Alain returned and drew up a short little bench, positioning himself between her legs. Pepper pressed her lips together and glanced sideways at Wyatt, hoping to get a cue from him. Was it normal for a salesman to do that? He reached out and took her ankle in his hands. A shiver of alarm went down her spine. Every cell in her body recoiled, shrunk back. Every muscle tightened. She could feel something lethal beginning to coil in her belly.

To her horror, Pepper felt the sudden leak of venom in her mouth. That hadn’t happened since she’d been in Braden’s office. Quickly she turned her face away from Wyatt.

I can’t do this, Wyatt. I’m sorry. I want to please you, but his hands on me…

Wyatt reached out instantly and clamped his hand over Alain’s, forcibly removing his fingers from Pepper’s bare skin. “Step back away from her.”

Wyatt’s voice was quiet, low even, but commanding. She felt the faint trembling of the floor beneath their feet. The warning was too clear for anyone, even Alain to miss. He dropped his hands immediately and leapt up. Wyatt shifted position to the small stool, bending to reach for her ankle.

You want him? You want to fuck him?

His tone made her tremble. His hands were gentle, belying the fierce temper rising. She felt it like a gathering hurricane, a volcano set to blow any moment. The relief of feeling Wyatt’s fingers against her bare skin was tremendous. She gave a little shudder, shocked at how repulsed she’d been. More shocked that she hadn’t felt the least little tingle of hunger.

You misunderstand, she said softly, her fingers twisting in the material of her skirt, bunching the fabric into her fist nervously. He triggered aggression in me. Venom. I was so repulsed I wanted – even needed – to protect myself. I didn’t know if I was supposed to allow him to touch me like that, but it felt wrong. I didn’t like it at all.

She felt the change in him instantly. His hands stroked up her leg and back over her calf. He gently removed her shoe, his head down as his hands glided over her foot. He lifted her foot just a little, his palm sliding over the heel, the arch and finally to the ball and toes, a caress. She felt his touch as if it was an arrow piercing her heart.

The venom receded. The tight coil in her belly unfurled. Her muscles relaxed and the tingles were not only in her feminine core, but her breasts as well. With just his small touch, Wyatt erased the memory of the other man’s hands on her skin.

Are you angry with me, Wyatt? She felt anxious, as if she’d let him down.

No, baby, I’m angry with myself. I should have protected you better. Not misunderstood or allowed my jealousy free rein. It won’t happen again. I’ll do better. This is a learning process for both of us.

Wyatt slipped the high heel on her foot. It was black with black leather lacy cutout all the way up from the middle of the shoe to her ankle. It was the sexiest shoe she’d ever seen. It felt sexy on, or maybe it was the way his hands kept stroking her skin.

Wyatt? She waited until his eyes met hers. I didn’t feel anything sexual at all. Whatever you did took it away. His touch repulsed me. She took a deep breath before she made her confession. But when you touched me, I went damp. My breasts ached all over again.

His gaze turned hot. Intense. He reached up, curled his hand around the nape of her neck and brought her head down to his. His mouth claimed her. Hot. On fire hot. She was fairly certain no other man on Earth could kiss like him. He was a brilliant kisser. She never wanted him to stop. She forgot where they were. Forgot her own name. There was only Wyatt pouring himself down her throat and into her heart.

He was the one who broke the kiss, murmuring softly to her, his forehead against hers while he stared into her eyes. She had to struggle to find air.

“You make me forget to breathe,” she whispered aloud.

His smile was slow and sexy, lighting his eyes. His gaze, so focused on her, kept her struggling for breath. “That’s a good thin’, sugar. Let’s get this other shoe on you. I’ve got plans. I also spotted some very sexy black boots with a nice stiletto heel. We need those too.”

His voice had a sexy rasp to it. Suddenly she wanted to know all about his plans. Her gaze dropped to his lap. He was hard. He seemed to always be hard. Pepper knew what it was like to be in a constant state of arousal and it wasn’t comfortable. She frowned as he slid the other high heel onto her foot and slipped the tiny buckle into place.

Did you somehow trade my state of being sexually aroused to you?

Nope. Just lookin’ at you makes me hard. Don’ worry about me, sugar, I figure you can always take care of me with that super-talented mouth of yours on our way back to the huntin’ cabin. And then I can take care of you. See how that works?

She laughed softly and stood up, one hand on his shoulder for balance. He slipped his hand around her ankle and moved it up her calf and then past her knee while she stood there. Possession. It felt good to be his. To have him claim her in little ways, with his hand, with his eyes, with the way his body stayed so close to hers.

She was well aware of his enhancements. His nose was quite close to her center. He couldn’t fail to scent her eager compliance. I see you have this all worked out.

He nodded solemnly, sliding his hand up her thigh, his fingers caressing and stroking. I’ve been givin’ it some thought and I definitely want your mouth on me. Doesn’ help me thinkin’ about it. Just makes me harder. But that’s okay because when I slide down your throat and you’re suckin’ I’ll be in fuckin’ paradise.