Lola snorted.“You gotta have money to do those things.”She wasn’t sure where Antonio got his money, granted Sal’s business did very well.Antonio had his own life, and she never asked what he did.He was always dressed in expensive clothes.He actually owned a car, which was only something wealthy people could afford in NYC.
They reached a stoplight and the red hand glared at her, daring Lola to keep going even though it was obviously safer to wait for the walk symbol.She was tempted.If it meant spending less time with Antonio, then it was almost worth running into traffic.It wasn’t that he was unpleasant to be around; it was his audacious presumption that she already belonged to him when she had never consented to such a claim.
“If you’d let me, I could take care of you.”He took a step closer to her.
Lola’s head snapped around, nearly hitting Antonio in the face, when she heard a low snarl.It sounded exactly like the one Rafe, had done in the diner.Her eyes roved over the surrounding area, sifting through people and down alleys she could see.Lola even looked at the slow moving cars, especially those with open windows.What was she expecting to find?Rafe, or one of the other guys, standing there watching her and Antonio?
“Why do you play hard to get, Kitten?”Antonio’s voice lowered to a seductive purr.“You know how I feel about you.”
The snarl grew into a louder growl.She looked at Antonio to see if he heard the sound, but he seemed oblivious.
“Are you listening to me?”
Lola tuned out his words, her focus consumed by the quest to pinpoint the source of that mysterious sound and the unseen gazes fixated upon her.Her heart sped up as she waited for anything that might give their pursuer away.Of all the times she’d felt the eyes on her, this was the first time she’d actually felt afraid.Other times, she’d merely been nervous.She’d managed to convince herself that, like the weird things she’d seen in the diner, with the strange groups of guys, she must have been imagining her stalker.
She turned to look at Antonio she stepped closer to him.He was in shape and gave off the tough-guy vibe, and she hoped he’d protect her if needed.The growling escalated, sending a shiver cascading down her spine.She took a step back, and the growling subsided somewhat.She stepped closer to Antonio again, and the growl once again increased in volume.As soon as she moved away from him, it once again died down.Interesting, whoever they are, they don’t like me being close to Antonio.That wasn’t a bad thing.She didn’twantto be close to Antonio.
As she glanced back around, Lola saw the walk sign had appeared and people were moving across the street.She began walking, and as she put a little more distance between her and her companion, the growling disappeared.
“You didn’t answer my question.”Antonio easily caught up to her with a few long strides.Her short legs took three steps for every one of his.Stupid, tall people,Lola mentally grumbled.
“I’m not playing hard to get,” she told him, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice.“I’ve never said that I wanted anything more than friendship with you.”
Antonio laughed as if she’d just said something funny,anda bit ridiculous.“Lola, we’d be perfect together.”
She rolled her eyes, turning her head so that he wouldn’t see it.
“You’re beautiful, smart, and sweet,” he said.“And I’ve got the means to take care of you and your parents as well.Not to mention, we’d make beautiful babies.”
Lola could almost sense the scorching intensity emanating from her relentless pursuer.In all honesty, there was no denying the truth– this person was undeniably a stalker, ceaselessly observing her every move.A chill coursed through her veins, causing goosebumps to prickle upon her arms.Though she couldn’t fathom how she possessed this knowledge, her instincts roared, affirming that this enigmatic figure, undoubtedly male, had his eyes locked upon her.Why would a woman have any interest in pursuing her, anyway?And did women even emit such guttural growls?Did humans, for that matter?There was no denying the visceral reaction her stalker had to Antonio’s words.
“I don’t even know what to say to that.”Lola picked up her pace.“I’m nineteen, Antonio.I’m not ready for marriage and definitely not ready for kids.And you and I barely know each other.”
“We’ve known each other for three years,” he argued.
“What’s my favorite food?”she asked.“Or my favorite color?What do I like to do when I’m not working?Do I have any siblings?What’s my cat’s name?What are my parents’ names?Where do they work?What do they do?”
Antonio chuckled.Lola looked and saw he wasn’t the least bit put off.“Your favorite food is ice cream, which I’d argue isn’t a food, but a dessert.Your favorite color is black.You read pretty much anytime you can.And yes,” –he held up his hand when she’d started to speak– “I know the books you like.Supernatural romances with werewolves and stuff.You don’t have any brothers or sisters.Your parents’ names are Rick and Andi.Rick works at a law firm as a courier, and Andi works as a receptionist at a dentist's office.”He glanced at her as they stopped at another light.Why are there so many dang lights in this blasted city?“Any more questions?”
“Yeah,” she snapped.“How the hell do you know all that?”After the words were out of her mouth, Lola wondered if she really wanted to know the answer.What if he was a part of the mafia and had the means to get all sorts of information about her and her family?Was the mafia still a thing?Why wouldn’t it be?Lola made a mental note to research that later.
“I have my ways,” he answered cryptically.
That’s what I’m afraid of.What are your ways?
“The point is, I know you, Lola Katz.”He reached for her hand and slipped it into his.“And I want to get to know you better.”
As the signal shifted to the walk symbol, Lola propelled herself forward once more, exerting every ounce of self-control to avoid breaking into a full sprint.The mere act of running ignited an innate sense of vulnerability within her, and she adamantly refused to be anyone’s prey.She wasn’t physically gripping Antonio’s hand, but he clung to hers as if his very existence hinged upon it.With resolute determination, Lola practically dragged him along, propelled by an unyielding force.If the threat emanating from her relentless stalker, wherever he may be lurking, held any validity, then Antonio’s survival might indeed hinge on staying by her side.However, Lola couldn’t shake the nagging suspicion that the danger lay in his tightly clutchingherhand, rather than letting it go.
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
“My mom is home by herself and I haven’t seen her much over the past week.I’d like to spend some time with her,” she said.Which wasn’t a lie, though she would happily tell him one to get him to leave.“Not to mention, I’m tired.I have tomorrow off.”Dammit, why did I tell him that?
“Well, that’s fortunate, because I’ll be in town for the next few days.”Mercifully, they’d finally reached the door to her apartment building.“I’d like to take you out tomorrow.On a proper date.”
Aproperdate?They hadn’t been on any improper dates.Why did he make it sound like they’d been out together in some sort of romantic capacity?They reached the door to her building and Lola held out her hand for her bag.“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said.“I work for your dad.That’s like a conflict of interest or something.”
He smiled at her.She couldn’t deny he was handsome, but that didn’t matter.Antonio did absolutely nothing for her.There were no butterflies or excited jitters that she’d read about in her books.Zero chemistry.“I assure you it’s not.Considering my father has already picked out the wedding venue, and my mother is naming our children.”
