Fast Burn (Body Armor #4)(24)
When she curled a little tighter against him, Brand said, “I’ve never known anyone as smart and intuitive as you. Whatever you’re thinking, I’d bet a championship belt that you’re dead-on.”
She pushed back to see his face. “Really?”
“Really.” Sahara always packed a sensual punch, but now, with her hair loose and her eyes vulnerable, she could bring him to his knees. “You have great instincts, honey.”
Her teeth worried her plump bottom lip before she gave it up. “He admired me, Brand. Now isn’t that bizarre?”
“No. I can’t imagine any man not admiring you.”
“I...” She closed her mouth, opened it again and finally said, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Seeing that she was a little more relaxed, he asked, “How could you tell what he felt?”
“The way he’d look at me as if I’d surprised him, and the way he’d smile at me. I even made him laugh a few times, and not necessarily on purpose. He constantly warned off the other guys but then he’d touch me when he shouldn’t, when there was no reason to. Like sitting so close that his thigh was against mine.” She shuddered.
To keep her talking, Brand suggested, “Maybe he wanted to play on your helplessness.”
Umbrage brought her brows together. “I was never helpless.”
No, she probably hadn’t been, at least not in her mind. Unfortunately for her, not everyone shared her delusions. “You were a woman alone with six armed men.”
“I guess, but it never really felt like they meant me harm, not really, and that’s why the main guy’s attention bothered me. You know, I’m the first to admit I’ll dive into a battle of wills, but for him it was more than that. I couldn’t gauge him, couldn’t figure out his intentions, and that made him more dangerous.”
“It bothers you that you backed down?”
Again indignant, she asked, “Who backed down? I bided my time wisely and at the first opportunity, I made a weapon.” Under her breath, she muttered, “No one is getting me naked without my explicit permission.”
So damn fearless. It was a serious discussion, and still the corner of his mouth twitched into a near smile. “You were as prepared as anyone could be.” He didn’t stop himself from kissing her again, softer this time. “For the record, Sahara, you impressed the hell out of me.”
She tried to lean in for yet another kiss, but they both knew where that would lead. He controlled himself, and her, which suited him, but was something she disliked.
Getting her back on track, he asked, “So the man who threatened you is the same one who carried you?”
“Yes. He didn’t let anyone else touch me at all. He barely allowed them to look at me. While we were still in the van, he’d tied my hands—not very well, but I didn’t think it’d be prudent to pull my hands free right in front of him. That would have just gotten me tied more tightly, and who needs that?”
“Smart,” he said, to cover the burgeoning rage. If Sahara hadn’t been so savvy, if she’d been more intimidated, what might have happened to her?
For all her brass, she was a soft, very feminine woman. The thought of anyone handling her roughly, tying her, threatening her, burned like acid in his blood.
“Having my hands tied made it difficult to stand up once we needed to leave the van, especially in the heels I favor. So he dragged me on my behind to the doors, got out and hefted me over his shoulder.”
“Like I did?”
She cast him a disgruntled frown. “Well...not as gently.”
“I’m sorry—for both times.”
Her hand went over his shoulder to his nape, and her fingers started a slow tease over his fevered skin. “It was necessary when you did it, but if I ever see him again, I’ll make him sorry.”
“Yeah?” Her words were a distinct contrast to her touch. “What will you do?”
She opened her mouth—then suddenly sniffed the air and scrambled off his lap. “I have to turn the chicken, and in ten minutes it’ll be time to eat.”
Another avoidance?
Brand didn’t know if it was because she couldn’t think of anything dire enough, or because she already knew what she’d do and she didn’t want to shock him.
With Sahara, it was probably the latter.
*
AS THE NIGHT wore down, Sahara wasn’t sure what to do. So far, none of her efforts had moved Brand. It was like smacking her head against a brick wall, unproductive and painful.
He’d enjoyed her dinner, giving her a lot of praise and eating every last bite.
“Another cookie?” she asked, sipping her coffee.
“Two’s plenty for me. You made them yourself?”
“Yes.”
“You’re an amazing cook.”
He’d already said that a few times. “Why do I get the feeling you’re shocked?”
He smiled lazily and shrugged. “You said it yourself that you’re a business shark. Seems like overkill to be Suzy Homemaker, too.”
That made her laugh. “I’m not. I mean, I could be.” She was pretty sure she could do anything she set her mind to, and if she did it, she’d damn straight do it top-notch. “I’ve enjoyed cooking, but cleaning—not so much.”