Guarded (True Alpha 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

before. Her body still hummed from the pleasure he had lavished on her. And he had taught her more than one way to return the favor. It was like they had been locked in a secret time bubble where there was nothing but their bodies and the pleasure they would wring from them.
    She supposed they had to come back to real life some time.
    She squirmed in her seat again, the memories bringing back a flush of pleasure with them. Lucas was plating their food and soon brought it over, returning to bring two glasses of juice as well. He took the seat opposite her, but the silence continued. She was so ravenous, she didn’t mind. They both consumed everything he had cooked in less than half the time it took to make it.
    As they were finishing, he finally spoke. “We’ll need to go by your dorm and clear out your things. Whatever is important to you, bring it. I don’t know when it will be safe to go there again.”
    She nodded and glanced around at his immaculate apartment. “I don’t have much. And it probably won’t fit in with your gorgeous apartment, but I promise I won’t take up too much space.”
    He scowled at his plate, hesitated, then finally lifted those dark eyes to meet her gaze. Her heart rate picked up even before he spoke. Something was wrong.
    “You can’t stay here, Mia.” It was the same cool tone he had the night before, only minus the anger. Although that wasn’t exactly right—he seemed angry at something, it just wasn’t her.
    Her heart sank. “Oh.” She couldn’t think of what else to say.
    “Last night was… amazing,” he said, the frown still deep on his face. “But it would be better if we just left it at that.”
    Her stomach twisted, the eggs suddenly feeling like a rock inside her. “That’s not what you said this morning.” Anger was rising up in her like bile. He did just want to screw the intern, after all. It felt like he was throwing her away… but that wasn’t right either. He was moving her out of her dorm because he wanted to protect her. He had promised to protect her.
    He gritted his teeth, staring at his plate again. “I told you before,” he said quietly. “I have a hard time resisting you.” Then he looked up, and the heat was back—the same passion he had shown her all night long in his arms.
    She held his gaze for a breathless moment. “Then don’t resist.”
    He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. “You don’t understand.”
    “Tell me,” she said, still holding her breath. If only he would open up to her about it… let out the darkness that was holding him back…
    He dragged his gaze back to her. For a moment, she thought he might tell her. “Maybe someday, Mia.” The painful honesty in his eyes ripped into her. “But for now… I’m sorry. I just… can’t have you here.” He rose up from the table, taking her dish as well as his into the kitchen.
    She watched him go, a lump in her throat. “But you’re moving me out of my dorm.” There was a tremble in her voice.
    He set the dishes in the sink and turned back to her. “We’ll find you a place to stay. Probably just a hotel for now.”
    She got up from her chair and stared across the chasm of cold the kitchen had become. They had made love in this room… or maybe they simply had sex. She wasn’t sure anymore.
    “You’re not going to stay with me at the hotel.” She didn’t let it be a question, just a confirmation that she understood the conditions he was setting.
    “I’ll stay until I’m sure it’s secure,” he said. “Then I’ll hire someone to watch over you.”
    She bit her lip. “But I’ll still see you in the office?” That one actually was a question. Did she still have a job? Did she literally screw herself out of the best job she’d ever had?
    “Of course.” His stance softened, and he unlocked his arms. “You’ll have a position at SparkTech as long as you need. Or want.”
    That made her heart skip a little. And it gave her time… time to convince