Page 50 of Cruel Ice

A woman who had long been fascinated by monsters. So fascinated that she’d spent years studying the behavior of psychopaths and sociopaths and deviant behavior. Until she’d become prey even as she’d been surrounded by guards and prison personnel.

She’d hidden after that. Retreated. He wondered what the attack had done to her…mentally. She’d stopped trying to understand the monsters. Ended her studies.

You can’t understand them. The only thing you can do is kill them. That makes the world a better place.

Some people belonged in the ground. It was a lesson he’d learned long ago. It was a lesson he would be teaching Declan Flynn.

But as he stared up at the Chicago skyline—and at one high-rise in particular—he wasn’t as focused on Declan Flynn as he had been in the past. Declan had been his mission for quite some time, but Marley…

What did the attack by Sebastian Glass do to you? Did you realize they can never be changed? That they are wild beasts who just live for blood?

But…something that nagged at him even more…Knowing how evil they are, why did you save Declan?He got the first save. Sure. Maybe she hadn’t realized who Declan was. It had been dark. She probably had only seen Declan from the back as he was forced into the van.

By all accounts, Marley was a good Samaritan type. Loved kids. Dogs. Volunteered. Helped those in need. Did the whole bit that he found utterly exhausting.

So maybe the first rescue had just beenher.Her trying to help someone because she knew what it was like to be a victim. But the second rescue?

Why the fuck had she done that?

Didn’t she understand what Declan was?

Didn’t she see the monster that lived and breathed beneath his skin?

His hands drove into the pockets of his black peacoat. Marley was in the high-rise with the monster right then and there.

What were they doing?

And…

How can I show you what he really is?

Chapter Eleven

What in thehell was he doing?

Declan’s lips pressed hard to Marley’s. A hot, open-mouthed kiss. His tongue thrust into her mouth, and the little moan that rose in her throat had to be the sexiest sound that he’d ever heard. His hands shoved down harder against the surface of the desk as he leaned into her. She tasted decadent and sweet at the same time. A heady taste that drove him ever closer to the edge of his control.

For the last week, he’d tortured himself with dreams and fantasies of Marley. She’d been in his home. In the bedroom right next to his. He’d slipped into her room to check on her, yes, but…

Each night, I wanted to touch her. I wanted to kiss her.

Hell, it wasn’t about some sweet and tender romance.

I want to devour her. To possess her completely. To own her.To take some of the goodness that was pure Marley and keep it, forever.

To keep her.

But he’d tried to do the right thing, dammit. Tried to tell her to walk away. He’d planned to keep his hands off her. He couldavoid wrecking something—someone—in his life, just this once. And then…

I want you.

Marley’s words rang in his head. His right hand lifted. Moved to her thigh. Bunched up the soft fabric of her dress. Touched her skin that was even softer. Silk. His mouth tore from hers, and he kissed a path down her throat. Her hands were curled around his upper arms. Her legs had widened so that he could ease closer.

It would be so easy to shove the skirt of her dress up higher. To yank away her panties and thrust deep into her.To take my fantasy.

And with every second that passed, his control shredded a bit more. He skated closer and closer to the edge.Stop me, Marley. Stop. Me.

“Why would I want to do that?”

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