Page 69 of Elite Metal: Warriors

Was that what this was to him? What she was?

Oooh. That pissed her off.

She leaped to her feet and brushed off her butt and started tidying up the food—the food-like substances—but there was no real purpose in the way she rearranged the cans and packages as she shoved them onto the shelves.

“This mission is important. I need to keep you safe. I can’t let anything get in the way of that.”

Something in his tone reached her. Wriggled past her fury and found the tender part of her heart. Touched her. A sudden suspicion trailed through her.

He wasn’t trying to convince her. He was trying to convince himself.

Fact was, he was tempted. He wanted her too.

She didn’t know why that thought thrilled her to the core. Or maybe she did.

He was tempted. Teetering on the edge of a treacherous cliff.

Maybe it wouldn’t take much to tip him over.

She gusted a sigh. “It’s okay,” she said in a doleful voice as she dropped into a chair at the rickety table. “I understand.”

His head snapped around. His brow rippled. “You do?”

“Yes.” A sniff. She turned to stare at the fire, well aware his gaze was locked on her face. “I’m not…”

He took a step closer. “Not…what?”

She threaded her fingers and stared at them, trying to work up a tear. “Not…pretty.” A mumble.

“What? Not pretty?” A roar.

“I get it. You don’t have to rub it in.”

“Rub it— What the hell are you talking about? You’re fucking gorgeous.”

“Well maybe it’s something else then. My personality—”

“You have a great personality.”

“The way I smell—”

“You smell…”

She glanced at him when he broke off.

“You smell wonderful.” The words were ragged.

“Then why do you think men don’t find me attractive?” Ah. She perfected the woebegone look.

He paled. He took the final step to her side and then sank into the chair beside her. “I find you attractive.” A whisper.

She cupped his cheek. His beautiful, hard, sculpted cheek. She stroked his scars with her thumb. “Then why don’t you want me?”

His Adam’s apple worked. “I do.”

“Well, if you want me and I want you—”

“You don’t.” The words were harsh. Harsh enough for her to realize she’d reached the heart of it, the very core of his resistance. “You don’t want me.”