Page 91 of Elite Metal: Warriors

“I would like to stay with him, sir.” She didn’t know why she called him sir. He wasn’t her boss. And it really annoyed Ben. He might have growled, so she shot him a grin. Or a smirk.

Whatever it was, it didn’t help. Ben’s features tightened. His nostrils flared. His eyes got that look in them. His fingers curled as though he needed to keep his hand from smacking her ass. Or something.

Oh, lovely.

She pushed to her feet and stretched. Yawned widely. “Can we finish this tomorrow?”

“I don’t know,” Titanium said. “Can we?”

She shot him a curious glance.

“You seem to have a wealth of information. I want to make sure we get it all before you leave.”

Oh. Oh dear. The way Ben bristled captured her attention. The lab, who’d been quiet and well-behaved up until now, whined. “Leave? She’s not leaving.” A roar.

“Of course she is, Lithium. We have to get her into Witness Relocation. Where she’ll be safe.”

“She’s safe here. With me.”

Something in his tone touched her, stroked her. Soothed her. “You…you want me to stay?”

“Hell-fucking-yes.” He grabbed her and yanked her into his arms and kissed her. Hard. Harsh. As though he’d waited long enough. As though his boss weren’t in the room. Or he didn’t give a flying shit if he was.

It was a savage melding of mouths. A breath-stealer. A heart-stealer. When he lifted his head, he frowned at her. “That is, if you want to stay?” A question. And not.

“Stay with you?” She cupped his cheek.

“Stay with me.” A plea.

“I would love to stay with you.”

He stared at her, his eyes red-rimmed, his lips working. And then he pulled her close and kissed her again.

Titanium snorted. “Come on, Annie,” he said, motioning to the lab. “This will probably go on for a while.”

Michelle was barely aware they left the room.

Ben pulled back and kissed her forehead, then braced his against hers, staring into her eyes. “I don’t know what this is between us,” he said in a ragged voice. “I’ve never known love. But…”

“But?”

“But I think this may be it. I just don’t want you to leave. Cannot bear the thought of you leaving.”

“I don’t want to leave.”

“Do you…? Could you…? Do you think you could ever feel…like that for me?”

“Could I ever love you?”

“Could you?”

She stroked his cheek, thumbing the scars he wore like a badge. “Silly rabbit.” His brow darkened so she hurried to add, “I already do, George. I already do…”

He stared at her in silence as myriad emotions rippled over his features. Surprise, gratitude, devotion. She steeped in it. Steeped in the moment.

Then his expression firmed into something she now recognized and welcomed. The rumble of his growl sent excitement and anticipation whipping through her. “What did I tell you about calling me George?” he asked in a harsh voice. His lips hardly quirked at all.

Oh, she remembered. She remembered just fine. Her ass trembled at the memory of his palm. “Was that supposed to be some kind of deterrent…George?”