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“That’s because it’s none of your business. We aren’t lovers, Stone. We also aren’t friends and I doubt we’re ever going to be.” I hated what I was saying to him, but I refused to involve him in whatever was happening. This was my fight.
The nagging voice inside my head reminded me that he’d been my protector, keeping me safe from the assholes who’d accosted me.
All while being in wolf form.
My God, was I really buying into the ridiculous lore? I expected him to snap at me, telling me how very wrong I was. Maybe I wanted him to chastise my ridiculous behavior, reminding me that of the passion we’d shared.
He tempered his anger, closing his eyes for a few seconds. When he spoke, his tone was even. “Why are you in town, Vanessa? I checked on you. You’re a prosecutor with a very powerful influence in Baltimore. From what I read, your conviction records were outstanding, your ability to take down dozens of heinous criminals making you a near celebrity. Since I know for certain you don’t have a license to practice law in the state of Colorado, I find your decision to take some kind of job here more than curious.” When he opened his eyes again, I could swear they were glowing.
“You’ve been checking up on me.”
“You weren’t forthcoming. In fact, you were cagey as fuck. I make it my business to find out everything I can about the people I sleep with.”
“Not to coin a phrase, Stone, but we’re not sleeping together. We just had sex.”
“Damn it, woman! You were attacked and while you are incredibly beautiful, those three men came into that bar searching for you in particular. I can guarantee you that their mission had nothing to do with your stunning good looks. What the hell do you have yourself mixed up in?”
His arrogance had returned with a vengeance, jerking out the bitchy side in me.
“You don’t own me, Stone, and yes, I appreciate your help in the bar. Still, I don’t have to tell you a damn thing. In fact, I think you should just get the hell out of here.”
A smile curled on his upper lip as he advanced like a true predator, his hand wrapping around my wrist. “I’m not going anywhere, Vanessa, and that’s where you’re wrong. You do belong to me. Every. Single. Inch.”
“Why? Why in God’s name do you think that after all this time I would want you back into my life? I can’t handle it right now. Yes, I find you sexy as hell and yes, what we shared was exciting.” I took gasping breaths, a clenching feeling wrapping around my heart.
After taking a single long stride in my direction, he lowered his head, his gaze intense. “Why? Because you’ve hungered for me all these years. From the very minute we touched, the passion between us exploded. You haven’t been able to find another man who could give you what I was able to for only a short period of time.”
“That’s crap, Stone, and you’re showing me why my decision is the right one. I don’t like men who think they own me.” I jerked away from him, glaring in a hateful manner. The audacity of the man was incredible. He was entirely different than all those years before.
Because he’s protecting you.
Oh, God. A part of me wanted nothing more than to let go, stop pretending.
“Am I?” he asked, forcing me to back up two steps. He was dangerously close, our lips threatening to touch.
I hissed, remembering his damn eyes, the ones that had burned a hole into my very soul. “Who do you think you are, Stone? My protector? I don’t need anyone to protect me. I’ve done just fine my entire life.”
“Have you? Have you really? Then why are you running? Why are you terrified?”
“I’m not terrified, I’m just… tired.” I laughed softly, shaking my head.
His grin was wry. He took two more steps closer, the heat of his body all consuming. “As I already told you, I know when you lie to me. I could see your face in the bar, the terror riding through you. I could hear the pounding of your heart, your quickened pulse.”
“That’s not true.” There was no way he could know. None. Still, I was taken aback by his conviction, as well as his protective stance.
“Are you afraid of me, Vanessa, terrified of what I can do? Or are you simply afraid of finding out just how delicious we can be together?”
“Should I be afraid of you, Stone? Should I be petrified that from what I remember of the attack, you bested three men all on your own?” I could see the look of shock on his face. “Yeah, I do remember some of the details. You beat the crap out of those men singlehandedly and you know what’s even stranger? You were shot at least twice.”
He snarled, purposely looking away. “While you may believe you know what happened, you honestly have no idea.”
“Really? How does a normal man do that, take two bullets and not spent a minute in the hospital? What are you, Superman?” I shuddered, my mind reeling at the possibilities. Wolf. I’d seen a wolf. Jesus Christ. I was losing my freaking mind, the terror of the night before filling me with fireside stories.
“Yyyeeess…” he said hoarsely, elongating the single word. “You should be very afraid of me. I am the darkness you seek, the hunger that keeps you awake at night. I am the man you’ve longed for, one who refuses to allow you to remain disobedient. I am also the man who will fulfill your every fantasy, as long as you’re a very good girl.”
His words burned within me, driving past the series of locks I’d placed on my emotions. “Oh, my God. Don’t fool yourself, Stone.”
The bastard actually issued another deep chuckle, raking his eyes over me once again as he crowded my space. “Then why don’t you tell me why I was able to gather your sweet scent the moment I walked into the door? The fragrance of desire covers every inch of you.”
