Damian's Assassin

Whoever he was, he was as strong as a lion. His skin was golden, his wide back muscled, lean and defined down to the slender hips and waist. She'd never seen a man as perfectly honed as he was.

She waited until she was certain he was distracted before she crept across the apartment, keeping as close to the wall farthest from him as possible. She reached the door and undid the locks with trembling hands, wondering what kind of person kept five locks on his door. When she'd finished, she twisted the knob and pulled.

Nothing happened. She tugged harder. She rechecked all the locks and tried one more time.

"It's not gonna open."

She jumped at his low, even voice, heart racing. She turned to face him, surprised to find the man who'd almost killed her earlier. He leaned against the wall a few feet from her, arms crossed and cold blue eyes on her. He was even more striking than she remembered. His cheekbones were high, his chiseled face matching the chiseled body. From his shoulders to his chest to his flat midsection, every part of him looked as if he'd been carefully carved from stone.

"Of all the weapons under the bed, you chose that one?" he asked, looking at the scissors.

"I didn't see any others," she murmured.

"A woman always has weapons in the bedroom."

She flushed, sensing he wasn't talking about knives and guns. He studied her for a long minute. Uncomfortable, she cleared her throat.

"Are you going to …" She drifted off and displayed her scarred forearms.

He stepped forward, taking the scissors from her in one hand and one of her wrists in the other. His fingers were long and slim, his palms round. Even his hands were muscular, and she couldn't help comparing his light touch to Talon's brutal grip. Her gaze went to his chest and thick arms. His movements were controlled, his strength restrained. She felt his body heat from the short distance between them and recognized his scent from the sheets.

"Talon?" he asked.

She nodded. He traced the long scar marking Talon's attempt to slice her arm in two from elbow to wrist. She winced and pulled away, remembering the pain too well. He didn't move away, and she looked up at last.

His direct gaze was intense as he took in her features. His gaze went lower, and she flushed again as he looked her over. It wasn't the same type of scrutiny as Talon's feral, maniacal look. This man's look was considering, as if he were trying to memorize her features in case he needed the information in the future.