“Why are you here?”
“To recuperate.” He even pointed to his bum leg.
“From being shot by someone wanting to kill you. Imagine that. You being such a nice guy and all.” While I did feel bad for him, every time I moved, I was reminded of the round of discipline. Unwanted and undeserved, I might add.
“Exactly.” Was the man testing me? Was it possible he was telling me the truth? Somehow, I knew he was. A cold shiver trickled down my spine. Whatever was going on with his life, I wanted none of it.
Why did that add to his attractiveness? It was crazy. “Who’s trying to kill you?”
As amusement created a ring of fire in his eyes, he laughed. “Some very bad men.”
Why was I nodding? In acceptance? Or because I wasn’t certain where I was going with this conversation? “Does that make you a bad man as well?”
“Yes, it does.” He dared walk closer and I took a purposeful step away. He wasn’t daunted, taking another step. Closer. So close that I was close to being intoxicated by his scent.
“Should I be afraid of you?”
He cocked his head while scrubbing his jaw. Was he actually debating the answer? “Yes, in truth you should.”
A few seconds ticked by and he didn’t continue crowding my space. He was giving me a choice.
It felt as if a clock was ticking down.
“Well then. That’s good to know. Thank you. Enjoy your night.” I turned around, throwing open the door before I changed my mind.
When I walked out, the stench of stale beer managed to cloud the lingering effects of his aftershave.
Another irritating moment.
I walked stiffly toward where the crowd had gathered, trying to focus and even smile when my thoughts and unwanted desires lingered with the man who’d ravaged my mouth. I could still taste him and as I dragged the tip of my tongue across my bottom lip, I realized the tender tissue was already slightly swollen.
“What was that?” Bekka asked, as breathless as I felt.
“A mistake.” Another shift and even the way my nipples scraped across the material of my dress was enough to remind me for the umpteenth time that against all odds, I was attracted to him.
“That’s not what it looked like.”
“Yeah, well, looks can be deceiving.” Someone bumped into me during their cheer, egging Zoe on. I continued to have difficulty focusing and blinking wasn’t helping in the least.
As I tried to concentrate on Zoe’s performance, I continually found myself glancing over my shoulder toward the bathroom. Either he’d walked out or was hiding in the shadows.
Watching me.
Stalking me.
The thought was delicious.
“Woo hoo!” Bekka pumped her fist as Zoe was swung around in one circle after another like a rag doll.
I was barely paying any attention, in a slight fog as I rubbed the tips of my fingers across a collection of goosebumps.
The air became a steam bath as a crackle of electricity shifted all the way down my spine.
There was no need to turn around. The sweeping sense of untamed hunger was the only clue I needed to confirm Montgomery was standing right behind me, close enough I could feel his hot breath tickling the back of my neck.
He wasn’t touching me, certainly not creating any pressure. He was merely remaining close in another act of possession.
When Zoe was tossed off the bull and into the waiting arms of a couple of local guys, I took the opportunity to face him. His deep, unwavering stare was even more captivating, a predator claiming its prey.
