Page 9 of Phoenix

I was off my bike and stalking toward her before I even thought twice. She startled when she saw me, but to her credit, she didn’t back down. Instead, her chin lifted to a stubborn angle. I refused to think about how cute she was and how her attitude turned me on.

“You got a death wish, baby?” I growled, my hands clenching at my sides. “I fuckingtoldyou to stay away.”

Her spine straightened, and she narrowed her eyes on me. “You told me to stay away from thecenter. You never said anything about the hospital.”

I immediately closed the space between us, every muscle in my body coiled tight with frustration and fear-fueled anger.

“You think this is a joke?” I bit out. “Someone beat that bastard into a coma. Don’t know who’s behind it yet, but I won’t let you get caught in the middle of this shit.”

“I can take care of myself,” she snapped, stepping in closer, like she wasn’t the least bit afraid of how pissed I was. I couldn’t help the spark of admiration that flickered inside me. “I’m not stupid.”

“No, but you’re being fucking reckless,” I growled, backing her toward the concrete wall of the building. Her pine-green eyes flared as her back hit it, and I caged her in with both arms.

Her scent hit me hard—vanilla and citrus, along with something unique to her—and my semi-hard dick turned to fucking steel.

“Told you, you’re under my protection,” I murmured, crowding her tighter. “Means you don’t go poking aroundanywheresomeone might see you as a liability. You letmetake care of this.”

She huffed, but her breath caught. “What are you going to do? Lock me in a tower?”

“Not a bad idea, if that’s what it takes to keep you safe.” I dipped my head, letting my breath graze her cheek. “And if you don’t start behaving, I’ll bend you over and spank that pretty ass until it’s cherry red. Then you’llreallylearn what protection feels like.”

Her pupils flared, her cheeks heated, and her lips parted on a gasp.

“Ummm,” she whispered, clearly flustered.

“You get mouthy again,” I murmured, lips brushing her ear, “and I’ll make damn sure you feel it every time you sit down.”

I nearly groaned when her tongue peeked out to wet her lower lip. Then she tilted her head, fire returning to her gaze as she planted her hands on my chest and shoved. When I didn’t move so much as a millimeter, she huffed, “You only said not to go near the center.”

It was a weak-ass argument, but it drove me fucking crazy when she got sassy.

She could mouth off all she wanted. Every smart-ass word just made her more mine.

I growled, my tone low and full of warning. “Lindsay.”

Her lips parted again, but I didn’t give her a chance to say another word.

I slammed my mouth onto hers, swallowing her gasp as I kissed her hard, deep, and possessive. Her hands fisted in my shirt, and I pushed her back against the wall so tight there wasn’t a breath of space between us.

It wasn’t soft or gentle.

It was a claim.

A warning.

A promise.

She was fuckingmine.

And I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.

5

LINDSAY

One second, Beck glared at me as though I’d said something infuriating. The next, his lips were on mine.

My brain didn’t even register the kiss until it was almost already over. Which sucked because I didn’t get to give my all to my first real kiss.

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