His face clouded and his jaw ticked. He sat up to his full, stunning height, no longer hunched in shame. This was the strong guy who'd made my mouth swim and my pants dripping wet. Even now, my sex was heating up in reaction to his unexpected change in mood.

My helplessness fueled my wrath with my terror. My palm cracked over his face before I realized what I was doing.

I immediately regretted it. My hand smarted where it had made contact with his sharp cheekbone, and his countenance darkened even more.

My animal brain activated my flight instinct, and I scooted away from him.

I hadn't even gotten...