Page 26 of Trust My Bodyguard

I turn to her where she’s kicking off her boots by the door. “Excuse me?”

She shrugs off her jacket, leaving her in long tights and a shirt. “You were so scared to touch me.” She rolls her eyes. “Just unbelievable. Were you so afraid you’d lose control if you did?”

Her proud, self-satisfied look pushes me over the edge.

Maybe I should show her how I lose control to shut her smart mouth.

CHAPTER TEN

Ivy

Brody’s intense gaze chills and heats me up at the same time. His eyes drag over every inch of me without shame or hesitation. My skin pebbles and I have a powerful urge to escape or succumb to the weight of it. This isn’t like the other times when he looks away or ignores me. I can see the wheels spinning in his head, a decision being made. It’d leave a mark on me.

He blocks my only exit out of the mudroom. I doubt he’ll let me walk away.

My breath stutters out of me as I wait for his move.

It’s been a painful week of pretending that the kiss didn’t happen. I go to bed with him on my mind and wake up with him everywhere. Even my unconscious mind is featuring him in my dreams.

Just to make him experience what I’m going through, I’ve been giving him a special kind of hell. Throwing little taunts and acting in ways that would make him notice me without anything overt.

I’ve always wondered how long his control would last before it snaps. I’ve wondered what he’d do about it.

Until now. It seems my latest jab has answered my questions.

He charges forward, gray eyes fixed on mine.

Delicious terror grows in my belly. I take two steps backward until I meet the wall. He doesn’t stop advancing. Not until there’s an inch of space between us and he’s dominating my senses.

I can’t hold his gaze. I can’t breathe.

I try to leave but he slams a hand on the wall, blocking my exit. He towers over me. Not a lot of people do, being tall as I am. But he does. I lift my face to meet his eyes and the look in them turns my insides to mush.

“Let me go, Brody.” I sound squeaky like a scared little mouse. I try again. “Now.”

It comes out as a whimper, making the corner of his lip turn upward. His gaze drops down to my trembling lower lip and I feel them grow heavy with anticipation.

Will he kiss me again? I swallow, sucking my lips between my teeth. I haven’t been able to get rid of his taste. And the feeling of his arm encircling me. If he closes the gap between us now,I’ll give in. Damn everything else, I will. Anything to relive the moment he took me in his arms many nights ago.

But he doesn’t lean in. He just holds his position an inch away from me until I start to squirm.

“You want to find out what I’ll do, don’t you?” He speaks softly, but his words thunder through me.

“I...”

“I know you want to.”

I gulp.

“Maybe I’ll show you.” He breathes against my ear. “Maybe you’ll like it.” Warm air flits across my cheek. “Maybe you’ll beg me not to stop.”

I’m trembling. So badly. Why won’t he touch me? Why torture me with words?

His eyes meet mine again. “Should I back off, Ivy? Should I keep my hands to myself?”

A finger skims the top of my waistband. My breath hitches and a whimper escapes my lips. The suspense has me shaking.

Please.Please.

---