BloodSworn Read Online Free Page B

departed. Three blocks later, she finally slowed then
stopped.
    “You’re still limping.” Her brows furrowed. “I really am a
doctor. I can help you if you allow me to examine you.”
    His Adam’s apple bobbed painfully. No matter how innocent,
every word out of her mouth sent his mind straight into the gutter. There was
no way he could allow her hands on him. He wouldn’t survive being touched and
not being able to return the favor in the many varied ways his mind supplied.
Him, the legendary control freak, unable to control himself around a little
slip of a woman.
    “Old wound. We need to get off the streets.” He scanned the
area and inhaled deeply. He scented nothing but humans. Any traces on the pathway
were hours old.
    The buildings in this section of town were run down, most of
the businesses had long since been abandoned. A tic started in his jaw, and he
clenched his teeth against the need to take her to task for putting herself in
danger in the first place. She had no business being in this part of town
without protection, especially at night. Just thinking about what could’ve
happened to her without him there to rescue her nagged at him.
    She scowled, but didn’t refuse. “Where?”
    “How about home?”
    Damn. So he knew she’d been trespassing on his property.
Heat stung her checks, but she didn’t back down. “How long have you known?”
    All she received in answer was a shrug. Would he force her
to leave? Where would she go? She knew practically no one in the magical
community and with the bounty on her head, they were no longer trustworthy.
    Taking her courage in both hands, she blurted out her
proposal. “Allow me to stay under your protection, and I’ll give you access to
my research material.”
    She bit her lip as the giant just stared at her with those
eyes of his. As before, she felt as if he were stripping her bare with that look
of his, reading the fine print of her soul. It took all of her nerves not to
fidget.
    “Do you know what you’re asking?”
    Trina nodded then admitted the truth. “Not exactly.”
    “Come.” He grabbed for her arm then hesitated, ultimately
settling his hand at the small of her back. The innocent touch stole her breath
and fractured her thoughts.
    Part of her argued that going into the Den without an
agreement in place would be a bad move on her part, but his touch had her
wanting to agree to anything if he would just lower his hand a fraction. She
didn’t understand her intense reaction. She’d had men before and enjoyed the
experience, but she’d never felt anything close to what this shifter could do
with one touch.
    Her life was in danger, her sister had been captured, possibly
mortally wounded, and all she could think about was getting his clothes off so
she could see if he tasted as delicious as he looked. She shook her head at her
own folly.
    She shuffled over a few inches to increase the distance
between them, hoping the space would allow her to think, but he followed. She
increased her pace, but he only matched her stride.
    “Stop.” Trina couldn’t take it anymore and halted, neatly
stepping out of his reach. When he moved to follow, she lifted her hands.
    And found them plastered to his chest. She wasn’t
frightened, more bemused by his attitude. “What are you doing?”
    “Doing?” Her rescuer only narrowed his eyes, playing all-innocent.
    Trina dropped her hands and went to step away, only to find
her back square against the wall. Could he really not know what he was doing
and his effect on her?
    That boggled her mind.
    Just think what he could do if he put his mind to it. She shivered
then cursed herself for even putting that thought in her head.
    “Hands to yourself.” If anything, his brows lowered more
ominously. He stepped closer, those large hands settled on either side of her
head as he stopped a breath away from her.
    “Do you have a husband?”
    “What?” Startled, Trina glanced up at him, completely at a
loss to