Page 14 of Brutal Ice

“You don’t need to be afraid of me.” His voice was deep and dark, and it rumbled like a growl. Why on earth did she find it so sexy?

Maybe because she found everything about him to be sexy.

“I’m not afraid of you,” Violet returned softly.

“You can lie to the rest of the world. In fact, I need you to lie to them. But you don’t have to lie to me.”

Her hands clamped around the top of the balcony railing. The river waited below. Lights gleamed in the water, reflections from the nearby buildings. “I don’t know you.”

“Sure, you do. I’m your own personal boogeyman.”

She spun around. Found herself trapped between him and the railing.

“Boo,” he murmured.

“Is that supposed to be funny?” she snapped even as her heart raced too hard in her chest.

“Ah. There she is.” He smiled. “Thought she was in there, but you were a shell tonight. All glamour and cold facade. Had to break through to see the real you.”

Her chin lifted. “What does that even mean?”

“It means fear is cloaking you. Don’t let it. You let fear rule you, and you’ll hate what you become.”

“Easy for you to say. You weren’t knocked out and locked in the back of some jerk’s trunk.” A man who is still out there somewhere. And if he was out there, he could come for her at any time. Her breath came faster, just as it had when they danced. Too quick. Almost panting.

His hand rose and pressed over her racing heart. “I scare you.” Then, halting, “I don’t…want to scare you.”

Then don’t be so shady and mysterious. “You’re a criminal.” A conclusion she’d had to reach.

Soft laughter. Mocking. “Is that what I am?”

“You have to be.” She’d tried to put these pieces together in the last two weeks. On the nights when she couldn’t sleep, her mind had spun the possibilities over again and again. “Why else wouldn’t you go in the police station with me? You’re wanted by the cops, aren’t you?” What crimes had he committed?

“There is currently no warrant out for my arrest. I give you my word on that.” His hand fell away from her. He took a step back. “But I’ve certainly been called a criminal before. By plenty of people. Plenty of times. I’ve got to say, the label gets old.”

Why did she feel like she’d just hurt him? Her hand flew out. This time, she was the one to touch his chest. Right over his heart. “I’m sorry.”

He looked down at her hand. Back up at her. “You should know…I want you.”

She blinked.

“Probably could have been more suave with that reveal, huh? Didn’t feel like being suave. Thought I’d be honest with you instead. So you, touching me—that’s probably not the best idea.”

She didn’t stop touching him. “I want you, too.” Soft.

He…

Backed up another step.

Her hand fell back to her side.

“You often want criminals?” Royal asked her. His voice was all mild. As if he’d just asked her what sort of ice cream she liked or who was her favorite musician.

“I don’t typically fall for criminals, no.” To be clear. And, so they could get back on topic, “You just paid ten thousand dollars to dance with me.”

“I did. Charitable donation. Earning good karma and all of that.”

Now he had distracted her. “Do you need good karma?”

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