Page 5 of Enter the Lair

Devon whispered against her lips.“You taste like cinnamon and honey.I will never get enough of you.”

She clutched the front of his shirt tightly.“This is crazy.”She couldn’t understand her attraction to Devon.It was intense.Her best friend was gorgeous and as much as she loved Gerry, she’d never felt this kind of attraction.She was there to do a job.Despite her last name, she had worked hard to become a Ranger.She never failed in a hunt, always bringing down her prey.She needed to get her emotions under control.She was like a lit firecracker in a room full of explosives.

She tried pulling away.Devon’s lips had her enslaved, her will slipped away as she gave into the sensations.His body continued to radiate a solid warmth that held her captive.His hands were possessive as they slid slowly down her arms and around her back, pulling her closer to him.The shrill ring of the cell phone in her pack startled her.She pushed away, turning her back to grab the phone from her pack.She should thank Devon for carrying that too, but she needed to get her head on straight.“Hello.”

Gerry’s voice was upbeat.“Hey, Sarah.You coming home tonight?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie.I forgot to call you.I haven’t found the cougar yet so I’m staying at the lodge in Mount Adams tonight.We ran across it today so I’m hoping to flush it out tomorrow.”I completely forgot my dinner plans with Gerry.

“No worries.You never fail.You’ll get him tomorrow...is Sam with you?”

“No.I’m with Devon Cascade.We’re on Cascade property so he’s helping me track the cat.”

Gerry chuckled.“I’ve heard about some of those Cascade boys.They’re real flirts with the women.I’m guessing your uniform might be a bit of a turnoff, though.”

Sarah laughed.“I’m pretty sure it’s the gun.”

“Okay honey.Good luck tomorrow.I hope you get that critter.”

“Me too.Bye.”She never had a chance to turn around.Devon flicked the phone from her hands.It bounced on the carpet as his arms encircled her from behind.

“You should have mentioned you had a boyfriend,” Devon growled into her ear.He was furious.

She struggled in his grasp.“Gerry isn’t my boyfriend.He’s my friend.Not that it’s any of your business.”He grabbed harder.

“Everything to do with you IS my business,” Devon snarled.He sounded more like an animal than a man.

She tried to turn, but Devon held her firmly.“Let go of ME,” Sarah shouted.

“In a moment.Tell me about Gerry.”

Sarah knew Devon was dangerous.Not to her.She sensed she was important to him.However, she couldn’t figure out why.She struggled between wanting to assert her authority and needing to set his mind at ease.Need won.“Let me go and I’ll tell you.”When he released her, she turned quickly and shoved him.

Devon didn’t move.The force pushed her backward, inflating her anger.“I don’t answer to you,” Sarah hissed.

He raised his eyebrows.“No, but you don’t go back on your word, do you?”His lip twitched.He knew he was right.

“You’re not winning any points with me,” she said.

His voice lowered.“If this is a game.I need to know who the other players are,” an unveiled threat hung in the air between them.

“This isn’t a game, and Gerry isn’t an opponent.He’s my friend...and my roommate.”

Devon’s jaw twitched.His eyes practically glowed.“Have you ever had a sexual relationship with him?”

Sarah startled.“What?I’ve never...”She clamped her teeth together.“You have no right to ask me those kinds of questions.I think you should leave.”

Devon rubbed the back of his neck.“I apologize.This is the first time I’ve felt jealous before.”

He continued to surprise her.He wasn’t lying.She’d never met anyone who admitted they were jealous.He seemed so forthright about everything.It was refreshing.“Why are you jealous?You barely know me and you know who I am.”

“I know who your father is.I don’t know you...but I plan too.”After she blushed, he added,“Tell me about Gerry.”

Sarah pushed her hair behind her ear.“We were in the same private school together.Later when I wanted to go to a regular school, Gerry went with me.”

“He seemed more than just a friend when you called him sweetie.”Devon’s eyes were ultra-focused.

“I don’t know why I need to explain myself, but I went through a rough time four years ago.Gerry was there for me when no-one else was.”