Page 21 of When He Hunts

Closed his eyes.

And started counting again. Right. Like that shit was going to help.

She.Was. On. Top. Of. Him.

Ronan’s breath sawed in and out. His heart thundered in his chest. He’d underestimated Luna Black. Clearly, the woman was a master when it came to torture. And he’d faced some sick and twisted torture games over the years.

He’d never given up. Never let the pain beat him.

Her lips pressed to his throat.

Done.

His hands closed around her hips.

She decided to arch against him. Her breasts slid over his chest.

Sonofa—

His teeth ground together.You fucking win, Luna.Round one was going to her. Because his aching dick could not take more of this. He lifted her up. Off him. It took a few minutes of fumbling, but he got the cuff off his wrist. He wasn’t a complete idiot, though—just a horny bastard—so he locked the cuff around the headboard once again. One cuff secured to the headboard, and one still around her delicate wrist.

Then he grabbed his pillow and surged off the bed. His breath still came too fast, tension held his whole body in a death grip, and Luna…

Just went right on sleeping.

He threw the pillow to the floor. Then he was on the floor, too. The cold, hard floor. Ronan glared up at the ceiling.

And Gray had thought it would beeasyto watch over her? He could still hear the bastard’s words in his head, rightbeforeRonan had agreed to take the job.

“She’s sweet as can be, Ro. Seriously. A drama teacher. She got caught in a dark and tangled mess and if she doesn’t get a hero soon, the woman will be dead. And I’m not talking easy dead. I’m talking pain and screams and a horror that makes her beg for the men to put her out of her misery. You want that for some innocent?”

“I’m not a hero, Gray. You know that shit.”

“Yeah, duly noted. But that’s why I’m calling you. In this case, I don’t need a hero. I need a hitman. And you just so happen to be in the right place at the right time because I know you’ve already been contacted about her. Luna Black. She needs you.”

Gray could always sound so very convincing.

“You fake her death. You keep her out of sight. Easy. Probably the easiest job you’ll ever have. I mean, come on, what kind of trouble could she possibly be? This isn’t like Tyler and his Esme. Not like I’m getting you to watch some world-class thief. This case will be a walk in the park.”

Utter bullshit.

There was no park, and he sure as hell wasn’t walking in it.

Instead, there was Luna. Lovely Luna. Witchy Luna. Gorgeous, sexy Luna…

Who liked to sprawl when she slept.

Night one…utter disaster. He was aching and needy and turned on for the target. Henevercrossed lines on the job. Never had even been tempted. He had never?—

“Ronan.”

His body jolted. He leapt up.

She was still sleeping. Only she’d rolled back toward his side of the bed. She’d reached out a hand toward his pillow. And in her sleep, she’d just called his name.

His hands fisted at his sides.

“Is she dead?”

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