Page 6 of Ruthless Wars

The charm of those darkening hazel eyes and that sexy body isn’t about to sway me or my growing wetness. Not tonight.

Covering my regret with haste, I grab the canister from his hand and blow out a decisive breath. “This will be perfect. Thank you.”

The subtle disappointment in his kind eyes lifts with an assured smile. “Anything you say.” He moves his attention to the tire, instantly making me miss his charmed smile from a second ago.

He takes the canister back from me, giving me a stern growl when I try hanging on. I release it, wondering how he sounds in bed. When his playful eyes unlock from mine, he works fast, not bothering to read the instructions.

“Not your first rodeo?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation light.

“I travel a lot for business. If the success of a business deal rests with my ability to fix a flat, the deal’s getting closed. There,” he says proudly as he pushes back to his feet next to the car. “Fixed as much as it’s getting tonight. Try not to drag race to wherever you’re going, okay?”

Regretful, I attempt an explanation. “I’m heading to the airport.”

He checks his watch. “Will you still make your flight?”

I nod, not bothering to explain that the private jet on standby will wait for me all night. And I’ll be on that flight. I have to be.

“Oh.” I snap away from my wishful thinking to grab my clutch from the front seat. “Can I pay you for—”

“Not on your life,” he says insistently, following with a gruff chuckle. “Well, not with money.”

My eyes narrow on him for a hot second before he clarifies.

“I’ll give you three options.”

I lift a brow. “You’re like a reverse genie.”

“Trust me, I’m no genie. I’m always the master,” he says, letting the words hang between us before continuing. “I take the following forms of payment—full names, phone numbers, or ...”

“Or?” I ask, quickly bypassing the first two suggestions.

“Or a kiss.”

A kiss? That’s like him paying me.

Nodding in agreement and trying to hide my enthusiasm, I take a step closer. But his warm hands grip my shoulders, keeping me at arm’s length.

“Hey,” he says with a warning. “No holding back. This kiss has to be more valuable than your name.” Sternly, he adds, “I’d hate to make you do it again.”

“I’ve never been so incentivized to fail.”

This time, it’s his step that closes the distance, letting him tower over me. My breaths quicken when he reaches out to lay a hand lightly on my hip, his touch smoldering. Instinctively, and not just to cop a feel, my hands smooth over his chest, making their way to the tight muscles of his neck.

With his arm tightening around the small of my back, a sudden shiver races down my spine. He pulls me to my toes before my eyes softly close, welcoming his mouth to my parted lips.

He’s soft. Tender. Taking his time. As his tongue explores me in sensual sweeps, the firmness of his erection doesn’t take me by surprise as much as its size does.

Holy hell, that’s impressive.

A moment later, his lips move from mine, but return for a few tender pecks before he whispers against my lips, “Tell me your name.”

I need a minute to catch my breath. “You can’t renegotiate the deal after payment,” I whisper back, preoccupied with stealing a few more kisses.

“Then agree to meet me tomorrow for dinner. Or lunch. Or at least let me buy you a coffee. I already know your favorite drink.”

My smile subsides as my finger makes a lazy figure eight across the firm muscles above his heart. Regretting the dozen decisions that led to this point, I sigh. “I’m leaving the country tonight, and I’m not sure when I’m returning.”

“I see.” His finger lifts my chin, giving me another amazing shot at his hazel eyes. “Okay,” he says softly. “Let’s get you on your way.”

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