Page 4 of The Enforcer

While I knew his words were a subtle pickup line, I couldn’t help but hold up my left hand, wiggling my fingers. Only then did he let one side of his firm grip slide free while keeping the fingers of his other firmly planted around my arm.

“Well, a boyfriend perhaps.” With his deep baritone, he could read the phone book and I’d listen. There was a slightruggedness to the tone, but his aura was one of sophistication and power.

“No. Trust me.”

“But a lady so beautiful should never be alone. Perhaps I can escort you to your destination.”

I lifted my eyebrows. “Are you flirting with me?” Only then did I notice the two other men standing only a few feet away. They were equally huge although not nearly as good-looking. However, they were watching the two of us intently.

“Would you mind if I was?”

While I thought about his question, the answer was easy. “No. Not at all.” I wasn’t defenseless, always keeping both mace and a sharpened pocketknife in my purse. I also wasn’t stupid. Men were delicious to play with, but there were few if any I would ever trust. However, after the arduous weeks, I was eager for a little play time. Why not make it with someone who should grace the covers of a magazine or romance novel?

His smile brought flashes of heat to my core, fiery enough my pussy clenched. Wow. I never had that kind of reaction. “Then I will escort you to your destination.”

If I’d been going to a hotel room, I wouldn’t have been naïve enough to even consider it. Since I was heading to the bar, I didn’t second guess my desire to do so. “I’d like that.”

He turned the other direction, placing his hand on the small of my back. To anyone else, the gesture might seem odd, but it was perhaps the most intimately powerful touch a man had given me my entire life. The gesture also felt natural.

“Would you be so kind as to give me your name?”

“Valencia.” He wouldn’t get my last.

“Sinfully perfect.”

“And yours?” I glanced over my shoulder, noticing the two men were following while still keeping a respectable distance. Who was this man?

He hesitated, providing me with another heated look. “Christos.”

“Fitting for a Greek god.” I let the words slip and laughed.

“I’ve never been called that before, but you have my nationality correct.” We were walking slowly and the noise of the comings and goings faded. There were only the two of us.

He was a stranger I’d never see again, but the blip in time would be remembered.

“A visitor?” I asked. “Is that too personal?”

“Not at all and yes, only here for a couple days. Have you been to Greece before?”

“No, but it’s a country I’d love to travel to one day.”

“And I would find it quite enjoyable to show you around my lovely country.” We were only steps from the entrance of the bar. He turned to face me, crowding my space to the point I backed against the wall. When he placed one palm next to my head, his exotic aftershave tingled my senses.

With hints of a lush green forest, the warm earth, a splash of citrus and spices, his fragrance was almost overwhelming. But on him, the scent suited his personality.

Dark and dangerous.

We were close, so close I was able to concentrate on the thick cords on the side of his neck, ink peeking out from under the collar of his shirt. I licked my lips and he caught the action, allowing his gaze to fall to my mouth.

The closeness was almost suffocating. “I’m meeting friends. Would you like to join us?” The question was perhaps the most impetuous thing I’d ever done. It was also a test. If he easily said yes, I’d enjoy a few moments with him then ask him to leave. If he said no, I’d be disappointed, but would realize he’d struck up a conversation for nefarious reasons. I was a cautious woman, my father teaching me to always be conscious of my surroundings. And never allow an unknown man to get but so close.

He acted as if he was debating accepting my offer. When he rolled the tip of his index finger under my chin, I willed myself not to react. But my pulse was high, more so than I’d experienced before.

“I would love to enjoy learning every detail about such an incredible woman. However, I’m afraid I have other business to attend to and if it weren’t urgent, I’d enjoy spending additional time with you.” He lowered his head until our lips were almost touching.

My reaction to the man wasn’t typical in any way. I arched my back slightly as if giving him approval. The moment he captured my mouth, I moaned into the tender kiss. His lips were soft, his breath explosive and our chemistry was off the charts.

My God. What was he doing? What was I doing? I was allowing this to happen? The rush of adrenaline and the intense chemistry we shared shocked me into doing nothing but enjoying the moment.

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