“And why do you think I would care about that?”
Because I did. I sooo did.
He chuckled. “Because you look like you’re about to strike her down with the death stare you’re giving her.”
That would be a really cool power to have.
“You know…” Justice leaned against the bar, tossing the rag over his shoulder and clasping his hands together. “We could test the theory.”
“What theory?” I asked, intrigued.
“How long it will take for him to walk over here and remind you that you belong to him.”
“I am not a mortgage on a house. I’m a person, dammit,” I huffed. “Besides, he doesn’t care if I’m here.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure,” Justice said. Without warning, he leaned in and breathed against my neck.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I asked, frozen in place.
“Testing my theory.” He blew on my neck, making me shiver. “Dude, you’re begging to get castrated,” Luca said as he strolled up to the bar and shook his head with a smug grin.
Justice slowly moved his gaze to the sexy man in front of us. “It’s so worth it, Luca, to see Nico unhinged.” He said it like he’d done it many other times.
“Thought you’d learned your lesson by now,” Luca responded, leaning against the bar. “You’re playing with fire, man. And no amount of water is going to put it out,” he warned. “Your body will a burning corpse.”
My eyes widened.
He’s kidding, right?
“Hey, Winter,” he greeted me, his voice smooth.
“Hi.” I smiled back, trying to sound casual despite my heart racing.
Then I noticed Nico moving toward me with purpose. Even from there, I could see the intensity in his brooding gaze when our eyes briefly met, but he quickly diverted his to Justice. The stare was so intense that it started to freak me out, so I slowly moved away.
Justice laughed when I stepped away from him.
“Stop it,” I hissed under my breath. “I like you too much to see something happen to you.”
But he kept laughing.
Nico approached, determination etched in his features, raw heat emanating from his proximity. My gaze remained fixed on him as he spoke, his voice low and gravelly.
“Don’t. Piss. Me. Off,” he threatened Justice, his jaw tightening as he stared him down.
Justice raised his hands in the air. “That wasn’t my intention, boss,” he said calmly.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” he said, his menacing gaze shifting to me.
“Me?” I asked, pointing at my chest.
Justice froze, and my stomach dropped to the floor.
“Nico,” Luca said, like he was warning Nico not to, what? Kill me?
Nico leaned over the bar and lifted my chin with a firm grip. The contact was electrifying, sending shivers down my spine as he tilted my face upward to meet his gaze. I felt a mixture of vulnerability and desire, as if his touch was claiming me in a way that words never could.
“Did you think I hadn’t noticed you?” His voice was meant for my ears alone. “Is that why you’re getting so cozy with another man? In my club? In front of me?”