Page 18 of Joshua's Mistake
“Where are we going?”
“Bedroom.”
She dug her heels in and wrenched her arm away. “Wait a minute. I’ve had some crappy propositions, but you’re going to have to do better than that.”
One side of his mouth pulled up in a devilish grin. “Will’s coming back. I think we should keep this conversation just between us. Don’t you?”
Her skin warm. Embarrassment was not something she experienced often. The touch of disappointment,thatwas familiar.
He leaned into her, and she had to roll her head back to look at him. Her height made the position perfect for kissing. “I like the way you think, Tessa.”
She put up walls to keep him out of her mind, took a step back and tossed her head in what she hoped was a nonchalant way. “Yeah, well, it’s been a long time.”
That frown again, she had to keep herself from shivering under its glare. An instant later he turned, walked across the house and through a door. He left the door open as a gaping invitation she should follow. The motion lights on the outside of the odd house illuminated the glass in the front door.
Too many questions had to be asked if not answered. She followed Joshua.
The bedroom had one large bed and a dresser with a mirror. Besides the door where they’d entered there was one other door, she guessed it was a closet or bathroom. The windows were high transom. The room could be a trap, if they were attacked. “I don’t like this room.”
“There’s a trap door in the floor of the closet.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Why do you always assume I’m lying?”
She shrugged. “I guess I assume everyone is. Occupational habit.”
Joshua’s mouth slanted in the expression that was starting to drive her a bit mad. He moved until he was standing less than an inch from her. Every instinct told her to back away from the danger he presented, but she held her ground. When his hand came up and touched her cheek she flinched.
His gaze filled with hurt. “I won’t lie to you.”
It took Tessa a moment to steady her breathing. “Why did you save me?”
Dropping his hand, he stepped away and dug his hands in his pockets. The movement stretched his jeans tight over his narrow hips. Tessa’s heart sped up.
“Have you ever probed someone, Tessa?”
The memory made her skin crawl. “Yes.”
“Did you enjoy it?”
“What kind of a question is that?” She made no attempt to keep the rage from her voice. Probing another person’s mind was almost as unpleasant for the attacker as the victim. Only psychopaths enjoyed it.
“Did you?” he asked again, more forcefully.
“No.”
His hands were out of his pockets and she noticed he was balling them into fists and flexing them. It appeared to be a nervous habit. Was it possible the great Joshua Lakeland was nervous? “I hate probing. It’s unpleasant. I’ve done it hundreds of times and it almost always leaves a scar on me. Of course, most times the people I’ve had to probe have been scumbags.”
Her stomach churned at the idea that being inside her head had hurt him. He had been so gentle with her, kept her safe. “I’m sorry you had to do the probe yesterday.”
He moved close to her again. “That’s the point, Tessa.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m not sorry. Being in your mind was amazing. I could spend hours feeling what you feel. Even your pain is laced with light. Darkness struggles to survive in you. It was as if your consciousness was a balm to me. You ask me why I saved you. Why didn’t I run and leave you as a distraction so I could have more time to get away?” His lips touched her forehead.
Electricity sparked from the kiss and shot down her entire body. She didn’t move and began to wonder what was wrong with her. Being a Psi Agent meant learning early on personal relationships can only get you killed. Still, the heat emanating from Joshua was magnetic. If she could have wrapped it around herself she would have.
