His pupils narrowed, and he shifted his weight, moving her slightly back. An erection beneath his shorts, hard and strong, pressed against her left buttock.

Her mouth opened. “Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh.” Amusement now melded with need in his eyes. “I’ve wanted you since I first saw you in the forest outside of Hunter’s cabin, and after having you one night, without question I want more. A lot more.”

“You still owe me an umbrella.” Her breath quickened, and heat rolled through her abdomen in slow motion. She’d been heading over to visit her buddy Hunter, and Wolfe had found her, dragging her to the cabin. Then he’d asked her out once Hunter had explained they were friends. The second she’d gotten to know Wolfe, he’d turned off the charm and had placed her in the friend zone. “You’re not responsible for everyone around you. You get that, right?”

“Yeah.” His minty breath, with just a hint of whiskey, brushed her cheek. “However, things are about to get bloody. You need to be away from the danger in a safe house. I’m having Force look into one for you.”

Hurt sliced through her. So that’s why he’d put her on his lap. With his arms around her, she couldn’t move. “No.”

“Yes.” He leaned in, his gaze intense. “Somebody has taken a hit out on you. Even though I believe it was limited to those two morons tonight, you’re in danger. I need to know you’re safe while I take care of it.”

“I’m a journalist, and I never get scared off a story.” It was really difficult to argue with that hard-on right beneath her. “Plus, I made a promise that I’d figure out who killed Candy and finish her story. You wouldn’t let anybody put you in a safe house.”

“I don’t care.” For the first time, he dropped the gentlemanly act. “I’m done playing fair. You’re going to a safe house, and that’s final.”

A laugh burst out of her before she could stop it. She clapped a hand over her mouth, struggling to regain control.

His lids half-lowered, giving him the look he’d had as an undercover dom.

Her amusement fled. She sobered. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m going to a family wedding on Saturday, and then I’m coming back and getting to work. You can’t stop me.” Okay. That was a childish challenge, and by the hardening of his already rock-solid jaw, he was about to pick it up. So she did the only thing a smart girl could do. She grabbed the sides of his head and kissed him, full on, her lips against his.