Because even as I curse his Neanderthal caveman ass, a weak, needy, super horny part of me is melting at the sound of his voice, low and dark and feral, as he growls, “Sure as fuck can. Because she’s mine.”
And walks me right out of my job.
4
CARDS ON THE TABLE
RUBY
The second the car doors slam, silence swallows us.
And it’s not the peaceful kind of quiet. It’s the kind of silence that buzzes with static, warns of severe electrocution ahead as it vibrates through my skin.
I press back against the leather seat with my heart hammering, refusing to look at him. Which is pointless, because he’s looking at me.
Staring like I’m a puzzle he’s already solved but wants to keep taking apart again anyway. To peer into it. Lick it. Taste it.
Lick it again.
“You know your life’s over, right?” he says finally, voice low, sinful and smug. “I outed you. Paparazzi will be all over you. They’ll find where you work, where you live. Every single detail.”
I snap my head toward him, eyes flashing. “You think that’s agoodthing? You think spelling it out for me is going to make me, what? Drop to my knees and blow you in gratitude?”
His mouth curves, dark and satisfied. “I think it means you’re better off with me. But I wouldn’t run screaming from the blow you part.”
I let out a humorless laugh even as my face heats up.
I could’ve gone with a million less horny analogies and I went with that? I fold my arms to hide my hardening nipples. Wishing I could stop breathing altogether because he smells insanely good. So good, I want to lick him. Taste him. Lick him again?—
Jesus, get a fucking grip, Ruby.
“Wow. Great pitch, caveman. Kidnap me, ruin my anonymity, then declare yourself my savior. Do you practice this with groupies or does it just come naturally?”
He doesn’t even blink. His gaze rakes over me, slow and obscene, landing on the apron tied around my waist.
“That barista outfit,” he murmurs, his tongue gliding back and forth across his lower lip as his silver eyes glint with its own power supply. “You’re never wearing it for anyone else again. Only for me. I’ll make sure it’s worth your while.”
Heat slams through me so hard my thighs squeeze together. And Ihateit. Hate how a sexist, rock-star remark makes me hot when it should make me homicidal. “No, thank you.” Damn, why is my voice husky?
“I’ve missed you,” he croons, that sinful rasp wrapping around me like smoke.
I want to slap him. Scratch his eyes out. Spit fire for the circus he’s turned my life into.
But my lips part anyway. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.” His voice drops lower, darker. “I haven’t been able to think about anything but how your mouth tastes. Like honey laced with whiskey and poison. A kiss that makes me burn down everything else in my head just to keep it. It was incredible, Ruby.Youwere incredible.”
My breath stutters and my nipples turn to traitorous little rocks. I fight not to squirm when my clit warns of impending swelling.
“Big deal. I’m sure you can find three dozen women within twenty feet of here if want to get your rocks off again.”
His head tilts. “Are you seriously implying you don’t know how fucking breathtaking you are?”
I shrug. “There’s something about the configuration of my face that makes guys want to jerk off on it. Doesn’t mean I walk around handing out Go badges.”
A wave of fury washes over his face but that’s not what grabs my attention even though that will need defining. No, it’s the tell-tale reddening of his ears.
As if… “Oh my god, you’ve had the same idea, haven’t you?”
