long, thick fingers were surprisingly gentle as they slid down my arms, and I remained in place, doing nothing. His touch wasnât like that of an enemy, but like that of a lover.
An unwanted wave of need and desire crested inside me, growing hotter, hotter still. It didnât help that he had an erection. Thick. Hard. Hot.
He didnât want me, I knew. Not really. Men were simply turned on by physical contact. And weâd definitely gotten physical.
Knowing he would have desired any woman under him failed to diminish my own lust as it should have. Dark, dangerous fantasies sprang to life. Naked bodies, moans of surrenderâ¦Without thought, I arched my butt toward him, seeking more of his heat, craving deeper contact.
And thatâs when a fragrant cloud of cinnamon and honey surrounded us. The moment I smelled it, my cheeks burned a bright red and I fought frantically for release. If Lucius knew anything about Rakas, heâd know we only emitted that scent when desperately aroused.
âLet me go,â I shouted. I couldnât have erected a calm, cool mask if my life depended on it. âLet me go right now.â I extended my arm as I should have done earlier and tried to roll over.
He pressed me down with more of his weight, keeping me immobile.
âWhatâs wrong with you?â he barked. âBe still, woman. And when the hell did you put on that perfume?â
He didnât know.
I immediately relaxed. It was one thing to desire him, but quite another for him to know about it. He seemed like the type of man who would use that against me, mock me.
âGet off me,â I said more calmly.
âWhat are you going to do if I donât?â he asked. âIâve got you pinned, and you know what? Thereâs not a damn thing you can do about it. So it looks like youâve got yourself a bit of a problem.â
âYou think so?â I replied, nearly breathless. I had to get him off of me before I did something stupid. Like whimperâ¦or spread my legs.
âI do,â he said confidently. There was a pause, then, âWas I too rough?â he asked gruffly.
I forced myself not to struggle. âI happen to like it rough.â
âLiar.â His voice was now low and husky. Full of sexual energy. âI think you like it slow and tender.â
My God, if he kept talking to me like that, I was going to rip off his shorts and demand he take me right here. âDamn you. Donât you want to teach me a lesson?â
âMaybe next time.â He paused. âWhen a man has you pinned like this, the best thing you can do is bite his arm and use the distraction to twist yourself around.â Before I could take his advice, he jumped off me and stood to his feet.
Feeling strangely bereft, I wrenched to my back and kicked, swiping his feet out from under him. Down, down he tumbled. I laughed when he hit. âTo do something like that?â I asked him.
His laughter mingled with mine, the sound of it raw and genuine. He didnât move to rise, but remained in place. âGood move.â
âThank you.â
When our amusement died, he anchored one of his arms behind his neck and frowned. âI want that bastard EenLi killed. Not because itâs our assignment, but because he deserves to die.â
I glanced over at his profile; it was as harsh and savage a view as full frontal. âYou make it sound personal.â
âEvery mission is personal, but Iâm sure Michael told you EenLi used to work here.â
âHe did.â
âWhen he left, he killed several agents. Agents who were my friends.â Lucius turned to face me, the glint in his eyes feral, hard. âIf at any time I think youâre holding me back, I swear to God Iâll kill you myself.â
My eyes narrowed. âIâm only going to say this once.â I held up one finger, just in case he needed a visual. âIâll speak slowly so