Two To Go: Bayou Heat (Pantera Security League Book 2) by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright Read Free Book Online Page B

depends on how well guarded they are.”
    He gave a jerky nod, his muscles rigid. Elyon sensed that he was battling to keep his emotions in check.
    “It might be better if you leave and come back after my parents have been freed,” he abruptly announced. “ If they’re freed.”
    What was he doing? Elyon scowled, glaring at him in disbelief. She’d traveled across the country to rescue him. Ensured that his parents would be taken away from their prison. And now he wanted her to leave?
    First of all, she never left without an asset.
    And secondly, she didn’t want to. She was sort of enjoying being around him, looking at him, hearing him talk about his family.
    And then there was that kiss…
    She paused. Maybe that was it. Why he wanted her to leave. After all, that kiss started as a way to shut her up. When the two idiots came in. Could it be that he didn’t feel any of the instinctive urges to mate that were thundering through her?
    Could he be completely turned off by her lack-of-love admission? Think she was cold?
    Wouldn’t he be right?
    She lifted her chin. “Trying to get rid of me?”
    His lips thinned, his expression hardening as he glanced at the old-fashioned dial clock on the wall.
    “No, but Victor and his goons will be coming up here to prepare for tonight’s matches,” he said. “I don’t like the thought of them bothering you.” His jaw tightened and his eyes flashed as he turned back to face her. “You’ve been bothered enough for one day.”
    Her brows drifted up. Oh. He was…worried about her then? Well that was interesting. And better. Much better than what she’d cooked up in her head.
    “You know I can take care of myself,” she said with a hint of sass.
    He moved in closer to her, his eyes darkening. “You’ve already proven that,” he assured her. “But it doesn’t change my desire…to protect you. Keep leering eyes off you.”
    An odd sensation clenched her heart. It didn’t hurt exactly, but it made her a little breathless. She wished he’d take her hand or something. Maybe pull her in close, let her rub up against him, nuzzle his neck.
    She licked her lips. His gaze was overpowering, magnetic, as he stared down at her. And his heat was searing her, drowning her in his male musk. Were these the leering eyes he was talking about? If so, she liked them. A lot. Wanted them on her. All night and day.
    She lowered her voice. “You really want me to go, Max?”
    He cocked his head, nostrils flaring as if trying to scent her. And when he did, when he pulled her into his lungs and exhaled, a soft, dangerous growl escaped his throat.
    She smiled with satisfaction. “Do you live in the building?”
    He nodded.
    “Where?”
    “Upstairs.”
    Her skin tingled with anticipation. “Are there cameras?”
    He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “No.”
    She shivered.
    “I told them I’d kill them if I discovered they were spying on my few hours of privacy.” He eased back slowly, brushing his cheek against hers. “They were smart enough to know I wasn’t bluffing.”
    “Well, I can wait there.” Her lips twitched, and she bit the lower one.
    His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Victor’s going to wonder why you would want to go to my private rooms.”
    “Not if you come with me.” A wicked smile curved her lips as she laid her palms flat against his chest and shoved him back against the wall. “Then he’ll know exactly why I’m up there.”
    Max didn’t touch her, but every inch of him was rigid with tension as he stared down at her, his musk permeating the air. Like he was holding on by a thread.
    “Or,” she whispered close to his mouth, “I can wait outside. Or maybe down in the restaurant. Have a bowl of borscht with those two idiots I bloodied. It’d be the right thing—”
    His arms came around her so fast she gasped. But the sound quickly turned to sensual laughter as he lifted her up, tossed her over his massive shoulder, and started toward the