Leopard 03 - Burning Wild

Jake’s hand snaked out, fingers settling around her wrist like a bracelet. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not going anywhere.” With one hand he removed Andraya. “Go with Susan.
    There’s a good girl,” he murmured.
    Andraya studied his face for a moment to determine if a temper tantrum would do any good, but when she saw the inflexible set of his jaw, she went willingly with Susan. Jake waited until the children had gone down the stairs.
    “I have a standing order in this house. We don’t have visitors unless I okay them first. I said Senator Hindman and his daughter were welcome to come occasionally, I don’t recall ever giving permission for anyone else. Unless Susan is considered the ‘bad lady’ and has made you cry, that means someone else has been on my property and in my home.”
    Each word was distinct, bit out between his teeth, his voice lower than normal and rumbling with menace.
    Emma stepped back—she couldn’t help herself—but he followed, step for step, like a macabre dance, until her back hit the wall and she couldn’t go any farther. Jake planted his hands against the wall on either side of her head, effectively caging her in. Up close he was quite large and intimidating and he knew it, and he didn’t mind this time that she looked up at him with a touch of fear in her eyes. A good scare might do some good.
    “Right after you left on this last trip, Jerico was on duty at the gate and he called the house and told me your girlfriend was here.”
    His eyebrow shot up. “My girlfriend? I don’t have girl-friends and you know it.”
    Impatience crossed her expressive face. “Fine, then—the woman you sleep with.”
    “I don’t sleep with women either—unless it’s you. Who is this woman who claimed to be my girlfriend? Did she actually use that silly phrase?”
    Impatience went to pure exasperation. “ Jerico used that phrase. He said your girlfriend, Linda Rawlins, was at the gate and needed to come up to the house.”
    “And you fell for that?”
    “I thought you were dating her. And sleeping with her.” He allowed utter derision mixed with contempt to show in his eyes. “I don’t date and I don’t sleep. She came to my office in town and blew me a couple of times. I fucked her, pure and simple, because I hurt like hell and wanted it to stop. She knew there were no strings and never would be. My girlfriend.” He shook his head. “I thought you knew better than that. What the hell did she want?”
    He pulled out his radio and spoke into it. “Drake, I want Jerico waiting in my office immediately.” He glanced down at Emma. “I know you instructed a bodyguard to come into the house with her. Give me a name.”
    “Jake.” She tilted her chin at him.
    “Don’t make me any angrier than I already am.”
    Emma blew out her breath, dropped her eyes and shrugged. “Joshua.” Emma curled her fingers curled into two tight fists.
    Jake stared down at her, deliberately goading her, angry that she’d put herself in the line of fire when he’d gone to so much trouble to protect her. In another minute, if she didn’t get her temper under control, she was going to take a swing at him. He spoke into the radio a second time. “Have Joshua join me there as well.” He caught Emma’s chin and forced her to look at him. “A slut is a slut no matter where she comes from, Emma, and you should know that. How could you let her trick you and invade my home?”
    “If she’s a slut, what does that make you?” Emma demanded, almost spitting mad. “She isn’t the only woman you have falling all over herself to have sex with you.”
    Her eyes were beautiful, almost glowing, like two dazzling emerald jewels. He wouldn’t have been surprised if sparks flew at him at any moment. “The difference is, Linda would sell her soul to the highest bidder and she uses sex to try to get what she wants.”
    “And you don’t?”
    “Not yet. But believe me, honey, that’s going to happen soon. Now tell me what the hell went on and how the children got involved.”
    “Go to hell.” Her temper rose to meet his.
    His gaze narrowed, focused, burned into hers. His body went still, aggressive, dominating, as he surrounded her with power and heat.
    She took a breath. He had moved closer, and that single inhalation pushed her breasts against his chest so that he felt the rise and fall, felt the slide of her hard nipples against him. Lightning streaked from chest to groin. He wanted to press