“Say what?”
“You knowexactlywhat, Gallagher.” My eyes narrow. “I am not some science project to be dissected.”
His jaw locks. “That’s not how I see you at all.”
“Oh — but wait!” I slap a hand against the countertop with a loud bang. “That’s right! Iamyour little science project, aren’t I? A case to be studied? An asset to be analyzed? Thanks so much for reminding me. I almost forgot you’re just here doing your job!”
The whole room goes scarily silent. I don’t even dare to breathe as I stare at him, wishing I could snatch back the words I’ve just blurted. Words that, like it or not, offer a bit too much insight into the unfamiliar emotions churning inside me.
I almost forgot you were just here doing your job.
It’s true.
I had forgotten.
Conor is watching me carefully. When he speaks, his voice is dangerously soft, but there’s nothing gentle about it. “And what else would I possibly be doing here, Hunt?”
My mouth opens. Shuts. Opens again.
I have no retort. No clever comeback.
He climbs to his feet, looming over me as he advances. A lock of messy black hair falls into his eyes. He’s so tall, I have to crane my neck back to continue glaring at him when he comes to a stop two feet away.
“We aren’t friends,” he says in that same scary-soft tone. “I am here to protect you. That’s it.”
“Obviously,” I snap coldly, ignoring the lance of pain through my heart. “You weren’t invited into my life, that’s for damn sure. I actually have tolikethe people I spend time with.”
“My purpose here is not to make you like me.”
“Mission accomplished, then! BecauseI don’t.”
“Let’s get something straight.” His jaw tightens. “I don’t give a shit if you wind up hating me when this is all over, Hunt. So long as you’realiveand hating me, I’ll consider it a success.”
“So long as I’m alive and never have to spend another second in your company, I’ll consider it a blessing!”
“Glad we’re on the same page.”
“Same bloody syllable!”
We’re both breathing too fast, glaring at each other through narrowed eyes. I’m not sure how it happened, but we’re each leaning in — so close, there’s only a half-foot of space remaining between our faces. I tell myself to pull back, to walk away, to take some cool-down time alone in my bedroom… but I can’t seem to do any of that. The only thing I’m capable of focusing on in this moment is Conor’s mouth, alarmingly close to my own.
I stare at the thin top lip, the fuller bottom one, and find myself wondering whether they’re soft or hard. Whether he kisses like he talks — with an all-consuming presence that commandeers every ounce of my attention without even trying.
“Hunt.”
My name is practically a growl on his lips. A warning and a plea all rolled into one. My eyes fly up to his and I see they’ve gone cold again — closed off from all emotions. Flat and unfathomable as a quarry.
“Go to bed,” he orders, visceral tension radiating from every atom in his body. “Now.”
I flinch back instantly, reeling out of his space like he’s slapped me across the face. Cheeks flaming with indignation —certainly not embarrassment, what on earth would I be embarrassed about?!— I turn away from him so I don’t have to see that look in his eyes anymore. That cold indifference.
I’m here to protect you,he told me earlier.That’s it.
Good.
Great.
My shoulders are as stiff as my tone. “I plan on it. As soon as you leave.”