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“Stop mocking me.” Pepper shoved him, then opened the car door, spilling to the muddy ground. He watched in shock as she began running into the night. Fuck!
Viper didn’t sign up for this. He gave chase, easily catching up with her. He lunged forward, wrapping an arm around her waist to bring her to a halt. She struggled, but he ignored her protests, carrying her thrashing body back to the car. “I guess we need the handcuffs again,” he said.
He set her to her feet and pinned her against the side of the car with his body. Rivulets of rain tracked down his face as he stared at her. She squirmed and complained. He wanted to kill. All he’d ever known was killing. It would be so easy to strangle her into silence. Beautiful silence. But this fucking little blonde with the fragile self-esteem was his weakness. He didn’t want her dead. Every cell in his body demanded he resist his killing instinct and protect her—from the world, from himself.
****
Pepper was a hot mess. She was overly tired, stressed, scared, and her self-esteem was at an all-time low. Not to mention her unacceptable attraction for Viper was growing stronger. When Lola had touched Viper at the hotel, something burned inside of Pepper. It was jealousy, white, hot, and potent. It didn’t help that Lola had a figure fit for magazine covers, and Pepper was plain and pudgy. God, she wanted Viper to want her. As stupid as it sounded, it was all-consuming. When he started telling her how perfect she was, it stung. If anyone was perfect, it was the muscled Adonis staring down at her like she was a problem to solve. Pepper was anything but perfect, so he was either being an asshole or wanted to steal her virginity.
“For God’s sake, Pepper…”
“Get off of me!”
“How the hell am I mocking you? By telling you you’re perfect?”
“Yes, because we both know it’s a lie.”
She could barely struggle, his rock-hard body sandwiching her with the car. He secured both her wrists in his iron fists at the sides of her head. Her breasts were thrust up, creating mountainous cleavage at the top of her dress. He waited for her to lose steam. Part of her expected him to hit her like her stepfather had. How could a killer be so composed?
“Listen, I’m wet, I’m muddy, and it’s taking all my self-control not to fuck you right here, right now. I’m trying to be a gentleman, but you have no idea the things I’d like to do to you, starting with these gorgeous tits of yours.” His cock pressed against her stomach, a testament to his words.
Pepper froze, his dirty words replaying over in her head. He was so unapologetic and no holds barred. And those black, evil eyes watched her like she was something to eat, and she liked it.
This time he released her hands and leaned low to whisper in her ear. “I’ve been with a lot of women. They meant nothing to me.” He took a deep breath at the base of her neck. “You. You drive me crazy. And I hate being out of control.”
“Viper…”
He licked the trails of rain water off her cheek, and she trembled, resting her hands on his biceps. Even through his leather coat, she could feel the hardness of his muscles. “If you think I was attracted to Lola, you’re wrong. I’m a big man—I need curves, and you have more than enough to keep me satisfied.”
She gasped.
Viper ran his hand into her slick hair, then secured a handful, tucking her head to the side. He ran his tongue over his teeth, a feral need in his eyes. “I’ve never kissed a woman.”
“How’s that possible?”
“It’s too intimate. I only fuck.”
Would she be different? Could he change for her? Even a mercenary had to crave love. Didn’t everyone? Pepper knew there was evil in the world, but she saw goodness in Viper. He might not admit it, but she saw something inside him worth saving.
“Maybe you should change that.” She wanted him to kiss her, her entire body braced in anticipation. His lips were thick, his rough scar making him appear dangerous and unbelievably sexy. His reluctance only made her crave him more.
He released his hold on her hair, tracing the pad of his thumb along the moisture of her bottom lip. “You don’t know what you’re asking.” When he pulled back, his fingers accidentally grazed the side of her breast. It felt like butterflies fluttering in her stomach, her flicker of arousal now blazing out of control. “I was hired to protect you. Let me do my job.”
Viper held out his arm, motioning her to sit in the passenger seat. When she sat down, her pussy was achy. What was his deal? Pepper was so wound tight, she probably would have gone along with anything Viper suggested. Now she felt like an idiot. A horny idiot.
When the driver’s side door slammed shut, he pumped the gas, destroying the quiet. “We’ll be at our location in twenty minutes,” he said, ma
tter-of-factly.
“And where’s that?”
“My condo. You can get some sleep and clean up.” He steered back onto the deserted roadway, briefly fishtailing on the slick surface, not taking his eyes off the windshield. The thought of being in Viper’s private domain, in his bed, didn’t help her uncomfortable predicament. All she could smell was fresh rain mixed with leather and musky cologne. Pepper realized her thoughts were no longer focused on staying alive. She’d been worrying about something much more dangerous—falling for a hitman.
Chapter Five
Never in all the years he’d been a mercenary working for Killer of Kings had he invited anyone, man or woman, to his home. Viper parked in the secure underground facility. This condo was locked up tight, secure gates, parking, bullet-proof glass, and so many locks it was tighter than Fort Knox. He made sure that whenever he wasn’t working, he had a place that meant he could be safe, and this was what he owned.
Taking Pepper’s hand, he made his way toward the elevator, and scanned through his security. There was his thumbprint, a ten-digit code, and even a drop of his blood. Yes, he was paranoid, but he also knew how damn determined some of the other mercenaries were when a hit was ordered. At any time, he could have contracted for his own back, and this was his protection. Of course, he also made sure that he didn’t piss anyone else off, but when it came to money, most people were greedy.
