Defying Asher (Knight Security 1) by Carole Mortimer

fact.”
    “Argue as much as you want. It isn’t going to make the slightest difference. Now take off your boots, jeans, and panties.”
    Lissa was very aware of how alone they were inside her apartment. As she couldn’t miss the determined glint in Asher’s eyes. He really did intend to continue spanking her.
    And that knowledge shouldn’t have sent the heat coursing to her core or caused her nipples to plump into hard and tingling peaks.
    What the hell was wrong with her?
    Asher was an asshole. His threat to continue spanking her was the behavior of a Neanderthal. He—
    “Do you want me to start counting down from ten?”
    Her frown turned into a scowl. “What I want is for you to leave.”
    “Not going to happen.”
    “This is way out of line—”
    “No, you’re the one who was way out of line earlier.” His hands were clenched at his sides. “The person you’re pissed at is whoever shot your father. Not me. Not anyone at Knight Security.”
    “Sensitive, much?”
    “You should know.” He gave a taunting smile.
    Lissa felt the blush warm her cheeks at exactly how she knew of Asher’s “sensitivity.” In certain places, at least. Unfortunately, his heart wasn’t one of them.
    She gave a shake of her head. “I’m not going to apologize.”
    His smile took on a triumphant edge. “I was really hoping you would say that…”
    Lissa took a step back from his predatory one. And then another. And another. Until the backs of her knees made contact with her coffee table. She held her hands up defensively. “You can’t do this, Asher.”
    “Oh, I believe I can.” He loomed over her. “Don’t even think about it,” he warned as Lissa raised her right leg, bending it at the knee as she did so.
    She froze, Asher’s tone all the more dangerous because he spoke so softly. “Think about what?” She played for time as she tried to think of a way out of this situation, and came up empty.
    “Sticking that stiletto heel in my foot or kneeing me in the groin,” he drawled. “It will just piss me off even more, and the count will go up exponentially.”
    Lissa slowly lowered her foot back onto the carpeted floor. “Okay, I apologize.” She forced the words out. “You’re a brute and a bully, and I can’t imagine what I ever saw in you, but I apologize. Satisfied now?” She glared at him resentfully.
    “No.”
    “I apologized, damn it!”
    “But there was a distinct lack of sincerity in your voice when you did.”
    “Yesterday was traumatic. I’ve been awake most of the night.” Tears stung her eyes as she blinked up at him. “I’m just so tired, Asher.”
    “Okay.” He sighed. “I’m willing to commute your sentence of twelve spanks until after we’ve both had some sleep.”
    Some of the tension drained out of her shoulders. “That sounds like an excellent idea.”
    “I’m pretty happy about it too.”
    “Well?” she prompted seconds later when he made no move to leave.
    He raised his brows. “Well, what?”
    “I want to go to bed,” she reminded him.
    “I thought you would never ask.” Asher grinned as he bent to lift her up into his arms, one arm under her knees, the other about her shoulders as he strode down the hallway toward her bedroom.
    “Asher…?” Her arms clung about his muscular shoulders.
    He quirked one dark eyebrow. “You said you were tired.”
    “Not too tired to walk.”
    “There’s just no pleasing you, is there? Can’t you see I’m being gallant, woman.” He scowled.
    “You’re being a—mmfph.” Lissa’s next words were muffled by Asher’s mouth taking possession of hers.
    So much had happened since the last time Asher kissed her. Ethan’s interruption of their lovemaking. Learning her father had been shot. The rush to the hospital. Dealing with her mother’s coldness. Sitting alone at her father’s bedside all night. The argument with Asher this morning.
    And yet it was as if no time had passed at all as her lips parted and she returned