Page 8 of When He Hunts

“I’m not dead.” She tugged on the handcuff but didn’t take her eyes off him.

Intrigued by her reaction—because he’d certainly expected quite a few screams by now—Ronan slowly shook his head. “Not dead.” His voice came out low and hard. Typically the way he spoke. His shoulders rolled back as he continued to study her.

He’d taken off her shoes, socks, and the big, black coat she wore. He’d left on her shirt and the jeans that fit her like a second skin. Luna was average height, but with full breasts and hips that flared in the best possible way.

Sensual.The word whispered through his head again. The perfect way to describe her.

A perfect problem. He shifted a bit in his chair.What in the fuck? Am I lusting after a target?It was probably because of the kiss. A mistake. He’d known it was a mistake even as he bent to taste her.

Why in the hell had he kissed her?

And why did he want to kiss her again so badly?

Luna licked her lips.

Damn.

“This…this isn’t some weird sex thing, is it?” Hushed. Trembly.

His eyes narrowed.

“Oh, God. It is.” Her breath heaved in. Then out. “I’m handcuffed to your bed. This is about to get weird and kinky, and I don’t care how hot you are—this is not happening!”

I don’t care how hot you are.She thought he was hot? Interesting to know. He filed away that tidbit for later.

But she sucked in another deep breath, and he knew the screams were about to start. To save his ears, Ronan figured he should make a confession. “I was hired to kill you by a certain dangerous individual from Atlanta.” Ah, Atlanta. A city he’d been visiting too frequently for the business of death.

Her mouth opened wider.

“I was hired by him to kill you,” he repeated, “but the Feds are paying me more to keep you alive.”

A strangled gasp was the only thing that emerged from her parted mouth. Then her lips snapped closed. She blinked. Twice. Squinted. “Say again?”

“The Feds are paying me to keep you alive.” He rolled back his shoulders once more and got a bit more comfortable in the chair. “It’s your lucky night, Luna Black. I just made the rest of the world think that you’re dead. That means you actually have a chance to keep living.”

“Thank…you?” Luna’s words were definitely a question.

But he nodded anyway. “You’re welcome.”

Another swipe of her tongue over her lips. An unfortunate side effect of the drug he’d given her? Dry mouth. He should probably offer her some water. He’d already put a glass on the table near the bed. Look at him being all thoughtful. His friends would laugh their asses off. Ronan had never particularly been known as the thoughtful sort. “If you’re thirsty, there’s a drink waiting for you.” He pointed to the glass.

She grabbed the drink with her free hand. Downed the water in a couple of fast gulps, then put the empty glass back down with a soft clink. Her breath came fast, and he noticed that her fingers had trembled and made the glass shake. She was clearly terrified but fighting hard not to show her fear.

You just keep intriguing me, Luna.

“I…let me get this all straight.” She shoved back some heavy locks of hair that had fallen over the side of her face. “You drugged me.”

“Um. Had to do that twice. You just wouldn’t stay out. Can’t have a dead woman waking up and trying to escape. Looks bad.”

She squeaked. Caught herself. Cleared her throat. “Yes.” Husky. “Don’t want you to lookbadas a…hired killer?”

He nodded. “Totally bad for the reputation.” And hedidhave a reputation to maintain. One that Ronan had carefully cultivated over the years. “You don’t get to be the most feared in the business by making mistakes.”

“H-how do you get to be the most feared?” Luna pulled her legs beneath her. Tugged on the handcuff around her wrist. She could tug on it all night. It wasn’t going to open. And the brass bed might look old, but it was sturdy. Luna would not be getting free until he released her.

And he didn’t trust her enough to release her yet. He had to be sure she wouldn’t run from him the moment the cuffs were off. That meant they needed to reach a deal. Not like he was in the mood to trail the woman all through the bayou in the middle of the night. Gators were out there. And snakes.

He freaking hated snakes.

---