Page 261 of Duty and Desire

Her body jerked, but she didn’t answer.

That’s what he’d figured. He could smell the fear coming off her. Maybe he should’ve let Ivar kill Monte. Oh, he could do it himself, but something told him Abby wouldn’t like that. “Why haven’t you gotten help?”

“Help?” Her head lifted so suddenly, her entire body shook. “From whom? I’m sure the world seems safe from where you are, but in this town, there is no help. And I can’t leave because of the probation.” She shook her head, her hair flying around. “I was so stupid, Noah. So damn stupid.”

“No.” He didn’t know her story, but she wasn’t dumb. Intelligence shone in her eyes. “It’s okay, Abs. I’ll take you home.” And then he’d figure out what to do with Monte. Once he’d tracked down the whole story.

She looked outside at the darkness flying by. “I don’t want to go home,” she whispered.

His body heated to a full burn. Had she just said what he’d thought? “Okay.” He’d have to put clean sheets on Ivar’s bed.

Abby turned toward him, her chin firm and her skin pale in the lights from the dash. “And I don’t want to stay in your guest room, Noah. Not tonight.”

What had she done?The words came from a piece of personality inside Abby that was tired of hiding. Of being afraid and lonely. Once upon a time, she’d craved adventure. Now that Monte had seen her with another man, her days were limited, anyway. Or maybe his were. It was time to fight back, and while she wasn’t quite sure of her path, she was done being a mouse.

This was a first step.

The impressive man driving the truck with such fierce control drew her in a way she couldn’t define. A feeling, down deep, beyond need. Straight to hunger. She deserved to appease that craving at least once.

He turned into a luxury condo development and parked at the far end of the row.

“Why are you here?” she asked. He didn’t fit in the small town.

“Business,” he said, opening his door and holding out a hand.

She hesitated for the briefest of seconds and then scooted over, sliding her much smaller palm against his warm one. He drew her out, shut the door, and kept her hand as he led her up a flight of fancy stone stairs to a thick wooden door, which he nudged open. “You don’t lock your door?” She tried to walk as casually as possible inside.

“No.” He shut the door behind them, and she jumped. Releasing her hand, he leaned back and crossed his arms, looking way down. “Why?”

She didn’t bother pretending to misunderstand. “I’m tired of not living. I like you, you like me, and that kiss earlier still has me reeling. I want more. While there’s a chance of having it. Of feeling something good.” When she started talking, she couldn’t stop.

His eyes glittered with a lust he didn’t bother concealing. “Don’t be sweet.”

Huh?She frowned. “I’m not.”

“You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen, and I can’t handle that right now.” His lips tipped up in a way that made him look like a slightly amused and very hungry lion.

“Okay.” She returned his smile and stepped right into the fire, pressing her hands against his elbows and tugging, makinghis arms uncross. “I won’t be sweet. How about seductive?” Where her courage came from, she’d figure out later.

“Baby, you’re seductive just breathing.”

The words shot right to her heart. Warming her. Helping her. Healing her. “You don’t have to say things like that.” She leaned up and nipped his whiskered chin.

“I don’t have to do or say anything.” He grasped her arms and partially lifted her, waiting until her startled eyes met his before continuing. “When I talk, it’s the truth. No ulterior motives. I think you’re sweet and sexy, and I want to be inside you so badly my ears are ringing. But I’m not going to coax you, and I’m not going to persuade you. If you say no, the guest room is yours as long as you want it. If you say yes, your body is mine for the rest of the night.” The tone was raw and possessive. Powerful.

Her knees almost gave out. She swallowed and swayed even closer to him.

“But—”

“No but,” she responded instantly.

He grinned. “But, this is just a night or two. I have business, and it’s probably not going to be pretty, and I can’t give more than this.”

She wasn’t complete enough for more than this. Right now. She would be someday, however. “This is all I want.” She meant every word. Well, kind of. She’d never met a man like him, and she couldn’t help but wonder what it’d be like to be a part of his life. Of his heart. “Take me or leave me,” she quipped.

“I’ll take.” He clamped his hands on her hips and lifted her, his mouth descending at the same time.

She yelped and latched on to his shoulders, her knees gripping on his ribcage. The kiss overtook her, and she shut her eyes, trusting him to hold her aloft. This was crazy but she just didn’t care any longer. If she was going to jail, she was takingthis memory with her. They moved backward, and she went willingly. His mouth was firm and warm and commanding.