Page 52 of When He Defends

Oh, she was not ready for what he wanted. And hecouldbe a gentleman—or pretend to be one—and not just act like a lustful bastard where she was concerned. His gaze cut away from her.

“Gray…”

“You can sleep in my bed. I’ll take the couch.”

“Gray.”

He should stop touching her.

“Eyes on me, Gray.”

Surprised that she’d just tossed his own words back at him, his gaze whipped toward her. Emerson stared directly at him. No fear. Eyes so blue it almost hurt to look into them.

“What do you want?” Emerson repeated.

You.No way did he say that. He would not. Because he was not gonna make it seem like the price for his protection was sex. It wasn’t. He could want Emerson physically and want to protect her at the same time. He could multi-task. Hadn’t he just told her as much?

“Not gonna say?” she murmured. “Fine. Then I’ll tell you what I want.”

The den felt hot. Nah, he was hot.

Emerson did not look away from him. He could not look away from her as she confessed, “I want you.”

Fuck.Then…yes!

“I want you to finish what you started at my place. Kiss me, Gray.”

Chapter Ten

“I will not be afraid of the monster in the dark. I will not be afraid of the monster in the dark. I will not be—know what? Maybe I am the monster in the dark.”

– Emerson Marlowe, a very, very long time ago

The drumming ofher heartbeat filled Emerson’s ears as she stared into Gray’s gleaming eyes. He believed her. He’d stood by her when the cops were at her house. He’d insisted on taking her to his place when they left.

He believes me. He wants me.

I’m desperate for him.

“Partners,” Gray rumbled.

She flinched. Yes, yes, that was what they were, but Emerson wanted so much more.

“Lovers,” he said.

She nodded. They’d be both. For the undercover mission. But in reality, too. “Doesn’t change anything.” She needed him to understand this. “I’m not asking for some undying commitment from you.”

“No?”

“No.” She would go into this with her eyes wide open. “I get that you’re not into forever.”

“And how do you get that, sweet Emerson?”

Simple. “Because I’ve profiled you.”

“And you think you know so much about me.” His lips hitched into a mocking half-smile. “Don’t be so sure of yourself.”

Emerson did not think she knew everything, certainly, but she did know enough. “You don’t want forever. That’s fine. That’s not what I’m looking for, either.” Truth be told, the possibility of forever terrified her.What if I did become like my father, and Gray had to watch me break apart before his eyes?“Not forever.” Harder.