Page 55 of Sublime Target

“No, you can’t,” she said at last. Her eyelids dropped, dark lashes fluttering, the subtle movement driving him crazy. “Do you know anything about who’s behind it… and who they’ve captured?”

“I know nothing about them, apart from the fact that they’re human. The hostage is Mavrel, who you’ve met.”

“Oh.” She sat upright. “I’m sorry to hear that. I can understand why you’re so angry.”

“I’m irritated, but I’m not angry.”

“I’d hate to see you angry, then.”

“I will be… if anyone harms Mavrel.”

She lowered her glass and looked him straight in the eye, her demeanor serious all of a sudden. “Jerik, I’ll do everything I can to help make sure your man isn’t hurt. I can act as an intermediary between you and the hostage-takers. I can try and help negotia—”

“No,” he growled. “I won’t allow it.”

She stiffened, a look of indignation crossing her gorgeous face. “While he’s in our building, I’m responsible for Mavrel’s welfare, too. Since when did you assume responsibility over me?”

Her resistance was irresistible.

And she’d said aloud what he’d been thinking for some time.

He was responsible for her, and if anyone harmed even a single hair on her head, they would lose limbs—or worse.

“When it comes to your safety,” he said softly, “I will not let you take even the slightest risk, no matter how reasonable the action might seem to you. That especially applies to situations like this. I’ve seen enough to know that things can get out of hand very quickly.” He leaned in, placing his hand on the edge of her chair, catching a whisper of her scent, which teased him terribly—so close, yet so unattainable. “When it comes to nearly anything else, I’ll be content to follow your lead, but on this, you need to trust me. This is what I do, Clarissa.”

She gave him a long, hard look.

Then, a soft sigh escaped her, laced with frustration. “I can’t even imagine how qualified you are to deal with a thing like this. I’m sorry this has happened. You and your people didn’t do anything wrong. You’ve been very patient, actually. If anything, Garner should have come down and met with you right away.”

“Don’t you ever apologize for the shortcomings of others, Clarissa.”

His words appeared to surprise her.

Her mouth formed a tantalizing O.

She blinked several times.

Impossibly compelled, he leaned in, drawn to her lips.

He wanted to taste her so badly.

But he held back because she was already wary of him.

Jerik wasn’t known for showing restraint. He was the sort to charge in and take what he wanted. He didn’t overthink things, and he didn’t concede easily.

But she was different.

For her sake, he could hold back.

“You shouldn’t let idiots dictate your existence,” he said as the Tarsin started its descent. “You’re far too good for that.”

She shook her head slightly. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m not as good as you think. Don’t you go putting me up on a pedestal, Jerik Garul.”

“I wouldn’t do any such thing,” he muttered, lapsing into a more casual form of speech—how he spoke with his men or those he was familiar with. “And if you aren’t all that good, it isn’t a problem either. You don’t have to put on a facade with me. Be who you truly are, Clarissa. And… no matter what you see me do, just know I’m on your side.”

The look of surprise on her face disappeared, replaced with steely resolve. “You’re dangerous, you know that? I have a job to do, and we might still end up on opposite sides of the negotiating table. But outside of that, we’ll see…”

“Hm.” He fought hard to keep the satisfied grin off his face. She wouldn’t appreciate that right now.

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