Her breath hitched. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt. It’s such a bad idea, me being here.”
“Why’d you set your sights on me?” he asked abruptly. “It wasn’t a random thing, was it? You knew you needed help.”
Oh, no. She didn’t want to talk about that. “You know, I’m feeling rather tired now.”
“Nope. You don’t get to hide from this. Why me?”
“Why not you? You’re gorgeous. Strong. Smart. Loyal.” Any woman would be lucky to have him.
“I am all those things. So are my brothers. Why not one them?”
“Because I don’t have feelings for them,” she whispered, the words forced out of her.
His gaze dropped and she regretted the words instantly. Shit. “But you chose me before you really knew me, didn’t you? You chose me for a reason, what was it?” He looked straight at her and it was her turn to drop her gaze.
“Uh-uh. Look at me. Look. At. Me.” He didn’t raise his voice, but the firmness was there. She turned her gaze up to his hazel-colored eyes. They were intent, but there was no anger in there. “Why me? I’m no hero, so why choose me?”
“Because you’re mean.”
Oh, fuck. Did she just say that? Why did she say that?
He stared at her for a long moment. He was going to think she was a complete idiot. God, he might even take offence. Why wouldn’t he? She’d just told him that she’d decided to go after him to help her because he was mean.
What a dick she was.
“That’s right, baby. I am mean. I’m mean enough to take care of you. I’m mean enough to do what needs to be done.”
He leaned forward. “And I’m mean enough to keep you here, to keep you safe, even against your will.”
She stared at him, her pulse hammering. “You can’t keep me here against my will.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Watch me.”
“West, even you aren’t above the law.”
He rubbed his finger over his chin “Malones don’t care much about the law.”
“Everyone has to follow the law; if I tell Jake you’re keeping me here against my will, he’ll make you let me go.”
“You’d have me arrested, baby?” he drawled.
Her breath hitched. “Of course not.”
“Because that’s the only way you’re getting away from me.”
His words sent a shiver up her spine. “I just don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
He leaned forward and wrapped his hand around the side of her neck, his thumb resting on her chin. “Nobody’s going to get hurt.”
“You can’t promise that,” she whispered.
“I can.”
She shook her head. “Your arrogance is out of control.”
He grinned. “Baby, this is just the tip of the iceberg. You’ve had gentle West these past few days. Before that you had nasty West. Now, you’ve got bossy and arrogant West because I’m going to keep you safe, even if that means going against your wishes.”
“This isn’t the Wild West, you know. You don’t get to make your own laws. You’re not the hero in charge of keeping the damsel in distress safe.”