"Kholod." Her voice floated from the back seat, weary and imploring. "I only noticed the cheating by chance. I was just trying to help you—"
"Help me?" I scoffed, whipping around to face her. "You take me for a fool, Noelle?"
"I didn't—"
"Your family runs underground casinos. You expect me to believe you don't know the ropes? It was all just a 'coincidence'?" My volumeescalated. "Parading your skills in front of all those men—you thrilled? Reveling in how they undress you with their eyes?"
The accusation spilled out, and in the mirror, her face drained of color, tears shimmering in her eyes. Her lips parted, but no words came. The sight pierced me—I knew I shouldn't have gone there.
"Noelle, I didn't..."
"Stop the car!"
"Noelle, it's too late out..."
"Stop! Let me out!"
She unfastened her seatbelt, fumbling for the door handle, her glare burning with fury. Fearing she'd escalate, I decelerated and pulled into a scenic overlook on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Noelle flung the door open, darted out nimbly, and slammed it behind her before striding away.
I bolted from the car, catching up and seizing her wrist.
"Noelle, hear me out—"
She spun around. "Fine! Yeah, I love their attention! I crave everyone staring! I picked it up from my dad—are you satisfied?"
I knew it was all bluster, but her words dredged up those clingy stares again. All I wanted was to shield her, keep her hidden from the world.
I hauled her by the waist into my embrace.
"Kholod, cut the crazy!" She thrashed, even attempting a kick.
I locked her in place; escape was impossible, so she sank her teeth into my shoulder. The bite was mild—like a kitten's scratch—and her soft, supple body writhing against mine only ignited a fiercer hunger to consume her completely.
"Kholod, you lunatic, what the fuck? I try to help and I'm the villain? I—"
I silenced her relentless chatter with a kiss, ensnaring her tongue—the source of all that aggravating fire—and sucking fiercely. She attempted to evade, but I held firm. In retaliation, she bit down on my tongue. I recoiled from the sting—damn, she was bite-happy tonight. My heart, my flesh.
"Calmed down?" I asked.
She said nothing, averting her face, though the fight had ebbed from her.
I drew her nearer, her form melding against mine. I was achingly hard. Noelle clearly felt it. She went rigid, her irritation morphing into incredulity.
"Kholod, you... seriously, even now?" A flush bloomed on her cheeks, tempting me to nip. And I did just that.
Noelle seethed, squirming wildly in my hold, shoving at my chest. In the tussle, her strapless dress slipped lower, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of cleavage.
Desire overwhelmed me. I hoisted her up, striding two paces to the bridge's railing and pinning her against it.
"Kholod! We're in public! Don't—"
I claimed her mouth, reducing her objections to muffled whimpers.
I tugged her zipper down, giving a sharp pull, and the bodice dropped to her waist. Clever design—no bra needed. Her creamy breasts sprang free, the tattoo of my name boldly etched on her skin.
A chill breeze swept by, her nipples pebbling into stiff points. I released her lips, lowering my head to nip and lave them.
