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She’d scream.

He’d come.

Then as his come dripped down her thighs, he’d put her in his Jeep and drive her home. They would agree it was a one off and go back to being friends.

It could work.

No, it wouldn’t. Mack knew, just from imaging it, that he’d want more of her. To tie her wrists to his bed and spend hours licking every inch of her. Biting her clit and watching her agonize when he took her to the edge of her orgasm only to make her wait.

But God, when she did...she would be so fucking gorgeous.

“Ella,” Mack rasped. “I am not the same male who left. You don’t...you don’t know who I am anymore.”

Her eyes flickered and pain lined those deep brown globes, sending shards of regret through him.

“I know you,” she whispered.

Mine.

He closed his eyes, hating that she yet again thought he was rejecting her. Wishing he could tell her just how much he longed to hold her in his arms as he slept.

Goddamn you, Dad.

Talk about the worst parenting advice ever.

Losing control wasn’t an option, he had to force back his desire and the scalding chemistry between them. When he glanced away, only then opening his eyes, Ella tried to rip her hand out his grasp.

“I know who you are, Mack Mazzini. The question is, do you know who I am?”

Of course he fucking did.

He’d watched every move she’d made since she was fifteen. Hell, earlier, if he was honest and not being creepy.

Watched her body grow from a girl’s into a woman’s.

Watched her bite her bottom lip when he’d torn off his T-shirt. Felt her body against his when he gave her a ride home on his motorcycle when he was twenty-one and had to jerk off for about seven hundred hours.

Mack had felt pride when she graduated and then again when he saw her company website go live.

Helped her move into her apartment and then drove away, wishing he could stay there to make sure she was safe.

Then had turned around and slept in his car two houses down where she couldn’t see him.

For a whole fucking week.

When he glanced back to reply, the expression on her face almost took his breath away. There was pure sex written in them.

And he was going to reject her all over again.

To protect her.

To protect the wolves and obey the king.

Mine.

His mind flashed back to the team meeting today and the reality that things were dire. Goddamn it all. Never had there been a graver time. If they were all going to die in this fucking war, then perhaps...

No!