CARA’S POV The room caught me off guard.
A brightly lit room with two opened windows.
A bed big enough for two, a dressing table with a small round mirror.
A wardrobe against the far wall, a single chair angled near the window on the left side of the room.
Everything looked new, untouched, like nobody had ever slept here.
He shoved the door shut behind us.
The click of the lock landed heavier than it should have.
I hurriedly pulled my arm from his grip and walked toward the center of the room taking it all in.
I instinctively walked toward the window, my mind calculating how long I’d have to stay here and how I could reach Aunt Val, when I noticed him coming toward me.
I stepped back on instinct, cradling my right arm.
He kept coming until there was barely a breath of space between us, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to hold his eyes.
God, he was beautiful.
I never thought I’d describe a man with those words, but there was no other way to say it.
I took a long look at his face, deep brown eyes ringed with dark lashes, messy dark brown hair hanging over his forehead, and sharp cheekbones, Standing barely inches from him, I realized just how towering he was, well over six feet.
His skin had a warm, olive undertone, and up close, his eyes showed distinct flecks of amber and gold around the pupils.
Broad shoulders tapered down to a lean, defined waist, with hard muscle filling out his black shirt without looking heavy or bulky.
The shadow of dark stubble traced a sharp, angular jawline, giving him a raw, unpolished edge.
I felt the heat rise to my face and pulled my arm closer to my chest in defense, needing something to ground me.
Focus, Cara.
Those bastards have your brother.
Now’s not the time to be noticing handsome men.
“What’s your name?” His question came out rough.
“My name’s of no importance.
You said you’ll help me find my brother.
That’s why I followed you.
Didn’t know I’d end up getting blindfolded and taken to God knows where.” I said.
“Security reasons” He shrugged casually.
“I won’t ask you again.
What’s your name?”, He asked and something about the way he said it made me look up at him again.
His look could melt butter.
I swallowed.
Hard.
I’ve been avoiding looking into his eyes.
Something about those light brown eyes unsettled me and I felt those damn butterflies in my stomach again.
“I’ve saved your life three times in less than 24 hours.
I think I deserve to know the name of the woman who had turned my life upside down since we met in that bar.” His voice came out harsh and impatient.
I flinched.
A pinch of guilt pricking my conscience.
“Cara — my name’s Cara.
Though I don’t see the need as we’re not going to be around each other much longer.” The words came out rough and awkward.
He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers grazing my skin on the way.
My face tingled from the touch and I felt my face get hot again.
I flinched back before I could stop myself, cursing my body for betraying me.
I’ve been blushing a lot in the past 24 hours than I’ve done in the past months.
“I didn’t give you permission to touch me.” “I don’t need permission.” Something shifted in his expression, cold and amused at once.
“And I don’t like how you talk to me, like you’re the one giving orders here.” “That’s enough small talk.” I crossed my arms, wincing.
“I came because of my brother and the man we brought here.
How are we going to get information out of him?.” “Don’t worry your pretty little head about that”, he smirked.
His hand was still on my hair.
Rubbing the strand he tucked between his thumb and index finger.
I bristled.
I didn’t like his patronizing tone.
Not one bit.
I took a step back.
“Don’t play games with me.” My voice came out rough.
He took one step forward.
“I’m not.
Trust me.
You’ll get the answers you need.” I stepped back again.
He followed.
This reminded me of what happened in the motel room.
And I felt my face get hot again.
The edge of the mattress hit the back of my knees, a sharp reminder that he’d been stalking me backward with nowhere left to run.
I planted a hand firmly against the hard planes of his chest, trying to anchor us both.
“Whatever game you’re playing, I’m done.” My voice was embarrassing, thin and unsteady.
“If finding my brother isn’t on your agenda, I’m walking out that door.” He let out a low, dark chuckle.
“And you really think you’re leaving without my say-so?” “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I tensed, my glare turning ice cold.
“It means until I untangle every lie from last night, you aren’t leaving my sight.” He snatched the hand I had on his chest, and before I could blink, his arm snaked around my waist, pinning me flush against him like a prisoner.
A sharp gasp escaped me, fury and excitement fighting for space in my chest.
“You bastard!” I shouted, thrashing and twisting in his grip.
It was useless; I might as well have been fighting a brick wall.
His hold only tightened, grounding me further.
“The sooner you talk, the sooner we both get what we’re after,” he said, his tone maddeningly calm.
His arm felt like a brand through my clothes, hot and impossibly heavy.
“I already told you.
I didn’t follow you.
I didn’t know those goons.
I saw trouble and tried to disappear, but the crossfire caught me anyway.” “And I’m just supposed to swallow that?” “I don’t give a damn what you believe.
I’m giving you the truth.” “The bodies I left at the cemetery, they’re the ones who snatched you from the motel?” he asked, his breathing turning heavy and jagged.
His gaze dropped to my mouth, and the fight drained out of me, leaving my body limp.
My mind flashed to the motel, him crowding me against the wall, his thigh wedged high between mine.
A wave of liquid heat pooled in my panties, and my breasts felt heavy, aching for a touch I shouldn’t want.
“Yes,” I whispered, my voice a wreck.
“Mmm,” he hummed, his hand sliding into my hair to tilt my face up toward his.
His lips crashed into mine, a soft, sweet invasion that quickly turned demanding.
His tongue swept in without an invitation, and I kissed him back, logic vanishing as he drove me down onto the bed.
He felt massive, a heavy, warm weight crushing me into the mattress, and I hated that I wanted more of him.
He wedged himself between my thighs, his mouth consuming mine as I wrapped my legs tightly around his waist, hands tangled in his dark hair.
A heavy moan vibrated in his chest.
He ground his hips down, hard and scalding through his jeans, fitting perfectly against my aching core.
The slick heat between my legs throbbed for relief, and I pulled him closer, desperate to bridge the distance.
His right hand slid beneath my shirt, broad palm cupping my breast, squeezing firmly as he pushed the cup of my bra down.
My breast fell completely into his bare hand, filling his palm as a sharp moan escaped us both.
Dante broke the kiss, dragging his lips down the column of my throat to my collarbone, his breathing ragged.
In one swift movement, he pinned both my wrists above my head.
When he lifted his face, his hair was tousled, his dark eyes ablaze with an unbridled, feral hunger.
My pulse hammered in my ears.
I shuddered, tilting my hips up, my entire body begging for him.
His hand squeezed her full breast hard once more, fingertips catching the hem of my shirt to pull it off, eager to strip away the last barrier between us…
A loud knock rattled the wooden door frame.
“What?!” Dante barked, his voice sharp enough to slice through the air.
“Brought the first aid as requested, boss,” a gruff voice called from the hall.
“Leave it outside,” he growled, raw frustration laced in every word.