Savage Hunger(17)

With an uneasy sigh, she slid out of her dress completely and folded it neatly, then set it on the counter. Next she pulled on the T-shirt, which thankfully hit almost midthigh.

Using the rest of the unopened toiletries in the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and washed her face. They really stocked these safe houses. What was the name of that agency he’d said he worked for? P.A.I? Something like that? The idea of Warrick being some kind of federal agent had her stomach clenching. Sure, she hadn’t seen him in years, but she’d figured he’d just gone off traveling the world like Daniel had said. He’d always seemed to have a bit of a restless spirit. Especially after his mom had left…

After preparing herself as much as was allowed for bed, Sienna turned off the light, then opened the door to the bathroom and froze.

Shock ripped through her and she blinked, almost hoping, if she closed her eyes and opened them enough, he would be gone. That Warrick wouldn’t be lying on the floor, his naked chest exposed above the blanket, and his arms folded above his head on a pillow.

The way his mouth quirked up on the side clearly indicated he found her stunned reaction amusing. His gaze slid over her body, lingering on her naked thighs and legs. His lips tightened and his chest rose and fell sharply.

Her mouth flapped as she tried to form words; finally she croaked out a simple, “No.”

“No?” He arched an eyebrow. “No, you’re not tired anymore and you’d like to be questioned?”

“No to you being in my room. And no to the questioning as well.” She lifted a trembling arm and pointed to the door. “Get out.”

He shook his head. “Sorry, Sienna, but I’m not leaving our room. So you’d just better get over it.”

“Our room? Our room? You couldn’t have told me this earlier?” Her eyes widened and her mouth grew tight. “Warrick, you’ve kidnapped me and forced me to some damn safe house in the country so you can ask me questions I can’t answer. That alone is pretty messed up. But, I am not sharing a room with you.”

His eyes narrowed. “Can’t or won’t answer the questions?”

Her heart tripped. She slid her gaze from his and gave what she hoped was a casual shrug. “Fine. If you won’t leave, I will. I’ll sleep on the living room couch.”

Turning, she headed toward the door.

“Couch is taken by Rafferty. But you’re welcome to share a bed with Hilliard or Larson. I’m sure they’d love to have you.”

With her hand on the doorknob, she froze and closed her eyes. What were the chances he was bluffing? And did she really want to walk around the house half-dressed to find out?

“Go to bed, Sienna. You’re lucky I’m willing to take the floor. If you go elsewhere you’ll be squeezing into a twin bed with one of the guys.” He sighed. “Besides, at least you know me.”

Her heart twisted and an ache bloomed in her chest. Her mind flickered back again to her prom night, when she’d pushed down the walls of friendship, exposing her vulnerability and her feelings, and had gotten her heart trampled because of it. That night, though so brief, had meant everything to her—and to him…nothing.

She swallowed hard and twisted the knob on the door almost subconsciously. Not sure what pushed her to say it, she muttered, “Yeah, well I know lots of guys, Warrick. And I’ll get to know Larson.”

The snarl Warrick emitted reached her ears about the same time he reached the door. She blinked in shock at how fast he’d gotten to her as he slammed the door closed again and spun her around to face him.

Awareness sizzled through her blood at his near nakedness—thank God he at least wore boxer shorts. The muscles in his shoulders strained as he leaned closer to her.

Uncomfortable with the naked man-flesh in front of her, Sienna lifted her gaze to meet his savage expression and her stomach twisted with the realization she’d gone too far. She tried to step backward, but there was nowhere to go.

“You’ll get to know Larson?” he demanded icily. Irritation and something close to possessiveness raged in his eyes. “I don’t think so, Sienna. Larson’s not the type to trip over himself the moment you decide to bat your eyelashes at him.”

Fury exploded inside her, blurring her vision and making a snarl of anger escape past her lips. She balled her hand into a fist and pummeled it toward his stomach, but his palm intersected it before she could blink. He curled his fingers around her fist and used the leverage to jerk her forward.

She gasped. “You’re the one who made the suggestion to go sleep with someone else.”

“Don’t push me, Sienna. Get into bed, or I’ll carry you there.” The tone of his voice and the barely restrained ferocity in his face guaranteed he would make good on his threat.