She visibly swallows. “Isn’t Anthony driving?”
“Get in the car, Leoni,” I say firmly.
This time she does, and I slam the door way harder than necessary. “Find her friend. Tell her Leoni is safe.”
Anthony nods. “Of course. I’ll make my own way back.”
We shake hands. “And hire one of your military friends.”
I get in the car, keeping my eyes fixed ahead as I start the engine and pull my seatbelt on. I grip the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white from the pressure. The fact Erik found her before me, before my men, is unsettling. It means he’s somehow keeping tabs on her. And that means he knows she’s definitely staying with me. I slam my hand against the wheel, and Leoni jumps in fright, her eyes burning into me as I weave in and out of traffic.
“Did something happen?” she asks, her voice tentative and wary.
I take a calming breath. “No. You just weren’t where I expected you to be.”
She takes a moment too long to answer, and it crawls under my skin. “I didn’t think it would be such a big deal, Warren. I met my friend for a drink.”
I side-eye her, jaw ticking. “A drink? One drink?” A low, humourless laugh leaves me. “Try ten. I can smell the alcohol from here.”
“Stop the car.”
“I can’t. It’s busy,” I mutter, tightening my grip on the wheel.
“Stop the damn car or I swear I’ll jump and roll.”
“Don’t be fucking rid—”
Her hand clamps around the door handle, eyes flashing a warning that sears straight through me.
“Fine.” I wrench the wheel and slam the car into a space so tight it’s a miracle we fit.
She’s out before the engine dies, slamming the door and storming off with long, furious strides.I groan, shoving my door open, to rush after her. I’ve never chased a woman down in my life. But she’s like a fucking addictive storm, and apparently, I’m the idiot who walks straight into hurricanes.
I catch up, falling into step beside her. “Leoni —”
“Fuck off,” she snaps, loud enough that people stop to stare.
“Let’s just get back in the car,” I grit out, lowering my voice. “You’re making a scene.”
“Stop following me!” she screams, spinning on me and shoving both fists into my chest. Hard.
My patience snaps. I grab her wrists firmly and drag her out of the street before she can draw more attention. She fights me like I’m trying to murder her. We hit the hotel doorway, and she screams again, dramatic and wild. I slap a hand gently over her mouth and pin her to the wall of the reception, caging her body with mine.
My lips brush her ear as I hiss, “Unless you want me to fuck you right here, stop.” She goes still. “I’m hanging on by a thread,” I murmur, my voice low and lethal. “I’m jealous enough to wreck something. Seeing you two together, the way you were looking at him…” My nose skims her cheek. “I need to do something with all that. So, I'm gonna take it out on your body.” Her breathing stutters, her eyes darkening so fast it punches heat straight to my cock. “Good,” I whisper, feeling the tremble run through her. “Now you’re going to walk to that desk like a good girl, and we’re getting a room.” She doesn’t speak; she doesn’t need to. I feel the answer in the way her thighs press together.
I release her mouth, and she stays quiet, chest heaving. I march to the reception desk, chuck my platinum card down hard enough that the receptionist jumps. “Room,” I bite out. “Now.”
The woman scrambles, tapping, clicking, flicking her gaze between my card and my face as recognition hits her. “Of course, Mr Baxter. Room 200.”
I snatch the key card, leaving the bank card there, and grab Leoni’s arm, possessively, dragging her toward the elevators.
The second the doors slide shut behind us, something in me snaps.
I spin her, pinning her to the wall, and my mouth crashes against hers.She melts instantly, arms looping around my neck as her body moulds to mine. A needy moan slips from her throat when she feels my erection grind against her hip.
The doors ping open, and I lift her, wrapping her legs around me and continuing to kiss along her neck and collarbone. I fumble with the key card, pressing it haphazardly against the reader until it flashes green.
I kick the door closed behind us, still keeping her in my arms as I push her against the cool wood. I pull back, our breaths coming fast and heavy as I take in the low cut of her dress. “Where did you get this?” I pant, cupping her breast roughly through the material.
