“I never said that.”
“So then why do you protect me?”
Our gazes overlapped then moved to each other’s lips.
“You’re going down a slippery slope, princess.”
“As if you didn’t like danger.”
My voice diminished into a weak whisper. James leaned his head back. I held my breath again; I couldn’t do anything else because he bit his lip seductively.
“Fuck, I like danger, but this is too much, even for someone like me.” James blew the smoke onto my parted lips before pulling back.
Too much? Was he talking about betraying Will’s trust? Of course he’d never do that, and neither would I.
Why’d my brain turn to mush whenever I was around him?
“But your argument holds no water. I didn’t give you anything in exchange.” I corrected him with conviction.
“People always return the favor.”
I turned bright red for no reason and probably made a goofy face. James burst out laughing.
“Hey, chill, Snow White. I’m joking. You don’t owe me shit.”
I saw him look right then left, examining every corner of the street. “Knowing them, they won’t come back tonight.”
The evening was so eventful that I’d almost forgotten about those criminals. Up until an hour ago, I was scared to death, but James managed to help the fear go away in his own way.
I put my head on his reassuring shoulder, and then his fingers fiddled with the shreds of my jean shorts while his thumb absentmindedly fell on my bare skin.
“But now . . .”
I kept quiet while he increased the contact, making it even more intimate. His warm hand wrapped around my bare thigh. He traced tiny invisible circles on my skin with his thumb, sending a wave of shivers over me.
“. . . you better go to sleep.”
“James.”
“Trust me. It doesn’t end well here,” he hissed gruffly.
11
June
I was in my bed, and my head was full of questions.
A few moments ago I was sitting on the landing with James, intent on making sure those two thugs wouldn’t come back. I leaned my head toward him to give him a kiss on the cheek, but before I could reach him, James turned right toward me, showing me his outlined lips.
“Good night, princess,” he said, throwing me off.
I got up at the speed of light. I threw the blankets on the couch and scampered upstairs.
How could I sleep now?
First William with that story, then those two criminals, and now James. I’d never seen him so upset as when Austin threatened me.
No, I wouldn’t be able to close my eyes.
