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.”