Remember Me (Defiant MC) by Cora Brent Page B

like that to such a piece of pretty sweetness?”
    Annika swallowed.  There was nowhere for her to go.  She was at his mercy.  “What do you want?”
    He smiled again, this time dropping the irksome swagger.  “I want to apologize, Miss Larson.   I know you were frightened today.  That was not the intention.” 
    Annika refused to be cowed, meeting his eye.  “Your friends had some intentions to be ashamed of, Mr. Dolan.”
    There was nothing timid about the purposeful way Mercer Dolan’s eyes raked her over.  She felt unclothed, indecent, but resisted pulling her gown around her body even more tightly.  Mercer’s eyes were full of a fire of want.  She knew any attempt to cover herself would only rouse him further. 
    His voice was thick as he held her gaze.  “A lady is a sight to b ehold in these parts, Miss Larson.  Brings out the foolishness in some men.” 
    “Foolishness,” Annika spat.  “Does a lady’s presence bring out a thieving bravado as well?” 
    He was thoughtful. “Depends on the lady, Miss Larson.” 
    “Today you’ve held a gun to me and barged into my living quarters after dark.  You may as well call me Annika.  And I will call you Mercer.” 
    He said nothing, but his expression changed.   He stopped overtly appraising her assets and stared at her with something resembling wonder. 
    “Why do you do it?” she asked quietly. 
    Mercer didn’t answer so Annika felt brave enough to continue.  “Why not find your way honestly like other men?  Your brother, for instance.” 
    His brown eyes suddenly flashed.  He did not appreciate the mention of James. 
    “I’m not my brother,” he finally said in a voice full of soft regret. 
    “I know,” she told him. 
    What happened next was inexplicable.  Mercer was still staring directly at Annika with hot intensity but he hadn’t moved.  She slid out of the dressing gown, feeling it slip from her shoulders and stood there before him in only her thin chemise.  She’d never been so undressed in front of any man.  When she placed a palm against his rough cheek he closed his eyes.  The heat of his skin was penetrating.  Mercer’s strong arms pulled her against him with a fierce hunger she had never known in all the chaste touches of her life.  Annika registered the broad expanse of his chest and the feel of his hands on her back.  But it was the crush of his lips against hers which brought a silent gasp to her throat and urged her body to press against him harder.  He moved one hand up through her hair, pulling her roughly closer as his tongue conquered her mouth.  Annika’s breasts strained against the flimsy fabric which was rudely pushed away.  With a shock she realized she was bare from the waist up.  A hard presence was pressing between her legs and she welcomed it.  She wanted to feel more of it.  As his mouth sought her breasts she was overcome. 
    God above, how could she resist this?  How could any woman?  She understood it all then; the passions which drove people into the abyss of lust, no matter the consequences.
    “No,” Annika whispered, meaning the word and yet not meaning it. 
    But Mercer paused, withdrawing his mouth.  It was long enough for some of her lost senses to resurface and she pushed him away, furiously covering her naked skin and shaking with a new kind of fear.  She had been horribly imprudent, flinging herself at a violent man and bringing him to a craze of passion.  How could she expect a lawless thug like Mercer Dolan to respect her refusal? 
    Mercer looked away as Annika shakily pulled her clothing around her body.  He seemed to be struggling with himself.
    “Mercer,” she started to say. 
    “Quiet,” he whispered roughly, shaking his head as if he were in some pain.  His hat had fallen to the dirt floor and he carefully placed it back on his head, still not looking at her.   With a mix of relief and regret Annika realized he was intending to leave.  “You