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FIVE
Barbi
He’s even more devastatinglysexy than the night I met him. Intriguing tattoos escape from the tight confines of his black T-shirt and those well-worn jeans hug his body like a second skin. An undeniable hunger in his gaze falls on me and stirs an equal response in me. Sizzling heat spreads through my veins. Desire melds with need. Want becomes my universe. The intensity of his presence overwhelms as I imagine him reaching out to brush along my jawline with his calloused hand. A shiver ripples down my spine. I’m both captivated and terrified by the raw masculine presence he exudes.
The generous package behind the zipper of his jeans, something I’m intimately acquainted with, ignites a needy spark deep within me, reminding me of the passionate night we shared at the club.
Kaye’s low whistle breaks the silence. She elbows me in the ribs and her words ring in my ears.
“Dayum… You said you wanted a Guardian? I think you got one.”
“That’s him.” My entire body tenses as his gaze falls on me.
“Him, who?” Kaye looks at me, raising a questioning eyebrow.
“The one from the club,” I reply in a barely audible whisper.
My heart races and my stomach does cartwheels as memories of the most electrifyingly sensual night of my life run through my mind.
“Holy shit.” Kaye takes a step back. “He looks yummy.” She grabs my arm and pulls me close. “He looks like he wants to devour you.”
“I know,” I respond breathlessly.
Fortunately, I’m saved by the bell. Carmen and Rosalie emerge from the vehicle, giving me the distraction I need. Kaye and I rush to our friend and embrace Carmen in a tight hug. In the meantime, the heat of my mystery man’s gaze practically drills a hole in the back of my head.
Carmen squeezes Kaye and me as we reunite with our friend. Then she pulls away and extends her hand to Rosalie. “Barbi, Kaye, I want you to meet Rosalie.”
We welcome Rosalie while I struggle to ignore the heated stare from the man whose name I don’t know. Kaye tells Rosalie about giving her room to Rosalie. I studiously avoid making any kind of contact with any of the men behind me, then fail spectacularly when the man is finally introduced.
“This is Rafe.” Carmen hugs her man with love and open adoration. “And that’s Hayes.” The man standing beside Rosalie hovers protectively beside Carmen’s lifelong friend. “And this is Zeb, and Alec.” She points to the remaining Guardians. Zeb’s focus centers on Kaye, as if he can’t take his eyes off my friend.
Alec moves into my line of vision, and that’s when all rational thought flies out of my head.
He stands in front of me, absolutely silent, with a piercing gaze, and simmering anger. If possible, he’s even more awe-inspiring in the light of day, leaving me breathless and feeling small in comparison.
His six-plus feet of height ripples with powerful muscles and athletic prowess. His intimidating features: a chiseled jawline, cutting eyes, and proud chin demand attention and respect. The man’s an intoxicating mixture of raw strength and devastating beauty.
He overwhelms with his presence, leaving me completely transfixed.
A surge of electricity rushes through me. Desire mingles with fear, leaving me off-balanced and off my game.
His eyes narrow, cutting through my defenses, peering into my soul as if he can see every thought I’ve ever had. He takes me in from head to toe. Assessing. Judging. Preparing. His penetrating glare demands answers.
For someone attracted to dominant men, I find myself transfixed. For a fiercely independent female, I despise the power he holds over me, even if I secretly crave it.
Finally, his gaze comes to rest upon my face. His intimidating aura wraps around me in a searing embrace, and with a sweep of his arm, he gestures for me to head up the short set of stairs and into the townhouse.
It’s a command.
I don’t hesitate. Instead, I obey his unspoken order, driven by some unseen force Alec seems to possess. Taking two steps at a time, I run up the stairs as if the devil is on my heels.
And Alec may very well be the devil himself.
We leave Kaye and Zeb outside. When I get to the foyer, the others are already upstairs, bringing in the first load of luggage for Carmen and Rosalie.
I come to a sudden stop, not sure if I should race upstairs or run to my room and hide. Alec takes that decision out of my hands when, without warning, he grips the back of my neck and pulls me down the hall leading to my bedroom.
He twists me around, shoves my back against the wall, then cages me in with his arms. He plants each hand beside my ears, then leans in, invading my personal space.
