Read NocC 013 - Katie Reus - Protector's Mate - Harlequin 2012-04 for Free Online Page B

desire.
    She shook her head when she realized he thought she meant it as an invitation, but he didn’t give her time to protest before his mouth covered hers.
    His kiss was demanding and raw and made her toes curl. This is exactly what she’d been worried about. All he had to do was kiss her and coherent thought fled. She wanted to let him strip her bare and take everything she had to offer regardless of the consequences. Regardless of the fact that in the end she’d be the one who ended up hurt and alone.
    There was just something about him that made her aware of herself in the most feminine way. She’d felt it after their first meeting years ago, but had chalked it up to him being her first crush.
    The need and draw she felt to him was exhilarating and strong but also terrifying. She didn’t like the loss of control she experienced around him. Even so, her hands slid up his bare chest and her fingers dug into his shoulders. His muscles flexed under her touch.
    As she savored the feel of all that strength under her fingertips his hands fisted tight around her hips and he hoisted her up against the wall.
    Without pause she spread her legs and wrapped them around his waist. He growled low in his throat as their tongues intertwined and he pressed her against the wall with his hard body. His cock pressed insistently against her heat. They might have clothes on but she felt so exposed and open to him like this.
    The way his tongue flicked and teased hers was almost frenzied. She could feel the intense energy rolling off him. It wrapped around her like a thick blanket, threatening to make her lose all common sense.
    Somehow she tore her head back. Panting hard, she stared at him. In the dim light of the hallway everything about him seemed darker. Edgier. The heated look in his eyes was almost enough to make her lose what was left of her willpower.
    But not quite. “We need to stop.”
    “Why?” he growled.
    Since she wasn’t going to admit all her insecurities she said, “Because we barely know each other.”
    “My inner wolf knows all it needs to know about you,” he said softly.
    Frowning, she started to ask what he meant but he continued. “I know your favorite color is purple and that you have a spine of steel for a shifter so young. Leaving the way you did a couple years ago took guts. I also know that you took a lot of risks while in Afghanistan. Risks you didn’t have to. Going into certain territories and refugee camps when even members of your organization wouldn’t.” There was an underlying note of respect in his voice.
    Wondering how he knew that, her scowl deepened but he kept going. “It only took you two and a half years to earn your degree because of how hard you pushed yourself. I also know you hate coffee but love tea. You’re one of the most gifted healers I’ve ever met. It only makes sense you chose a field like nursing. You don’t seem to realize the gift you’ve been given or how much I need you, but you’re a very special wolf.” His voice dropped a notch and her toes actually curled as he said, “I also know that your eyes glitter and your cheeks turn the sweetest shade of pink as you come.”
    When he stopped she could only stare at him for a moment. She understood how he knew some of the stuff, like the fact that she hated coffee. It had come up during one of their email conversations. Still, she was surprised he even remembered such an innocuous detail about her. But she didn’t know how he was aware of the times she’d gone into dangerous situations when none of her coworkers would. “How do you know all that?”
    “I remember every email we’ve exchanged.” He shifted slightly against her, pressing his erection even harder against her spread legs.
    Wetness instantly flooded her core at the not so subtle movement. She fought for control of herself. “Not that stuff.”
    A wicked grin played across his face. “I know how you look when you come because—”
    “Can you