Defy the Dawn (Midnight Breed 14)

An affair with someone else’s wife wasn’t something he was proud of—that much was certain. But Zael wasn’t telling her everything. Brynne’s investigative training spotted the dodge around the full truth. She also thought she detected a note of shame behind those fathomless blue eyes—shame that went beyond what he felt about seducing a married woman.

But it didn’t matter what he kept from her. Brynne hadn’t been forthright with him about every shame in her life either. She wasn’t about to start now.

Reminded of all the reasons she could never drop her guard with anyone, she steeled herself against the softening of her feelings for him.

“Congratulations on your reunion with your daughter. I’m sure it must be difficult keeping track of all the fruits of your affairs.”

He stared at her, clearly taken aback. She couldn’t blame him. It was a cheap shot, but she was desperate.

She turned to head back for the door, but this time Zael grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her back to him. His strength was a shock. As was the fury and confusion she saw smoldering in his narrowed glower.

“What are you doing, Brynne?” His low voice dropped to a fierce growl. “Why do you try so hard to push people away?”

She scowled, feeling her blood start to race. She didn’t know if it was fear or fury causing her veins to light up. All she knew was that she was treading on dangerous ground with him now. Had been practically from the first moment they met. “Let go of me.”

He didn’t. Slowly, he shook his head. “Tell me why you fight so hard to be left alone. What are you so damned afraid of?”

“N-nothing.”

“Not even me?”

Outrage surged inside her, but it was little match for the fire licking through her veins. She swallowed. “Zael, please…”

She hated how small and choked her denial sounded. His firm grasp on her arm and her gaze said he wasn’t buying it anyway.

Panic beat inside her rib cage like a trapped bird. She knew she could break loose from his hold if she tried. She was no mere mortal either. She had to be equal to him in terms of preternatural strength despite his larger size and muscular bulk. And while she didn’t actually think he would refuse to release her, she couldn’t summon the will to test him.

“When was the last time you let a man hold you?” he demanded softly. “How long has it been since you let a man make love to you?”

“That’s really none of your business.”

“Wrong.” His mouth curved, but that smile was anything but friendly. It was masculine and carnal, and it sent liquid heat curling through every fiber of her being. “You made it my business last night, Brynne. You kissed me like you needed it more than your next breath.”

She scoffed. “I was intoxicated, remember?”

“You’re not now, and I think you want it just as badly as you did last night. You want me. You want this, but you’re too hard-headed or terrified to admit it.”

“You’re insane.”

“Am I?”

Releasing her wrist to capture her face gently in his hands, he moved in close to her. Their bodies brushed against each other. His hard and demanding. Hers soft and yielding, melting under the heat of him.

Brynne parted her lips to say something—she didn’t know exactly what—nor did she get the chance.

“Oh,” a female voice blurted from behind them in the threshold. “Oh, shit! I’m so sorry.”

Carys wheeled around, giving them her back as if she’d just walked in on them both standing there naked.

Brynne winced. Had she arrived a few moments later, who knew what Carys might have seen. Who knew how far Brynne might have been tempted to let Zael go.

Abruptly stepping out of his embrace, she smoothed the front of her blouse feeling awkward as hell. “It’s all right, Carys. We were just…talking.”

She tried to ignore Zael’s disapproving growl as she walked to the open doorway and drew Carys back inside.

“Please forgive me for interrupting like this,” the young Breed female said. Her discomfort went deeper than chagrin. There was something troubling about the set of her mouth. And her face seemed paler than normal, stricken. “My mother sent me to find you both. There’s been another attack.”

Brynne’s stomach clenched. “In London?”