I almost want to root for her, queen of the underdogs. But this is real life. A place where underdogs seldom win.
“Maybe not and you’re probably right. The police won’t really care about a case of mistaken identity at a teenage party.”
“We’re in agreement then.”
Her gaze is harder than diamonds and just as pretty. “What they will care about is witness intimidation. They’ll care you tried to silence me, first with a contract, then a video. They’ll care because that shit’s an offence against the heart of the justice system and you’re not as clever or as careful as you think you are.”
My body reacts to the threat before my mind catches up. Hand lifting to circle her throat, my pulsing cock caught between us.
I should have left her off limits.
“And what use would I be to you in prison?” My tone is light, but my heart pounds so hard white flashes strobe in my eyes.There’s another layer of threats I could issue; the rent on her mother’s salon and the flat they call home for starters.
But it’s pointless to double down when a tactic isn’t working. Dad’s business dealings taught me that long ago. And I’m already sick over hurting her; I refuse to launch into round two.
She wants me despite herself. I should build on that.
Mr Nice Guy isn’t the most fitted suit in my closet, but it’s there.
“Guess it’s lucky I’ve decided to delete the footage as a gesture of goodwill.” I pull out my phone, scrolling to the original and showing her as I delete it from my files, then from my recycling bin.
And I know I’m on the right path because it’s a relief to have it gone. A cruel threat made because I didn’t think she’d accept an apology.
“Wilder has a copy, too, but he’s more afraid of it getting out than you are.”
Not the brightest thing to say but for some reason, she relaxes more at the second-hand insult.
My voice is hoarse as I continue. Rough with need. “You know the party was a mistake. You know I like you. Why won’t you just give me a chance?”
“Because you scare the hell out of me.”
“No, I don’t.” I run my finger down the collar of her blouse, finding the upper edge of her bra and rubbing against it. “You’re not frightened of me at all.” I give a sharp laugh. “It’s actually quite annoying.”
She shakes her head, slapping my hand away, head down so all I see of her is her vibrant hair.
The roots have already filled with her natural colour. In a month or two, she’ll probably cut or dye the pink away and the thought fills me with sadness.
“Is it this you’re scared of?” I raise her chin with one curled knuckle, ready with a soft kiss, feeling a tremor run through her body as I pull away. “Because it’s okay. If you don’t want to tell the world, we can be each other’s secret.” My voice drops so low it’s barely a sound at all, just a soft rumble. “I shouldn’t want you either.”
“All the more reason to stay away.”
“I can’t—” I break off, exhaling impatiently through my nose. “You’re too inexperienced to know but believe me. It isn’t like this with everyone.”
“Fine.” Her chin juts up by itself this time. “Give me twenty years and if you’re right, I’ll come back so you can tell me, ‘I told you so.’”
“And what am I going to do for the two decades you’re gone? A man has needs.”
“A man has every other woman in the world to choose from.”
My thumb finds the hollow of her collarbone again, rubbing at the dip, watching as the shiver spreads until she clenches her hands, stiffening her arms and torso, not giving me a thing. “How could you expect me to touch somebody else when I’ve found the perfect girl?”
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
The vehemence in her strained voice leaves me floundering, wondering where I made the misstep.
“You need to stop playing with me.” Her expression crumbles into misery. “I don’t know what trick this is but even if your original actions were a mistake, what you’re doing now is justcruel.”
The sharpness of her voice draws attention. I can keep her here but there’s already someone stirring nearby, on the edge of coming here in person to give their rebuke.
