Page 47 of Unlawful Seduction

“I won’t hurt you, Doc. You can say whatever you want about me, but that’s not the kind of man I am. Just something for your headache. Take it. Don’t take it. I don’t give a shit.”

She neither acknowledged nor touched the bottle, concentrating on making the coffee. While the whir of the machine as the water heated brought noise into the room, I felt like I could still hear her thudding heart. She had no idea what to make of the situation.

When the first cup was finished, she cocked her head to the side. “Cream and sugar, I take it.”

“You got it.”

She chuckled and I wanted to ask her what was so funny, but held off. At this point, she needed to keep her resolve and certain aspects of her privacy. I’d been privy to it before when Lucian had brought home his very young bride to be, the arranged marriage between two rival families. She’d done everything in her power to keep everyone away. I’d admired her for it, right until the point when Lucian had broken her spirit and her youthful body.

At least she had a fighting chance at a new life now.

A slight smile was on Mallory’s face as she took two steps toward me, extending her arm. “I’m shocked a man such as yourself would have blueberry.”

At least I could laugh. “Such as myself? You mean asshole killers?”

“Big he-men types.”

“Oh. I guess I’m supposed to drink chicory and heavy Colombian flavors.”

“Something like that.” I’d been given second looks by women for years, none of them creating any reaction or emotion inside. But the look she was giving me as she slowly lowered her gaze fromthe mug in my hand to my shirtless chest and sweatpants could cause a chaotic effect inside any man. As long as they were alive.

She didn’t lift her gaze before spinning around to make her coffee, but I’d caught the free-flowing action when she’d dragged the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip.

My cock twitched all over again in response.

Within seconds, she was holding a steamy cup in her hands, her head hung over the mug while breathing in the blueberry aroma.

She was a sensual woman even with her disheveled hair and smudged makeup. Honestly, her standing in socks and my tee shirt in the middle of my kitchen was just about the sexiest look on a woman I’d seen in my life.

I took a sip and she followed my lead, her eyes closing almost immediately. As her eyelashes skimmed across her cheeks, the ache in my groin increased significantly.

“Incredible,” she whispered, once again opening her eyes.

“I’m glad you approve.” There was a subtle yet prominent awkwardness between us. I studied the scratch on her forehead, my muscles instantly bristling. If I had a chance to kill the fucker who’d done this to her all over again, I’d happily do so.

Mallory seemed to sense my discord, smiling in a completely different way as she pressed two fingers against her forehead. “You can stop plotting to kill people now. I’ll be just fine.” The words were matter of fact, her control slipping back into place.

“Is that what I’m doing?”

“Are you telling me you’re not?”

It was my turn to chuckle. “Always. I need to be on guard.”

“Mmm… Of course you do.” She was teasing me, then her eyes reflected memories of the events occurring over the last couple of days.

The awkwardness remained and she turned away, taking time to sort the different flavors of coffee into the right containers as I watched.

“I like coffee. I had a coffee barista explain the differences. I compromised with the Keurig machine.” I don’t know why I was bothering to tell her anything personal, let alone something so intimate.

“You genuinely surprise me, Mr. Callum.”

“How so?

“Danger and sophistication rolled into one man. A scary combination.”

There was something to be said for tension because it allowed for a freeing moment to think decisions through. With the hem of the ratty shirt barely covering her bottom, I could easily lay claim to the beauty I’d already tasted, but that wouldn’t be fair to her.

Not that I’d ever considered myself a fair man.

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