Page 76 of Pride: The Rogue
Indignation would have been better, preferable, than the actual hurt bleeding from her eyes.
Why? Latimer gnashed his teeth. Why?Somethingabout her drove him stark, raving, mad.
His patience snapped.
“You go running around like a damned child without a brain in your pretty head, sweetheart,” Latimer blasted. “You’re a romantic. A dreamer, and with the careless way in which you go about life, it’s a wonder you’ve lived this long.”
Would some fancy nob have the strength or capability of seeing her safe? Latimer would wager his fucking life the bloke wouldn’t. His rage spiraled.
“You need to spend more time thinking with your damned head,” he jabbed a finger into his forehead several times. “And not your foolish heart.”
No, the lady required a lesson, and it was one Latimer would be all too happy to provide.
Chapter 13
Livian stared at Lachlan in consternation.
Even as she wanted to rail at him for his condescending, judgmental, setdown something held her back.
How could he go from tender, teasing, smiling, gallant man in one instant, and the next a surly, snarling beast?
Livian couldn’t quite precisely pinpoint what it was that’d set him off.
What she did know was…he didn’t scare her.
Funny, yesterday at this same time, she and Lachlan were but strangers, and now, she stood here alone with him, unafraid, and also able to ascertain she’d said or done something to displease him.
Her foolish heart…
Maybe he was right, after all.
Livian lifted her chin. “You’re being deliberately ugly, Lachlan,” she chided. “And I do not like it.”
“You think ‘this’is ugly?”
Lachlan tossed his head back and laughed, the sound strained and forced.
All the while, she peered at him.
Then, it hit her with the weight of a thousand bricks.
Warmth stirred her heart.
“You’re worried about me,” she whispered.
His cynical amusement cut out.
He gave her a harsh once over. “I don’t worry about anyone but myself.”
“I trustyou believethat, Lachlan,” she said softly. “But believing it to be true and actually feeling that way, are entirely two diff—”
He took a slow, sleek, predatory step toward her.
Her mouth dry, she tried to finish. “T-Two different…”
Lachlan continued coming. A feral grin formed on his hard, beautiful lips, transforming him from mesmerizing mortal to savage, a mythical werewolf.
“Things,” she managed to get out on a pitchy squeak.
