Midnight Pursuits by Elle Kennedy Page A

perfectly capable of checking out the space herself.
    â€œYou really need to quit doing that,” she muttered.
    â€œDoing what?”
    â€œProtecting me.” She used air quotes around the words. “I can take care of myself.”
    â€œYeah? It didn’t seem that way a few days ago.”
    â€œYou give yourself too much credit. I would’ve managed to find some antibiotics on my own.”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    His visible amusement raised her hackles. “Seriously, I don’t need your protection, kiddo.”
    He locked the door and glanced over with a frown. “I’m not a kid. And stop trying to goad me.”
    â€œGoad you into what? All I’m saying is you need to drop the big tough-guy act. You and Morgan and the rest of his men treat every woman like she’s a damsel in distress. But I’m no damsel, okay? I really can take care of myself.” She paused impishly. “Then again, I suppose if I
must
have a man protecting me, I could do worse than Jim Morgan. He’s sexy as sin, that boss of yours.”
    Ethan’s jaw tightened. “Again with the goddamn goading.”
    Fine, so maybe she
was
goading him. Juliet wasn’t sure why she felt compelled to pick a fight. Maybe it was the impatience. The frustration. The overwhelming grief from knowing her brother was gone. Whatever the reason, she couldn’t seem to stop the next taunt that flew out of her mouth.
    â€œHey, don’t get all prickly, kiddo. I’m simply commenting on the fact that Morgan is sexy. Maybe I should give him a call when this is over, see if he’s interested in a little romp between the sheets—”
    â€œDon’t fucking test me,” Ethan growled.
    In the blink of an eye, she found herself on the other side of the room, pushed up against the wall with Ethan’s hard thigh between her legs to trap her in place.
    Her breath caught, pulse sped up. He’d moved so quickly she hadn’t had time to react, but even though she was kicking herself at being unprepared for his stealth attack, she still managed to cock a defiant brow. “A tantrum. How cute. Are you done?”
    â€œNot by a long shot.”
    One warm male hand clutched her waist, while the other gripped her chin with such force she actually experienced a pang of trepidation.
    â€œI know what you see when you look at me. The boy next door, nice and sweet and harmless.” Ethan’s voice lowered to a deadly pitch. “You see me and you think I’m the guy who’ll make love to you in a room full of flowers and candlelight. You picture sweet, sweet kisses and oh so tender caresses—isn’t that right, Juliet?”
    Her heart began to pound, a sharp staccato that pulsed in her blood and drowned out her thoughts. The look on Ethan’s face was terrifying. Thrilling. His hazel eyes gleamed with raw heat. Unadulterated
danger
.
    â€œWell, think again, sweetheart. I’m not a fucking pussycat. And I’m not a fucking kid.”
    Juliet was so aroused, she couldn’t breathe. “Who are you, then?”
    â€œA man.” He rotated his hips, grinding his pelvis into hers. “Feel that?”
    Oh . . .
God
. He was long, thick, and hard.
    â€œThat’s right. I’m a man.” His chuckle was downright mocking. “What was it you said before? That I can’t give you what you need in the bedroom? Well, I beg to differ, sweetheart. I beg to fucking differ.”
    Juliet still couldn’t draw a breath. All she could do was stare into those hypnotic eyes.
    â€œWhat, no response?” he taunted. “No sassy comeback?”
    Before she could say a solitary word, his mouth came crashing down on hers in a hard kiss that made her gasp.
    His lips were merciless, his tongue demanding entrance. Her lips parted of their own volition and then that tongue was diving into her mouth and teasing the living daylights out of her.
    Juliet