“Did you think that was a threat? I don’t do threats, Evangeline. You’re my woman. You made that commitment to me. I get that you’re afraid. I get that I’m intense and my world is violent and scary, everything you don’t want, but running isn’t the answer because I would come after you and you’d be all the more frightened because of it. That’s a fact, not a threat.”

His voice was pitched low, like it always was. She loved the way he sounded so commanding. Mesmerizing. So completely in control. He wasn’t. He just believed that he was. She tilted her head and studied his features. He was far too rugged and tough-looking to be called handsome, but she loved the way he looked. All man. All hers.

“I didn’t leave for a reason, Fyodor.”

“Your reason?”

“I couldn’t.” She stated the stark truth. Felt raw for revealing so much to him, but she couldn’t help herself. Telling him made her feel vulnerable and exposed, but he looked so remote, as if she’d hurt him but he refused to acknowledge it.

“Just so you know,” she continued, “I’m not so easy to find when I don’ want to be found. I stayed because I can’t leave you, not because I was afraid you’d come after me and find me.”

“Come here.”

Her heart jerked, nearly stopped and then began pounding. She knew he heard because she did. She studied him, taking her time. The room had gone from scary tension to sexual tension in one heartbeat. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, suddenly aware of her body going liquid. Of her breasts swelling and aching. He did that without even trying. With one small command.

“Evangeline.”

Her name. That was all he said. Just that. But it was a clear order. She was tempted to defy him just to see what would happen, but his will was like iron and she couldn’t resist the way his gaze moved over her so possessively. Her female was curled up, still in a snit, unwilling to help her out. Evangeline had confidence in herself until it came to this. Sex. Alonzo was a man who clearly knew what he was doing. She didn’t. She wasn’t going to be his equal.

His eyes had gone nearly golden, the entire white disappearing. She took a step and then another, compelled forward by the sheer force of his personality. When she was close to him, he wrapped his palm around the nape of her neck and drew her against him. His skin was hot. At once her breasts pushed tight against his chest. Aching. In need. He tipped her chin up with one thumb. Her gaze met his. Caught there. Trapped.

“Tell me what you’re afraid of.”

She swallowed hard, unable to look away from his piercing gaze.