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“I’m not the man you think I am. I’m an asshole with more control issues than they can diagnose. I’m not a nice guy.”

“But I’m safe,” she whispered in a voice so fragile, it chipped at my resolve to stay away for her sake.

Fuck, that weak voice cracked every restraint I had. All she wanted to be was safe, and that was the one thing Icouldoffer. “No one—I repeat, no one will touch you while I’m here. That is a fact you shouldn’t question.”

Her tight shoulders dropped, her lips parted in a relieved sigh. There was trust there, trust I hadn’t earned yet, but still she gave it—to me, a nobody.

Fuck it.

Narrowing my eyes, I crouched directly in front of her, inching closer until her back pressed against the brick hearth. Inches from her nose, I inhaled each of her shaky breaths, savoring the heated fear that pulsed off her as her eyes darkened with lust. She needed to be scared of me, to run in the opposite direction.

Still I dared another inch closer, hoping she’d push me off, praying she wouldn’t.

I slid a hand around the hot skin of her delicate neck.

“I don’t know how to be gentle, Lady,” I growled.

Her breath hitched at the minuscule squeeze of my fingers around her throat.

“What if I don’t want gentle?” she breathed.

“What do you want?”

Light brown brows pulled together in thought, but her hazel eyes stayed locked with mine. “You.”

Instantly I released her neck and retreated to the couch. A trembling hand enclosed around her neck where my finger marks were fading. Breathing still rapid, eyes wide, Alta stared, clearly not understanding my reaction.

That made two of us.

For the first time in a noncombat situation, I was fucking terrified.

This beautiful woman saw me. She saw into my dark soul and wanted more. Wanted me. The emotions she evoked just by seeing me and wanting me were paralyzing.

Frustrated as well as fucking confused, I shoved against the couch, sending it rocking back on its legs with the force, and stalked to the front door. The handle groaned at the jerk I gave it but didn’t budge.

“Who the hell locked the damn door?” I grumbled as I flicked the metal lever, allowing the door to swing open at my pull.

A small, fair hand inched into the air by the fireplace.

Of course it was her.

Damn this woman. Damn her innocence, her fucking beauty.

The house vibrated as the door slammed shut behind me. My hands shook as I fumbled with the lighter, the whole time telling myself it was due to the cold, nother. The first deep drag of smoke filling my lungs eased the growing jitters. I needed to quit, but what was the point? We all died sometime, and it wasn’t like I had a family who would miss me. Hell, I didn’t even have a fucking goldfish. I was alone in this hard life, and that was the way it was meant to be. I came into it alone, lived it alone, and knew I was destined to die alone.

Gray smoke curled out between my lips, growing more significant as my hot breath mixed with the icy air. The clear blue sky and bright sun made it appear warmer outside than the actual near freezing temperature. At least it wasn’t balls hot out here like in the house. Hell, Peters and I would need to open all the windows after she left to get an hour or two of comfortable sleep.

The next inhale, I held in the smoke until it burned. I needed to get my priorities straight. The case, finding the fucker messing with innocent women, was the goal. Not the edible officer inside who I wanted to devour like the luscious fruit she was.

As the smoke floated away on a light breeze, I adjusted my hardening cock. Inside, gazing into those scared, excited eyes, one thing was clear—If anything happened between us, it would be slow and on her terms.

Not that anything would happen.

Fuck, now I was even lying to myself.

The front door swung open, releasing a wave of warm, dry air from the cabin.

“Fuck, it’s hot as hell in there,” Peters complained. “But she seems comfortable, so I can’t bring myself to be the ass who smothers her stupid fire.”