“I said put me the fuck down, NOW,” she yells but I ignore her. We shove through the crowd as she continues her assault.
“Your shift is over, terror. Time to go,” I grit out.
Exiting Rapture, I haul ass over to the elevator, smashing my finger on the button. Dropping her to her feet–not gracefully by any means–she catches her balance. Her piercing blue eyes simmer with rage as she lifts them to me, and I smirk. I go to open my mouth, but my words are cut off by a right hook. My head snaps to the side and I pause, licking the blood off the corner of my lip. A dark chuckle bubbles within my chest as I slowly roll my gaze back to her.
“How’d that feel, terror? Hmm? Better now?”
The little shit squares her shoulders.
“Like punching Lucifer himself in the face,” she smarts as the elevator dings and the door opens.
Snatching her by the throat, I push her inside and the doors slide closed.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Air whooshesfrom my lungs as my back slams against the cold, mirrored wall of the elevator. Keeping me pinned in place, Karson shifts to press the button for the top floor.
“Where are you t-taking me,” I choke out under his firm grip, trying my best to convey my fury and not let slip that I’m fiercely fighting the pain in my chest–desperate for air.
He says nothing, adjusting his grip on my throat, allowing me to suck in a quick breath. He levels me with a menacing look, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. My fight for survival is quickly overcome with rage once again. My arms reach up to grab his wrist, and I dig my nails into his skin with as muchstrength as I can muster. The bastard chuckles and steps in closer to me.
“Are you done, terror?” He squeezes, the nickname rolling off his tongue in a dark, ominous tone.
“Not even close,” I manage to get out before readying myself. I go to lift my knee, but he's quick, sliding back just enough so that the blow doesn't land. He raises me slightly so that my toes barely leave the ground and steps back into me.
“Uh-uh,” He tuts. “Calm down, doll.” He brushes the hair that's fallen in my face behind my ear, leaving a frenzy of goosebumps in his wake.
Don’t…no…NO!
I yank my face away from his hand, my jaw clenches tightly as I let out a harsh breath. Refusing to look at him, I watch our reflection in the mirrored wall. His gaze never strays from my face, his body pressed into mine keeping me flush against the wall. His thumb strokes my pulse point, causing the temperature in the elevator to rise and a shiver racks my body. He hums from deep inside his chest, and I can feel the sound trying to crack my resolve.
I don’t think so.
Turning my head back to him, my gaze crashes into his. His steel-colored eyes don't shy away, nor does his expression change. He just watches me with an intensity I can't put my finger on, and for a moment, I feel myself start to slip. Catching myself, I stiffen my spine and raise my chin.
“What’s wrong, nut job? Are you jealous that another man touched me and I didn't immediately want to vomit?” I snark. His body tenses, but he doesn't tighten his grip, keeping me in place by my throat. He lowers me to my feet and cocks his head to the side.
“You think I’m jealous, terror? No. Not even a little.” He presses his chest into mine. “This isn't a game to me, Ashlynn. That idiot could have hurt you.”
My eyes roll. “He was drunk and he bumped into me.”
“And he should have left it at that, but his repulsive hand touched you. Grabbing your waist in some fake ass attempt tosaveyou from falling. No one touches you. I’ll cut off his hand if I see him again, but that’s not what this is about.” His voice is controlled, but I see the warring emotions in his eyes.
“Then what is it?” I snap. “My shift isn’t over for two more hours and you just carried me out of there like a fucking cave man! Take me back down therenow.”Rage builds in my chest again, and I want to scream. To punch him again. I’m so sick of being fucking controlled.
A growl rumbles deep in his chest as he turns and smashes the emergency stop with his fist, nearly shattering the control panel. My eyes widen as he whips back around to look at me. The elevator comes to an abrupt halt, causing my insides to somersault. The lights inside the suspending box flicker, making his expression more intense, more threatening. I shudder.
“You’re not going back down there. Not tonight, and not ever if I have anything to do with it.” His jaw tightens and I feel the energy in the cage of the elevator shift.
“Over my dead body, Karson.”
“It isn’t safe.Raptureisn't safe.” There’s a calmness in his voice that I don't understand given he punched the stop button only a second ago. His free hand grips my chin, not harshly, but enough to keep my attention on him. I’m struggling to keep my senses in check—it’s nearly impossible when the man in front of me is as chaotic as a hurricane.
“What are you-” I hiss, but my words are cut off by his thumb brushing against my bottom lip. My body freezes as I watch thestorm in his eyes settle. The clouds lift and a calmness takes over them. He leans into me, brushing his nose against my neck.
“It isn’t safe,” he whispers. His breath lands on my neck sending goosebumps all over my skin. The air around me gets sucked away, and my chest tightens.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
