He finally answered, voice low, “Ma’am.” My nipples tightened painfully. God, I felt tiny standing this close to him.

He jolted, muscles tightening under my fingers. When I stopped in front of him, instead of his direct stare, he aimed his eyes at the ground. He seemed to brace himself as I moved closer, hands on hips, back and shoulders stiff. I managed to unglue my feet and started toward him. His cheeks were dark from exertion, mouth slightly parted as each heavy breath pumped from his lungs, struggling to maintain control, but still he hadn’t directed any of that anger at me. Despite that wild stare and the way his body throbbed with aggression, when he spoke, none of it came through. “Miss Abigail?” he said through panted breaths. He was breathing heavily, fists still clenched tightly. He’d obviously tugged off his shirt when he’d walked in, because now his chest was bare and glistened with sweat. I want to break him…and have him break me… Those huge, rough hands holding me down when a storm blows in. That low, gritty voice rasping orders in my ear. Now all I can think about is exposing the dark desire I see deep inside him-having him turn those dark desires on me.

I remember him coming to my rescue, me following him into the barn, giving him his first taste of a woman, and his inexperienced yet barely reined touch turning me to ash. He’s always kept his distance…until that night. I can feel him watching me, that steady intense gaze making me crave things I don’t quite understand, burn in a way that frightens me. But I know him simply as Elijah Hays, the quiet, gentle giant who works with the horses on my ranch.

Synopsis: Folks in town call him a monster-say he’s dangerous.

Breaking Him by Sherilee Gray