Laurann Dohner - Moon (Laurann Dohner)

“No!” A smart person would continue this discussion from the other side of the bars but Joy ignored that reasoning. Moon could be frightening, intimidating. He might snarl and flash those dangerous teeth of his but she’d bet her life—was, in fact—that he wouldn’t harm her. “Of course not. I explained this dozens of times. I was your doctor and it wasn’t right if we had a physical relationship.”

“You said it would be taking advantage of me.” He took another long stride and paused inches from her, making her tilt her head back to keep eye contact. “Do I look weak?”

“No. It was your emotional state I was referring to. Do you remember that?”

He moved fast and she flinched without meaning to when one of his large hands suddenly gripped her jaw, holding her head still. She instinctively clutched his arm, avoiding the shackle at his wrist. She didn’t struggle or try to jerk free. His hold wasn’t painful but it was firm.

“They would have found out even if I was willing to toss my ethics aside. I would have been fired and promptly removed. They probably would have had to file criminal charges against me just to safeguard the location.”

“Moon,” he rasped, bending a little so their faces were closer. “You don’t know me as that name, do you? I can hear it when you speak. You easily say 466 but hesitate before you say Moon. You never saw me after I left site four. Did I recently pick this name?”

“I don’t know exactly when you took it.”

“How long has it been since you left me?”

“I’d rather not answer that. I think you’ve had enough shocks for one day.” Plus, he had a good grip on her face. She wasn’t totally stupid, despite some of her questionable choices when it came to him.

“Weeks?”

She remained silent.

His eyes narrowed. “Months?”

“Moon, I really—”

“A year?” He spoke over her, almost nose to nose with her, staring intently into her eyes. He snarled. “More than a year. I can read you.” He released her, backing away so fast he almost tripped on one of the chains but righted before he fell. A snarl tore from him and he spun, facing her. “Get out!”

Joy hated how tears filled her eyes again. She wasn’t prone to them unless it involved Moon. “Okay.” She backed up. “I’ll leave.”

He suddenly lunged forward and fear jolted through her as strong hands gripped her waist. Her feet left the floor and her back slammed into the bars. It didn’t hurt but it was sharp enough to knock the breath from her lungs. Moon pinned her with his body so they were face level. His chest and thighs were plastered against hers to keep her exactly where he wanted.

“Why?”

“I had to…before we ended up having sex. They wouldn’t have allowed us to be together. I did it for you more than myself. I swear. I was afraid you’d attack someone out of retaliation and end up getting hurt. That was the last thing I wanted.”

He leaned in until his hot breath fanned her lips. “No. Why are you here now? I want the truth. Don’t look away from me.”

“You were in trouble and I thought you needed me.”

“I needed you before.”

It was torture being so close to him. Every breath he took made her aware that he wasn’t wearing a shirt and his body heat transferred to hers through the thin material she wore. Her hands trembled when she lifted them and gripped the top of his shoulders. Firm, thick muscles bunched under her fingertips.

“Not a day went by,” she admitted, “that I didn’t regret leaving. I thought about you all the time. I wished things could have been different. I came as soon as Homeland called. I wanted to see you again.”

He softly growled, his chest vibrating against hers. “You said this isn’t site four. My people guard this place and make the rules? Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

He glanced away, his gaze sweeping the basement. “Where are they?”

“Upstairs. Seeing them upset you more.”

“We are alone here?”

“Yes.”

“My people here know me?”

“Yes. Everyone at Homeland really cares about you. Your best friend especially.”

Confusion clouded his features.

“Do you want to know his name?” She wondered if hearing Harley’s name would help him remember.

“My people called you to help me?”

“Yes.”

“Good enough.”

She didn’t know what that meant and opened her mouth to ask him but gasped instead when he pressed against her tighter, almost crushing her against the bars, and his hands slid higher until his thumbs rested under her breasts. His fingers tightened their hold on her ribs.

“Then they would know what I’d do to you.”

He spun without warning, yanking her away from the bars, and moved fast. Joy was too stunned to react until he twisted her around in his hold and flung her. She felt terror as she fell but didn’t slam into the unforgiving floor. Instead a soft mattress caught her weight as she landed on her stomach. The bed dipped to her right as she sucked in air. Chains rattled.

She looked over her shoulder, her heart racing, and was shocked as she watched Moon straddle her thighs. One hand flattened on the middle of her back to keep her in place while his other one reached for the waistband of her skirt. The zipper was loud as he yanked it down.

“What are you doing?”

Air touched her spine and then fingers slid against her underwear. He yanked hard, lifting his weight up at the same time, and her skirt was jerked down her hips to her upper thighs where the material bunched. She tried to turn but couldn’t when his knees trapped her in place.

Moon released her skirt and crouched over her. His hand flattened on the mattress next to her shoulders as he leaned in until their faces were close together to balance his weight.

“I’m trying to avoid ripping your clothes from your body but they are coming off. You can help by rolling over or I’ll shred them.”

All the warnings she’d received flashed through her mind as his words sank in but she wasn’t afraid of him. She was ready for this. She even wanted it. She’d wanted it far too long.

The hand on her back slid down to cup one of her butt cheeks, giving it a good squeeze. The rough feel of his calluses was very noticeable with so much skin revealed by her bikini-cut panties. “Your ass is mine now, sweetness. Anyone who knows me would know how much I want you.” He studied her eyes as his hand massaged her ass where he gripped it. “And they sent you to me.” He lowered his gaze to her mouth, fixating on it. “Say it.”

She had to swallow to find her voice. “What do you want me to say?” Her pulse quickened as she relaxed her tense muscles under him.

His eyebrows arched as he met her stare again. “You have no excuses? No words of rejection?”

She very slowly braced her arms and began to turn over. It was difficult with his body restricting hers but his grip on her ass eased and Moon allowed it. She rolled onto her back, not breaking eye contact. She reached up, hands trembling, and cupped his face.

Surprise showed when his eyes widened as she tugged gently to pull him closer. She tilted her chin slightly and licked her lips.

“Kiss me.”

He sucked in air and another soft growl rumbled from him. “I’m going to do everything to you.”

Chapter Seven

Excitement and a little nervousness shot through Joy as she closed her eyes and Moon’s mouth lightly brushed hers. He was surprisingly tender. It was more of a tease than a kiss as he pulled back. She peeked at him to find him hovering above her. The dark intensity of his look made her feel hot all over.

“Take off your clothes. All of them.” Moon lifted up and carefully got to his feet. “Now.”