Surrounded By Temptation(5)

He growled low in his throat. He wouldn’t let Jack touch her. She belonged to Rob. End of fucking story.

The call came through and he accepted it. He had to grab the chair he was planted in to keep from touching the monitor like a love-struck fool and stroking Ariel’s beautiful face. She was definitely too skinny, but her beauty would always outshine no matter her weight.

“I demand to be released at once, Dad. This is highly uncalled for,” Jack commented from his connection.

“Calm down. I’ve talked things over with the ladies and have a better understanding of the course Ariel would like to take. I must say I’m not entirely pleased with what has happened or with this methodology she’d like to implement. I feel that since you two will be the ones involved, you both need to understand what will be happening. Then you can make a decision on whether she stays or goes.”

Ariel’s eyes grew wider for only a second before cutting to Thomas and then looking straight ahead again. If Rob had to guess, she didn’t look very pleased with this. If his waiflike angel wanted to stay, by God, she would. He’d do whatever necessary to ensure it.

And he wasn’t stupid enough to pretend he wasn’t being selfish with that noble thought.

His father looked at Rob, then Jack, and proceeded to tell them and the rest gathered in the den on the other end of the monitor just what medications she planned on trying on them. One shot a day to start out. Testing aggression. Possibly more medication. So far, nothing seemed too horrible. Rob knew this wasn’t going to be a cakewalk.

“Just what kind of testing do you expect us to do? Torture us? Keep us locked up in our rooms? Or worse, in chains? Sorry, honey, you’re hot and all, but no way. I say give us the medication and observe us,” Jack said, arms crossed over his chest, eyes narrowed. Then he half-smiled. “Unless you want to observe me privately.”

“Jackson!”

“What, Dad? Those are honest questions.” Then he looked at Ariel. “And an honest offer.” He wasn’t smiling this time. Just being the dick he always was.

“It doesn’t matter to me. I say she can do whatever she wants. She’s the professional here,” Rob said, tamping down his need to vocalize just what he wanted from her. He gave her what he hoped was a soft smile, and the startled smile she gave him in return made his dick twitch. Such a beauty.

“Rob?” she asked, looking toward him. His heart raced. The sound of his name on her lips did some very naughty things to his body. He wanted to hear her moan it the next time his name slipped passed her lips.

“Yes, angel?”

That smile. He couldn’t help but return the warm gesture.

“Would you be willing to help me do some testing? I only need to test one of you.”

“Wait just a damn minute! No way in hell am I staying in this room while Rob gets poked with needles. He’s just trying to poke her back,” Jack barked.

Rob’s head snapped in his brother’s direction, a growl ripping from his throat before he could even stop it. He was going to shred his brother to pieces!

“Enough, boys!” Thomas said, then turned to Ariel. “Sweetheart, I’m aware of your plan, but I’m not sure if this is smart. I have to say I think it’s very dangerous. Just look at them. They are too primal and they are not even in the same room with you.

Shit. Rob had to get control of himself. Otherwise, he’d lose his opportunity before it even started. He took a deep breath, facing his father. “Dad, if we don’t do something now, we may never get another shot.”

“I’ll do it,” Jack said with an heir of righteousness. “I’m older. It’s. My. Fucking. Turn.”

Their father sighed. “Jack, regardless of which one of you she tests, both of you will be getting the medication,” Thomas said. Then he turned to Ariel. “I think this has to be your call.”

Her cheeks flushed a satiny pink, and Rob’s head cocked to the side as if his cat were trying to gauge it. Then her gaze landed on him.

“Will you help me, Rob? I promise not to make it too painful for you.”

She picked me. Rob felt his whole body heat, warmth rushing through him. But the sweet feeling that accompanied his mate’s initial trust in him quickly turned into an almost overpowering urge to roar in victory.

And a crippling need to take her right now.

How was he going to be able to be near her and not force her to mate with him? His animal didn’t care. It only saw a relief to its primal heat. But Rob knew she was taking a big step by asking him. She was relying on him to do this for her. He could not let her down. He wouldn’t.