This time from somewhere in front of me, the abrupt sound of approaching footsteps froze every nerve in my body.Shit.I closed my eyes, thinking of a plausible excuse to get me out of this mess. My mind went blank. The footsteps drew closer. I opened my eyes, lifted my head, and pausing mid-lift, my fingers curling around the edge of the rug. Silently, his expensive black shoes drew closer, dark slacks covered muscular thighs, but then he crouched.
Wow.
Stunned, I forgot to take my next breath, trapped by beautiful green eyes.
Forest pines. No. Fresh Spring clovers. No. Jade. No.
“Where do you think you’re...” that deep voice trailed off as he blinked a couple of times, his brow creasing in a deep frown.
Suddenly, I wished my mother hadn’t insisted I wear my long black hair in the silly plaits hanging on either side of my cheeks. Conscious of my metal braces, I had never minded before, I pursed my lips together and moved to get up when his mouth formed a single word.
“Snow,” it was barely a whisper, but I heard it.
Surprised, I frowned. How did he know my nickname? Used only by my gran. I took in the rest of his rugged yet oddly noble features. The fine hairs at the back of my neck stood to attention as a sense of déjà vu prickled my senses. He looked familiar.
I stared at him in a way that was neither subtle nor polite until his brows twitched, slanting inward as though questioning my shameless scrutiny. Swallowing my embarrassment, I scrambled to my feet, noticing he’d buttoned his shirt, leaving just the top two open, giving me a glimpse of a firm chest.
He followed suit, but his gaze remained on my face. I fidgeted with my skirt, searching my brain for something appropriate to say. Should I apologize for walking in on his blowjob? Maybe I should just make a run for it again. I wasn’t supposed to be here in the first place. Perhaps I should ask him how he knew me. Unaware I was chewing my bottom, I winced when the braces nicked the soft inner skin. Just as I opened my mouth to say something, he spoke.
“Have you not seen the signs that say, trespassers will be prostituted?” His deep English accent, heavily aristocratic, he was too intelligent to make that mistake.
“You mean prosecuted?” I corrected, my voice steady and calm, belying the anxiety swirling in my gut.
“Why would I want to prosecute you when I can make money prostituting you?”
“Oh my God,” I gasped, trying to decipher his tone—no amusement, no threat, or maybe I was terrible at reading expressions. One dark brow shot up and it was all I could do to focus on staying upright let alone trying to breathe. The man was hot.No, you idiot, he isn’t.“You’re not serious?” Even as the words left my mouth, I peered over his shoulder, looking for the nearest escape route.
“Do I look like I jester to you?” His voice was quiet with a slight huskiness startling my gaze back to his impassive face. The green eyes I considered beautiful seconds ago darkened with blatant disregard.
“You’re insane,” I mumbled, subtly pinching myself to make sure I really was having this conversation with a stranger? My insult held no impact.
He rand his long fingers through his silky black hair. “I’ve been called worse.”
Undisguised amusement lined his words and an odd excitement slid over me as though something with equal parts fire and ice brushed over my skin. I shivered, glancing away as a blonde woman who I assumed had his dick in her mouth approached us.
“Um...” she began, then trailed off.
I watched her swallow twice. Clearly, she was intimidated by him. I didn’t blame her. The man was all kinds of imposing, towering above both of us. If that wasn’t enough, the rippling muscles straining under his shirt when he moved, made me want to touch them.
“You know the way out.” His tone dismissive, he flicked her a glance before returning his gaze to me.
I expected him to treat her better with the act she’d been performing for him. Rolling my eyes at him, I shifted my gaze to the woman. Her straight, shiny hair and figure-hugging red dress over a sculptured body, made me insecure about how plain I appeared in my uniform. I glanced down at my black skirt, tight at the waist and flaring to just below my knees, the white button-down shirt tucked into the high-waisted skirt and dark school blazer. Yup. Gorgeous.
Suppressing a smirk, I lifted my gaze back to her face. She opened her mouth to say something, hesitated for just a beat, then gave me a small smile and walked away. I almost felt sorry for her. The man might be good-looking, but his rudeness shrouded him in an ugliness I found disgusting.
Then something clicked, and instead of hightailing it, I said, “I suppose she was trespassing too.”
His nails scratched the stubble over his square jaw, his stare unwavering, contemplative. Perhaps he was trying to figure out if I was kidding or being sarcastic. I half expected him to grab me by the collar, drag me to the nearest door and toss me out on my ass.
His throaty chuckle caught me by surprise. “Touché.” One dark brow lifted, giving him a distinct charm I found unnerving. “You’re a clever one, aren’t you?”
“I’ve been called worse.” I threw his words back at him with a snide grin.
He stood there with a slightly tilted head and his silent study of my face beginning to dissolve my bravado. Then he took a step closer, and I couldn’t help admiring just how thick and black his eyelashes were or how several dark locks played over his forehead. I had the urge to reach up and sweep my hand through his silky hair. Scrunching my fingers, I reined in that desire.
“If you know what’s good for you, little girl.” His head dipped more, forcing me to tilt my head back and peer into those radiant orbs.
Run.Something in me screamed, yet I couldn’t explain the sudden heat rushing through my veins or the subtle tingle between my thighs. My gaze flicked down to his full lips and I suddenly wanted them to cover mine.
