Guardian (Wolf Shifter Romance): Reckless Desires (Alpha Protectors Book 1) Read Free Page A

Playing hard to get? I re-ran the last couple of minutes in my mind. Nothing. I had no idea. This was what I did for a living, noticing things, minute details that ordinary people overlooked, piecing them together like a puzzle. And I had no idea what had just happened.
    A grin tugged at my lips, spreading over my face. I took a bite of my apple, chewing the tart flesh slowly. Well, shit. Things were about to get interesting—and I’d always liked a challenge.

    * * *
    Natasha
    I almost ran the last couple of steps to my bedroom. Once inside, I rested my back on the door, letting it close with a soft click. What the hell had happened out there? One look from him and away I’d run like a frightened rabbit.
    Then again, wolves liked to eat rabbits, and there was no doubt in my mind that this man was a wolf. Or maybe a lion. Not a bear—he didn’t have that grizzled, brute strength about him. Cole was made up of a more sinuous strength, his muscles rippling under his skin, his T-shirt so tight it didn’t take x-ray vision to see that he had a six-pack carved into his stomach, the ridges visible for my eyes to caress.
    Definitely wolf. Like my family.
    I closed my eyes, trying to calm my pulse that was thundering out of control. The pulse he could most certainly hear. I’d seen the way his vivid green eyes had narrowed, glowing faintly, and the way his nostrils had flared, scenting me.
    I stormed over to my bed, flopping down in a huff and crossing my arms over my chest.
    It was his fault. Acting all unprofessional and stuff. My sexual prowess, or how well I’m hung… Totally his fault that the image of him naked had catapulted into my mind and seared itself onto my eyelids. Totally his fault.
    He’d invaded my privacy. Couldn’t a woman fantasize about a hot man without him knowing about it? And, he’d known, all right. With his shifter senses he couldn’t have missed the fact that I was hot for him.
    But it didn’t mean I was going to act on it.
    Though he was good fantasy material, with his dark hair flopping over one eye and his piercing green eyes, his wide, generous mouth… My hand brushed my lips, my eyes squeezed tight. What would his lips feel like? Would his kisses be soft and sweet, little nips and licks gentling me, easing me slowly into the moment? Or would it be an immediate assault, an avalanche of passion and possession? My lips parted under my fingers, a soft breath escaping as I imagined his phantom tongue piercing my mouth, his rough jaw grazing my cheek as he took control of my body.
    It had been so long since a man had held me, since I had allowed myself the freedom to come apart in passion, to ride the wave of lust and desire without thought for the consequences. Because there were always consequences— always .
    It was the cold shower I had needed, and fantasy-Cole evaporated with a pop of regret.
    Just because the man was a tall, cool drink of hotness didn’t mean I had to scratch that particular itch. For me, or for him. Anyway, looking like he did he probably had a different woman every night. It might do his ego some good to actually get turned down for once.
    Sitting up, I grabbed a pair of jeans and dragged them on over my shorts. If he was the best, then I needed him, but only if he agreed to do things my way.
    Mind made up, I quickly dashed into the bathroom and splashed some cold water on my face. Pulling down my hair, I fluffed it out and slipped some contact lenses in. Stepping back from the mirror, I smoothed my forehead and rearranged my lips until the woman who stared back at me from the mirror was one I recognized well.
    Natasha Silk, supermodel and ice-cold bitch.

Chapter Four
    Cole
    T he woman who walked into the living room wasn’t the same one who’d greeted me at the door. I could see the change immediately, and I didn’t like it. My wolf was snarling and snapping inside my head in confusion.
    The softness was gone, her mouth set in a firm line, her eyes clear and