Free Force of Nature by Kathi S. Barton Page A

her shoulders. “I won’t have you claiming later that I took advantage of you.”
    A slap couldn’t have sobered her more quickly. She felt the pain of his words rip through her and was suddenly glad he had stopped her. With as much dignity as she could summon up, CJ walked to the door and opened it. She could feel the tears fill her eyes and moved away toward her room.
    “Lock the door on your way out, please. Have a nice Thanksgiving,” she told him quietly.
    “And don’t forget your protection when you leave.”

    ~Chapter Eight~

    Austin stood in the dark kitchen. He didn’t want to leave, and he knew if he left her, he’d never get to come back. She’d make sure of that. He did the only thing he could think of. He put the box of condoms in his jacket pocket and went to her room.

    He wasn’t surprised to find the door locked. A simple foot to the lock fixed that issue very nicely. She was standing near the window and turned when he entered. He began unbuttoning his shirt as he spoke.
    “You are going to bed now, I take it? I sleep in the nude, but for tonight, just because I’m not going to take advantage of you while you’re inebriated, I will leave on my briefs.” He pulled off his t-shirt after he’d removed his shirt.
    “You so are not sleeping in my bed. You just put your shirt back on and get out.” He watched her swallow hard before she continued. “This is not funny, Austin. I mean it, get out.”
    “No. After we get a good night’s sleep, you and I are going to my house to have dinner with my family. I think it’s important that you like them, don’t you? I mean, we will be spending the rest of our lives together.”
    “I’m not spending any time with you. You are replacing my door too.” She moved toward the bathroom and he pressed her against it when she opened it, slamming it shut again. “Let go of me.”
    He rocked his cock against her ass and smiled when she shuddered. “You want me, don’t you, CJ. And don’t lie to me. I can smell your arousal as sweet as perfume.”
    “So what? I’m horny. You think you’re the only one who can want to be fucked? I was just on my way out to take care of that when you—”
    He jerked her around to face him. “You’ll be careful what you say, CJ. Alphas are an extremely jealous species. And when another male, whether knowing or not, touches what’s his, he will kill them.”
    His mouth covered hers. She was hot, her mouth hard beneath his. Shifting her so that the length of her fit against him, Austin felt her respond by degrees. Her body softened and her arms came up around his shoulders. He wanted her, now. Moving her so that he could lift her, he carried her back to the bed. When he glanced to the kitchen, only to see if the door was locked, he spied the bottle of whiskey on the table. Everything in him chilled.
    He set her on the floor and pulled her from him. He wouldn’t take her this way. Not with the possibility of her not being of sound mind enough to consent. When she looked up at him, her eyes dark with need, he pushed her further away.
    “Austin? What? What is it?” He nearly did take her then. Her voice was so husky he nearly tossed her to the bed and said to hell with morals. But instead, he took another step back.
    “No. Not like this. Not with half a bottle of whiskey in you. We’ll sleep, then tomorrow, we’ll discuss this.” He turned away from her, away from temptation.
    His cock ached. And he knew she could see how much he wanted her. Moving toward the bathroom, he decided that the best thing he could do was jerk off. Give himself some relief.
    When he returned, he’d be able to sleep the few hours until they got to his home and then they’d talk. Yeah, he thought, and monkeys would fly.
    He shut the door behind him and leaned on the sink. Turning on the cold water, he rubbed his hand down his cock and thought about what it would feel like buried deep inside of her. The thought of coming deep in her made