Page 77 of Savage

“Uh, no. I mean, it was dark and I didn’t think anyone saw me, but I also didn’t expect someone to trash my place, so…”

Lachlan shot up and resumed his pacing, clearly trying to rein in his temper—jaw clenched, face set in a stony mask. Every muscle in his body wound tight.

Was he upsetatme orforme?

“Lachlan?”

When he didn’t answer, I stood and wanted to go over to him, but maybe giving him space was better.

“Lachlan—”

“Just give me a minute.”

I snapped my mouth shut, but something had obviously triggered him. And I couldn’t just let it go.

“Lachlan, if I could?—”

He turned around suddenly, so fast I lost my words.

“You asked me last night what scares me,” he said, his voice gravel rough. “Not being there if you get into a bad situation…Thatscares me.”

I reared back, blinking as I tried to wrap my head around his words. That admission wasnotwhat I’d expected. An unfamiliar feeling flooded my chest as I stared at him.

“Do you…mean that?” I hesitated to even ask, but I had to be sure I’d heard him right.

The fierce, protective look in his eyes took my breath away. “Yes.”

There was no doubt in my mind that he meant it. I felt his admission so deep in my bones, and I wondered what I’d done to deserve it.

My mouth moved, but I couldn’t force anything out. I wasn’t even sure what to say to that, and it wasn’t like I could promise I’d never get into a bad situation again. My short time in New York had proven I compromised my safety on a regular basis, intentionally or not.

But the fact that hewantedto be there…

I launched myself at him without thinking, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss, letting that be my response. For a moment, his lips parted, greeting my tongue eagerly, but then I felt him tense again before drawing back.

His eyes shifted up to the corner, and I immediately realized my mistake.

The cameras.

“Shit. Sorry,” I said, putting some space between us.

“Don’t be sorry.” He glanced up at the corner again and swore. But before I could get any farther, Lachlan reached for me, both hands cupping my face, and just before his lips crashed down on mine, he said, “Fuck it.”

And just like that, every other thought I had flew out of my head.

There was no trashed apartment.

No masked man.

No need to confess I’d figured out exactly where this building was thanks to the view and Google Earth.

No article.

No meeting with King this week.

Nothing.

There was just Lachlan, his strong hands holding me tight to him and stealing my breath. Making me feel wanted, safe, and aroused, all at the same time.

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