Page 34 of Brutal Ice

“You haven’t been in town that long. Didn’t find a man to date during that time, huh?” Why was he even asking the question?

“You’re the first,” she said again. “And that means exactly what it means.”

It sure as shit could not mean what he thought it meant.

She turned toward him. “Do you have any idea how many hours I have to spend in rehearsals? How many tours I do? How very little free time I have?” Her lips curled down. She’d flipped on the overhead light, and the illumination revealed her perfectly. “And do you have any idea what it’s like to be locked in a trunk and think that you’re going to die—and you realize there are so many things that you never, ever got to do? Because you were too busy. Or too afraid to put yourself out there.”

The drumming of his heartbeat seemed far too loud.

“Simone knows me well. I don’t hook up with strangers. I always thought that was too dangerous. And half the men who are around me each day, well, let’s just say that their interests often rest in other directions. I’ve had a hard time getting close…you are the first.”

Fucking fuck. “You should go to bed,” he rasped. She is telling me that she hasn’t had sex with anyone? I was the first one to put my mouth on her?

I’ll be the first to put my dick in her?

How the hell had this happened?

And how was he supposed to keep control? “Go to bed.” A rougher order. “I’ll…take the couch.”

She pivoted away from him. Punched in a code. Set the alarm on STAY. “Does that change things?”

It changes everything.

She straightened her shoulders. Turned to him once more. “Want me less now?”

“That wouldn’t ever be possible.” He could never want her less. The longer he knew her, the more he wanted her.

She slid off her shoes. Held the straps with one hand. Became even smaller. More delicate. He closed in on her because he was helpless not to do so.

“Some men prefer women with more experience.”

He wanted to fuck her right there. “Some women prefer a guy who doesn’t have blood on his hands.”

She looked at his hands. “I don’t see blood.”

“Then you’re not looking closely enough.” Her scent teased him. “It’s late. You’ve already made your deal with the devil for the night. Go to bed. I’ll keep watch.”

“People will see your car in the morning. My neighbors will think we slept together.”

“That’s the point. Any reporters come around, wanting gossip on you, they’ll find out you have a guy who likes to stay with you. You aren’t alone.”

Her breath shuddered out. “The other dancers will say it’s too fast. That this isn’t the way I operate.”

“Let them say whatever the hell they want. You’ll say I couldn’t keep my hands off you.” And it was hard. All he wanted to do was put his hands on her right then. “You’ll tell the world that you liked them on you.”

She stared at him.

How many times would he need to say the words? “Go to bed.” Before I lose the little bit of control I have remaining.

Her head moved in a barely perceptible nod. She brushed past him. He inhaled, pulling in more of her scent. It was a one-story house. He already knew the layout perfectly. Two bedrooms waited down the hallway. Hers was on the right. The smaller room on the left? She’d made that into her workout room.

She started down the narrow hallway. Then paused. “I do.”

“You do what?”

“Like your hands on me.”

Sonofa—

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