She removed her thoughts, and with it, her tears. But nothing she could do, no matter how hard she concentrated, could remove the suffocating pain surrounding her heart, building in her chest until everything hurt.

“We need to talk,” she said and winced at the croaking miserable sound of her own voice. She hated that sound. It was the voice of a weak person, someone alone and lost in life and that wasn’t her. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and called upon her strength. She had it; she knew she did. How else had she put up with Joseph for two fucking years?

When he didn’t say anything, she glanced over. He was looking right at her. His eyes looked sharper than usual, brighter. Probably just from feeding this morning. Her task just became a whole lot harder, because he had really pretty eyes.

“Are you sure you want to do that...?” The way he said it, like she might not enjoy where the talk would lead them, made her hesitate. She shook her head. No, no, they needed to talk. She needed answers.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

His finger stopped tapping as his hands curled tight around the wheel. “Fine, talk.”

She knew the words that needed to come out, but couldn’t seem to form them. God, what was wrong with her? Was she that fucked up or something? Leaning her head on the window, she banged her head into the glass a three good times. Not enough to hurt, but hopefully to knock some sense into her. God, what she’d do for a drink right now...

Okay, she’d start simple. “What’s with you, today?” She faced him a bit in her seat so she could study him, even though he kept his eyes on the road.

“Nothing. What do you mean?”

She laughed a soft, sarcastic sound. “Excuse me? Don’t lie; you’re smarter than that and I know it. Tell me the truth.”

The corner of his mouth jerked in a twitch. “That’s not an easy answer, Vanessa.”

Pain flared at the inside of her eyes. She squeezed the bridge of her nose and sighed as it alleviated the throbbing if only a little. “Okay, let’s try another one. What are we?”

He glanced at her, then frowned before gazing back at the winding highway. “I’m not sure I understand the question.”

Her jaw slid tight and hard, left then right. She bit out the words feeling anger rising. “What the fuck are we? A couple? Or fuck buddies, maybe? I want you to explain this whole ‘not going back thing’ and what we are. Is that fucking clear enough for you?”

He didn’t look at her. “You should relax. There’s nothing to be upset about.” His words grated on her nerves like a serrated knife.

Her jaw dropped and then unbelievably, she started laughing and couldn’t stop it. She laughed at the absurdity of his response, she laughed at the impossible situation she was in, and mostly she laughed, because otherwise she might break down and cry.

“Please, just answer the question,” she whispered. Her warm breath fogged the window and she watched as the steam appeared then slowly dissipated to reveal the lanes of cars next to them.

She didn’t think he’d answer. But he did, and when the words started flowing she froze in her seat, sight unseeing as she soaked in his words.

“Everything changed the moment I lost control with you. The first time. I come from a strict background, Vanessa. My father married and never strayed as some other men did, and she never strayed either. It wasn’t love or even desire that I know of, but the times and the era. He believed in honor, duty, and law. In doing the right thing. And I believe in that too, all of it. Perhaps, even more so than he did. That’s why I wanted you to obey your father, because it was your duty and for the better of the people. Then you came here.” He shot her a look, his eyes dark with a heady mixture of anger and passion.

“I never thought the man you’d mate would hurt you. A man doesn’t do that. A man protects and honors his woman. That’s the right way, especially for lykaens. I can honestly say that when I met you two years ago, I saw a little girl being rebellious and thinking only of herself. I also never thought your father would settle you with someone unworthy. Not having met him, I still trusted his opinion. I was wrong. So now, what does that make us? That’s a hell of a question to ask and I’m not sure if you’ll like the answer.” His voice faded and though her voice croaked a bit she managed to respond.

“Tell me.”

He rubbed a hand over his chin slowly. The bristly sound of his chin stubble made her palms itch to touch it. “I’m old, Vanessa. Old as dirt next to you. When you came into my headquarters...I didn’t see a rebellious girl. I saw a strong woman. A woman with fight and courage, even if she was creating a scene. It surprised even me, but I liked it. I like you.”

He cast a look at her, his eyes hard as if daring her to speak otherwise, challenging. “Having you in my house...I like even more. I’m still not sure why. I can feel relaxed with you. You almost make me laugh.”

“Well, I am funny,” she muttered.

“To say I think you’re beautiful shouldn’t need to be said.” His eyes trailed down her body and his look burned her. She suddenly had the urge to crack the window and let in a cool breeze. “Every time I see you...I feel strange. It’s almost uncontrollable. No, it is uncontrollable and for some reason it feels like a rush when I finally let go with you. I’m not about to lose that.” He glared at her as if daring her to contradict him or make an argument.

She couldn’t even if she wanted to. Her tongue felt too big for her mouth and she had trouble making a coherent thought. All of his thoughts were way beyond, and a little bit stranger, deeper, than anything she’d have guessed.

“Does that answer your question?”

“Umm...” She had to think about it, had to remember what her initial question had been. Oh, right. What ‘were’ they? “I don't know.”

With a frustrated growl, he swerved over to the shoulder and threw the car into park. He turned to her, his big body shadowing her as he rested an arm behind her seat. She started panting at the wild look in his eyes. He looked dangerous, as if he might attack her at any second. He was so out of her league, it wasn’t even funny and now she suddenly felt very small and inadequate compared to him and all that stuff he’d just said.

He cupped her face with his free hand, forcing her to look at him. “That means that you’re mine now. It means that only I touch you. I will take care of Joseph, and I will take care of you.”

She was pretty sure she was panting and she tried to close her mouth, but she couldn’t. “Why?” she whispered.

He looked up as if seeking guidance, then glared at her. “I already explained that.” He looked annoyed.

“But, why?” she insisted. She had to know. Not some long explanation that would take her a day to rewind and think about, but something short that her baffled mind could wrap around right now.

“Because, I want you. Because, you came back into my life for a reason, and because...” he paused to swipe his warm thumb across her bottom lip. “When I’m with you, I feel good.”

Her chest rose and fell in hard, fast waves. With his words hanging in the air, she realized just how close he was to her, how good his hand felt on her face, how much she liked the masculine scent of him, the stubble on his chin...everything. His eyes flicked down to her mouth and stayed there. Her gut tightened in reflex, something hot and wet gushing between her legs. All with that one look. His eyes shuttered to a hooded position, then he was moving closer. His lips caught the corner of her mouth and her breath stilled, her chest squeezing so impossibly tight from the lack of air.

Then she felt it. His harsh breaths blowing across her lips and she nearly burst apart. He felt it, too. He was right there with her, wrapped up in a tight bubble where only they existed in this moment of time.