Iris Johansen - Dark Summer

She could see that an experience that devastating would cause Marrok's determination to harden irrevocably. "I can understand how it would be a deal breaker. I'm surprised you're still working with Lincoln."

"In spite of the fact that he thinks I'm too volatile, I don't do anything stupid that might hurt the guardians. When they need help, they're going to get it."

"The guardians. You were talking about needing a guardian for Ned in the car last night."

"I was a little woozy. I take care of Ned."

"These guardians take care of the other dogs?"

He nodded. "When I knew I'd have to separate the dogs, I had to pick three other people I could trust to take care of them. It wasn't an easy choice."

"Did they know about Danner?"

"Not in the beginning. I wanted the situation solid before I brought in a disturbing element."

She stared at him. "You bastard."

He nodded. "I searched hard until I found guardians with just the right mixture of gentleness and toughness. I didn't want to blow it. I knew it would be all right later."

"Because you knew they'd grow to love their dogs and would run the risk." She added, "Just the way you risked my life without explaining zilch."

"I had to protect the dogs. I gave my word."

"Good God, and who is going to protect the rest of the world from you, Marrok?"

"I don't know." He was silent a moment before he said awkwardly, "I wouldn't risk you again, Devon. I want… to take care of you."

"It's a little late." But his halting words were causing her to feel strange, vulnerable, a melting. "And I don't need anyone to take care of me."

"I don't care about your need. I want to do it."

"Marrok, that's the most incoherent… listen to yourself."

"I know. I'm a little off-balance." He reached out a hand and delicately stroked her throat. "I've done a lot of things that you'd have never done. Danner and Lincoln are both right about me. I've always been selfish and unstable and ready to explode at the first sign of things not going right." He said softly, "But it won't happen again with you."

She moistened her lips. "Wouldn't it?"

"I like to touch you. My fingertips are tingling…"

And her skin was tingling beneath his fingers. She couldn't breathe…

His fingers dropped to the hollow of her throat. "Your pulse is beating hard. I did that, didn't I?" He rubbed lazily, sensuously. "Come on, harder…"

Her heart was already beating so hard that she could scarcely take a breath. "What are you doing, Marrok?" she asked shakily.

"I'm not sure. Probably something I shouldn't." His head lowered, and his lips brushed her temple. "I told you, I've never been good at controlling myself."

And she had always been very good at that since leaving Lester, she thought hazily. Where had that control gone? The moment he had touched her, she had gone up in smoke. "I don't want this, Marrok."

"Yes, you do." His tongue was touching her ear. "Be honest with me. I'm being honest with you. I want to drag you into the field and screw you until we both go crazy. I'll make it good for you. Tell me to do it."

She was shuddering. His words, his touch, his breath on her temple…

"Just say yes," he whispered. "One word…"

Yes. Yes. Yes.

And she opened her lips to say that word.

Casper brayed in the paddock.

God in heaven, what was she doing? She drew a shaky breath and pushed him away. "This doesn't make any sense."

"No." He smiled recklessly. "Let's do it anyway."

She shook her head. "I don't do one-night stands." She took a step back. "I'm not one of those town girls you used to take up to Paco's cave. I'm boringly conventional."

He tilted his head and gazed at her. "Your cheeks are flushed, and you're still shaking. You're as hot for me as I am for you. I could probably persuade you."

"Maybe." She stared him in the eye. "But you said you wanted to take care of me, protect me. Is screwing me how you'd go about it?"

His smile faded. "Low blow. Can't I do both?"

For a moment she could almost see the reckless, hungry kid who wanted the whole world and tried to devour it. "No, you can't do either." She took a deep breath. "I'm trying to come out of this with as few scars as possible. Don't make another move on me, Marrok."

"No promises. I still think a roll in the hay would be therapeutic for both of us. Besides the fact that I get hot every time I look at you, and I need it like hell." He paused. "But I'll wait until the move is a little more welcome." He turned away. "I'll let you go back to the house alone. We're both still in the zone. I'm no good with restraint." He suddenly looked back at her. "It was the damn donkey, wasn't it? I almost had you until he cut loose."

"Yes, it was Casper."

He shook his head. "I never did like donkeys."

She was smothering a smile as she watched him walk away. She wanted to call him back, she realized with shock. Her body was still ready for him. Cripes, he'd barely touched her, and she had been ready to let him screw her. How long had it been since she'd felt like that? Her ex-husband, Les? No, that had been experimental teenage sex, then fighting his overwhelming obsession. This intense, roller-coaster sensuality bore no similarity to anything she'd felt before. The chemistry was different, hotter, explosive, bewildering, yet crystal clear at the same time.

And she'd be very wise to stand firm and far away from that chemistry.

There was a whining inside the bunkhouse.

Gracie.

She quietly opened the door and let the greyhound out.

Gracie leaped for her, making low, happy sounds, her entire narrow back end wagging ecstatically.

"Shh, Gracie," Devon whispered as she fell to her knees. "It's a little late. I don't know if anyone's awake in there." She hugged her. "I missed you, too."

Gracie gave a low howl and nestled closer.

"Yes, it's okay now." She stroked Gracie's sleek coat. "Calm down." She sat down cross-legged on the ground, and Gracie plopped down beside her. "Ned almost paid you a visit, but Marrok had to leave and took him with him. He'll be back. Things got a little… confusing." What wasn't different and confusing since Santa Marina? She had a sudden memory of something Bridget had said. "Are you confused, too? Bridget said the rescue missions bothered you. Was she right?" She wasn't expecting Gracie to respond, but it felt good to get it out. "I don't know whether to believe her, but I guess I've got to keep a closer eye on you. I don't want you hurting. It's okay if you don't like it. I'll still love you."

Gracie whined happily and rolled over on her back with her four feet straight up in the air. She always did that when she wanted her tummy scratched. Devon obliged, then tugged at her paw. "Come on. Let's go see if Nick and Janet are awake."

DAMN, HE'D ACTED AS CARELESSand raunchy as an eighteen-year-old, Marrok thought in disgust as he strode toward the house. Why be surprised? He was raunchy. But he wasn't careless, not any longer. He'd been through the fires and come out with a knowledge of what being careless could mean. But that moment with Devon had brought back all the dizzying sensuality of that younger Marrok.

Not good. He had to send her away, and sex would only make it more difficult.

And it didn't matter to him. He was hurting. He wanted to reach out and grab and play and hold on. She'd been right to step back because he sure as hell wasn't going to back off. Give him the chance, and he'd be right back, prowling around her like a tomcat. Dammit, she didn't deserve that from him. For once, why couldn't he forget what he wanted and think of Devon?

But she wanted it, too. And he could make her want it more. Go back. Take what he wanted and to hell with-

His cell phone rang. Bridget. He stabbed the button. "What's happening?"