Page 49 of Caged

Her fingers dig into her arms. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.” She chews on her lower lip as her eyes drop.

“I won’t. But, I have to go. There’s a chance we’re going to get Knox tonight.” I slide my pistol into the shoulder harness beneath my polo and start to push past her.

“Are you in such a big hurry to get me out?”

Fuck.

“No. You aren’t safe at all until he’s gone. Where you stay after that is…” My arm waves to try and cover my lack of words.

What do I want? Does it matter if she wants to leave?

I’m not sure. She still acts like she’s holding something back from me.

Tonight is not the night to figure it out. “Thank you for keeping an eye on Elena. I’m late.”

She doesn’t move when I try to step past her. “You shouldn’t.”

For the first time, her lip doesn’t tremble, but is firm and locked.

This is new. It makes my cock twitch.

“It isn’t your choice.” Picking her up by the waist, I move her out of my path.

What the hell was that about?

Why is she choosing now to try and make a stand?

Is it because she wants to stay so badly?

She has my head all fucked up.

As my hand reaches the door handle, something stops me. This burning need to turn around. And, when I do, she’s there.

That fire in her eyes draws me in. I don’t see it often, but when I do it sets me alight in a way I never thought could happen again.

Her big, dark eyes are locked on mine. The way her chest rises and falls, that beautiful blush spreads up her neck.

Fuck it.

My fingers twitch at my side as I purposely stride towards her.

Before I know what I’m doing, my hand is laced around her throat and her back is against the wall.

It feels right. Having her pulse erratically beat against my palm.

I am under her spell, inhaling her amber scent. Maybe I’m being poisoned to behave like this with her.

“Is this what you wanted?” I whisper against her lips.

Nudging her legs apart with my thigh, my hand plants on her firm ass.

“Fucking kiss me, Nikolai.”

That’ll do it. I knew there was a darker side to her.

I slam my lips over hers and her arms wrap around my neck, tugging me in closer. It’s as if she’s trying to take some control back.

Well, she’s messing with the wrong man.