Taming the Hunted by Larisa Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

in the night and
attack small children?”
    “That’s not even funny,” he scolded.
    They sat in silence with only the radio breaking through the
tension. “I have to go home tonight,” she commented.
    His brow creased and he didn’t answer right away. “I don’t
think that’s the best idea,” he said, his gaze remaining on the road.
    “I have to pick up some clothes. And besides, I have a
business to run. My clients will be wondering why I haven’t contacted them.”
    His yellow gaze flickered to her face, lingering for a
second before he turned back. “No.”
    “But I have to.”
    “No, you don’t. You can ring your clients from my mobile and
we will buy you new clothes.”
    She was taken aback by how forceful his voice was. It left
no doubt in her mind that the matter wasn’t up for discussion. That was the
problem with ‘alphas’, their word was law in the pack.
    They made a detour to the mall, as he had suggested.
Shopping was not her favorite activity, but she had no clothes and he refused
to take her home. He hurried her through the mall, one hand on her back as he
whipped out his card faster than the checkout girl could swipe. Several of the
girls gave him lingering looks that took in his tailored suit and broad
shoulders, but one look at his face and most turned away.
    “You could lighten up a bit, you’re scaring people,” she
whispered to him.
    “I’m being perfectly polite,” he hissed, making the checkout
girl take a step back.
    “No, you’re being a brute, and I have half a mind to smack
you like a bad puppy.” The second she said it, she cringed.
    His hand flexed on her back and his amber eyes seemed to
burn with fire as he turned to her. It was hard to breathe, but she didn’t
mind. Her thoughts were focused on his face, which seemed to lean in closer as
he inhaled her scent in a carnal, animal-like way.
    Her senses tingled and screamed ‘danger’, but her body was
drawn to him. She could feel his growing excitement against her side and felt
herself grow warm.
    He seemed to gain control of himself as the girl behind the
counter handed back his card. He steered Marian out of the shop and into the
underground car park. The sound of screeching tires echoed around the concrete
walls. Gabriel was now moving so fast that he was pushing her rather than
guiding her. As they came in sight of the car, he pulled her into another space
and pinned her to the wall. He clasped her hands in both of his and held them
over her head against the cold concrete. Her heart raced as he leaned in. She
sighed at the feeling of his warm breath on her face and closed her eyes,
caught up in the moment like a drug.
    “Don’t ever speak to me like that in public again, Marian.”
    Her name rolled from his mouth like silver and she could do
nothing but nod, hyper-aware of his body leaning over her. He shifted both of
her hands to one of his and traced her jaw with his fingertips. She breathed
out and stared into his eyes, which glowed in the shadows.
    He traced his lips along her collarbone, his hand on the
back of her neck, pulling her closer. She groaned and slumped into him, but he
stood back far enough that she couldn’t touch him.
    “Gabriel.” Her voice trembled, with fear or lust, she didn’t
know which.
    His chest rumbled and he scraped his teeth across the soft
flesh of her breast. His body loomed above hers, and she felt so small and
fragile in his hold.
    “Say yes, Marian. Say that you will never talk back to me.”
Each word vibrated deep within him, his breath hot against her skin.
    “Never. I would never,” she whispered, arching her back,
longing to press against him.
    Her lips were open to him and he brushed them with his. As
she stared up into his golden eyes, his pupils dilated in the dark.
    “Good girl.” He covered her mouth with his.
    He tasted of cherries and the sweet tang of grapes that they
had sampled as they shopped. His tongue traced her lower lip and he deepened
the kiss.