Searching for Disaster by Jennifer Probst

arousal and clawed for control. “Liam?” His name was a beautiful question, and an answer he needed her to get used to.
    â€œI want you.” She shuddered in response. He bent toward her, forehead pressing against hers, hand cupping her cheek. “I want to strip off these clothes, touch and taste every inch of your skin, feel you come against my lips. I want to swallow you whole, make you scream, and do it again and again. Do you understand, Isabella?”
    â€œYes,” she whispered. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
    â€œYou can. You just need time to get used to the idea.”
    She shook her head, pulling away, and Devine knew he’d lost her again. “Don’t start something that’s going to cause both of us too much pain. Please.”
    Her broken plea tore at his heart, shredding his insides. He lifted his hand in the air. “Sweetheart—”
    â€œGood night, Liam.”
    She turned from him and disappeared inside, leaving him alone on her porch. He stood there for a while, caught between pushing her now and giving her some space.
    Better to retreat and prepare the second phase of attack.

chapter seven

    A COUPLE DAYS LATER, Izzy pulled into the Animals Alive shelter with a sense of purpose and excitement.
    Liam’s kiss haunted her.
    She’d hoped if he ever kissed her again, the reality would never match the misty memory of that special night. Instead, the touch of his lips on hers shattered the past forever. Her body practically melted against him, helpless against his hot demand to surrender.
    And, Lord, had she surrendered.
    He’d grown into a powerful figure who not only challenged her mentally but brought a fierce masculine power that broke through all her barriers. She ached for him, and if he hadn’t stopped the kiss, she would’ve allowed him to take her right against the door, like the animal he made her.
    She was going to break her damn vibrator.
    When Izzy went back to work, she worried he’d try to call, or show up, and she’d have to be harsh. She couldn’t let a perfect kiss trick her into believing it could work for the long term. A cop and a former drug addict?
    Impossible.
    She already knew if she couldn’t have Liam for more than a few nights, she’d rather rip off the Band-Aid now. Much easier to deal with a sharp pain than a slow-healing, raw wound.
    Kate didn’t push her for information on the date. Izzy hoped he’d honor their bargain, move on, and they’d do their best to avoid each other. After all, what man on earth would keep pursuing her? She’d turn him down every time, sometimes adding a bit of sting to help emphasize her point. She’d slammed the door on him after their date. Kind of. She knew men liked challenges, but Liam didn’t play those games. Right?
    After a long call with Meredith, her mentor, she felt more in control. Her mentor refused to interfere by advising but took a more subtle approach, allowing Izzy to talk freely and come to her own decisions. By the end of the conversation, Izzy decided to stay the course. It made the most sense.
    So she decided she wanted a dog. Fast.
    Arilyn practically danced with joy when she heard, then competently took over. They were meeting today to visit with the animals and see if she bonded. There was one thing she decided to stay away from. Puppies. She’d heard enough stories and seen Alexa’s pain when her house got ripped apart and peed on, and when every designer shoe got eaten. She pictured a trained dog, still young, who’d be her loving companion, confidant, and sleeping partner.
    She really needed someone in her bed, even if it was a canine.
    â€œI’m so excited!” Arilyn said, giving her a hug when she climbed out of her car. The shelter was quite large, with outside runs for the dogs and a large, dark-shingled house off to the right. Farm animals grazed by the giant red barn, and acres of