Excerpt of Out of Control by Nina Croft

Her jaw clenched. “So I’m good enough to screw but not good
enough to work for you.”

He felt his own anger rise, heating his blood. With him
still seated, he was staring straight at her chest. It was
distracting and he closed his laptop and rose to his feet,
then leaned his butt against the desk behind him and folded
his arms across his chest.

Because otherwise, he might have grabbed hold of her and
kissed her, and he was sure that wasn’t what she wanted
right now. Right now, he reckoned she was more likely to
punch him in the nose than to kiss him.

“Admit it. You think I’m not good enough.”

“That’s not what this is about. I just—”

“You don’t think a woman can protect you?”

“I never—”

“You don’t think I’m strong enough? You don’t think I could
take you?” She took a step toward him and poked him in the
chest. Hard.

He unfolded his arms and straightened away from the desk.
She wanted a fight? Maybe he should give her one. “No. I
don’t think a woman can take a man. The size is too
different.” He cast his eyes down her tiny figure and
drawled, “You’re too small.”

Her eyes narrowed to slits. Then she spun around and
high-kicked him in the chest. He went to the floor with a
crash and lay staring up at the ceiling.

Shit. That hurt, and not just his male pride.

It felt as though he’d been hit by a truck.

He turned his head as she came to stand beside him, then
toed him in the chest with one sneaker-clad foot.

“So? Still think a woman can’t take a man?”

“You took me by surprise, that’s all. I wasn’t actually
expecting you to kick me. You won’t manage it again.”
Actually, she might. She’d moved incredibly fast. But next
time, he’d be ready.
He dragged himself to his feet and brushed himself down,
watching her warily out of the corner of his eye. This time
he saw the slight movement before she swung and he was
ready. He feinted to the side, then grabbed her ankle as she
kicked out, pulling her off balance.

He released her as she stumbled and she righted herself,
then hit out with her right hand, catching him across the
chest so he staggered back.

Now he was seriously pissed. “So you like it rough, baby?”

She blinked at his words, her gaze flicking down his body,
lingering on his dick, and he knew she wanted him.

“Is that what this is all about?” He took a step toward her
and this time she backed away. “You know you only had to ask.”