Page 53 of Brutal Ice

“I’m what you see,” she told him. “No secrets from me. I’ll tell you what I think and what I feel.”

“And what do you think and feel about me?”

So many things. “I feel all tangled up,” she answered him truthfully. “And I think you’re the bad guy and the good guy all wrapped up in one package.”

“Wrapped up in a bow,” he murmured.

She thought of the killers he’d stopped. Left with bows around their necks.

Violet swallowed. “Part of me does fear you, but a bigger part of me feels connected to you. Feels safe with you. Wants you. And I trust you. I know you’d have my back if things went to hell around us. I mean, you saved me when I was a complete stranger. Now you know me. And you’re still saving me.”

A horn sounded behind them.

“Maybe you’re saving me,” he said.

She frowned. No, she hadn’t saved him. Not once. But if he needed her, she’d sure try her best.

He turned and faced the repaired windshield. No sign of the damage remained. Perfect glass.

Would it be so easy to repair the glass coffin?

Royal drove forward.

Violet sent off a quick text to her brother. Okay, so you’ll see a scary news story, but I promise, I am okay.

Three dots appeared. Then Dawson replied…

What. The. Hell?

Right. Her brother. Typical.

Another text fired from him: I’ve already seen one scary news story. I don’t want to see more. Violet, what is happening? Do you need me? Are you safe?

She bit her lip, then typed her response. Safe. Going to a friend’s house for the night. Do not worry about me.

Her phone rang three seconds later. Her finger swiped over the screen right before she put it to her ear.

“What news story?” her brother barked. “And what friend?”

Chapter Eleven

She was in his home. Secured behind his doors. Protected by the best security system that money could buy. And he was trying hard not to pounce.

“Make yourself at home,” Royal instructed. Did he sound hungry? Freaking lusty? She’d been padding near the floor to ceiling windows that overlooked his pool. Her back was to him, and his eyes were drinking her in.

Slow down.

He’d gone too far in the dressing room. Check. Understood. But the woman had wanted his dick in her mouth, and how was he supposed to resist that? And right then, all he wanted was to strip her and fuck her where she stood.

But a gentleman wouldn’t do that. Not after the nightmare of her day. Hell, a gentleman wouldn’t have put his dick in her mouth after the attack, either. But there you are.

He wasn’t a gentleman. Wasn’t a real hero. He was just the selfish bastard who wanted to lay claim to everything that she was.

“It’s a beautiful place,” Violet said. She kept looking at the pool.

“There’s a wine cellar downstairs.” Maybe she wanted a drink—or three—after her day. “And there are two guest rooms upstairs. You can pick whichever one you want. Kitchen is to the left.” He motioned needlessly because she wasn’t looking his way. “You’re probably starving.” Like I am starving for you. “I can fix you dinner, if you’d like.”

“You cook?”

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