Page 80 of Taken By the Convicts
Her dark eyes widened. “You want me, Zev?” she asked, her voice riddled with doubt.
“I thought I made that clear several times now.”
“For how long?”
He backed away. What did she know? Whatcouldshe know?
“I don’t understand your question,” he said, hoping to lead her in another direction.
“How long before you move on from me?”
“Move on to where? We’re on a fucking prison planet, Mel.”
“But I’m nothing more than entertainment to you. It’s why you only approach when I’m with one of the others. It’s less intimate then, a way to maintain your distance from me, emotionally at least.”
He leaned in and kissed her. It didn’t take long before his blood was racing and he was thinking of places and ways of taking her, but that would only draw him in further. She was right. There was less intimacy sharing her, less chance to fall for her more than he already had.
Zev kissed her neck and slowly worked his way up, testing a theory. She smelled so damn good as her body melted into his. They’d be fantastic together, without another in the mix. He’d take long, slow strokes, watch her mouth quiver with each moan, each gasp. He’d draw out her orgasm and watch how her hair spilled behind her as she tilted her head back for him and screamed his name. He fantasized about having her to himself, to know that he alone elicited every moan, every shudder of her body.
As he made his way to her ear, nibbling the lobe, her hands slid under his shirt.
“I want to know you better, Mel, but I can’t.”I fucking have no choice. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You would never hurt me. You couldn’t.”
The way she said that, with vehemence and certainty, floored him. She had such faith, such trust in him. Undeserved. Dangerous.
“I know evil, Zev. You’re as far from it as I am from ever being a Level 1 again.”
Fuck, she knew something. This was why he’d tried to maintain his distance from the prisoners, from her. He didn’t want to get anyone killed, especially her.
Befriending Reece had been a necessity, though Zev had come to respect the man very much. Getting pulled into this unit hadn’t been Zev’s idea, but he’d had a split second to decide and he couldn’t bring himself to abandon Reece when Jayce had proposed taking Melina from the hole. Never mind that walking away from Reece would have drawn notice from too many people, he’d become close to Reece and didn’t want to see him hurt. Fuck, he had too many ties on this planet, and he was getting more involved every day.
He traced the line of Melina’s jaw. Every part of her was so soft, tender, fragile. She’d been hurt enough. He refused to bring her more pain, which was why he needed to keep his distance. She’d understand in time. She’d hate him, but she’d understand.
“I guess I haven’t fully accepted being stuck on Veenith the rest of my life,” he said while curling a tendril of silky hair around his fingers. Maybe he should take Jayce’s tactic, be as crass as possible considering how much that always made her mad.
“Fuck me. Here and now.” He curved his hands over her ass and pulled her against him so she’d feel how hard he was. Fuck, he really could take her now. “I’m not the man you think I am,” he whispered in her ear as his hand moved to her pussy.
Please let her refuse me, tell me to go to hell.If she said no to him, he’d listen. That wouldn’t be an issue, even if he had to shove a pillow over his head while he heard her moans coming from another man’s room.
“Yes,” she said, pressing her hips against his. “I want you, Zev. Just the two of us.”
Fuck! That’s not how this conversation should be going.
“Mel—” He leaned his forehead against her chest as she unzipped his pants. Her hand stroked his cock, not that he needed the encouragement, but fuck did that feel good. He’d read the entire situation wrong. She was determined to be with him, to get to know him better.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said in a whisper as he clamped his hand around her wrist, stopping her.
“You won’t,” she whispered back.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because you’re one of the good guys, Zev. I know it in my heart.”
The good guys always lost in books and vids. . . in life. Just look at her; she was on Veenith. He released her wrist. She didn’t touch him again, which made him want her all the more. But he had to push her away.
“Why are you here, Mel? And give me the truth. I’m not sure I can handle less from you, not now when I’m so fucking confused.”
