His to Take (Wicked Lovers #9)(38)
Author: Shayla Black

Well, he wasn’t any expert, but he didn’t see how Blane talking and demonstrating would be productive. Something had to motivate her to tear down her barricades and share herself. She was keeping her feelings in for a reason. Fear? Self-consciousness? Could be anything. “I have faith in you. You’ll find it.”

Of course, until he figured out how to stop the crazies at LOSS from chasing after her, she wouldn’t be dancing for anyone. But one glance at her and Joaquin knew she’d been born for it. Her soul would wither without it.

He still wanted to avenge Nate, but he needed to fix this for her, too. How and why she’d become important he wasn’t sure. He wasn’t going to examine it, just admit that she was now a priority. He would make it better for her, period.

She sent him a tremulous smile, her pillowy mouth curling up. “Thank you. You know it’s really twisted that you abducted me, and yet I’ve had more meaningful conversation with you than I had with my last three boyfriends put together. File me under Patty Hearst.”

Joaquin laughed. Bailey was unpredictable—and he kind of liked that about her. The last colleague he’d tried to date? Snorefest. He’d known what she’d do next way before it had even crossed her mind. But this little ballerina seemed constantly full of surprises.

“Maybe it would help if you think of me not as a kidnapper, but as someone who just wants you to live to dance another day.”

Her eyes lit up. “I like that. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans before he grabbed her again and kissed her breathless.

She took a half step toward him like she might want the same thing. Joaquin sucked in a harsh breath. If he touched her now, he’d lose his damn mind and peel her clothes off. As good as fucking her senseless sounded, she was too raw. She needed to process the revelation of her identity. He didn’t need to give her something more to deal with.

But even with perfectly sound logic rolling through his head, Joaquin reached down to cup her face as she lifted it to him. Hell, he could drown in her eyes. She retained an innate sweetness he could almost taste on his tongue . . .

Christ, listen to him. Next he’d be drinking red wine and reciting poetry while taking long walks on the beach. What was up with that?

Still, he really didn’t give a shit how stupid he sounded as long as he got to taste Bailey again.

He leaned in, closer, dropping his lips near hers. His cock stiffened. His heart pounded. His breathing turned sharp. Just another inch until he had her mouth under his again . . .

A knock at the door startled him, and he jerked upright to find Thorpe barging inside again. He swore. Jesus, this guy had the worst timing ever. Hell of a bad trait for a Dungeon Master.

“What?” Joaquin barked, stepping close to Bailey. Shielding her as if he had to protect her from Thorpe? Where was his head? Well, besides in her panties . . .

“Just had a call from Axel.” Thorpe sounded grim.

Joaquin looked over his shoulder at Bailey, but she met his gaze head-on. Despite all the bad news she’d already had today, she hadn’t totally fallen apart. The woman was made of stern stuff.

“You ready to hear this?” he asked, double-checking.

“If it has anything to do with the people looking for me, then yes. I need to get back to my life so I can figure out what that’s meant to be.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that she didn’t have to wade to a conclusion all alone, but he stopped himself. After this case was over, probably in the next day or two, it was unlikely he’d ever see her again. He might not be a peach, but he refused to make promises he couldn’t keep.

“Good,” Thorpe said into the silence, shutting the door behind him. “Here’s what I’ve got. You have an elderly neighbor on your west?”

Bailey stepped up beside him and nodded. “Mrs. Lester. She’s kind of a busybody, but she means well. Why?”

“Magically, Axel charmed her into talking.”

“No, she likes to talk.”

“Maybe that’s it, because Axel doesn’t have a charming side. Anyway, she’s been watching your place all day. Seems she got suspicious when men started showing up at your house. She said that you having so much male company was out of character.”

She didn’t deny it. “Except Blane. She’s used to seeing him.”

“Apparently, Mrs. Lester saw you snooping around yesterday, Joaquin. She got pretty indignant when she didn’t see you leave and assumed you’d spent the night.” Thorpe chuckled.

He didn’t see the humor. “Who else dropped by?”