Page 3 of Silver Elite

The words die when I lift my gaze to his face.

Oh.

I think I picked the wrong candidate for tonight’s activities.

This guy is…inconceivably attractive. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better-looking human, male or female. I’m momentarily lost in his cobalt-blue eyes, peering down at me from beneath thick lashes. His hair is dark, swept away from flawless, symmetrical features that could’ve been chiseled out of stone. Just the right amount of stubble shadows a strong jaw, and one corner of his mouth bears the indentation of a dimple. I wonder how pronounced it gets when he smiles, although judging by the cold, dangerous glint in his eyes, I get the feeling he doesn’t smile often.

“If you’re here to kill me, you’re not doing a very good job of it.”

“Kill you?” I echo, snapping out of my thoughts. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“No?” I hear a clattering sound and realize he’s kicking my rifle away. It takes serious effort not to lunge after it. “You sneak into my room in the middle of the night with a gun and I’m supposed to believe your intentions are pure?”

“Believe whatever you want.” I push against his grip. It’s a futile attempt. His arm isn’t budging. “I’m not here to kill you.”

“So this is a social visit?” His tongue comes out to moisten the corner of his mouth. Eyes gleaming, he lowers them to the cleavage that peeks out from beneath the strong band of his arm. “I appreciate the gesture, but I’m not interested. I’ve already gotten my fill tonight.” His lips curve. “You should’ve stopped by earlier when my guest was still here. Could’ve made a party out of it.”

My jaw drops. “Seriously? I’m not interested in that, either. I’m hiding, asshole.”

He flicks up a brow, intrigued. “From who?”

“None of your damn business. Can you please move your arm? I can’t breathe.”

“No. And you seem to be breathing just fine.”

I’m not. There’s no air. Each time I inhale, I breathe in the scent ofhim. It holds tones of pine, leather, and a hint of spice. It’s sort of incredible. And his body is surreal. Big, broad, and sleekly muscled, his biceps flexing as he holds me in place. I bet he looks spectacular naked.

“Let me go,” I order. “I’m sorry I barged into your room, but I assure you I’m not a threat.”

“Why are you armed?”

“I’m a rancher. I have a license for the gun.”

His gaze examines my face, briefly focusing on my mouth. Although my heartbeat stutters under his thorough scrutiny, I try to capitalize on his distraction by thrusting my knee up toward his groin. He reacts without even blinking, grabbing my leg before I can make contact. Next thing I know, I’m landing on my ass with a thud. My bones rattle as his heavy body slams on top of me. Long legs pin me to the floor, and I have his forearm pressing into my windpipe. Now Iactuallycan’t breathe.

Gasping for air, I bat at his shoulders with both hands, but he doesn’t budge. That mocking gaze peers down at me.

“That wasn’t very nice,” he mutters. “Going for the groin like that.”

I can’t answer, because he’s cutting off my air supply. I take another weak swing at him. God, he’s strong. IthoughtI was a skilled fighter. My uncle’s been training me since I was five. But here I am, flat on my back, unable to do a thing while he crushes me with his body.

No, that’s not true. I can dosomething.

Another important lesson my uncle taught me is that in battle, you must gain the upper hand any way you can. With men, there’s a surefire way to achieve that.

“Can’t say I regret it,” I wheeze out. “Considering the result.” My voice is hoarse from the lack of oxygen.

His is laced with suspicion. “The result?”

“It got you on top of me.”

I offer a tiny, unapologetic smile, and note the flicker of heat in his expression.

“Doesn’t feel like a bad position to be in,” I add, then manage to suck in a shallow breath. “I wasn’t interested before, but now…”

I rock my hips in invitation.

He stiffens, lips parting. For the briefest moment, his hips respond in kind, his lower body moving slightly.

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