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“Be that as it may,” I said, “I still don’t see how I can help you. I’m not at liberty to reveal any sources I may have, or where I gather my information. I don’t think you flexing your muscles and batting those eyes at me is gonna work. Maybe it does on other women, but I’m not that kind of girl.”

“Come on, now,” Nate said, glancing away, then back. “This could be mutually beneficial. You’re a smart lady. Maybe we can help each other out.”

His deep, sonorous voice reverberated through my chest and my core.

I couldn’t stop looking at his eyes—a sharp, silvery gray that pinned me in place as he took a step closer.

Swallowing hard, I didn’t move as he rested his hand on the wall behind me, leaning close to me, invading my space.

At any other time in my life, I’d be pissed.

Actually, on second thought, I was pissed. Who did he think he was flirting with me? We met, like, two minutes ago. Still, my body was rebelling against my mind. As much as I wanted to tell him to go fuck himself, I couldn’t force the words from my mouth.

“So,” Nate said, grinning coyly. “What do you say? I scratch your back, you scratch mine?”

Unbidden, an image burst into my mind: me on my back, mouth thrown open in ecstasy, powerful hips thrusting into me, my nails dragging down a broad muscular back as a thunderous orgasm shook me.

What the fuck?

That snapped me out of whatever spell this guy was casting on me. I shook my head and moved away, sidestepping Nate. And I swear to God, he did the same sniffing thing Officer Vickers had done. His grin faded slightly.

Damn. I guess I really did need a shower or something. Did I reek that bad?

“Interesting,” Nate muttered to himself.

“Buddy,” I said, ignoring him and doing my best to keep my voice steady, “I don’t know what you think you’re gonna get here, but it’s not going to happen. Got it?”

Gritting my teeth, I cursed myself. My panties were soaked. What the absolute hell was wrong with me? Heat crept into my cheeks.

Nate must have seen me blushing, because the smile never left his face.

“I’m not trying anything. Why don’t we go get a drink somewhere and discuss the case?

Maybe I can get you some info you don’t have for your story, and perhaps you can give me something I need for my investigation.

That’s a pretty decent plan, don’t you think?

” He shrugged. “Whatever happens after that just happens.”

A memory of my mother crawled out of the recesses of my mind.

Coming home and gushing about the new man she’d met.

How many times in my life had that scene played out?

Too many to count. Almost always, she’d allowed her desires and lust to take her down a path with a man who didn’t treat her well and left her stranded and heartbroken.

Men who only wanted her for her looks and body, but cast her aside when they were done with her.

Those memories were what finally overrode my raging libido.

“Not gonna happen,” I snapped. “If you have something you want to tell me for the paper, great. I’ll keep you as an anonymous source. But you aren’t getting jack-shit from me, pendejo .”

The hot-guy loverboy persona cracked a bit then. I could see it in Nate’s eyes—he probably wasn’t used to women resisting his charms. He quickly covered his frustration with another smile, but it looked less genuine.

“Fine, then.” Nate straightened, and the flirtation left his voice. “I thought we could be friends and help each other out. I guess that was wrong. Maybe this can simply be a business arrangement. Nothing else.”

I huffed in annoyance. “Listen, my guy, as I’ve already said, you aren’t getting anything out of me. I’m on my first day of the story. Even if I wanted to tell you anything, I haven’t had time to dig. Surely whatever source you have would know that.”

Nate lifted his hands, holding the palms out in surrender. “You got me. Well-played.”

“What do you mean?”

“My source did tell me you were a reporter for the paper, but the real reason I’m here is because I heard you were attacked as well.

You have a solid resemblance to the other victims, and you managed to fight the guy off.

I thought you might be able to give me more information.

I’m trying to figure out if this guy who attacked you might be the killer as well. ”

Having my earlier thoughts spoken out loud made the prospect seem even more ridiculous. There was no way it was the same person. Some crackhead had been hoping to steal a couple of purses and fucked with the wrong girl. That was that.

Shaking my head, I said, “No way. I did get attacked, but the guy who did it was alone. Rumor on the street is that all the victims were mauled by an animal. A dog, most likely. Something that’s been trained to kill. This guy had no dog. No chance it was the same person.”

Nate narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure about that?”

I opened my mouth to retort but paused. A memory came back to me, one that had been cast aside during the struggle with the guy, pushed further down by dealing with the cops and EMTs and everything else that had happened directly after the attack.

The very first thing Lesley and I noticed was a low, throaty growl. An animal?

Suddenly, the hallway felt much colder than it had a few seconds ago. Could I be positive there hadn’t been a dog somewhere in the shadows, awaiting a command? Had I fought off the serial killer that night?

In an instant, everything looked and felt more terrifying. Out here in the hall, with this stranger, I was vulnerable. That was unacceptable. I hated that feeling, despised it. I needed to get into the apartment. Get safe behind that door, throw the locks, and pull the curtains.

“Could you move, please? I’ve had a long day, and I’d like to relax in my apartment. Alone ,” I added pointedly.

“It’s not that late,” Nate said with another sexy grin. “There’s plenty of time to talk.” He leaned against the door frame. Not on the door, but in my way.

Taking the initiative I should have the moment I saw him, I put my hand on his chest and gently urged him back.

Holy shit, the man was made of muscle.

“My little brother will be home soon, so for me, it is late. Sorry, buddy.”

Undeterred, Nate gave me that sexy head tilt guys did in movies. “I usually don’t say things like this, but has anyone ever told you you’re gorgeous when you get mad?”

“Good God!” I whirled around, my hair flipping up. “Can’t you take a hint?”

The grin vanished. His eyes went wide, and even his nostrils flared. Nate looked intense and worried. His eyes weren’t on mine, though. They were locked on my neck.

“What the fuck is that?” he demanded, all business now.

“None of your business,” I said, nodding behind him to the stairwell. “Can you please leave, Nate?”

“Did that guy bite you? Why wasn’t that in the police report?”

Adjusting my hair to cover the healing wound, I glared at him. “It’s just a scratch. No big deal. I had dozens of them after the fight.”

Nate, emboldened by God knew what, brushed my hair aside to get a better look at it. The invasion of my personal space and the crazy speed with which he moved startled me. Jerking, I turned away, taking a step back.

“Watch out!” he yelled.

My foot found nothing but air, and I tilted backwards from the momentum. I pictured my body shattering on the stairs, bones protruding from my skin, head tilted at an awkward angle as my neck snapped.

But with that lightning speed of his, Nate caught my wrist and hauled me against his chest. His other arm wrapped around my back protectively.

I took a breath, and my vision went fuzzy with desire.

The heat of his skin, the strength of his arms, the speed and grace with which he moved, and that delicious smell?

Arousal stronger than anything I’d ever experienced in my entire life flooded through me.

Heat rushed through my body, and within seconds, I was wet, willing myself not to grind my crotch against him like a dog in heat.

What the hell?

Lost in a haze of lust, I unconsciously wrapped my arms around him, pulling myself closer.

Was this what Mom had felt with all those men?

A sudden, undeniable surge of passion that threw every other thought out the window?

It would explain the trail of men who had left her heartbroken and full of regrets.

It was part of why I liked being with Rick.

He was stable and kind, and… well, not much else.

There was no flaming passion when I was with him, and that was what I liked.

This? Whatever it was, it terrified me.

Nate obviously noticed what was going on, which was even more embarrassing. I could actually feel his own excitement as the crotch of his pants grew harder against me.

“Are you okay?” Nate asked.

My mind was most definitely not okay. I’d lost it, and all I could think of was getting away.

Pushing aside the overwhelming desire to stay in his arms, I thrust my hands against his chest. Nate stumbled back in surprise, tripping over his own feet and landing hard on his ass.

Taking the opening, I pulled out my keys and jammed them into the lock.

“Wait!” Nate called. “Cameron, hang on.”

“Go away,” I said, shoving my door open.

“We need to talk about that bite. Just let me?—”

I slammed the door and slid the deadbolt into place. Pressing my forehead into the door, I took a few steadying breaths. Thankfully, the arousal and desire faded quickly.

“Cameron?” Nate called through the door. “Please.”

“Go away! You’ve got three seconds before I call the cops. Do you understand?”

There was silence on the other side of the door, then a muffled curse and the faint thud of booted feet walking away, down the stairwell. Sighing in relief, I turned and leaned against the door. My relaxation was short-lived. Gael would be home any second. What if he met Nate downstairs?

Shit. Nate didn’t seem dangerous—I had a good read on people—but I didn’t want the jackass bothering my little brother.

“Shit,” I muttered and ran to the kitchen.

The window above the sink overlooked the front door of the apartment complex. Mom always left it open. There was no fire escape or other way for anyone to get in through that window, and she loved the fresh air. Leaning out, I scanned the sidewalk and parking area.

Gael was nowhere in sight, but Nate had just walked out. Rather than duck my head back in, I leaned out farther. My reporter’s curiosity got the better of me. He stood on the sidewalk for several seconds, hands on hips, turning in what appeared to be a frustrated circle.

Finally, he reached into his leather jacket, pulling out a cell phone. A moment later, he dialed and put the phone to his ear. He was nearly twenty feet down, almost too far away to hear. I cupped my hand around my ear to try and pick up what he might say.

“Ollie? We’ve got a problem. A fucking big problem.”

As if sensing my eyes on him, Nate turned to look up toward me. Jerking my head inside, I nearly backed into the kitchen table. I pressed a hand to my chest and took a steadying breath.

What the hell was going on?