Page 29 (1/2)

"I know, but I’"

"Why?"

He stepped forward until he was close enough she could reach out and touch hi just that He was so solid and safe Real and warhtmares came, ward away al that darkness

She was so tired Worn down

He reached out and slipped a thick finger over her ear to tuck back daht of leaving you alone"

Lana looked up at hiaze "I’irl"

"You’re al woman Don’t think I haven’t noticed But that doesn’t mean you should be alone"

"It’s easier that way"

"Liar" He closed the reainst the wal

She felt the heat of his body, the unyielding slabs of ainst hers His cheeks darkened, and his nostrils flared as if drinking in her scent She was caged against the wal by his body, unable to tel if she was more worried by his odd behavior or excited by it

"What are you doing?" she asked Her voice wavered and her lungs sucked in air, pressing her breasts ainst him

He leaned down until she could feel his lips ainst her neck "Tel me you want me to stop," he dared her

Lana couldn’t Her hands pressed against his chest, but she couldn’t find the strength to push Instead, her fingers curled against his hot skin in an effort to drag hiue just below her ear A jolt of heat shot through her,her body clench hard She sucked in a shocked breath, and it came out as a hiss of pleasure

"There’s no one watching us this tiers into her hair until his big hand covered the back of her head "Nothing to stop us"

Lana’s lips parted in an effort to find so cae of her speechlessness by kissing her

Just the touch of his lips on hers was enough to ht hold on her body with one ariving her no means of retreat

Not that she wanted any

When he held her like this, kissed her, there was no roohts but excite her tongue along his botto sped, and she could feel the air around them heat

He puled his mouth free of hers and kissed his way over her cheek, down her jaw, until he reached her neck

"God, Lana," he breathed, "I can’t take much more of this"

"Me, either," she told hi to his wide shoulders to steady herself

"Just telof pleasure to her core "I don’t want secrets between us Or lies"

The words buzzed around in her brain until they finalyher for infor and al this wil be over I’l keep you safe I swear it"

Lana froze in outrage Huain she’d been swept away by his touch, his kiss But it was al an act Part of his job

Caleb htened his body so he could look at her Concern and lust tightened his features Tears burned Lana’s eyes, and she knew if she so , so angry that he could hurt her like this

It was the anger that saved her, burning away her tears

"I can’t believe you’d use ht and bitter

"I have to keep you safe Whatever you’re hiding et you kiled I won’t let that happen"

"So you thought you’d try fucking the information out of e His body was hard and ilow of lust that had lit his eyes brightened to angry determination "Whatever it takes I played by the rules last time and you nearly died I don’t make the saood? That a fewto make me throw al ly and hard

So hot flared in his features and he shifted closer, crowding her with his big body His voice was low and velvet soft "A few minutes, a few hours, a few days

Whatever it takes"

Yes! shouted a feral voice inside Lana, but she held her ground "So you admit that it would be manipulation"

"I’d rather see you live by manipulation than die by honesty Besides, there’s not a whole lot of that between us, anyway Is there?"