Pride wars with rage in my chest as I stand. I know my Little Warrior can hold her own, but she doesn’t have to fight if I’m around.
“Liev,” I hear Keke snap, and then there is a smothered laugh from the two across the table.
Knowing I have to salvage this job—because if I get fired it cuts off my access—I look down at the woman. My brain searches for a phrase she might understand.
“We’re a team. I can’t have her distracted.”
It’s total bullshit. Makes absolutely zero sense. I don’t care. I’m walking away, literally turning my back on the person we are supposed to be protecting.
I hear Keke spluttering behind me and Dani say, “Come on, Keeks. It’s obvious what’s going on.”
“Ready to go?” I ask Sera, ignoring the man still trying to get her attention. He hasn’t bothered to look back to see who is talking.
“Come on. I’m a nice guy, I promise. I’ll take you to the best place in Chicago.”
Sera points at me. “I have to go.”
“I’m sure your friend will wai—” I place a heavy hand on his shoulder, and he finally looks back, craning his neck to meet my eyes before paling.
“Learn to take a hint.”
The man walks away, but not as quickly as I’d like.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.” My blood is still thrumming, and I don’t hide it from her. Sera’s eyes dilate, and her lips part. “I don’t share.” I know it’s too much, too intense. But the primal territorial side of me is on full display.
Her eyes drop to my mouth, and she leans slightly forward before she catches herself and pushes off the seat. I don’t step back, forcing her body to brush mine. Heat instantly envelopes me and my cock thickens.
She doesn’t move away. If anything, I’d swear she presses her breasts harder into my chest.
Fuck. She’s killing me.
By the look on her face, she knows it.
Sera tilts her head up to meet my eyes, but her smile is far too sweet to be trusted. “You don’t share? That implies I’m already yours.”
You are, the beast inside me wants to roar, but what little oxygen is still fueling my brain tells me to keep my mouth shut.
My heart is beating hard, and I can feel the answering rhythm through her top. The moment heats and stretches between us. Finally, Sera takes a step back, brushing down her clothes.
If not for the pink still evident on her chest, I’d think she was unaffected.
“You didn’t have to go full murder-face, Gangster.”
My lungs expand as I force myself to take even breaths. The noise of the restaurant around us comes back to me, and an irritated “What the fuck?” in Keke’s voice reminds me of where we are.
“I wasn’t even trying. Were you impressed?” I say, matching her casual tone.
“You looked like you were trying to break his shoulder with that grip.”
I shrug, completely unrepentant. “He was slow to understand.”
“You know I could’ve handled it.”
“You were handling it.”
“Exactly. With charm… and words. Like a civilized adult.”
