Page 38 of Illicit Temptation

“I’m sorry. You’re right. That was...wrong of me.” She twists around to get out from under me, giving me a view of her ass that I can’t pass up.

I yank her toward me again. “Don’t underestimate my love of a challenging situation.” I need to stay sharp and keep my fists ready, given the line of work I’m headed for. “This job isn’t much of a challenge if I keep you locked up.”

She shrugs from my hold.

When she faces me, my gut twists, Christ she’s beautiful. I take in her running outfit and all that dark hair piled on her head, messy since we’ve been wrestling. Every heartbeat draws me in closer, all I want to do is kiss her.

God, what am I doing? What does shehaveme doing?

“You want to run?” I lift off her bed in a move that challenges my abs, but I vault perfectly on the carpet. “Give me a few minutes to get dressed.”

Nervous, she says, “The way you wear those suits it seems you’ll need more than a few minutes.”

“Thanks for noticing. Hope I won’t let you down since I run in sweats, sneakers, and a sweatshirt.” I pat my taut abs, her eyes following every ridge of tight muscle. “It’s quality stuff, though. I won’t embarrass you, princess.”

Her eyes roll adorably. “Please stop calling me that. It was cute the first hundred times.”

“What shall I call you?”

Her lips part, and I brace myself for something wickedly filthy to come out of her mouth. “Shea is fine.”

“Just Shea? Not Shea-Lynne?”

“My brothers call me that, and it always feels like I’m trouble.”

“When you’re in trouble with me, I’ll call you Shea-Lynne. If you don’t like it, don’t get into trouble. That will be the minimal punishment.”

“And the maximum?”

“Want to test me, Shea-Lynne?”

She roughly exhales. “You coming on this run or not?”

Are you stopping to blow me, slams against the back of my teeth, a comment so appallingly inappropriate she’ll find my gun and shoot me.

“Will you give me time to change, or will you lock me inside my room again and take off?”

“Clearly, a locked door can’t stop you.” She hops up and fixes her hair.

“Nothing...” I grip her jaw again. “Nothing will stop me from keeping you safe.”

She stares at me. “Are you bringing your gun?”

“Aye.” I tap my leg. “Ankle holster. Now, keys to my bedroom?”

She draws a shaky breath and goes into the closet. A moment later, she’s fidgeting with a ring.

I snatch it from her. “Give me that.”

“Hey!” She tries to grab it back. “You don’t need all the keys.”

“Yes, I do. I’ll be managing the locks while I’m here.” And making copies in case she steals them back. “I’ll also be changing my door handle. I will not be locked inside that room again. If you did it to keep me prisoner, someone else who wants to hurt you will also do it.”

After a second, she nods. “I have a guy who—”

“I’mthat guy now. I’ll replace it.”

The idea of another man in this bedroom drives me fucking nuts.

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