Free Lawless by Cindy Stark Page B

 He
was such a dumb ass.  How could he have forgotten what had happened the last
time he didn't follow the rules?  Yes, Ariana was the sexiest thing he'd come
across…maybe ever, but she wasn't his for the taking.  Intense chemistry between
them made the situation extremely volatile.  He had to remember she was only a
client, not the smartest and sexiest woman he could remember meeting.  His job
was to protect her life.  Her job was to stay alive to testify and then move on
to a permanent new identity.  He'd never see her again.  But she'd be alive.  "I've
already explained to you about maintaining the integrity of our relationship."
    "Yes, you did, but I thought we agreed we
could handle it.  You seemed so cocky, so self-assured inside.  What happened?"
    He'd never be able to explain how much his
feelings for her terrified him.  He glanced down at her chest where her blouse
still remained open.  "You need to button that."
    She frowned, clearly unhappy with the direction their
evening was headed.  "Not until you talk to me."  She pushed away the
wet strands of hair that had plastered to her cheeks.
    He worked the muscles in his jaw, trying to
maintain some semblance of control.  "Why can't you do what I ask?"
    "I'm going to be stuck in this house with you
for the next month, so I need answers.  If there's a problem, let's talk like
adults.  If that's not an option, I'll pack and find somewhere else to stay."
    An angular flash of lightning cracked the sky as
his heart jolted.  "Do not leave my protection."  God, the last time
that had happened…he couldn't think about it.
    He grabbed her hand and more or less dragged her
to the porch, out of the rain.  "If you want to stay alive, you need to
listen to me when I tell you to do something."  A drop of water cascaded
down her neck, capturing his attention as it ran over the curve of one breast
and under her purple bra.  "You need to do up those buttons, or better
yet, go inside and dry off."
    She folded her arms under her breasts, lifting
them higher, and he cursed under his breath.  "Talk to me."
    The fact that he couldn't control her heightened
his frustration.  Emotion warred beneath his surface.  He had to make her see
reason.  He pushed her backward, trapping her against the door.  She widened
her eyes, but it wasn't fear on her face.  The smoldering look she gave him
sent a sharp, pointed tremble straight through him, undoing everything the rain
had cooled.
    He leaned down so his face was inches from hers.  "You
really want to know?  Fine.  I'm attracted to you.  Extremely attracted.  But I've
been charged with your protection.  I should have refrained from flirting with
you.  Rule number one—don't get personally involved with your clients.  It's
not ethical, and it's not smart."
    And it could cost a client her life.
    He gave her the most intense look he could
conjure, hoping she'd get the point.  It was the only way they'd survive the
month intact.  If he was still in the Marshals, he could ask to have her
reassigned.  Not now.  He was her last hope.
    She searched his eyes, and he was almost certain
he'd gotten through to her.  "I don't care."
    Before he could question her further, she snaked
her arms around his neck and pulled him to her, pressing her lips against his
in a possessive kiss.
    Her warm lips tasted like the berries she'd
nibbled, and he couldn't deny himself any longer.  Need exploded inside him. 
He shoved her against the door, framing her face with his hands, losing himself
in the exquisite feel of her.
    Her tongue danced against his, her hands slipping
under his wet t-shirt and finding bare skin.  Unbelievable sensations sent his
blood shooting through him, making him rock hard.  He kissed her until he
couldn't breathe.  When he came up for air, reality gave him the bitch-slap he
deserved.  He stumbled back.
    "Damn it."  He raked shaking hands
through his hair, drinking in the sight of her standing in the