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She stormed past him. “There’s absolutely nothing good about it.”
“So I see.”
Whirling around, Felicity let him have it. “I went out tonight,” she said, stabbing a finger toward the door. “You know — like a normal single woman. To a bar. With people. Men, specifically. Because I figured a good fight or a good fuck would improve my mood.”
Ronan’s eyebrow lifted.
“Lost out on the fight,” she went on, pacing now. “Because the broody stranger across the table from me was undercover and I wasn’t about to blow whatever angle he’s working. Figured I’d settle for a fuck with him.”
She threw up her hands. “And then he turns out to be married.”
Ronan leaned against the closed door, arms folding slowly across his chest.
“I don’t fuck married men. Ever.”
Silence settled between them for a moment.
Her chest rose and fell with the force of her breathing.
“That’s my third strikeout in a row. And somehow,” she finished, glaring at him, “it’s all your fault.”
Ronan didn’t move from the doorframe. “If you’re looking for a fight or a fuck, Deputy,” he said quietly, “you didn’t need to go hunting. I can give you both.”
She stepped closer, stopping just inside his space.
Close enough to see the small scar near his collarbone.
Close enough to feel the heat coming off his skin.
To smell him.
He didn’t move.
Didn’t reach out. Didn’t touch her.
The pulse in his clenched jaw ticked.
“You’re angry,” she said quietly. Surprised. Pleased?
“No,” he shot back. “I’m pissed.”
She fought back a self-satisfied smile. “Same thing.”
“Not even close.”
She jabbed a finger into his chest. “Is too.”
She knew she was being irrational now. Losing every shred of self-preservation as his scent, his heat — his Ronan-ness — closed in around her.
His hand clamped around her wrist. Not rough. Just firm enough to stop the next jab. The contact sent a sharp pulse of awareness up her arm.
His grip tightened as he stepped forward. Felicity’s back hit the wall with a soft thud. One moment she’d been crowding him. The next he was everywhere.
Heat. Hard muscle. Controlled strength.
His free hand braced beside her head. “You came here looking for trouble.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Looks like you found it.”
“Bold words,” she said, lifting her chin.
