by Meghan March
“Is he gone—” she started to ask.
But fuck it, I needed another taste of her. I lowered my lips to hers again and devoured.
Who the hell was this guy kissing the living daylights out of me? Was this Lord—the silent, brooding guy who’d basically avoided me? I mean, I knew I was the one who decided to make this a real show for that guy, Rix, but now he was gone.
And yet Lord was still kissing me.
And it was the best kiss of my life. Hands down. Bar none. Without a doubt.
It went on and on … until someone cleared a throat.
“Umm … you two might need to get a room.”
Mathieu.
Lord lifted his face again, and it was everything I could do not to drag his lips back down to mine for a third round. With the kid as an audience. Yep. I was officially shameless. I unlocked my hands from around his neck and slid off the counter.
Which meant I slid along the front of Lord’s rock hard chest, chiseled abs, and the huge bulge in his jeans. I forced myself to squeeze out from between him and the counter.
It was either get away from him or grab on tight and beg him to take me for a ride right out in the open in front of God and everyone.
I was making my subtle escape when Lord reached out and grabbed my hand. I froze when his callused fingers wrapped around mine.
“You need something, Mathieu?”
The kid choked out a laugh. “Just came to grab my dinner.”
“No one’s stopping you. In fact, eat it out here. Elle and I need to have a chat in the office.”
That choking laugh from Mathieu? It turned into an all-out chuckle. “Is that what the old folks are calling it these days?”
“Zip it, kid.” Lord grabbed one of the takeout bags as we walked by, and I glued my eyes to the floor. I didn’t need to see Mathieu’s grin to know that my hair was a mess and my cheeks were probably bright red. Nope, I could picture exactly how I looked. Instead, I focused on the heels of the black motorcycle boots leading me toward the office.
Lord tugged me inside and shut the door before setting our dinner on the desk. He nodded at the couch, and I took that as my cue to sit down.
“You have any idea what the hell just happened out there?”
“I kissed you.”
One side of his mouth quirked up before it dropped back in to a flat line. “It was a hell of a lot more than that. I just marked you as mine.”
My hand lifted of its own accord to my mouth, wondering if he’d given me a hickey.
Lord’s smile broke free again. “Not like that. I marked you in a way that sent a very clear message to Rix that you belong to me, and if he knows what’s good for him, and his continued ability to breathe, he’ll stay the fuck away from you.”
Ummm … okay. I knew there’d been some male posturing going on out there but…
“What does that even mean?” I asked.
“Men like Rix don’t operate in any kind of P.C. way. They see women as something to be taken and owned. If someone doesn’t own you, then you’re available. I just told him you’re not available.” Lord rubbed a hand over his face. “And if he sees you do something that contradicts what I just said—like you with another guy—you’re gonna be fucking us both over.”
“Guess it’s a good thing I don’t date then,” I said.
Lord’s eyes narrowed on me. “What the hell do you mean you don’t date? You’ve been flirting your ass off for days. If that ain’t the move of a woman looking for a date, then I don’t understand a goddamn thing about women.”
I guess my flirting hadn’t gone unnoticed.
My lips tugged in a smile. “I’m sure you understand women just fine … but I wasn’t looking for a date.”
That narrowed gaze? It turned to ice.
“Just looking for a quick fuck with the boss?”
His judgmental tone had me instantly on the defensive. I shot up from my seat on the couch and paced the room as I unloaded my tirade. “Like you haven’t been in my shoes before? So what if I’m just looking to take care of myself? Because I’m female I have to want a relationship with my sex? I can’t just have fun and call it a night? Since we’re going with full-blown stereotypes, shouldn’t you be thrilled that I want that and nothing more? Isn’t that every guy’s dream?”
I paused, spun, and headed the other direction, but a big body stepped into my path. I threw my hands up to avoid having my face connect with his throat. Even so, I was still close enough to catch a hint of his soap and shaving cream.
Hell. Now I wanted to lick him—and then he spoke and all thoughts of licking fell away.
“You think I should be glad you want a quick fuck? Have you even thought about the kind of shit you’d be throwing down between my brother and me? You’re his girl’s best friend, and I ain’t about to go there for a one-night stand. You might not care, but I’ve got too much respect for them to do that.”
He was so emphatic, it was clear this decision was not made on the spur of the moment.
So much for checking him off my to-do list. I wasn’t playing coy when I said I didn’t date. And let any man own a piece of me? Hell no. I thought of my mother and my tyrant of a stepfather. She couldn’t make a move without his approval, and there was no way in hell I’d ever put myself on the path to ending up like that.
The muscle in my jaw ticked. I swore this woman knew exactly how to push all my buttons and was doing it on purpose.
She wanted me—and God knew I fucking wanted her. I’d meant what I’d said—I didn’t want to fuck things up for Con over a one-night stand. He’d fought hard to get where he was with Vanessa, and they’d both been through too much shit for me to want to cause problems there. And apparently Elle was shutting down any other option—which was bullshit as far as I was concerned. The idea of her moving on to another guy to get what she wanted for one night was unacceptable. She was the kind of woman a man was meant to savor, not rush through. Whatever reservations she had about dating could be overcome.
Wait—was I really considering this?
I thought of her spicy sweet flavor and the way she’d wrapped herself around me without a care for who was watching.
She was wild—uninhibited—and I wanted that wildness and lack of inhibition in my bed. One night wouldn’t be enough.
If I was actually up for trying something real with Elle and not just fucking and ducking, I didn’t think Con and Vanessa would be pissed. Yeah, if things went sideways, it might be weird for a while, but we were adults.
I needed to make up my mind and construct my tactical plan. But first, recon.
“You want me. Deny it.”
Elle’s eyes widened, as if she wasn’t expecting me to take the direct route. Good. But she recovered from her shock just as quickly.
“I think I made that pretty clear.”
“And if I told you I was open to exploring shit between us—not just one night, but something real—even though I knew it was a bad idea, you’d shoot me down cold?”
“Why do I feel like this is a fucked up reenactment of a scene from Pride and Prejudice? It’s like Darcy telling Elizabeth he likes her against his better judgment. And guess what? She didn’t go for it, and neither am I.”
“What the hell are you talking about, woman?”
Elle’s expression took on the same stubborn quality I’d seen when I’d told her I wouldn’t hire her. “I’m sure you can figure it out yourself. Watch the damn movie if you don’t want to read the book. If we’re done with this conversation, I think I’ll be going.”
Elle took off toward the door, her heels clicking on my linoleum floor in that sexy way that never failed to get my blood pumping south. Like Pavlov’s fucking dog. But she wasn’t going anywhere.
I took two steps and blocked her. “You forget, you’ve got no wheels, sweet thing.”
“Did you forget I’ve got two working legs, pawn star?”
“And you’re not walking out of this shop on them.”
Elle crossed her arms, and, for a moment, her tits distracted me from what I was about to say.
“Because some scary guy decided he thinks I’m hot? What is he going to do? Kidnap me? I don’t think so. And you know what else?” She dropped her arms and poked her finger into my chest. “I’m really not impressed with the fact that you only decided you wanted me because some random guy showed interest.”
I glanced down to the finger jammed between my pecs and back up at her face. Elle’s golden brown eyes practically shot fire with the annoyance burning there. The feisty redhead temper was alive and well in her.
“You are so far off base with the shit you’re spouting right now, I barely know where to start. So how about this? First, Rix is not just a random guy. He’s the top dog of one of the most ruthless gangs in this city—and he eats women like you for breakfast. You might be classier than his normal piece, but it was pretty fucking clear he was digging the class even more than his normal. If you think you can handle tangling with that, then you’ve lost your mind. I’ll take you back to the Quarter and make sure you never set foot on this side of town again before I’ll let him have a shot at you.”
“And second?” she snapped.
Fuck, I was going to kiss that sassy mouth as soon as I finished getting out what I needed to say.
“And second, I didn’t keep kissing you after he walked out of this shop for any reason other than you’re the sweetest fucking thing I’ve tasted in as long as I can remember. He ain’t getting his hands on you because it would mean I don’t have my hands on you—and that won’t work for me.”
Elle’s chin lifted. “I just told you how you could put your hands on me. One night. None of this dating bullshit.”
A harsh noise came out of my throat, because the woman could be infuriating. I’d never thrown out an offer like this and having it pitched back in my face sucked ass. “Tell me why. What’s your hang up, woman? I get that I’m fucked up in a helluva lot of ways, but I’m not a bad guy. I don’t even deserve a shot?”
The ice in her expression melted a degree. “It’s not you—”
My laugh was gravelly. “Let me guess, it’s you?”
That ice? It was back, in spades. She pivoted for the door, but I moved faster. I trapped her against it, a hand pressed to the wood on either side of her fiery red hair.
“You’re going to tell me why before you leave this room.”
“You’re not a bad guy? Just the kind that traps women against their will in a room they want to leave?”
I smiled. “Not women—just you.”
This time it was Elle who growled. She shoved against my chest, but I was an immovable rock where she was concerned. I didn’t budge. “You’re a caveman too, just like your brother, aren’t you? I’ve heard the stories. Is this a genetic issue?”
I didn’t respond to her taunt. I was waiting her out. “Got all day. Take your time.”
“Fine! Because there’s no way in hell I’d ever answer to a guy. Therefore, relationships are out. And since I don’t want anything serious, why date? Most guys are happy to have no-strings sex. It’s a bonus. You’re the only whack job who won’t take the bait.”
“I don’t like hearing about you and other guys.”
“Get over it, pawn star, since I’ll be getting under one now that you’re out of the question.”
My temper flared. “No fucking way. Shit just changed. You want to get under someone, you’re getting under me.” My words were emphatic, and not just because I wasn’t going to let Rix see her with another guy. She wanted me. That was fucking clear, so there was no way she was going elsewhere to get what she needed. Con and Vanessa would just have to understand.
“Umm, that’s not your call. I can do whatever and whoever I want. And this is a prime example of why I won’t be doing you. No one tells me what I can or can’t do. I don’t check in. I don’t ask for permission. I don’t—”
“Have any common courtesy,” I interrupted her. “Because that’s what this is about, right? You doing whatever you wanna do without considering anyone else in the process?”
Her mouth snapped shut, and her eyes squeezed closed. “It’s not about that,” she said quietly. “And don’t make me sound like a bitch just because I don’t want someone telling me what to do every second of every day.”
That’s when the light bulb turned on. Whatever issue Elle had with relationships wasn’t something simple. “What does that have to do with dating?” My mind immediately went to some bastard who’d tried to control her in the past. I fought the urge to demand a name.
“I’m done with this conversation. If you’ll get out of my way, I’ll call a ride.”
I didn’t move. “You quittin’ on me, Elle?”
Her lips pressed into a flat line. “No. I’m not quitting. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
I didn’t know what kept bringing her back, but there was something in this shop she wanted more than she wanted me—that was for damn sure. So I decided to lay down an ultimatum. “You leave right now, and you’re fired.”
Elle’s mouth dropped open. “What! Because I won’t date you? You’re a piece of work.”
“It’s called quid pro quo. Not to mention I’m protecting your ass by standing between you and Rix.”
“You’re insane. Seriously crazy. I don’t get you.”
“You don’t have to. You aren’t from this world, you don’t understand the consequences, and I’m not about to let you learn the hard way when I can prevent it. On top of that—you’ve been trying to get my attention all week. So now you’ve got it. You just happened to get it my way.”
Elle looked to the side, as though bored with the entire conversation, but I recognized embarrassment when I saw it. She tried to cover it, but it still came through loud and clear in the pink blush staining her cheeks.
“And now that we’ve finished stroking your ego, I think we’re done here,” she said. Her words were quiet, and I didn’t like seeing her bold sassiness muted.
I decided to throw myself out there too. Fuck, I hoped I knew what I was doing. “I didn’t say I didn’t like you trying to get my attention. Do you have any idea how hard I’ve been fighting to stay away from you? Jesus, woman, you’re the sexiest fucking thing to set foot in this place. My dick has become way too well-acquainted with my zipper—and a fuck ton more acquainted with my hand since you started.”
I was glad I couldn’t see a mirror, because I was pretty sure my eyes were bugging out of my head. Which was a great look when paired with my burning cheeks.
But his bold declaration—and the thought of Lord getting himself off while thinking about me—stripped away my embarrassment.
My nipples puckered against my thin bra, and I bet if I were to look down, I’d see both headlights on high beams. My eyes dropped unintentionally. And so did Lord’s.
That sexy smirk … it got sexier, if that were even possible.
“Seems that even if that sassy mouth of yours has a problem with me, that hot-as-hell body doesn’t.”
I glared. Or tried to. Who knew if I was actually successful, considering how distracted I was by the heat of his body. I found my voice.
“Unfortunately the sassy mouth and hot-as-hell body come in the same package, and that package doesn’t date. And you can’t make me.” I sounded like a little kid who didn’t want to eat her peas, and I wondered how long I was going to be able to hold out against him. Good Lord—pun totally intended—the man’s intensity was searing. This was a prime reason why he was the absolute worst person to break the dating rule with. He wouldn’t just be demanding—he’d want everything. And I didn’t have it in me to give. So we were at an impasse.
“I’m taking you out. You’ll get over it.”
I opened my mouth to deliver a resounding no way in hell, but banging on the other side of the door had me snapping it shut.
“What, Mathieu?” Lord called.
“You nekkid?” Mathieu asked.
“Fucking kid,” Lord breathed, sidestepping us both away from the door and releasing me. “Come on in.”
Mathieu pushed it open, and in one hand he was holding a bottle of wine and, in the other, a small, square piece of paper.
Lord grabbed both the bottle and the paper.
“Mother. Fucker,” Lord growled, reading whatever it said.
I got a look at the label. Dom Perignon. A shiver of disgust worked through me. That was what I’d drunk one night over eight years ago and gotten so obliterated I could’ve killed someone and not even remembered it. The last night I’d had a drop of alcohol.
Keep it away. Keep it far, far away.
Lord walked over to me and held out the bottle. I made no move to take it. Mathieu must have sensed the impending explosion because he backed out of the room and closed the door.
“You see this? This is not how Rix usually operates. This is what he breaks out for a classy broad. Not even fifteen minutes, and he’s trying to stake his claim. It’s an insult to me, because he’s saying loud and clear either he doesn’t believe you’re really taken, or he thinks you’re worth going head-to-head with me to win.”
“It—it’s not like I asked for it,” I stuttered. “I don’t—”
“Doesn’t matter. He’s thrown down. He’s watching. Waiting. And that’s just too fucking bad.”
I’d lost complete control of the situation—that was clear. I’d just wanted to work at Chains to find something precious to me on the long shot that someone might pawn or sell it here. That’s it. That’s all. The sexy scenery provided by Lord’s presence—and the potential for a wild night with him—had been a bonus. I certainly wasn’t looking to become the prize in some street throw down that I couldn’t even begin to understand. This was bad. Very bad. My eyes darted to the bottle of Dom. I didn’t use booze to calm the shitstorms in my life anymore, and I wasn’t about to start again over something I didn’t even truly understand.
“I’m really going home now,” I said, reaching for the door handle.
Lord studied me. “You looking to run away, Elle? I can’t promise I’m not gonna chase.”
