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Exclusive Excerpt:
Unable to lay here any longer without touching her, Jake swept a stray curl from her face. Wrong move.
Dulcina woke like she'd been jabbed with a firebrand, already in motion, instinctively reaching for his throat. Up on her knees and hovering above him with one hand curled around his neck, her weight pressed down on his windpipe.
Years of training kicked in and Jake reacted, taking advantage of her elbow’s natural weakness. Striking the inner crook, the force caused her arm to buckle. Now somewhat free, Jake took hold of her shoulders and flipped her around, pinned her back against the wood paneled headboard. He wanted to shake her, to yell, to get it through her thick head that he would never hurt her, but he was so angry the words stuck in his throat.
They stared at each other, both breathing heavy, her eyes wild. Now she knew it was him. Didn't stop her from hating that he'd turned the tables. Anger burned in her eyes, and she was fighting it, slowly coming down. Something hit the mattress with a soft thud. Something heavy.
“What the…” Jake glanced down. Her knife lay beside her knee. “Jesus, you went for the knife?”
He whipped his head up and met her gaze full on. In sleep she'd taken his gentle touch as an intruding threat, and it broke his heart. She could have accidentally gutted him, and even though she dropped the knife, he could tell the need to retaliate still burned in her.
Suddenly her eyes narrowed. Jake had a split second to prepare for her counterattack. Dulcie twisted sharply, wrenching one shoulder from his grasp, and just like that, she was back in the fight.
Dulcie flipped him onto his back. Yeah, he landed on the mattress, but the fall and twist jarred his ribs. Gritting his teeth, he growled through the pain. Though she had him flat on his back, she did nothing more than search his gaze, the look in her eyes challenging.
Keenly aware the chances of hurting her were slim to none, Jake sent her over the side of the bed. He held on, going over with her. They rolled across the floor, a mess of tangled legs and flailing arms, until she gained leverage. Dulcie threw her weight into the heels of her palms, thumping his shoulders to the wood floor.
“What are ya still fighting me for, Dulcie?” he demanded, pissed off and a little confused. Well, maybe a lot confused.
“I think I need you,” she said, but her voice sounded off. Airy.
“Damn it, woman, I’m right here,” he said, wanting more than anything to reach up and shake some sense into her, but she had him pinned good.
“No, I need you,” Dulcie said with a suggestive roll of her hips.
“Oh,” he said, the response automatic. A full second later, his brain caught up with her meaning, along with his body's reaction. “Oh.”
She sat upright, easing the pressure of her palms on his shoulders. Jake took advantage. He took hold of her wrists and yanked them off him, and she landed on his chest with a huff. The impact of her weight on his tender ribs made him flinch, but he rallied quick.
Chest-to-chest, nose-to-nose, Jake dropped his voice low. “Like I said, Darlin'. I'm right here.”
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