I laughed at his incredulous stare. “Yes, I have a small place here.”
“And what does your husband think about that?”
I frowned at his first reference for the night to my husband, unsure if it was intentional. “Appearances can be deceiving, Mr. Shaw,” I scoffed. “It’s not a dump if that’s what you’re asking. I’ll have you know that my husband takes very good care of me,” I was off on a tangent, maybe because for the first time since I discovered Trent leaning against the bar, the personification of sex itself, I remembered that by allowing his indulgence, I was cheating on Zayne. My insides resembled a failed souffle.
Trent had the sense to blanch. “That’s not what I meant...” he hesitated briefly then smiled. “I mean about you staying here, all alone.” The genuine sincerity in his eyes had me cringing with embarrassment.
“It’s safe. And it’s not my permanent residence. I crash here when I have a late night coupled with an early start.” Why the hell was I explaining myself? Annoyed, I opened the door. He stepped out and turned. Hands in his pants pockets, his penetrative eyes searched my face. I had no idea what to read in there, but I got the impression he was reluctant to leave. The thought made my heart flutter as my anger made a quick exit. Remembering I hadn’t thanked him yet and my response to him at the doctor’s rooms wasn’t exactly friendly, I inched forward. “The night at the club...” I paused, my cheeks flushed still trying to recall what happened that night. “Thank you for coming to my rescue. Did the guy hurt you?”
“Even if he did, it was worth it. I’d do anything for you.”
I sucked in a breath. “But you don’t even know me.”
“Sometimes all it takes is a look for you to know destiny is yours for the taking,” the soft words accompanied by the look in his eyes had me questioning why I was opposing the attraction. Any woman in her right mind would be open to something—anything with him. “And you’re mine.”
“Yours?” I croaked trying to appear composed.
“Don’t fight me, sweetheart. Wearegoing to end up in bed together. The only decision you should be battling is in which position you’d like me to fuck you first.” His tone like the brush of satin on my skin didn’t match the molten flames in his eyes. The outright ‘let me fuck you right now’ invite, blazed brighter than the light above the door. I shivered, wanting to prolong his departure. This man didn’t mince words nor, it seemed, the signals he sent. He knew what he wanted and went after it. Only, there were spouses to think about. Even if I had a logical reason behind betraying mine—not that I’d considered it—what about his?
I had to get out of there or I was likely to take him up on his offer. “Bye.”
“No goodnight kiss?”
“Goodnight, Mr. Shaw.” I managed without coming across like a flustered teen.
“Why so formal, Ash?”
“Ash?”
“The color of embers after losing their heated glow.” At my creased brow, he leaned closer. “The shade of your eyes.” I don’t think I’d ever heard anyone describe the color quite like that before and the fact he’d coined it from a portion of my name, surprised me. “One night with me and I’ll fuck the spark of a Blacksmith’s fire into them.”
God, this man. The intensity of a Blacksmith’s fire could melt metal, I dared to imagine the potency when he fucked a woman. Need speared straight to my still-aching clit, begging me to take him up on his offer. Swallowing to ease my dry mouth, I shook my head with a small laugh. “And just when I figured you were poetic, you go mess it up with your crass mouth.”
“As long as I’ve given your wet pussy something to think about, mission achieved.” He winked and was striding away before I could form a suitable reply.
Shaking my head, I closed and locked the door. Trent was beyond shocking me with his unchecked comments. It was clear he took an interest and got what he wanted or didn’t bother at all. Since he’d begun eating here, I’d seen the flirty and at times wistful glances both employees and patrons sent his way. He offered nothing, not even a smirk in their direction. As I undressed, I wondered why he was so interested in me. He could choose any of those openly flirtatious women, why me? Still, the attention was both flattering and uncanny.
