Page 2 of Obsession & Oath

And I’m about ninety percent positive this momentary appreciation has nothing to do with being smacked around the head with what I think might be a drink tray.

“Stay the fuck away from me.”

She stands there a few feet away from the open panic-room door with the silver tray poised over her shoulder, ready to strike again without hesitation. She’s wild and angry and actually very distractingly… beautiful.

“Well, aren’t you just the prettiest thing in this whole place?”

Okay, maybe she did hit my head a little hard.

Carmen Rubio looks about ready to spit at me. “If you so much as touch me, I will snap off your dick.”

“Thinking about my dick are you?” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.

The second smack with the drink tray is probably well-earned.

But it does put her within reach. That one brave step forward to give me my just desserts is the opening I need to wrap a hand around her wrist and twist. She hisses, her fingers going slack on her makeshift weapon, and the tray drops to the floor with an unceremonious clatter.

I’m suddenly immensely glad of her warning when her other hand snaps out like a viper toward my crotch. I intercept it just in time.

“Usually, they buy me a drink first,” I say as I pin both her wrists with one hand. “But I can appreciate an eager woman when they look as beautiful as you.”

Carmen’s jaw sets in a murderous rage, and I can’t help but think she actually looks quite sweet.

“I’d rather die.”

Credit where credit’s due, her voice doesn’t waver. In fact, she stands taller, prouder. The scent of something sweet and floral wafts from her hair. Caramel eyes warm with anger. Pulse racing beneath my fingers. Distracting.

Very distracting.

I don’t realize what she’s planning until her knee is already jerking into my balls.

“Fuck!”

And that’s how I ended up falling to my knees and watching her flee the scene, hair bouncing beautifully behind her. She doesn’t even look back at me.

This is why I can never get bored of high-stakes jobs.

“Please tell me a twenty-four-year-old did not just get the better of you?” Teo groans in my ear.

I’m laughing as I pull myself to my feet. “She’s feisty, I’ll give you that.”

“Do I need to warn you?—”

“I got it, all right?” I bite back. “A little flirting never hurt anyone.”

“It will if you lose her,” He doesn’t have to mention Leon for me to know he’ll probably kill me if I mess this up. “She’s just hit the east wing. You can intercept if you take the first staircase on your left.”

I take off, determined to cut her off as soon as possible to save Teo the lecture.

To my delight, I make it to the east wing exit just moments before Carmen comes hurtling around the corner, almost slamming directly into me, and my arms go to restrain her instantly.

“YOU!”she seethes as she tries to wrestle herself away.

But I don’t give her an inch. I manoeuvre us so that her back is to my chest, not wanting a replay of her last escape attempt.

“Me,” I practically sing in her ear as my arms tighten around her.

This time, I mentally prepare myself for the onslaught of distracting scents, but it doesn’t stop me from enjoying them as her hair tickles my face.

---