Part 23 (1/2)

”I like you, Sebastien.”

”I don't know why,” he murmured.

”I see what the others don't.”

Once more, he found himself at a loss for words, because the desperation with which he wanted her to see something good in him-something he could never seem to find himself-was terrifying.

”Now, I know you don't like to be touched,” she began.

What nit told her that? his inner voice screamed.

”But brace yourself.” She took a step closer. ”Because I'm going to give you a hug.”

He stiffened.

Don't let her touch you! Not now! Not after that weird-a.s.s conversation that left you fixated on her body and feeling all soft and mushy inside because she likes to see you laugh!

Stepping closer, she slipped her arms around his waist, pressed the front of her delectable body to the front of his, leaned her weight into him, and rested her cheek on his chest.

He closed his eyes. It felt wonderful. She felt wonderful.

Though he willed himself not to give in to temptation, he found himself wrapping his arms around her slight form and holding her tight.

”Thank you for saving my life tonight,” she said softly.

”I didn't. Richart and Roland did.”

She shook her head. ”I remember what you did now. You put yourself between me and the shooter.”

”It made no difference. The bullet just went through me and hit you anyway.”

”For all you know, he may have been aiming that third bullet at my head. When you stepped between us, you blocked his view and he couldn't do anything but a body shot. Then you whisked me to safety behind the building.”

He hadn't thought of that, but knew it to be standard practice. How many times had he heard Darnell tell the Seconds he trained to hit the body first to disable, then follow up with a head shot?

The idea left him cold.

But not cold enough to keep him from getting hard at the feel of her. The scent of her. The sheer seduction of her.

How he wanted to let his hands wander down and see if that hospital gown gaped in the back the way some did.

”Okay, I'm going to say something now and don't want you to take offense,” she said then, voice changing.

”Okay,” he agreed warily.