Seductively: Playing for Hearts Book 2 (Crimson Romance) by Debra Kayn

than Dominic.”
    Dominic pushed to his feet and punched the air. One, two, added a kick, one, two. She leaned back. He was getting serious, and she wondered if he used those fighting skills to kick ass on the rink.
    He caught her eye, and she almost pleaded with him to stop. Today was his day off. He shouldn’t be working out, or selling his sweat. A sharp pang squeezed her heart. He looked miserable and beaten.
    “Dominic?”
    He spared her a glance, but kept moving. “Yeah?”
    “Don’t,” she spoke softly. “Please.”
    At her pleading, he dropped his arms. Not even out of breath, he walked to her. Her heart raced. What did this man do to her? What was it about him that made her care if Nomora exposed him?
    “What are you asking?” He caught one of her curls and hooked it behind her ear.
    “Don’t give them a piece of you. You’re you, Dominic Chekovsky, and you shouldn’t be marketed. You’re my boyfriend, remember?” She grabbed his wrist. “We’ll figure out a way to make it all go away. Together.”
    He seemed to study her, and then he nodded. She sagged in relief. “Thank you.”
    Dominic stepped around her and faced Mr. Ratt. “I’m sorry. I’ve changed my mind.”
    “B-but you can’t do that, Mr. Chekovsky. My supervisors are counting on me to bring them back the proper samples.” Mr. Ratt moved forward and swept the cloth down Dominic’s arm.
    “No.” Diana rushed forward and grabbed the towel. “He said he doesn’t want to be part of the study. It’s time for you to leave, and if you come back without proper permission we’ll issue a restraining order and take you to court for harassment.”
    “He’s special — ”
    “No.” She pushed the man into the other room. “He’s human. That’s something you all have forgotten. Now gather your things, and I’ll see you out. Good bye, Mr. Ratt.”
    True to her word, she never left the representative’s side. She shut the door, threw the lock, and inhaled deeply before turning around and facing Dominic. Standing up for him and asking him to refuse to take part in the study took their relationship to a new level. There was no going backward. She’d staked her claim, and he knew it.
    The air grew thick in the house. She wouldn’t be able to walk to her room without explaining why she’d blurted out her attraction to him. He’d demand answers on why she cared if he shared his scent with the world. Questions she wasn’t ready to answer, because she didn’t understand it herself.
    It took her brain longer than it should have to realize Dominic was standing in front of her. Taken completely unaware by the predatory look in his eyes, she swallowed hard. He was against her before she could react.
    His mouth hard and hot on hers. He wasn’t asking, but taking. Demanding.
    My God, he was scrumptious. A spicy, sensual aphrodisiac that left her putty in his hands.
    He forced his tongue into her mouth, and sucked the breath right out of her. She moaned with pleasure that came from deep down in her core. His hands were rough and unyielding as they molded against the small of her back and gripped the curve of her ass. There was no room for space, even air, between their bodies as he kissed her.
    She’d never seen him look so possessive. A shiver ran through her.
    As he pulled back to yank his T-shirt out of his jeans, she panted. With his torso bared before her, with all of his hard heat within her reach to caress and run her tongue across, she wanted him more powerfully than she’d wanted anything in her life.
    How would she ever get her fill of him? Her stomach knotted in anxiety.
It isn’t possible.
    Moreover, she was the one who was going to end up hurt.
    “Stop.” She pushed away and cupped her elbows in her hand. “This isn’t smart.”
    “Yes. It is.” Dominic tossed his shirt behind him and reached for her again.
    She shook her head. “It’d be a huge mistake. You’re not right for me.”
    He frowned. “Why the hell