Page 16 of Patrick’s Seduction

“Then what do I have to do so you’ll help me? Anita said that your company is the best. That I could trust you to help me. Whatever it is I need to do…”

She caught his gaze then, just as he was lowering it to her lips, then her neck and torso, before quickly lifting it back to meet her eyes. The entire action hadn’t taken more than a second, and maybe she’d imagined it, but the look he was giving her now had changed. Something in his eyes was different. They were still green, but there seemed to be a golden ring around his irises. A trick of the light most likely, but it made him look more approachable. As if she’d somehow uncovered his soft side, his weak point.

She must have taken a step toward him, because she suddenly stood only a couple of feet away from him, close enough to touch. She wetted her lower lip, while she felt a pleasant warmth rise to her cheeks.

“Please, take my case,” she whispered, not knowing when she’d made the decision to beg him for help. But somehow, she sensed that he could help her, if only he would agree to it.

“Fallon, I shouldn’t be here…” Yet he made no motion to head for the door.

She suddenly sensed the electricity between them, felt it dancing on her naked arms, her neck, her bare feet. At the same time, it paralyzed her, making her unable to step back from him, to pull herself from the draw he had on her. As if he was a magnet, and she a mere nail. But that thought was stupid. Maybe it was the glass of wine she’d downed that was hitting her empty stomach now, making her unable to think straight or command her muscles to move.

She leaned in, tilting her face up, unable to stop herself. His chest was suddenly brushing against hers, and his face was only inches from hers. His lips parted, and she couldn’t stop herself from resisting the desire that welled up inside her. She bridged the last few inches separating them and kissed him.

The moment his lips touched Fallon’s his brain stopped working. Because if it had been working, he would have severed the contact instantly, knowing this was a bad idea. But his brain had shut down, and now another part of his anatomy was doing the thinking. Hell, if he’d been thinking at all, he would have never let it come this far. He would have never stepped closer to her. He would have stayed at least ten feet away from her so he wouldn’t be tempted to touch her. Clearly, that had worked out well—not.

He could have easily called Fallon on the phone, updating her as to what he’d found out so far. It hadn’t been necessary to visit her at home. Instead, he’d made excuses for himself, reasoning that it was best to see what security precautions she was taking at home, so he could make suggestions of how she could protect herself better.

Bullshit! You wanted to visit her to be close to her, you horny, selfish bastard.

Yeah, well, the damage was done. He couldn’t back away now, couldn’t stop this kiss when it had barely started. A kiss that he’d been hungering for since the moment he’d laid eyes on Fallon. A kiss he should have never initiated.

Fallon’s lips were warm and smooth, her response to him immediate, without hesitation. Patrick slid one hand to her nape while he wrapped his other arm around her waist, drawing her closer. Her soft breasts pressed to his chest, and he noticed that she wasn’t wearing a bra underneath the casual T-shirt. He could feel her heart drumming against his chest, her hot blood pulsing in her veins.

Her tongue met his as he delved into her mouth to explore her. He tasted the bouquet of red wine on her breath, making him aware even more of how vulnerable she was. But instead of this fact stopping him, it drove his desire for her to a more urgent level. She was all woman, sin personified, vulnerable to the core, and his vampire side rejoiced at that revelation.

Fallon should have pushed him back by now, should have asked him to stop, but when she didn’t, he deepened the kiss, drinking in her scent and her taste. Just kissing her and feeling her respond so openly to him, made him hungry for even more. And hungrily, he took what she was giving him, kissing her more passionately, pressing his groin to her sex, making her aware of what she was doing to him, how quickly he was getting aroused.

Fuck, he was harder than a crowbar and only moments away from tearing her clothes off to sink his aching cock into her. At that thought, he ripped his lips from hers and reared back, releasing her as if he’d burnt himself. And in a way, he had. Because he had no right to kiss her, to touch her, and to want even more from her. She’d asked for his protection, not for him to make love to her. If she tossed him out now, it wouldn’t surprise him. He’d acted like a selfish prick, letting his needs and desires take over and practically assault her.

“I’m sorry. I should have never…” he stammered, swallowing hard, her taste running down his throat, sending little bolts of pleasure through his heated body.

He lifted his eyes to face her, expecting her to glare at him furiously, but instead, her cheeks were reddened, and her eyes cast downward, evading his gaze. Her lips looked bruised, reminding him of how intense their kiss had been.

“I apologize, Fallon, I don’t know what came over me.” He paused, not sure how to interpret her silence. “I should have never taken the liberty... I can promise you that it won’t happen again. You’re vulnerable, and you don’t need a stranger practically mauling you. I can assign somebody else from Scanguards to your case if you feel uncomfortable around me now.”

Though it would be a hard decision to make, because he wanted to be the one to keep her safe. “Please, Fallon…”

Finally, she lifted her eyes and looked at him. “It’s my fault. I, uhm… I made the first move.”

He shook his head slowly. Why would she blame herself, when it was absolutely clear that he’d been the one who’d stepped over the line and initiated this kiss?

“I’m not like that,” she added. “Not normally. I’m more reserved… I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Patrick interrupted. “I behaved in an inexcusable manner.”

She inhaled audibly, before she answered, “So you’re not giving up my case? You’ll help me with getting Cameron to leave me in peace?”

“Yes, of course.”

How could he say no to her now, even if he wasn’t sure how much of her story was true? He wished that Hank had corroborated her story. But that didn’t matter right now.

“Do you want me to assign your case to one of my guys? Then you won’t have to deal with me anymore.”

He waited, dreading her answer. What if she said yes? Then he had no reason to see her again.

“Please, if you can handle this yourself, I think I would be more comfortable with you than having to trust somebody new.”

Surprised and elated, he nodded. “Thank you. I’ll check into a few other things regarding Cameron tomorrow.” He motioned to the hallway. “I should leave now, and let you get some rest.”