Purr For The Alpha (A Paranormal Romance) (Timber Valley Pack) by Georgette St. Clair Page B

quavery.
    “It most certainly does.”
    “I need a shower,” she said desperately. God, did she need a shower. She’d been running her ass off all night, she was sweaty and smelled like the inside of a bar. 
    “Fine. But first we’re going to have a little talk.”
    His finger remained under her chin, and he brushed his free hand gently down the side of her face. “I’ve been watching you for a long time, Karen. Watching you when you didn’t realize it. I’ve wanted you for ages, and now I finally have you.”
    “No , you don’t.” Her voice came out in a tiny squeak. Dear God, did she want this man. She wanted him so much that it terrified her.  He could sweep in and shatter all of her defenses, and then where would that leave her? Defenseless, that’s where.
    “Oh, you know I do.” He brushed his lips across hers gently, and a moan escaped her. She closed her eyes, and drew in a deep breath.
    “You see?” he said, his voice gone low and rumbling. “ We’re two adults here, Karen. There’s no reason for us to lie to ourselves. We’re going to see where this takes us.”
    “I can’t let you in like that,” she said desperately.
                  He ignored her protests. His gaze held her captive, and she swayed where she stood, light-headed. “I want to have you. I want to own you, and in return I want you to own me. You can relax with me, Karen, you can let down those barriers that you keep up between you and the rest of the world.”
                  “I can’t relax. I never relax.”
                  “By surrendering yourself to me, you will gain strength. My strength. It’s there for you.” His voice was commanding and hypnotic. She couldn’t wrench her gaze from his. Hunger and need pulsed through her body, and she struggled not to sink to her knees in front of him. His gentle hand on her face held her in place.
    “ I will dominate you. I will give you pleasure. I will be the only one to give you pleasure. You will belong to me, and I will be proud to show you off and let the world know it.  You will surrender to me and let me be your guide, in the bedroom. Outside of the bedroom, you’ll let me be your partner. You’ll turn to me when you need help.”
                  “I can’t do all of that.” She shook her head in protest. “That’s not me.”
                  “You can, and you will. Go take that shower, and I’ll be waiting for you when you come out.” He dropped his hand and stepped away from her.
    She shook herself out of her trance and rushed off to the bathroom. The hot water sluicing down on her skin was a tease; she imagined Ty lapping at her, running his hands over her bare, damp flesh. 
    She toweled off and then stepped into a pair of pink flannel pajamas, and buttoned the shirt up to the top.
    I’m going to say no to him, she told herself sternly.
    She walked down the hallway towards the living room, balling and releasing her fists.
    Yes. No. Maybe. No! Just one night? No!
    Dear God, she was making herself crazy.
    When she came out, he’d also showered. His hair stuck up in wet spikes. He had a towel wrapped around his waist, but other than that he wore nothing. She tried not to stare at the drops of water beading on his broad, muscular chest, or at his dusky brown nipples, or the perfect squares of his six-pack abs.
                  “Come sit on the couch with me,” he said.
                  She sank down onto the brown leather couch, sitting as far from him as she could and pressing her knees tightly together.
                  “Why do you feel the need to always be in control?” he asked.
                  She took a deep breath, and bit her lip. It was hard for her to open herself up to anyone, much less the man who was inspiring a raging lust-storm of hormones in her nether regions.
                  He sat and waited