He stalked back to her, taking his time, predator approaching his beautiful prey. When he reached her, he picked her up by her narrow waist and plopped her on top of the long, industrial-sized washing machine.
“There’s no getting away from me now, little female.”
She kicked up her chin. “Is that a challenge?”
A surprised burst of laughter erupted from him, echoing off the walls of the small room. He touched her cheek with the backs of his fingers. “It was not so long ago you refused to be closed in a room with me,” he said softly. He brushed her lower lip with his thumb. “The old Venusian said I need to know the secrets of your heart.”
Her smile fell away, wariness returning.
A chill washed over him from his neck down to his boots. What was his little female hiding? What didn’t she wa
