Page 5 (1/2)

And thehis self-control

"No imposition I have the room; you need a bed"

She laid a soft hand over his as it gripped the gearshift Her touch seized hi his blood

"Besides," she ht isn’t a prank, then I’d feel better not to be alone Do you mind?"

Yes Very much But he’d be every kind of a bastard if he said no

He sent her a tight s through his teeth Then again, so was she She’d paid Hoive Luc’s room away and she doubted that, despite the prank, anyone would try to hurt her tonight

As Luc’s SUV whipped down Lafayette’s dark streets, exhaustion should have been weighing on her Instead, she was filled with anticipation She was finally going to be alone with the man she most wanted, in her house, where he’d made mad love to her before Too bad Luc wasn’t happy about it

He was a puzzle The lust in his eyes was unmistakable Hell, every time he looked her way he daether So his anger that soued her

"If it’s not a prank, ould stab such a note to the seat of your car?"

Sadly, the list was long "Luc, let’s wait and see what Remy comes back with"

"No" He flashed her an impatient stare "If whoever did this drops by while you’re sleeping, I’d like to have so with"

"Don’t worry too ht I was in serious jeopardy, I’d call Tyler Or Jack Cole He and your cousin are the best, and he’s an old friend Because of him, the house has a top-of-the-line security systeround his jaw His knuckles hite on the steering wheel "I said I’d keep you safe tonight and I will Answer the question"

He wasn’t letting this go, and that gave Alyssa hope Maybe he cared, at least a bit Even if it was against his good sense and his will

"First, just about any jealous wife or girlfriend who doesn’t like the amount of time her man spends in my club That’s common"

"Knives aren’t usually a woman’s style"

No She’d had her tires deflated, her house egged, ly notes than she could count Scorned women usually annoyed and rarely disturbed

"What about past lovers?" He pinned her with a burning stare "Current ones?"

She closed her eyes Naturally, he’d assume there were many of both She’d been down this road; it shouldn’t hurt But daht you spent with me, I told you there hadn’t been anyone in two years There’s been no one since you"

Luc shook his head, looking as though a hundred different thoughts blazed through it "Alyssa, you could be in danger I need you to be co around in her seat, she faced hi to keep a lid on her temper "I have been honest Just because you don’t believe rowled "Not a custoeous breasts naked? Not a contractor who did you a favor and wanted so her chest in a steely fist "I don’t roll that way"

He hesitated "So you didn’t agree to fuck uest chef this week?"

No, I illing to say anything because I wanted you so badlyand hoped you’d wantwould she wear her heart on her sleeve now He’d left her before dawn and pawned her off with flowers Now he’d all but inti she knew, it wasfor her Her mission was to make it more

"You were different"

"Of course" He snorted as he stopped at a red light

Alyssa had had enough of his shit She grabbed his chin and turned hih to believe all your Southern gentleman charm and wanted to knohat it was like to have sex with someone who didn’t see me as a prostitute Silly me You were definitely more hard-core than anyone I’ve had, way ests You roll out that sort of red carpet for every worip and clutched the steering wheel even tighter He exhaled harshly, clearly trying to restrain his teht was a sore spot? Maybe he hadn’t wanted to want her and was mortified that he had And still did

"I asked you about lovers I’ll take you at your word that you hadn’t had one in two years prior to me"

"But you don’t believe me"

"What about current lovers? Tyler?"

None of his fucking business As far as she was concerned, this conversation was in the toilet Logic told her to retire her stupid happily-ever-fantasies about Luc He hadn’t made love to her with such fervor because he felt the pull between them He’d done it because she’d been his first real walk on the wild side and being bad flipped his switch They probably should just have sex and not bother with eive up

"Tyler would never try to kill ht isn’t someone who’s been in my bed It’s someone who’s pissed at , then took off as the light turned green "Like who?"

"The kid who barged through the crowd tonight to kissaround about six ular Daddy is rich, and he drops a lot of money at the club Seems to think that entitles him to special perks"

"You’ve advised hierously tense

"Absolutely Tyler has made it perfectly clear as well We’ve kicked hi fazes this kid"