Chapter Ten

“So they tell me,” Lera said, slanting a gaze at him. Unwashed, big, burly, and the way he looked at her made her skin crawl. It’s like he’s a relation to Stinky, Nasty, and Ugly.

“Don’t believe it. Prove it.”

“What’s in it for me?”

He grabbed himself and chuckled. “Me.”

Lera yawned. “Not interested. I have a man. Make it money, and we may be able to talk.”

“Money?” he said.

“Cash. One shot one deal.”

“And if you lose?”

“I pay you the same amount of money.”

“What if I want something different?”

“No deal, ‘cause cash is all I’d want from you.”

He dug into his wallet and slapped down a wad of cash. The bartender counted it and looked at her. “Two hundred seventy-three.”

“Deal.”

“Let’s see yours,” her challenger said.

Lera reached into her pants pocket, pulled out some money and handed it to the bartender who counted it and said, “Two hundred seventy-five. I’ll give you the extra two bucks if I can’t drink it.”

People began to crowd, and Lera could feel her discomfort at having strangers behind her racing to the surface. Then, just as suddenly, the feeling disappeared, and a hand settled upon her shoulder.

“What are you doing, mo chroí?” Kori asked, his voice a smooth ripple of sensual awareness upon her skin and yet drenched with possessiveness.

“About to win some money.”

“How much?”

“He only had two hundred seventy-three,” she said. “But I’ve matched it.”

“As will I,” Kori said. Three crisp hundred dollar bills landed near the bartender.

Lera watched as the pot grew bigger. Kori took his hand away but he remained behind her. A glass was placed before her, and the amber liquid slowly filled it to the brim. Lera reached for it, tossed it back, rolled the empty glass along the back edge of her hand, flipped it and slammed it down on the countertop. She licked her lips and said, “Thanks for the money.”

The unwashed man reached for her arm and was stopped short by Kori’s hand. “I don’t like people touching my woman.”

“Yours?” the man asked in a nervous tone.

Silent, Kori tugged Lera’s head back with a firm grip in her hair and slanted his mouth over hers. Lera wasn’t prepared. Not even close. Every synapse within her sparked as his tongue swept possessively through her mouth. His taste embedded into her, and Lera purred, arching into him. She put one hand out and settled it along his side. He growled in his throat in response.

Moisture pooled between her thighs, and the flow increased when he nipped her lower lip as he broke he kiss. Never again would she ever think of his eyes emotionless. They swirled with heat, and she could feel it much like a brand being pressed into her skin.

Lips still touching hers and his eyes holding hers prisoner, Kori uttered, “U bent van mij!”

Yes! I am yours, Kori. Her heart screamed even though she remained silent.

His eyes cooled into the blank look she knew well, and he faced the man who’d tried to touch her. “Like I said...mine.” There was no emotion in his tone. Kori turned back to her, and his gaze softened but was no less possessive. “Let’s play some pool.”

Lera gave him the money and watched him put it in his pocket. Her heart tripled in speed when he placed his hand on the small of her back, the tips of his fingers grazing her ass.

“You okay?” he whispered in her ear as they walked to the back where three pool tables were.

No. I want to feel your lips on mine again. I want to be held in your arms where the rest of the world ceases to exist. “Yes. The bartender gaze me a piece of paper that he says has the place Butch is at on it. Or else we can wait here until after eleven which is when the man will be in here.”

“Okay.” Kori nuzzled her neck, and she gasped at the longing which shot through her. “I am really curious to know where you learned to take a shot like that, mo ghrá.”

“I can’t give away all my secrets, Kori,” she said with a laugh.

He gripped her hips and pressed tightly against her. She could feel his erection digging into her. “That sounds like I won’t like the answer.”

“See, I was thinking you weren’t getting one.” Lera grabbed a pool cue and handed it to him, jumping when he smacked her on the ass. Her body hummed with pleasure mixed with desire, and she had to swallow hard a few times to get herself back under control. Was this what people talked about feeling with someone else? That elusive connection she hadn’t ever experienced before…Kori.

“That’s what you think.”

They played a few games of pool. Lera thought he’d make her leave when the first fight broke out. He didn’t, but she did get to see the intimidating, unwavering look work on others. No one bothered them after that. She didn’t argue when he pulled her down to sit on his leg, his hands around her waist as he watched another group play pool.

“Let’s go track him down, Lera,” he murmured in her ear around seven-thirty.

She’d been thinking that very thing herself. Silent, she pushed to her feet and waited for the feel of his hand on her back before she moved through the throng to the door. At his Humvee, he held the door for her again. Lera shuddered from the light touch of his hand each time he allowed contact between them.

He climbed in the driver’s seat and looked at her. She didn’t want to meet his gaze for fear he’d be able to read her desire for him. But she forced herself to. Almost a mistake when she saw the lingering hunger in his own eyes.

“Address?”

Lera reached into her jacket and handed it to him. Her belly clenched when his fingertips flitted across her skin. Kori opened it and frowned.

“What?”

“This is out in the middle of nowhere,” he said.

Leaning against the door, Lera stared at him. “Have you looked around? We’re in the middle of nowhere.”

“I don’t like it.”

Lera reached for the paper, only to have him draw it back near the driver’s window. If she wanted it, she’d have to go over him. That immoveable look was on his face. She sighed heavily, not at all in the mood to play games.

“Then, don’t go, Kori. I’ll go.”

He stared at her. Does she really think I’ll let her go alone? Lera’s entire body was tense and he knew she was nearing the end of her control.

“Not an option, mo ghrá. I just meant we needed to be careful.”

Her form relaxed entirely. “Oh. I’m sorry, I’m just…I’m really worried about her. Rissa is such a gentle soul, and I’m fearful what this will do to her.”

Kori leaned across the seat and pressed his lips to hers, no asking, no warning, just did it. He sighed as her lips parted beneath his. With a growl, he slipped his tongue deep into her mouth and swept through, doing his damndest to keep it gentle.

Anáil de mo anam.

Breath of my soul.

And as soon as the words came to him, Kori knew they were true. Lera was the breath of his soul, and he was never letting her go.