She’s working hard to keep her defenses up. I wonder what it would take to break down her walls.

Deciding to test the waters, I set down my cup and slowly move closer to her. She tenses, a guarded expression tightening her features.

When I’m only a couple of inches from her, she puts the spoon down in the bowl and gives me a look of warning. “Stop it.”

“What?” I murmur, dropping my voice low on purpose.

Her cheeks instantly flush, and even though she tries to harden her glare, her breaths speeding up tells me she’s affected by me. I’m just not sure if it’s fear, desire, or both.

When only an inch separates us, our eyes lock. Ariana swallows hard, and then she presses her palm against my abs, trying to shove me as she takes a step back.

“Stop whatever you’re doing. It makes me uncomfortable,” she says with a slight tremble in her voice.

“Does it?” I ask, tilting my head. “You didn’t look uncomfortable when you were practically eye-fucking me in the gym.”

The deepest shade of red seeps into her cheeks, making it look like she just ran ten miles. Because of her fair skin, she’ll never be able to hide her emotions.

The next second, her finger jabs at my chest, and she actually takes a step toward me as she snaps, “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not interested in you at all.”

Grabbing hold of her hand, I yank her right against me. Our bodies instantly melt together as Ariana lets out a startled gasp. Her eyes dart up to mine, her lips parted as her breaths rush over them. And fuck, it only makes her more beautiful.

Anticipation zaps between us, and I feel as a tremble ripples through her. The attraction grows at the speed of light, making me turn rock hard.

I’ve never had this happen with a woman before, and it makes me really look at Ariana. She’s much younger than me, but that doesn’t matter. Even though she’s afraid of me, she still fights back.

My eyes drift over her face, her chin held high and her hazel eyes alive with a feistiness that demands my respect.

And it all grabs my attention like nothing has before in my life.

Leaning down until my mouth brushes against the shell of her ear, I take a deep breath of her. Her scent makes my muscles tense as if they’re getting ready to pounce. “Yeah? You sure about that?” I whisper, my voice low and predatory.

As I pull back an inch, I see confusion flash over Ariana’s features. She yanks her hand free from my hold, and darting around me, she flees up the stairs. I hear a door slam on the second floor.

Letting out a chuckle, my lips curve up.

Well, that’s interesting.

ARIANA

Holy crap, that was intense.

Running to the room that’s nothing short of a chamber of torture, I slam the door shut behind me, and then stare at it with a pounding heart.