Page 21 of Hot & Heavy

Ian had the woman pinned to the ground by his body weight. Her hands were cuffed in front. He could kill her in an instant by pressing his thumbs just so on her neck. And yet he saw not one ounce of fear in her blue eyes. Instead, she was angry. Hey, he was the one who had cause for anger.

"You and I are going to have a talk, Yasmine, but first we're going to establish some ground rules. You are not going to run away again."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Because I will catch you."

"Sure of yourself, are you?"

"Damn sure."

"Stop poking me with your… uh, poker."

He grinned. He couldn't help himself. "Keep moving, and it keeps poking. Basic biology. Sorry about that."

"Make it stop being hard."

"Lady, there isn't any man alive who could talk down a hard-on… when he's lying on top of a soft body."

"My body is not soft."

"Some parts are."

"Aaarrgh!"

"That's what women always say when they've lost an argument."

"You said it, too, before."

"Ah, but when men say it, they have just cause."

"My father always said there are only two ways to argue with a woman. And neither of them works."

"Smart man, your father."

"Not so smart. He had thirteen children. Get off me, you oaf. You are as heavy as a warhorse."

"Did anyone ever tell you that you talk too much?"

"Plenty of people. All of them men."

"And you lie like a rug. Tell the truth and shame the devil, babe."

"You are the devil, in my opinion. Yea, best you be careful you do not trip over your tail."

"Didn't anyone ever tell you that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?"

"Why in the name of Frigg would I want to catch flies?"

But then she had no more chance to complain because he stood in one smooth movement, bringing her upright with him. Before she had a chance to squawk—and, yes, she began to squawk—he tossed her over his shoulder and carried her back into the cave, kicking and screaming. If there were any tangos in the area, he and the shrieker were dead meat. Cage was probably watching him through his scope and laughing his ass off. "Either shut up or be gagged."

Where's the duct tape when a guy needs it? If ever a mouth needed duct tape, this is the one.

She shut up. Thank God. Smart lady.

"Is there any water in this cave?" he asked as he put her down on the dirt floor, away from the shards of rock left by the gunshot. It was a miracle that the weapon had been pointed toward the cave opening.

Some angel must have been watching over them.