Sipping a steaming mug of her favorite mocha latte, Becky took in an unusually quiet Ian across from her. He hadn’t said much since she’d arrived, even after she’d ordered her coffee and joined him. He hadn’t asked her about anything, her studies, her day, nothing, but the way he was watching her, she had a feeling he had something to say, and she wasn’t going to like it.

“You okay?” he asked and then took another swallow of coffee before setting the mug down on the table. He rubbed his chin with his hand.

“Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?” she said, wondering whether her face showed everything she’d done. She tugged at the collar of her turtleneck and knew she’d covered Tom’s mark so no one could see. It was just her damn self-confidence taking a hit. She sucked in a breath and gave herself a second to pull it together.

“You left your car at school. I saw you leave with Tom, the guy you’re not really dating.” He actually smiled. “Your uncle called me last night, looking for you. Apparently, you had your family worried.”

She ground her teeth. She’d forgotten how her dad knew her car was at school. Of course, now she wondered what her aunt and uncle knew of her exploits, of Tom, and whether they too were aware of the intimate details. Could this get any worse?

“No biggie. Had my phone off, is all…” She forced a smile, but it didn’t work, as he didn’t seem moved.

He took a sharp breath. “Mind if I give you some advice?”

Her first instinct was to say no.

“This guy Tom is the one you were with last night?” he said.

It took her a second to get her head around the way he’d asked the question. It seemed leading for some reason. “Yes, I was with Tom.”

“And did he by any chance turn off your phone?”

Why would he ask that? She opened her mouth to tell him to stop, but he cut her off.

“Don’t answer,” he said. “I’m going to say this, because I’ve seen this kind of thing before. You already told me he’s the kind of guy who wants everything his way, and you did say to me you’re not really dating, but he wants you when he wants you, and he wants to tell you what to do, and he expects you to do everything he says or thereabouts. Am I right? The power, the control. It happened to my sister. Taking over everything. He’d turn her phone off, turn her friends away, tell her who she could see, who she couldn’t, arrange her life for her.”

She took in Ian and said nothing as she squeezed her hands around her hot mug, holding it tighter. Ian didn’t get it, because she wasn’t weak minded.

“My sister met this guy,” he said. “He was older, attractive, and she fell hard for him. Soon he took over her life. She couldn’t go out unless she told him where she was going and who she was with, and then when I’d see her, her phone rang likely a dozen times from him with texts, calls, always followed by demands…you know, that kind of thing. Of course we voiced our concerns, but she was in love. He was her mister perfect, or so she kept saying, only he wasn’t the type of guy who was made for the forever kind of real relationship. She gave everything, and he took everything. She centered her world around him, looking to him for permission for everything, unable to make her own decisions, and eventually he had her in this place where any time she was with anyone, the first thing she’d do was say, ‘Just let me call and ask, just let me…’” Ian’s gaze was intent, hard, as if he was determined to drive home the depth of what his sister had endured.

She understood what he was saying, to a point, but she could never be managed that way. She had a mind, and no one would ever take that from her. She reached back and rubbed the back of her neck.

“She stopped thinking for herself and began centering her world around him, that guy. He broke her,” he added as he leaned forward, his gaze intent.

Her stomach was tight. “I really do understand what you’re saying, I get it, but it’s not that way with Tom,” Becky said. No, he’d tried, he’d demanded, he’d wanted, and she could already feel he was trying to bend her to his will. That feeling she had of a rocky and intense and unpredictable relationship was something she craved, because it was edgy and dark and forbidden, and it was an excitement. She would never share any of this with anyone. It was the challenge of someone stronger mentally, physically, and spiritually. She wanted that strength even if it was all dark and twisty.

“Isn’t it? I remember what you said, and I met the guy. He wasn’t happy I was with you. Are you telling me he hasn’t told you to stay away from me?” Ian leaned back. He never took his gaze from her.

Of course he had, and what had she done? She’d texted back no, and it had felt good, great. It had excited her even though she knew it was like playing with fire, but the burn she anticipated would be worth it.

“So this is where you are,” Tom drawled and appeared beside her. His gaze was intent and then swung over to Ian. She wasn’t sure what she was seeing in his expression, but now he was giving everything to Ian as he pulled his hand from his pocket. “Ian, is it?” He gestured as he glanced back to Becky. She expected anger in the dark look that should have been cast her way, but there was something unreadable, unpredictable, which only excited her and worried her at the same time.

Ian didn’t say a word as he glanced to Becky. She could see the warning and something else in his expression that in fact did worry her, as if he’d say something that would turn this moment into something truly uncomfortable.

“Hi, Tom,” Becky said. “Yes, this is Ian, my tutor. You’ve met him before,” she added, giving him what she knew was a rather sassy smile. As Tom leaned on the table, close to her, his face inches away, it was intimate, and she knew well from his expression that he wasn’t impressed. There was such confidence there too that for a minute she became uneasy of what this strong, unpredictable, dominant man would do. At the same time, she knew the challenge was there.

“Ian, could you give us a second?” he said but didn’t glance Ian’s way.

“Becky,” Ian said as she felt her chair pulled back. Tom held her arm, lifting her.

She squeaked. “It’s okay, just give me a minute,” she breathed out as Tom pulled her away to a corner off by the bathroom. “What are you doing?” she said.

He had her against the wall, his hands resting on either side of her, pinning her. She could feel his heat, feel all of him, and, damn him, she wanted him closer. Maybe he knew, and that was why he was looking at her like a wolf about to have his next meal.

“You don’t listen,” he said.

“I have a mind of my own and a life, school, and a tutor. I’m not cancelling my tutor because you’re…”

He angled his head. His lips were so close, and she wanted to kiss him, but she wouldn’t even though her heart thumped louder, harder. What was wrong with her for being turned on, wanting him now?

“Because I’m what, Becky?” he said so low, his eyes on her lips. He was so close she wanted to close the gap, to kiss him, feel the slide of his lips over hers.

“Jealous,” she said, sucking in a deep breath.

He smiled again, and his tongue touched the edge of his lip. “I told you he wants you.”

She wanted to argue with him to stop, that he was being ridiculous. She wanted to deny it. “He doesn’t. He’s just a friend, and my uncle hired him as a tutor. He’s helping me with school.”

His one hand was now possessively on her hip, and his leg was against her. She couldn’t see anyone as he held her pinned, cocooned. She wanted him. It was both exciting and protective, and she realized if he asked her to leave right now with him, she would. She was shaking from excitement and wanting.

“You’re naive, Becky, and it’s one of the reasons I want you, but you’re wrong about him.” He stepped back and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, holding it out to her. It was a prescription, and she took in his expression. “You fill this tonight or I will,” he said, then slid his hand around her, pulling her into him so she could feel every hard part of him. He lowered his lips, and this time he did kiss her. Her hands looped around his neck of their own accord, and when he pulled back, she could see the tension in his face, could feel how much he wanted her. “Come back with me now to my place,” he said.

As much as she wanted to, she knew she couldn’t. Maybe that was what he saw on her face, as he slid the back of his fingers over her cheek and down and said, “Please.”