Page 9 of Brutal Savage

“That the food you ordered is for your grandmother and not you?” He hits me with a cocky, lopsided grin. “Heard you talking to your friends.” He tilts his head toward an awestruck Alice. “So please order something for yourself. It’s on me. You know…” His mouth descends across my ear, breath caressing down my neck. “…for running into you.”

My inhales turn shaky, but he doesn’t offer any reprieve. Instead, he moves in closer, until his front presses into my back just enough to make me feel it—his power.

And I don’t mean the one in his pants. Or maybe I do…

I’m not entirely sure of anything at the present moment.

My nerves tingle through me, forcing me to pinch my thighs to satiate this pulsing need that has grown almost unmanageable.

This man, there’s something about him—something I desire, yet fear—and he knows it too.

I’ve met men like this. I’ve looked them in the eyes as they hurt me and lived another day.

So with this man, I refuse to be like the rest. I won’t cower in fear. I won’t let another man hurt me like my father and Jerry did.

“It’s awfully kind of you to offer to pay, but that’s not necessary.” Returning my attention to the cashier, I reach into the pouch around my waist and remove a twenty-dollar bill, holding it out for her. “Could you get my order, please?”

With his card in hand, she glances at him like she needs his permission.

“Run my card,” he tells her.

She does so immediately, her fingers jittery as she hands him the card back, then gives me a receipt. She rushes off to get the stuff I ordered while I shake my head and turn around to face him.

“Does everyone just do whatever you want?”

“Usually. If they’re smart, that is.”

Something heavy sinks into my stomach. This man…he’s definitely dangerous.

Yet utterly alluring.

“Here you go.” The cashier hands me a brown bag and places the cup of coffee on the counter.

“Thanks,” I tell her, turning to him. “Please take this.”

His face hardens as I attempt to hand him the twenty.

“What are you doing? I’m not taking your money.” He looks almost furious, yet it only lasts a moment. “It’s my treat, Ms. Hill.” His fingers trace up my elbow, and I inhale a sharp breath. “Don’t fight it.”

It hits me then.

He knows my name.

Panic creeps up my skin.

“Have we met before?” My words come out almost like a whisper as I stuff the twenty back into my pouch and close it.

His mouth bends into a quick grin. “I know everyone in this town.”

I swallow down the fear those words just caused me. The last thing I want is for him to know who I am. Who I was before I became Elara.

I don’t bother asking his name. I don’t want to know it.

“Thanks for this.” I grab the order. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

I brush past him, hoping to make my escape, but his sudden grip on my wrist has me dead in my tracks.

My skin sears where he touches me. I glance back at him to find those eyes burning with a new flash of heat. The vein in his neck throbs.

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