“Um, well… He’s my boyfriend,” I say.

Instantly Connor backs off and crosses his arms like he’s trying to close me out of every bit of his life. I need him to know I’m not that girl. I’m not just some chick ready to cheat on my boyfriend, that there are reasons. Maybe not good enough reasons, but reasons all the same.

My voice breaks as I try to explain my position. But the words sound so weak. “I mean, ex-boyfriend. Well, I didn’t actually break up with him. I just, uh… ditched him.” Oh, my god. He’s got to think I’m some kind of stupid whore.

I look into his eyes a moment, but can’t read his expression. I lower my head and stare at my legs, wishing I could disappear. Here I am in my short shorts, my tank top without a bra, my slutty attire. I must look like a total winner to this guy. I mean, he doesn’t know that I’m dressed like this to beat the heat, or that I had no plans of someone barging in my room on me.

He's probably thinking about how hard I was coming onto him. Because I know I was. This sexy man is way more man than I’ve ever known, and he’s so damn sexy I can’t think straight. But he’s not in my head. He’s out there. Out where my thoughts mean nothing and words are as empty as most people’s heads.

Well, at least I got some hot kisses. Not a total disaster, right?

“I need him gone,” he says, and I stare him dead in the eyes, trying to figure out what he’s saying. Is he offering to kill my boyfriend? That’s a hell of a lot easier than breaking up with him…

…if I was a total psycho.

Which I’m not.

“How do I get rid of him?” he asks, the tone making the threat much more clear this time.

Yep, my man meat dream guy is offering to kill my boyfriend. How sweet.

It’s funny how everything seems to be coming full circle like this. I mean, I ditched everyone and faked a whole lot of stuff to even get some time alone. I figured dad would notice something was wrong first, not my idiot boyfriend. He must be super pissed.

But as I study Connor, I realize that I’ve had a better time these last few hours than I have in the last twenty two years. It’s a bit sad, actually. Sure, he might just be waiting to kill me or whatever, but I’ve never felt so alive. I’ve never been in so much danger. I’ve never met anyone like him. And it’s terrifying and awesome all at once, to know he’s a man willing to take care of anything, his way, without worries.

I shake my head, wanting to convey that I don’t want him to kill my boyfriend. I just want him gone. Not dead gone, just turn around walk away gone.

Besides, I don’t want Zac to cause problems with Connor. If he draws too much attention to this, who knows what will happen? If the cops come, there will be plenty of uncomfortable moments. Dad will find out where I am. Then I’ll be in for an assload of new issues.

Fuck. I don’t want that to happen.

We’ve got to get rid of Zac. But how?

I listen and realize he’s gone quiet, as if he’s finally given up. Or like he’s assuming I’m out and that he can wait for me to get back and harass me. Why is he here?

I’m going to have to break up with him. There’s no way around it.

Connor moves back toward me, his face inches form my ear as he leans in. I smell his cologne; thick, spicy, all male like wet metal after a hot rain. It’s sexy as hell and I can’t hear over the thud of my heart.

Until he whispers, then every bit of my body feels like it’s humming and every sense is dedicated to him. “You’re going to stay right here.” His breath tickles my ear and I shiver, unable to stop the flood of sensations coursing through me.

God, I’ll do whatever he wants. Anything.

He pulls back and I see him hesitate. I can’t help myself. I throw my arms around his shoulders and cling to him. I’ve never had someone willing to step up to bat for me like this. Even dad would throw money at problems. But risk himself? Hell, risk losing face? Not a fucking chance.

But this guy, this stranger is willing to help me take care of a problem I’ve been struggling with. It’s insane. And awesome. And he’s still terrifying. I can feel his muscles rippling as he flexes and relaxes, as if worried I’m about to plunge a knife into his back.

I back off and press my forehead to his. He’s tightly controlled, I can see his jaw is tense like he’s clenching it. I want to tell him I’m sorry for kissing him when I have a boyfriend. It’s not so cut and dry as I’m a cheater, though.

The knocking starts again and I jolt, terror flowing through me. He never left, did he? Was he just sitting out there, waiting for me to open the door so he could corner me?

I see Connor’s eyes harden, a dark light shining from them and I realize I’m afraid of the wrong person. Zac isn’t the one I should be terrified of. I know what he’ll do, what he’s capable of.

This man is still a stranger. I don’t know what he’s like at his worst. I bet that this, right now, this tightly controlled, though clearly on edge man is him at his best. That thought is just frightening as fuck. What happens when that fragile thread of control snaps?

His eyes lock on me and I see he’s reading my thoughts in my expression. And he seems to agree. He’s the one I should be afraid of.

He’s the monster.