"Before tomorrow. Yes. I do. That's my job." He emptied his pockets, his hand closing around a roll of LifeSavers.
A whispery rustle sounded behind him, his only warning that she approached until she eased close enough for him to smell her. A man could lose himself in that smoky sensuality.
And damn but did he ever need to lose himself tonight.
Anger, frustration and a pile of other emotions he didn't want to label popped through him like gunfire until he snapped at her, "Are you dense or just that pushy to stay where you aren't wanted?"
She stared back unflinching, her hands loosely clutching the scarf. "If I only went where I was wanted, I would not have anywhere to be lately, now would I?"
He would not allow himself to feel sorry for her. "Well, lady, at least you're alive."
Her clasped hands inched forward until she hooked one soft finger over his clenched fist. "I thought perhaps you might be upset by what happened. You do not like for others to know you are sensitive, an understandable thing for a man in your position."
"Upset?" He jerked back. "Yeah, I'm upset."
He stared down at the roll of candy in his hands. His fist clenched tighter until the fire of emotions inside him built into a collective blast. He hauled back. Flung the candy with a curse.
The roll exploded against the wall, raining lemon- and cherry-flavored fury on the floor.
Yasmine flinched, but didn't pull away or even speak.
"If you had any sense, woman, you'd get the hell away from me right now."
Still she didn't move or answer.
He wanted to punch his fist through the wall, which would break his hand and put him out of action. Damn it, he needed an outlet for the rage bellowing inside him.
More than that, he needed Yasmine to leave his room before he lost what little control he had left. "What do you want from me? I'm not in the mood for games. Damn it, I'm not even sure you know what you want."
Although she'd made it clear not too long ago with her supple body draping all over him in a kiss that seared from the inside out. Even remembering brought heat, desire, darker feelings from a side of him far from sensitive. Shit, yeah, he was weak right now. One nudge and he'd fall over the edge.
She stepped closer, bringing all that smoky sensuality with her. "No games. And believe me, Drew, I know exactly what I want from you."
Her fingers went to the top button of her dress. Ah, hell. He knew he should stop her, but his battered brain went on stun. She couldn't actually be about to...
Black linen slid from her shoulders, hooked on pert breasts, before gliding free to pool around her ankles in a dark cloud. And she wasn't wearing a damned stitch of clothing underneath.
More than a nudge, she'd packed a full-out shove to a man already standing on the edge.
Chapter 15
Yasmine willed herself to stand still as Drew's shocked gaze locked on her na*ed body. If he laughed at her, she would die. Or kill him.
She hoped she had not misjudged. She was so certain he desired her and would welcome comfort. Her comfort.
Stay resolved. She wanted this and perhaps she was selfishly taking advantage of a weak moment, but then, ultimately they would both be glad. Yes, she was being greedy, but she also saw the pain of loss in a man who looked out for everyone and had no one to look after him. For tonight at least, that would change.
Drew scrubbed a hand over his face. "Please tell me you haven't been like that under your clothes all the time."
She shook her head. "Only at night. Only for you."
His blue eyes flecked with molten steel. There was something a little ferocious about him tonight in his grief, but she kept focused on his eyes. She knew he would never hurt her.
Then he exploded into action. She forced herself not to flinch.
"Shit." He yanked his sleeping bag off his cot and threw it around her shoulders. "You don't know what the hell you're doing."
"You are wrong." She stepped closer, kicking her clothes aside.