“Thank you for rescuing me.” She risked a glance up at him.
“You’re welcome,” he growled. His jaw set tight and he lowered his brows moodily. “Now go back to bed.”
Heloise didn’t move, sure there was more to be said. Raven slid a slow glance along her body and she felt heat rise under her skin at his knowing look.
—
Raven swallowed. Bloody woman. He watched her take inventory of his injuries: the bruise that reddened his jaw; the cut over his ribs, not bad enough for stitches, but which caused a catch in his breath when he moved. It hurt like the devil.
She stood there in that damned oversize shirt, flesh rosy from her bath, little curls framing her face, and apologized tohim? A wave of disbelief and remorse rolled over him. He wasn’t worthy to wipe her feet.
He had to make her leave. He knew just how to do it, just how to find a person’s weakness, a dubious talent he’d honed while questioning enemy operatives. He could frighten her, prey on her insecurities, say all the things perfectly calculated to wound her and drive her away.
“I’m not going to apologize, if that’s what you’ve come for. I’m not sorry for killing those men. I’m only sorry you had to see it. I hate that the violence has touched you.”
She just looked at him, unwavering. “I’m glad you did it. You saved my life.”
God, the way she was looking at him. Like he was some sort of savior. What was wrong with her? He’d warned her about the darkness in his soul. She’d seen firsthand proof of it this afternoon. Why did she still insist on seeing him in a positive light?
His lips twisted bitterly. “Grow up, Heloise. I’m not some knight in shining armor.”
She regarded him solemnly. “I know.”
“You’ve seen what I am. Killing’s all I can do.”
“No it’s not,” she whispered. “You’re loyal, and brave and fearless. You haven’t stopped searching for Kit for almost two years. You protect the people you love. You’ve kept me safe.”
He stared at her, his eyes burning. “I bring death, Heloise. And I enjoy it. You hear me? I like delivering justice, seeking vengeance. I like the fact that the last face they see in this world is mine.”
She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. His eyes followed the movement and the air in the room thickened with sudden awareness. “Stop looking at me like that,” he snarled.
She blinked. “Like what?”
“Like you want me inside you.”
She gasped at his crudity and he suddenly knew exactly how to get her to leave. He’d call her bluff. She might be foolish enough to imagine she still wanted him, but when it came right down to it she’d run. All he had to do was shock her sufficiently.
“You think I don’t know why you’re here?” His mouth twisted. “I’ve seen it a thousand times before. You’re restless and edgy and you don’t know why. Soldiers feel the same way after a battle. Let me explain it to you. You want sex. You want the confirmation of life to erase the smell of violent death still in your nose.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “That’s not why I came!”
His kept his expression cynical, faintly mocking. “It’sexactlywhy you came.”
He was off the bed and in front of her in three long strides, backing her up until she hit the bookshelf behind her. He placed his palms on either side of her head and stepped in, crowding her with his body. “I know, because I feel the same way.”
Her gaze flashed down to his crotch and her eyes widened as she took in the bulge of his arousal. Her eyes flew back to his, her lips parted in shock, and it was all he could do not to kiss the look off her face. With a stifled curse he caught her wrist and dragged it down between their bodies, forced her to feel the rigid length of him through the fabric of his breeches. She sucked in a breath as he curled her fingers around his shaft. He found it hard to breathe.
He leaned forward so his lips brushed her ear. “It’s lust. That’s all it is,” he managed hoarsely. “Nothing personal, just healthy bodies needing a release. The good news is, it’s easy to remedy. I can make it go away, Hellcat. You know I can. I can give you pleasure without taking your virginity. You know my reputation. Apart from killing, this is what I do best.”
There. That ought to do it.He’d reminded her of his other women, of his shocking character,andimpressed upon her that this was pent-up tension, nothing more. She’d be disgusted. His heart hammered against his chest as he waited for her to pull away. Or slap him. “All you have to do is say yes,” he taunted, just for good measure.
She tilted her head back and looked him straight in the eye. Her fingers tightened around his shaft.
“Yes,” she breathed.
—
Raven’s head reeled.Yes?Was she insane? He pulled back, dislodging her hand, and stared at her in disbelief. “What?” he choked.