Lancelot (The Theriot Family 3)

“If they had hurt her…”

I could easily imagine his reaction. “He would have burned down everything in his path until he’d destroyed them all, not caring if he died as long as he took them out too.” We’d been lucky to block all their attacks so far. Two of our guards were wounded, but they would recover.

How long could we keep it up, though? If they kept picking us off, our resources would run too low, and sooner or later we’d be drawn into a police investigation, which would divert our attention.

“Keep Julian safe. He didn’t ask to be involved in this.”

I tried to ignore the sickening sensation in my stomach. I’d dragged him into it. I’d put him in the spotlight.

“Stop blaming yourself,” Remy said as if he could read my mind.

“You love to blame me for things.”

“Not this. Are you really in love with him?”

“I remember once asking you a similar question about Henri and being dismissed.”

Remy was silent for a moment. “That was—”

“Not different at all, and yes, I think—no, I know I am, but I don’t know if he feels the same.”

Remy huffed. “Then get off the phone with me and go find out.”

I didn’t fuss at Remington’s bossy tone the way I usually did. I was thrilled he sounded like himself again. “He’s still at work.”

“And you’re there watching over him instead of helping Corbin and Dax track down more of these assholes?”

“I am. Dax called in Ambrose, and between that sneaky son of a bitch and Blackjack, they’ve got it covered. Dax and Corbin are just there for muscle.”

Remington snorted. “Go get your man, take him home, and tell him how you feel.”

“But he…”

“Lancelot Theriot. Are you actually hesitating to charge in and take what you want?”

“I… Yeah.”

He laughed softly. “Then you really are in deep.”

“You seriously think I should tell him?”

“Yes.”

I still wasn’t sure. “He’s stubborn.”

“As if any man who wasn’t could ever hold your attention.”

He was right. Julian was the perfect combination of stubborn and submissive. He resisted until he couldn’t, and then… Heat rushed through me at the thought. The time hadn’t been right in the car or after I’d come home late last night, but now the time was perfect. I was going to get my man.

“I’ve got to go.”

“Stay safe.”

“I’ll do my best.” I would keep us safe physically. I was too determined not to, but my heart? It wasn’t safe at all.

28

Julian

Somehow my body knew the moment Lance entered the library. I turned from the patron I was assisting and looked toward the door. My breath caught. How did he manage to get hotter every time I saw him?

I shook my head and tried to give my attention back to the patron, but I was nowhere near as engaged as I usually was in her research inquiries. Lance walked over to my desk and leaned against it, resting on his elbow.

Tony wasn’t with him, thank God. I’d grown used to the little creature. Okay, I adored him, but I didn’t want to have to explain him to our library patrons, and if he was in here one more time, I was certain Marshall was going to insist on my being censured even if I had seniority over him.

I managed to give the woman I was working with the information she’d requested, including some printed-out articles and links to find more of what she needed. I made myself wait until she’d entered the foyer before I looked at Lance.

He was smiling at me, that hungry smile that had given me shivers even when I was trying so hard to hate him. “Are you here to check on me?”

“No, I’m here to take you.”

I frowned. “Take me where?”

“Exactly where I want you.”

My stomach flip-flopped. Was he serious? “I’m at work.”

“I can see that.”

“I have—” I glanced at the huge clock on the wall above Gwen’s desk. “Three more hours until we close and then—”

“I can’t wait three hours.”

“Lance.”

“Either make an excuse and get your things, or I will pick you up and carry you out of here and you’ll have to explain.”

I glared at him, but I couldn’t keep my cock from reacting to his caveman behavior. As instructed, I’d gotten myself off last night after he’d left, but it had been nothing like the orgasm he’d given me in that damned beautiful car. It had taken me ages afterward to fall asleep. I was restless and unsatisfied, and now he was tempting me with his demands and the knowledge of what would happen if I left with him.

“I left work early yesterday.”

“And how many other times have you done that? Were you planning to use any of your vacation this year?”

“I… I like being here.”

“You’ll like being with me more.”

“Lance, I can’t just—”

“You don’t have a choice.”

The way he looked at me like he might fuck me right there if I didn’t comply had me growing harder. I grabbed a folder off my desk and held it in front of me. “Lance, you’re embarrassing me.”