Page 31 of When He Defends

He was a stalker.

Gray knew it. Understood it. Should probably change his actions and belessof a stalker, but that shit just wasn’t going to happen. Ever since that night in Briar, Tennessee, when a killer had put his hands on Emerson, Gray had turned into a full-fledged stalker where his partner was concerned.

His protective tendencies had only amplified after the painted message had been left in Emerson’s motel room. Gray was worried. Every instinct he had screamed an alarm.

You’ll die.Those words in Emerson’s room haunted him. They also pissed him off. No one would hurt her. Not on his watch. Screw that shit. So…

He’d begun to stalk her. To make certain she was safely home at night. To make certain no predators were hanging around her place. To make certain…

There are no threats.

And, yes, he’d been testing her. He’d needed to make sure the woman could shoot to protect herself. Sure, he’d seen her files. Knew that she’d passed the shooting drills before, but he’d wanted to see her skills up close and personally.

He’d been impressed when he’d watched her fire at the target. It took a lot to impress him.

Then, there had been the morning when he’d had the total jackass idea of sparring with her. Just to make sure that she’d be able to hold her own against a bigger opponent. But the instant he’d seen her in those short shorts—hello, torture—his dick had saluted, his mind had gone dead silent, and he’d had to fight the urge to pull her into his arms.

So, he’d taken her down on the mat. She’d escaped his hold. Again, impressing him. Then she’d takenhimdown.

Turned him on even more.

When they’d regained their footing, she’d stood before him, beautiful, determined, and she’d just boldly announced that she wanted him. He’d tried to warn her away. Done his damn best. But…

She hadn’t backed down.

Rylan had interrupted before things went too far. Rylan who always watched her a bit too much.Like I’m one to judge.Rylan who always lingered around her a bit too much.Again, who the hell am I to judge?

But…

He didn’t want Rylan around her. Truth be told, Gray didn’t want any other guy putting his hands anywhere near her.

So, yes, his stalker skills had been activated. He’d followed the group to the bar when he realized Emerson was accompanying them. He could have lied to himself and said he followed to make certain that she was safe. But this particular stalking adventure wasn’t about safety. It was about jealousy.

She’d gone to the bar with Rylan.

Watchful, fun, and ready-to-entertain-her-at-any-moment Rylan.

Getting the drop on the group had been too easy. Seriously, too easy. They were Feds—fine, Feds and one consultant. They should have been aware of their surroundings at all times. But, instead, they’d been gossiping about his past, and they hadn’t been aware when he’d snuck in the back door literally feet away from them.

Amateur mistake.

And…now…

She’s chasing after me.He’d turned when he heard Emerson call his name. She’d darted through the crowd. He couldn’t even see the table of Feds behind her. They were blocked by a line going to the bar. But Emerson?—

She barreled toward him. His coat was tucked under her arm. She’d shivered, so he’d given her the damn coat to wear, not to carry around. His hands reached out and curled around her shoulders. “Did I forget something?”

“Yes.” Very definite.

Oh, he had? What had he forgotten?

“Me.” Her hands fisted in his shirtfront even as she shot onto her toes, and she kissed him. Holy hell, she kissed him. In the crowded bar. A bar with FBI agents.

She. Kissed. Him. Open mouth. Teasing tongue.

He stiffened. Even as lust and longing poured through every cell in his body, his muscles tightened. Her mouth was soft and sweet, and he wanted to savage it with his raw need and lust. Wanted to damn the consequences and any watchers and kiss her the way he wanted.I want to kiss her. Fuck her. Claim her.

Emerson whipped back, as if just realizing what she’d done. “You…aren’t kissing me. Not, uh, back, I mean, and I’m—I’m sorry! I—I shouldn’t have chased you. I shouldn’t have kissed you!”