Addie shrugged, trying to be nonchalant. “I was curious.”
“If you want to know anything, all you have to do is ask.”
Addie snorted a laugh. “Yeah, right. When you first met me, you wouldn’t even tell me your name.”
“I told you plenty tonight.”
Addie could not decide whether Kendrick was angry or not. He remained against the door, blocking her way out but not advancing on her.
“Not everything,” she countered. “What’s a Shifter empath?”
Kendrick finally left the door. He went to the dresser and drew off his shirt. His firm back came into view, crisscrossed with fine white scars.
“I don’t really know,” Kendrick said. “Seamus says he can sense strong emotions in others, feel what they’re feeling. That’s why he was so upset on the hill—he caught my grief at having to kill Ivan. So he says, anyway.”
“I’m sorry about that,” Addie said. She remembered the deep pain in his eyes when he’d used the sword on the dying Shifter. She came to him, putting her hand on his bare arm. “You okay?”
Kendrick looked swiftly down at her. “Addison, it’s best not to touch me.”
Addie blinked and withdrew. “No? I was getting the idea that Shifters liked the touchy-feely stuff. Or maybe it’s only Shifter guys with Shifter guys?” She sent him a sly smile.
She only meant to tease him, but Kendrick stared at her as though he had no idea what she was talking about.
“Every time you touch me, I want you more.” Kendrick turned around and stepped to her. Addison had to crank her head back to keep her eyes on his face. “I want you so much it’s killing me.”
Addison let her hand drift to his. “Kendrick, I’ve probably made it obvious I don’t mind.” She softened her voice. “I really don’t.”
The snarl that worked its way from Kendrick’s throat was harsh. His big hands closed over her arms, and he lifted her from her feet and carried her backward to the bed. Addie stifled a yelp, his strength powerful.
She’d thought the height of the bed would stymie him, but Addison found herself on her back on the mattress, Kendrick on hands and knees over her.
“You tempt your fate,” he said, his words soft as a whisper. “I’m not gentle, Addison. Never have been.”
Addie disagreed, having seen how tenderly he held his cubs and Robbie. She recalled how careful he’d been with them when they’d played on the grass in their animal forms. He’d made sure he never hurt them.
“Tell you what,” Addie said, trying to keep her voice steady. “How about we just sleep? We both need it.” She stroked his arm, finding his skin hot and tight.
Kendrick leaned close, his eyes hard. “You want me to lie here with you, holding you for comfort? You think we can do something that tame? Every time I’m with you, I want you, and not in a nice way. What happened in the barn is only the barest beginning. I want you every way I can have you, and I don’t want it gentle. I’ve only ever been with Shifter females, and they can take what I need to do. You can’t. And so I’ll be sleeping on the porch tonight.”
Addie’s eyes widened but her heart beat faster in excitement. “You have no idea the harassment I took at the diner. Most was in fun, but some of the guys were mean, and rough.” She thought of a few pats on her ass that had stung, some that had been accompanied by a grip of hard fingers. “You’re not like that. No matter how badass you think you are.”
“Addison.” Kendrick leaned closer, his body heat covering her. “You play with fire.”