Unexpected by Lori Foster Page A

catch it. The other moved, too, and he grabbed it as well, keeping both her wrists securely held. Ha. Now what would she do?
    In the next instant, her forehead smacked against his. The blow was hard enough to ring curses from him and instantly gave her the release she’d requested.
    She started to scramble to the side, saying, “You deserved that, Eli. I told you not to—”
    Her words were cut short as Eli reacted, turning fast and hard, flipping her onto her stomach beneath him. Before she could counter the move, he had her pinned down. His ears were still ringing and colorful stars danced before his eyes. Had she meant to knock him out?
    It seemed probable—and hilarious. He was in bed with a woman he wanted more than any other he’d known, and she had tried to scramble his brains.
    He covered her completely, the weight of his big body crushing her smaller frame into the mattress. His fingers wrapped firmly but gently around her wrists, not giving her a chance to get hold of his digits, trapping her arms above her head. His legs were between hers—a nice position, that—totally immobilizing her. He pressed his face into her shoulder, which also held her face down so she couldn’t bite him.
    They were both breathing hard.
    Without even meaning to, Eli pressed his hips inward, nudging his swollen cock against her firm buttocks, groaning at the feel of her, her softness, the carnality of their positions.
    If they were naked, he’d be inside her right now.
    Damn. He didn’t want to frighten or hurt her, but he needed a moment to rid himself of the pounding in his head, as well as the insistent throb in his groin, before he let her loose. She didn’t move, didn’t make a sound, and he started to worry. “Are you always so physical, Ray?”
    When she didn’t answer, he wrongly assumed her silence was shock.
    â€œRay? Honey, you okay?”
    Her voice was cold, remote, and beyond furious when she growled, “I’m not your honey.”
    Relief brought back his amusement. “Such a nasty temper,” he chided. That had her struggling anew, which only caused her rounded behind to push into him again. Eli was caught between the pain in his head and the pleasure her movements brought him.
    But given her current mood, pleasure wasn’t too wise. “Settle down, Ray.”
    â€œGet off of me.”
    A note of hysteria tinged her command. She wasn’t used to anyone else having the upper hand.
    He wondered how many times a man had done this to her?
    The thought of someone else making love to her, taking her from behind, made his possessive urges riot. But the thought of a man holding her down as a true captive, intent on hurting her, made him want to kill the faceless bastard.
    He closed his eyes, and though he knew she hated it, he hugged himself closer to her. “Not yet, honey. You’d only lay me low again, and my brains can’t take much more. I think I’ll wait until you forgive me for calling you Ray Jean. And until you explain why you’re so touchy about your name.”
    Her silence sounded with the same effect as a scream. Hurting for her, though he wasn’t certain why, Eli lowered his head until his breath fanned her nape. It was a risk, getting that close to her. His little soldier knew how to defend herself, and at the moment, she might not mind causing him real pain. On the other hand, he’d rather be shot than hurt her. So if she wanted to, she could probably get loose.
    Did that mean she didn’t want to?
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Ray? Talk to me, please.”
    He felt her shuddering breath. Not tears, because she would never let herself cry. He kissed her temple.
    â€œWhy do you care?”
    He countered that with: “Why would you think I shouldn’t care?”
    Her forehead dropped to the mattress; her muscles, tensed and coiled only moments before, went lax. Several seconds passed before she