Tyrant (Scars of the Wraiths #2)(59)

I pulled back. “Touch me again and I’ll have security here in two seconds.” Rebecca’s words repeated over and over in my head. You’re strong and deserve to be treated with respect.

His brows rose. “I don’t give a f*ck if you call in the Navy SEALs. You and I are having a conversation.”

The spaghetti strap of my emerald dress slid down my arm and Kilter’s eyes followed it. I quickly slid it back in place and his eyes shot back to mine.

I glared. “I’m not your babe, so stop calling me that. And you can’t order me around.”

“I can.” Kilter hooked his arm around my waist and propelled me up against his chest in one fluid motion. My palms landed on his upper abdomen and his muscles contracted. He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “For the third time, get in the car or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and put you in the car.”

I stood my ground. “You rescue me, acting all gallant and sweet, say you’ll help me, and then you just disappear.” I closed my eyes and fought the urge to pound my fists into his chest and yell and scream and completely freak out. Because I was so mad right now. And confused. And damn it, I wanted a reason why he left without a word, even if it wasn’t a reason I’d like.

He snorted. “Gallant?” There was a slight twitch at the corners of his lips. “Sweet?”

I scrunched my nose. “Well, you were nice in your sort of crude way, and now you’re not. Now you’re being an ass.”

He was quiet for a second, then said quietly, “You owe me.”

Wow. He thought I owed him. He thought I owed him? Was that why he was here? Because I owed him and he wanted something from me? It was like he slapped me across the face, and he must have noticed my reaction because he sighed, his hold on my waist relaxing.

“Not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?” I retorted.

“Fuck.” He let me go and ran his hand through his hair. “Fine, it’s what I meant. I just need to explain shit, and I’m not doing it here with the Scars around.”

“The Scars are inside.”

Kilter chin-lifted to the doors twenty feet away. “They’re coming out.”

I peered over his shoulder just as Delara, followed by Jedrik, pushed open the glass doors, all eyes landing on us.

“Rayne?” Delara called.

“I’ll take her home,” Kilter stated, moving to stand in front of me.

Delara said, “Kilter, we should talk about—”

“The only talking being done is with Rayne,” Kilter said. Then in one swoop, he threw me over his shoulder and stalked toward the car.

I was so shocked that he actually did it, that I didn’t react.

He opened the car door and placed me on my feet. “Babe, get in.” Then he added gently, “Please.” Without looking over his shoulder at Delara and Jedrik, he said, “Stay the f*ck back.”

“Come on, Kilter. What the hell? Waleron hears of this, you’ll be right back in Rest.”

What? Rest?

“Buddy, Delara’s right,” Jedrik said. “Don’t f*ck shit up—again.”

“Rayne?” Delara said.

Kilter risked his life to come back for me at the compound, and he’d done nothing but try and protect me. He may have vanished for the last six months, but I did owe him.

I looked at Delara and Jedrik. “I’ll be fine. Say thank you to Balen and Danni for me.” I slid onto the leather seat, and the instant I did, Kilter closed the door, not giving Delara a chance to respond.

I watched as he strode around the front of the car with long, lithe legs and that familiar confident stride. My heart sped up and there was a subtle tingling between my legs.

Jesus. A tingling. I never had a tingling like that for anyone.

I’d always felt something for Kilter, but now it was different. Now, I throbbed with need. To touch him. For the first time in my life, I desired a man and I thought about him kissing me. His hands on me. God, his—

His car door slammed. I jerked.

“Why are you so f*ckin’ jumpy?” Kilter scowled. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I know.” Jesus, I was thinking about us f*cking. I was turned on and, at the same time, still angry with him. The two emotions collided into one hot mess. “Why are you being so mean?”

He turned the ignition, put the car in gear, and drove a few seconds before he said, “I’ve had a crappy six months and I’m pissed as hell to come back and see you in the arms of a soul-sucking Grit.”

“I wasn’t in his arms, Kilter.”

“You weren’t struggling to get away.” He kept his eyes on the road while his hands gripped the steering wheel so hard I heard the leather crack.

Thoughts are words. Thoughts are words. “You have no right to tell me who I can and can’t talk to.”

His knuckles turned white. “For Christ’s sake, I saved your life. I have every f*ckin’ right. ”

“Are you going to hold that over my head forever? I remember, okay? I’m here because of you—I get it. So here it is—thank you. Now are we through?”

“Not by a long shot.” His head turned and he briefly looked me up and down. “No bones. Better.”

I rolled my eyes at his half attempt at a compliment. “Gee, thanks. Always the eloquent one. You, on the other hand, look like hell.” He did look rough, but he was still hot.