Page 37 of Ignite
“Asshole,” I mutter, to which I earn a low chuckle from him. Is that what he wants from me? My sass? If so, then I’ll do my best to keep it flowing all day.
The store employee looks me over from head-to-toe with disgust. “I suppose I’ve worked magic on worse.”
He saunters off, and flames burst to life in my chest. “I don’t think I like him much.”
Cain moves to drop onto a low velvet couch in the fitting room area. “You will after Drew’s done dressing you.”
“I’m guessing he’s dressed you?” I mouth off.
Cain raises a brow at my sharp tone, and my fingers twitch with that churning, destructive energy. “He has.”
I shove down my irritation as Drew returns. But after an hour of being around the man, between putting his hands on me and picking apart my every flaw, he has me so riled up I’m ready to burst.
Too slim around the waist. Bony hips. Strong jaw, but a little bit too crack whore chic in the face, don’t youthink?
That comment has me bristling. Hands balled into fists, I step up to Drew until chests are pressed together. Cain slips between us, facing me. His eyes sweep over me as his brows furrow.
“Just a minute please, Drew,” Cain says, keeping me shielded from the view of the aggravating twig of a man. Drew scoffs and wanders off in search of more clothes.
“What’s wrong?” Cain asks.
I’m still huffed up like a frightened cat. “I don’t like the words he’s saying.”
Cain’s eyes narrow. “They’re just words, Ezra. You’ll have to learn to shut down those emotions if you ever want to work for me.”
My head snaps up to him, stupid hot tears filling my eyes. “Yeah? My mother was addicted to drugs. I. Don’t. Like. His. Words.” I stand up taller.
Most people think I’m hooked on something, too, bouncing from shelter-to-shelter. I assume the woman who birthed me is dead by now. Wouldn’t know. I was too young to even memorize her face when she left me at the police station. Not sure who my father is, but I’d put money on him being an addict as well.
When Drew comes back carrying a new suit, Cain lifts a hand. “You’re dismissed, Drew. Get someone else to help us.”
Drew’s face turns beet red. His gaze drifts between us, our bodies leaned in toward each other, attracted like magnets. Cain never stops looking at me. His eyes are surprisingly warm, more burgundy than brown under my examination today.
Slamming the suit hanger on the rack, Drew vanishes. He’s replaced by Eduardo, who is kind, but I still instinctively pull away from him when he fixes my collar and measures my inseam.
Cain pretends to read emails on his phone, though I catch him scrolling mindlessly, too fast to process anything. I feel his gaze on me every time I step out of the dressing room in a new outfit. He checks my expression first before letting his eyes drift down my body.
It feels… intimate. Which is wild because two days ago he wanted to kill me. He still probably wants to kill me.
We end up with four bags of clothes. I’d expected to walk out with suits, but Eduardo had a different plan for me, and Cain hadn’t protested anything he dressed me in—chunky sweaters, long cardigans, oversized stylish shirts matched with fitted jeans and ripped pants that hugged my ass and thighs. Eduardo gave me a wink and said he’d have someone drop my things off for me.
I’m bundled up in my new fleece coat when we exit the shop. It makes me a bit sad that I don’t get to wear Cain’s coat anymore.
Soon as we make it back to Cain’s apartment, he wraps a hand around my wrist and pulls me tight against him. We’re pressed together everywhere it counts. My breath catches as I tip my head up to look at him.
“Ezra.” His tone is soft but commanding. “Why do you react like that?”
Blinking up at him, I do my best not to let my eyes fall to his tempting mouth. “What?”
“You don’t seem bothered when I… handle you, but when other people touch you…”
Shit. I shake my head under his scrutinizing gaze. “I don’t react in any sort of way.”
“Did someone hurt you? Is that why you’re homeless?”
Heart sputtering in my chest, I back away from him. “If you’re planning on psychoanalyzing me, I’d rather take my chances on the streets with Gabriel.”
Cain doesn’t seem keen on letting the matter go. I don’t understand why. Why would he care?
