"I wanted you," he said in his low growl, the one that gave her chills.
"Why? So you could block others? Revenge against Kris? An easy food source following you around for the rest of all time?"
She jabbed him in the chest with each question, unwilling to back down. He snatched her upper arms and pushed her against the wall, his body close enough for their chests to brush when either breathed in. The silver eyes were fiery, and apprehension fluttered through her. His scent tickled her senses, his nearness making her warm body warmer.
"I. wanted. You."
His words were forced through clenched teeth.
"There's gotta be more!" she returned. "You're immortal. You could have any woman you wanted in any time you wanted, including one who'd be far more docile than I am."
"You came after me at the Arch."
"Yeah. So?"
"Why?" he demanded.
"I knew you were in danger."
"You could've left me to my fate, and you didn't. You were a loyal blood monkey."
The thought of leaving him to die had never crossed her mind. However, the thought of swan diving off a cliff the next time he called her a damn blood monkey was getting more tempting with each day!
"I can't do this much longer," she whispered. "I can't deal with all this shit."
"You're strong. You'll survive."
"I don't want to survive! I want to be happy and not worry about creatures trying to kill me or how often I'll be wandering into one of your massacres!"
"This --"
"I know, I know! This is my life, and I belong to you. You're such an insensitive bastard."
She strained against him. He didn't budge. Exhausted, she rested her head, then her body, against him. She was tired of fighting, tired of his attitude, tired of everything.
He'd hugged her before, an anomaly, she was sure, until his arms now moved around her again. Would she ever understand him? He didn't give a damn about her, and he sounded as if he'd rather she jump from a cliff than bother him.
And then he brought her here to be healed. He held her. At one point, he'd called her beautiful and tonight, he'd called her strong. He rested his chin on her head. She liked the way he smelled, how strong and solid his body was. It was more than comforting; she wanted to melt against him and stay there.