the time for her morning rituals. Ones that included making her bed and drinking a thick mug of coffee.
But if Simon saw her red lace thong next to the matching push-up bra, he made no comment. Instead, he lay her on her bed. She had to let go of his shoulders. She had to stop drawing his scent deep into her lungs. She had to do a ton of things that she didn’t want to do, like face the fact that she’d just let a virtual stranger carry her through her place of business and into her apartment. And now he was stripping off her boots.
“Head for the button of my jeans,” she rumbled, “and I’ll hurt you.”
“Sure, you will,” Simon said, sarcasm in his tone. Then he turned to Malik. “I’ve got her. You can go back to work.”
“Yeah. Um, boss?”
“I’m fine,” she mumbled. “Go on.”
“Okay. Um, just call if you need something.”
“I will.”
Her left boot hit the floor, and then he started working on the right. She was lying bonelessly on the bed as she stared at the ceiling. She ought to feel mortified. She did feel mortified. But mostly she felt overwhelmed.
“I need to face my problems,” she said. It was part of her morning litany and included things like take concrete steps toward her goals and allow no one to distract her from her purpose. “I need—”
“To give yourself a break.” He dropped her other boot on the floor, then went for the button of her jeans. She gasped and put her hand on his forearm, but she didn’t stop him. “You’ll be more comfortable with these off,” he said.
Of course she would. She’d be more comfortable naked with him inside her, too. But that wasn’t exactly on the agenda. “I got it,” she said, hoping it was true. She felt like even that small effort took a thousand times more energy than it should. “And no man goes there without my asking.”
He chuckled. “You forget that I’m a shifter. I can smell things, Alyssa.” He leaned down close to her neck and he rubbed his nose across her skin. And oh my God, did that feel good. “I know you’re aroused. So am I.”
Her breath caught and she froze. Was he about to seduce her? Now? She was equal parts appalled and excited.
“But neither of us is in any condition to act on this.” He pressed his lips to her skin and she felt the stroke of his tongue. “Only an animal would take you now when you are too tired to resist.”
He was half animal though. And he wasn’t moving away from her neck. The edge of his teeth scraped along the underside of her jaw. She shivered and her nipples tightened to unbearable points. And oh did she want to give in. She had the excuse ready-made. She wasn’t in her right mind. She’d had a beer on an empty stomach. She could justify anything if only he pressed her a little further. If his lips went from her neck to her cleavage and to her aching, hungry breasts. Or perhaps to the open wet place between her thighs.
If only.
He drew back. “I’m going to sleep on your couch. If you need anything, just call me.”
She needed him to force her to do something that made no sense. She needed him to take what she was willing to give, but couldn’t admit to. She needed him to take the lead because she was too embarrassed and horny and overwhelmed to do it herself.
As if reading her mind, he stroked a finger across her lips. Heat trailed and her mouth opened.
“Except that, Alyssa. Anything but that.”
Then he stepped back and away. He was gone, presumably to settle down on her couch like a freaking priest or something. She was just deciding if she was pissed or grateful when he abruptly came back in. She was startled enough that she lifted her head as he held up her gun before setting it on her bedside table.
“This is for you,” he said. “In case I don’t wake up right.”
Well that was scary sounding. She forced herself to push up on her elbows. “You mean, in case you wake up as a bear. In my living room.”
“Yes.” No hesitation, just a flat acknowledgment. “And if that happens, shoot to kill. I’ll be too far gone to save.”
Her mind stuttered to a halt. “I’m not going to shoot you!” Again.
“You won’t be shooting me. You’ll be shooting a feral grizzly.”
“But—”
