He looked at her as if she’d just fallen from heaven. His big hand settled on her hip and with a single tug, he pulled her halfway onto his lap, leaving her no choice but to straddle his thighs.

“I’ll come get it,” he said and nipped at her chin.

Panties? Suddenly drenched.

“Perhaps I’ll reward you for your initiative.” She cupped him between his legs...and oh, sweet heaven, he was hard. Bigger than she’d realized. Thicker, too. Longer and harder. “Perhaps not,” she said, removing her hand. “Are you pained?”

“Yes. But ask me if I care.”

She didn’t want him pained. But she didn’t want to end their play, either. “Do I owe you any other rewards?”

“You do. Anything I want.” He slid her down his thighs, until she was perched on his knees. Then he pulled her back, rubbing her core against him.

She shivered, barely able to gasp out, “What do you want?”

“For you to come on me.”

Darling man. “That can be arranged...” She arched her hips, once, twice, grinding on him. Moaning, she grabbed hold of his shoulders to hang on and enjoy the ride.

He gripped her hips and forced her to slow down, agonizing her, and...and...there!

Her mind hazed with the intensity of the pleasure. “This is so good! Don’t stop. Please, Baden, don’t stop.”

He didn’t stop. As she planted her feet on the floor and pressed down as hard, as hard as she could, he sucked in a breath.

“I like this,” she whispered. “I think I might keep you.”

He stiffened, then stilled. “You know this can’t go anywhere.” Every word emerged more ragged than the last, his hold on her tightening, almost bruising. “Yes?”

“Of course. I meant I’d keep you for a little while.” His need to explain was a bit insulting, and she found herself adding, “You realize I’m only using you as a distraction from my troubles, yes?”

His grip tightened further, definitely bruising her. What? He didn’t appreciate her honesty? He wanted to be the only one who considered their arrangement temporary?

Men!

“We’re too different,” she said, so desperate to move she followed up the statement with a whimper. “Now, enough—”

“Because I’m immortal?”

“And because you’re a killer.” She nibbled on her bottom lip, the fire inside her cooling. Stroking his arms again, she said, “What’s the beast want right this very second?”

“To fuck you and fight, in that order.”

Harsh words, harsher tone. Did he hope to scare her? Or prepare her? “Fight...me?”

“Not you.”

Good. “You’re not going to hurt me,” she told him.

“I’m not,” he agreed. “Never.”

“But the beast might do so unintentionally?” Stroke, stroke, stroke. “Maybe we need to distract him. Or maybe he just needs to get to know me before he fucks me. That way, he’ll only want to hold me afterward.”

Baden suddenly radiated pure aggression. Liked a girl with a dirty mouth, did he?

“What do you want to try first?” She placed her mouth at his ear and blew gently. “Distraction? Or getting to know me better?”

“Let’s just get to the fucking,” he all but yelled—and she was almost certain she heard two distinct voices.

Her muscles clenched with eagerness. She actually liked his—their?—forcefulness?

She ran her fingers through the silken strands of his hair before taking his gloved hands and placing them on her breasts. “All right, but only if you name three things you really, really like about me.”

His pupils flared. “You’re beautiful. I believe I mentioned this.”

“Yes, but thousands—millions—of others are more so.”

“No one is more so.” He stared at her beading nipples as he kneaded her. “You have the singular ability to make me laugh.”

Better. Major points for that one. “What else?”

Outside, one of the dogs barked, then the other. Angry, someone’s-going-to-get-eaten barks. Katarina stiffened, her hands falling to her sides.

“I have one other thing to tell you.” Baden grabbed her wrists and threaded her fingers into his hair before cupping her breasts once again.

I’m not going to get attached to the dogs, remember? I’m going to keep my distance and preserve—

Another bark.

“That will have to wait.” She jumped to shaky legs, ending the sensual play. “Something’s wrong with the pups.” She ran to the left—argh! The door led to a pantry closet. She had yet to learn the layout of the house.

“Katarina—”

“Pandora is here,” a voice said over the speakers. A voice she recognized. It belonged to the white-haired warrior named Torin.

Pandora... “Your enemy-friend?” she asked.

“Mostly enemy now. Stay here.” Baden leaped up and, with his hands on her waist, placed her on the table. Then, he sprinted away.

Stay here? Please. Katarina followed him, as close as his shadow.

“Go back,” he spat, racing through hallways.

“Not a chance. And just so you know, if this dating thing is going to work with us, you must stop ordering me around.”

He pushed past the outer door. Stubborn to the bone, determined, she remained hot on his heels.

Sunlight. Summer heat. The chirp of crickets and the buzz of locusts. The scent of pine. Details hit her, painting a scene that should have delighted her. But the kennel loomed ahead and the black-haired bitch from the hotel—Miss Headbutt—held Gravy in her arms. The big pup struggled for freedom while Biscuit, who was still in the kennel, banged at the bars in an effort to reach his brother.

Pandora smiled as Baden roared her name.

“Not another step,” she said, placing a blade at the dog’s throat.

Katarina froze, horror flooding her. I’m helpless. Again. Supposed to sit back and do nothing while an innocent animal is endangered. “No! I won’t let you do this.” She jolted into motion. “Let Gravy go!”

Baden grabbed her wrist, preventing her from making any progress. Though she fought for release, she remained bound, the warrior far too strong to incapacitate.

“Give me Aleksander,” Pandora said, “and I’ll give you the dog.”