Page 209 of The Reluctant Hero

“Amanda! Open the fucking door!”

That sounds so tempting, with an enraged killer on the other side of it. Pass.

One heavy hit on the door and Mikael’s voice joins Cade’s. “Did the little mouse play all day?”

He sounds angry but nowhere near the level of Cade. I’m disappointed. Then again, I don’t think the door would survive more hits like that.

“Come out and face the music,rakas,” Mikael says in his no-nonsense tone.

I don’t know what that means or even what language that is, but I doubt it was flattering. He just called me a rodent. Ihatemice. Maybe that’s the point.

I can faintly hear Jake laughing his ass off in the background.

“I’m not mad,” Cade lies with a ragged tone. “Just come out and talk with us.”

Pass again.

“Your methods are unorthodox but pure genius. Very personalized.” Jake calls out with a laughing tone.

I bite my lower lip to keep my laughter quiet.

“I just want to know what I put my hand in,” Cade slams a palm on the door. “Can you at least give me that much?”

I roll around in the tub until I’m belly down and yell out, “Lube! I’m surprised you don’t recognize it, player.”

The curse words he uses as he walks away are eye-opening. Jake is hysterical at this point. I can’t hear anyone else anymore. When things fall silent, I roll to my back again with a sigh. It wasn’t much, but it was worth it.

A gentle tap comes from the door. I should have known they wouldn’t give up so easily.

“Are you having a bath,rakas?”

Mikael’s rumbling, seductive tone is something I haven’t heard before. I freeze up, all the relaxation gone in an instant. I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until my lungs start burning.He sounds like he got through the bedroom door’s lock and is right outside the bathroom.

“I heard the water.”

Why am I afraid to move? If he already knows I’m in here there’s no point in being quiet.

“Can I come in? I’d like a soak.”

Mother. Fucker.

The words bring up many images that have nothing to do with water. My body is reacting to his voice alone.

I’ve found Mikael attractive. I’ve caught him watching me and pretending he isn’t. I thought he was interested, but I couldn’t imagine him making a move, especially this boldly.

“It’s been a long day and I just found all of my items have had a workout while I was gone.”

Oh. This is his version of punishment. He’s using my attraction against me. I wish it wasn’t so effective.

“Get lost,” I demand with gritted teeth.

“Why?” He lets out a low chuckle.

“Because I’m not falling for any more bullshit seduction techniques. Your boss already used that token. I’m tapping out.”

That was more than I wanted to say, but the verbal reminder cools the effect of his voice nicely.

I relax back in the tub and grab a cloth to wash up.

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