What This Wolf Wants(31)

Slouched on her dark brown faux suede couch with his denim clad legs stretched out before him, Zan looked like a Greek god preparing for his rightful worship. And while he appeared at ease, Jackie knew that’s all it was. The near feral heat in his eyes seemed to strip her bare, the unwavering focus told of his predatory intent. One that involved her and the closest flat surface.

That thought set her body on fire. Anticipation had her belly tremble, and her nipples harden. And while she might want him with a burning desire, she was more shocked by his presence in her home. “How did you get in here?”

Sultry eyes raked her body. “Not only are your locks pathetic, I’m fantastic with my hands.”

She was so not going there. Already too many erotic images were bombarding her brain. She needed to remain calm and get him the hell out of her sight before she gave in to her cravings and threw herself at his feet. Not trusting her mouth, she remained stiff and silent and glared at him.

His mouth quirked. “I’m surprised you haven’t ask the next question. Aren’t you even curious as to why I’m here?”

“Oh, I know why you’re here. Just like any other male, you’ve come sniffing around a female that interests you.”

She saw his nostrils flare at that and could have smacked herself for blurting out the inflammatory comment. Especially when he growled low in his throat.

“Not only do you interest me, intensely, but from the,” he paused, those eyes going impossibly darker, “scent of things, I interest you.”

Her face flamed with color, because yeah, he could scent her arousal, and she knew it. Knew he knew she knew it as well. And if she continued this train of thought, she was going to add a headache to her list of problems right now.

Orgasm releases endorphins, temporarily easing pain. If you just do it, you’ll feel so much better!

Control, she needed to gain her control. Growling herself, she bared her teeth.

So much for control.

“You need to leave.”

“I know what I need, and leaving is not it.” Though his tone was relaxed, Jackie noted the tenseness of his muscles, as if he were ready to pounce. On her. And God help her, the idea had her tummy quivering with excitement.

Control the situation. You don’t want him.

Liar.

Ack! Now she was arguing with herself again. A double onslaught would crush her defenses and knowing that, she crossed her arms over her chest. “I beg to differ.”

His eyes dropped to her breasts. “And I do so desire to hear you beg. And scream my name as you come.”

Her heart picked up speed, thundering loud in her ears because she wanted that as well. Tearing her gaze from his, she spied a small silver item in his hand, and froze, eyes wide in shock.

Heat once again burned in her cheeks, from embarrassment. The bastard was clutching her vibrator! “You went through my stuff?” Outrage caused her voice to soar an octave higher.

Zan tapped the silver bullet against his thigh. “How else am I going to learn about you? For some insane reason you’re denying our mate status which pisses me off. Maybe I screwed up on Monday, but I knew you’d only decline dinner or even a drink. Honesty and enticement didn’t work. So what’s left for a hungry shifter to do?”

She gulped. “Get a clue? Take a hint? Leave me alone?”

Full lips curved in a smile so male and wild that shivers ran down Jackie’s spine. The ice-cold tone she used evidently had no effect on the thick-headed louse. “Can’t do that, even if I wanted to, which I don’t.” He lifted the vibrator to his mouth, sensually running it over his lips like a woman applying lipstick. A whimper clogged in her throat. “So when was the last time you used this little gem? Not long I think.” His voice lowered to a seductive purr. “Did you think of me when you slipped this between your creamy legs?”

This time the blush went straight to her toes, because yeah, she did think of Zan when she used it this morning. But she’d have her tongue ripped out before she told him.

When she continued to hold her silence around her like a protective shield, Zan slowly stood up. With each step he took, Jackie retreated one until her back was to the wall. Which really was for the better since her legs were so unsteady she could barely remain upright.

“Why do you deny your need, your mate and instead pleasure yourself with this cold piece of plastic? It can’t give you what you really crave.”

Her mouth was dry as dust. At that moment, everything about Zan shouted out his intent to take her, pleasure her, and possibly even claim her. But did she flee or stand firm in her choice to push this man out of her life? Did she use the defensive skills she’d mastered to neutralize the sexy threat stalking her?