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Now his lips were dangerously close to mine and breathing was no longer an option. He smelled of pine and leather, which didn’t make any sense since he’d just stepped from the shower. It had to be whatever manly soap he was using.

His lips hovered over mine for far too long. Long enough I pressed my other hand against his chest, trying my best to gain some space between us.

He refused, leaning down even further. I closed my eyes, arching my back in anticipation of a moment of passion.

But it never came. Instead, I felt his hot breath against my ear, his whisper full of sexual innuendos. “Be careful tempting a beast, Juliette. They’ve been known to bite.” With that, he nipped my earlobe and I shuddered to my core.

As soon as he pulled away, the bastard was smiling. And he turned around, giving me the most incredible view of his sculpted butt.

And several horrible scars on his back. How many times had he been injured? Something crazy happened inside me. Beingaround him had a way of drawing that out. Before I knew what I was doing, I’d taken a step forward, brushing the tips of my fingers across a huge indentation.

Kage jerked around with such speed I was pitched into the edge of the counter. Now he pinned me against the surface with his full weight. And the look in his eyes was murderous.

With his chest rising and falling, the horrible darkness in his eyes slowly began to fade.

“You should know better than to sneak up on a man like that.”

“I wasn’t sneaking. I was just… I’m sorry. You were injured.”

He snickered as he took a step away, now wrapping the towel around his waist. “That was a long time ago. A lifetime.”

“Do they still hurt?”

“Aches and pains sometimes when it rains. Nothing I can’t handle. The only aspect of my life I can’t seem to handle is you.”

“I’m sorry I’m such a bother. Maybe I’ll be out of your hair in a couple days.”

“Maybe. Until then, I guess we’ll learn to put up with each other.”

“Yeah, I guess we will.” Could the sexual tension be any higher? How about my blood pressure? “I thought I’d make dinner later. Maybe for a change you’ll eat with me.”

“Are you inviting me out on a date, sunshine?”

Now I pushed him with all the strength I had. He toppled backward, being overly dramatic. “Very funny. I think I’d rather ask a rattler than a grumpy old man.”

As if to prove me wrong, a playful side that I didn’t know he had suddenly popped out and he lifted his arm, bending and flexing so I could see his huge muscle.

The minimal action also allowed me an even better view of his abdomen. Perfect. Just perfect.

“Never mind. Tank and I will eat alone. Maybe I’ll make you a plate.” I awkwardly moved to the door, finally getting it open all the way.

“Juliette. I’d like to have dinner with you. If the offer is still good.”

I bit back the automatic smile. “It’s still good. I’m going to take a quick shower and I’ll start the food.”

“Sounds good.”

We both hesitated, but I managed to leave the bathroom without saying anything else that would make me look foolish.

“I want to show you something.”

Kage’s voice sounded more reflective than I’d thought possible. I continued loading the dishes into the dishwasher, peeking down at Tank a couple of times to see if he had any idea what the man could possibly want to show me. At least he’d found my attempt at barbequed chicken edible.

Actually, he’d eaten the leftovers, chomping down on them as if he hadn’t enjoyed a home-cooked meal for a long time.

After closing the dishwasher door, I shifted around to face him. “What?”

“You’re going to need to trust me.” There was a twinkle in his eyes.