Chapter Four

He knew his reputation. More than that, he liked it. But he was suitably pleased by the look on her face. The happy, relaxed look normally reserved for her family, her immediate family; for while she loved her extended family, he could tell she didn’t totally relax around them. This look was one he’d not been privileged to receive, not before today. And she was right; the world did shift, at least for him. Her smile packed one hell of a punch.

“I know how to joke, beag amháin” he said.

“Sure you do,” she retorted in a patronizing tone. Lera sat on the edge of the lone bed, and his mind took him down a road he knew she wasn’t ready for. “Sorry about your shirt.”

Kori glanced down at the diagonal tear in it. “Better the shirt than my chest.” He frowned and stared back at her. “What the hell was all that?”

She rolled her shoulders. “I told you I wasn’t helpless. Besides, you were the one breaking and entering. I was merely defending myself. I would think you’d be happy to know I don’t have the habit of letting men walk willy-nilly into my room at night.”

His wolf snarled, and he admitted she had a good point. “Let me see your weapon.”

Lera reached behind her and threw him a black cylindrical tube of about three inches long. Lightweight and, by all appearances, harmless.

“This is what you used?” he asked doubtfully.

“Yes.”

“Show me.” He tossed it back to her.

Lera snatched it out of the air, and before he had time to breathe, a black point was aimed directly at his jugular. She had that defiant look in her eyes, and it made him even hornier. Lera moved it back and held it between them. Another point extended from the other end, turning it into a staff. Then, just like that, it was gone, and Lera had hidden it on her body.

He was definitely impressed. “Who gave you this?”

“Uncle Dak made it for me.” She tucked her necklace back under her shirt. “I’m not helpless, Kori. I have skills and items to make me stronger.” Lingering in her tone was something he couldn’t quite identify.

Uncle Dak. Hunter Adamek Nervig.

“I’m beginning to see that.” He sat in the chair and looked at her. “Are you sure you want to do this, Valera?”

Her gaze snapped to his. “What are you talking about? Would you let someone you cared about remain in danger if you had the opportunity to help them?” He frowned, and she continued, “Of course you wouldn’t. I’ll do whatever it takes to save her.”

“Including agreeing to be mine?”

“Whatever it takes.” She shrugged. “Besides, it’s not real anyway.”

Oh baby, it’s so very real. Kori could see she was desperately holding onto her control. He got up and moved to her side, hating how her body was tense. “Look at me, Lera,” he murmured. Her brown eyes met his. “You know I won’t hurt you, right?” I would sooner die than hurt you.

“I know. It’s just…” She looked away.

“I’m going to touch you, Lera,” he whispered. “Look at me, mo anam.”

Her gaze lifted back to his, and he could see her hiding behind her walls of armor. Kori reached out with one hand and touched her cheek. Emotions flared hot and powerful within him at the contact of her smooth skin. He longed to slip deeper into her thoughts from where he hid in the corner of her mind and assure her she was safe with him, but he couldn’t. He wouldn’t. Not yet. Kori wanted her to come to him of her own volition.

“Are you going to be okay sharing a room with me?” he asked, refusing to allow her gaze to drop from his.

“My father trusts you, Kori; therefore, I know I’m safe with you. I will do whatever I have to in order to find out what happened to Rissa. I just need to wrap my head around it.”

I don’t think your father would trust me with you if he knew. Reluctantly, he dropped his hand from her face; it was like a knife cutting out his heart at the relief which filled her eyes. He wanted to touch her all over, strip her naked and teach her what it was like to be a mate to him. He longed to please her, in and out of bed. Keep her safe; give her his child to carry within her.

“Okay. Tell me about this bike of yours.”

Her smile returned, brilliant and intoxicating. Yep, I’m officially jealous of a motorcycle.

“My gift to myself when I graduated from college. A Suzuki Hayabusa, 1340cc, DOHC liquid-cooled 16-valve engine. Twin swirl combustion chambers and six speed transmission. A friend of mine painted the tags on it; I got the gray and silver finish because I love the sleek look.” Her voice filled with pride and joy as she spoke about her ride.

Yeah, me, too. “Friend? Male friend?” Anger and possessiveness rose fast, nearly overwhelming him.

Her smile slipped slightly. “I don’t have many male friends.”

“You have at least one, Lera.” He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, contrite for how harsh he’d sounded. “At least one.”

“Kim is amazing with a brush, so he did it for me.” She didn’t even flinch from Kori’s quick touch, and it pleased him to no end.

He remembered the markings on her bike. One he recognized, one he didn’t. “What made you decide to have a torc put on it? And what’s the other symbol?”

“You knew it was a torc?”

“I’m Irish, lass, o’ course I’d recognize a torc,” he said with a deep brogue.

“I like that voice on you.”

He quirked a brow. “I’ll remember that.”

Lera looked away, her cheeks taking on a faint blush. “The other is a tiger leaping. You can see it if you know what to look for. Otherwise, it’s just cool. And as far at the torc, I’ve always found them fascinating.”

“Do your parents know about the bike?”

“Yes. And no, they weren’t happy. Mom thinks I’m going to hurt myself. I think Daddy understands.”

Kori found himself almost smiling again. She had that effect on him. He clenched his hand so he didn’t touch her again. Getting to his feet, he looked down at her. “I’ll be here in the morning; we’ll discuss how this will play out over breakfast.”

“Okay.” She narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t drive, did you?”

“No.” Pain flickered in the depths of her eyes before she could mask it. “Lock the door behind me.”

“Fat lotta good it did me last time,” she muttered with a pointed look, getting to her feet and pacing him to the door.

Good point, it didn’t keep me out. He didn’t want to leave her. He longed to sweep her off her feet and carry her back to the bed, even if it was only to hold her in his arms.

“Good night, Lera,” he murmured.

“Night.”

She reached out to him but stopped before she touched him. Kori didn’t move, let her decide if she would complete it or not. His heart quadrupled in speed when her bare hand landed upon his forearm. He swallowed against the pulses that coursed through him at the contact. Lera’s eyes widened, her pupils dilated, and he knew she felt the same thing. Her heart pounded hard.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Kori couldn’t help it. He placed his hand on her jaw. “Sleep well, mo anam.” His fingers trailed softly along her skin before he pulled away. Then, he walked out of her hotel room.

Back at his hotel, he stood under the cold spray of his shower, willing his body to calm down. It throbbed, and Kori struggled to stay in control. He was still aroused when he got out and dried off. His skin continued to tingle from where her small hand had rested against him.

“Lera,” he ground out.

The night wasn’t a comfortable one; he woke up just as painfully hard as he’d been when he’d gone to bed. Sliding behind the wheel of his truck, he muttered, “Did I say how stupid this is for me to do? Talk about tempting the devil.”