Page 257 of Entangled

Eden

Survival tip #243

Check your entrances and exits are secure against invaders.

When the last person leaves, I clear my throat, and he tilts his head my way, listening and unsurprised, like he’s been waiting for me to signal him. Inexplicable goosebumps lift on my arms.

“Do you need anything?” I ask, and his eyes travel over me.

“Doing the rounds? First Heather, now me... Are you worrying about me, little librarian?”

His gaze meets mine, and it sears me through—a flash of lightning through my core that leaves me hollowed out, burning, and so, so empty. I dampen my lips as I swallow. I thought he might be tired, on edge like he had been for days and days when we arrived at Bristlebrook, but he’s not.

Dom is charged, zinging with electric energy that he’s clearly trying to keep banked. He’s too still. Every movement is deliberate and heavy, except for that flash-fire sweep of his eyes over my face, my breasts, my lips.

This is his element. The offense and attack of it. The strategy and fight. Away from the civilians he doesn’t understand and their frustrating, daily little issues.Thisis what he loves.

He’s breathtaking.

I take a slow, nervous step toward him. “I always worry about you. I worry about all of you.”

Dom tracks my step, and the next, his muscles coiling tight. His forearms flex where he’s leaning on the table, and I can’t help but stare at them. He’s pushed up his sleeves and I can see the dark hair on his arms and the corded strength in his massive hands. Gorgeous hands. Hands that have held me. Hands that have touched me.

“And what if I do need something? You plan on doing something about it, pet?”

His voice is a deep, taunting rumble, and my body is helpless under it. I feel overfull—a fruit that’s grown too ripe, too swollen with sweet, sticky need. He hasn’t even touched me, and I’m ready to fall at his feet.

Step.

My voice lowers huskily. “I suppose.. . I would offer to serve you.”

At the word ‘serve,’ Dom’s eyes snap to mine, and there’s no mistaking it anymore. I don’t know when I got so bold, but I’m not the same woman he met in the woods all those weeks ago. Now, I know that turbulent look doesn’t mean he’s mad.

I know what a man looks like when he wants me.

When I’m only a foot from him, Dom straightens slowly, towering over me. His size is deliciously intimidating, his expression dark and intent. I tremble.

“Before a battle, adrenaline starts kicking in. Some soldiers like to blow off the tension. Some fight. Some like to fuck.” Dom’s eyes are a challenge.

As casually as I can, I sit on the table in front of him, on top of his war maps... and I let my legs fall slightly open. The effect is spoiled by the fact I’m in sensible pants and not a skirt, but it doesn’t seem to matter.

Dom watches every move I make like he’s planning a different kind of strategy. I can see his mind working, teasing at the new problem, sharp and precise. My pulse is rioting in my veins, my nipples hard and tight in my bra. It feels dangerous to tease a man like Dom.

“Oh?” I squeak.

Apparently, my new boldness has no effect on my ability to speak like a human instead of a chewable dog toy.

Dom places his hands back on the table and leans over me. His knuckles are white with pressure, and his mouth is inches from mine.

“Friends don’t offer to service fuck their friends, Eden,” he says, cocking a dry, mocking brow.

My mind detonates. I stare at his lips, right at the seam where they turn wet. It’s an effort to lift my eyes to his, and my nerves jump back to life. I need to do this now. I’m not leaving anything untilafteranymore. I know how quickly things can change.

Nowmatters. It might be the only thing that does.

“You’re not just a friend to me, sir,” I murmur.

Dom’s breath rushes out of his mouth and over mine. The raging tension in his eyes burns brighter. “So youdidn’tforget.”

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