Page 29 of Guardian

“You don’t understand,” Logan said. “It’s my fault. I probably sent you the wrong signals. I’m not immune to you. I’m attracted to you. But you’re my charge. My responsibility. It doesn’t matter what I want, because I won’t give into my needs. I can’t do that.” He released her arm. “I won’t take advantage of a woman in my care. It’s not right. You’re vulnerable. Impressionable. You probably think you owe me something. You don’t. But I need your help to resist the temptation. Please don’t try to kiss me again. It will only lead to one thing.” He motioned to the bed. “Knowing that we’ll sleep in the same room tonight is going to be temptation enough. I might be an immortal warrior, but I’m also a man.” He let out a weak laugh. “With all the right parts.”

Winter gaped at him. He was attracted to her. And despite being different species, they were compatible. And his objection was that he thought he was taking advantage of her? That couldn’t possibly be it.

“So let me get this straight. You find me reasonably attractive,” she started.

“Not just reasonably.”

She registered his comment with satisfaction. “And you have all the right parts.” She glanced at his groin. “And I’m assuming they work?”

Logan growled. “They work just fine,” he pressed out through clenched teeth.

“But you think you’re taking advantage of me, if you sleep with me.” She rolled her eyes. “Men! No wonder I don’t date much. They’re just too complicated.”

“You’re calling me complicated?”

“No, you”—she drove her index finger into his chest—“I call boneheaded.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Care to explain why I deserve such harsh criticism?”

“You still don’t get it, do you? I could die tomorrow. Hell, we could both die tomorrow. The demons could catch up with us and murder us in our sleep for all I know. And you’re concerned about taking advantage of me, when I’m the one making a pass at you?” She shook her head and turned away. “Honestly! If you’re trying to spare my feelings, because you’re not actually interested—”

A firm hand on her shoulder spun her back around to face him. Suddenly both his hands were on her, gripping her shoulders. “I’m interested.”

He pulled her to him, his hands sliding down her back until they came to lay on her behind. He pressed her against his groin, where she felt hardness rub against her soft stomach. Her breath hitched.

“Is that proof enough of my interest?”

Winter snapped her gaze to him. He didn’t look angry anymore, nor had his voice sounded annoyed. Instead he had a smirk on his face. Stunned, she froze.

“Well, now, look at that. Suddenly the little seductress isn’t quite so brave anymore, is she? Are you gonna back away now that you know I’ll take you up on your offer if you make it again? I hope that’s a warning to you. Don’t play games with me.”

She felt him loosen his grip and shove her back, but before he could release her, she put her hands on his biceps and held tight. “I wasn’t asking for a warning. And I don’t play games.”

“Goddamn it,” Logan ground out, but dipped his head toward her nevertheless. “This is a mistake.”

“But one I’m going to enjoy,” she murmured. “And I don’t need to be a psychic to know that.”

“Winter?”

“Hmm?”

“Stop talking.”

“Then start kissing me already.”

A second later, she felt Logan’s lips on hers, pressing gently, flooding her with warmth and the knowledge that for a short while she would be able to forget everything that had happened in the last hours.