Page 26 of Runaway in the Mafia
“Thank you for the ride.” I made to open the door.
“I’ll need payment.”
Just like that, my belief in him scattered, clattering all over like heavy metal being dropped. Clenching my teeth, I turned to find him leaning back against his seat. The seat belt tangled loosely beside him, and an arm had found its way to the back of my seat. All those things worried me less than the devilish glint in his eyes. He had a plan, and he was rolling it out. Something told me I was the victim.
My hands fumbled with my bag, clicking it open. “What does a ride cost these days in a Ferrari? Ten times that of a bus?”
“More like a million.”
I frowned and shrank back in my seat. “You want me to pay you a million bucks?”
He shook his head. “Don’t need the money.”
“Thought as much.” I made for the door, and the lock clicked like a loud cough during a minute of silence. Anger coasted through me. Vexed at myself for believing this man was anything good. Another mistake in my life to add to my never-ending list. All because, yet again, I had not stood up for myself. I pulled the strap of my handbag in a rage and dumped it between us. “What do you want, then?”
My rage should have exploded his head. Blood should have spattered. His. But it remained handsomely intact on his gorgeous neck. I gritted my teeth. This wasn’t helping. “Well?”
He was all cool and unbothered as he sank deeper into his caramel skin leather chair. His all-black outfit matched brilliantly with his dark intentions.
“Mamma doesn’t know you are dumping her driver.” It was a statement, not a question.
“So?” I crossed my arms.
“She hates it when girls aren’t chaperoned.”
I sighed. I knew that. Of course I did. Just like my Maa did, but I didn’t care about what she thought. Ada. Ada, I didn’t wantto disappoint. I relished having her mother me. It made me feel wanted. Loved. She was the only one who knew everything about me, aside from Amara. And still she accepted me. My heart squeezed. She didn’t think I was a curse. I didn’t want to let her down, too. The linen of my skirt crushed between my hands. “What do you want?”
His answer came without hesitation. “A kiss.”
My gaze snapped to his. Emotion somersaulted in mine. Dark, malicious intent swam in his. The car whirled with the scent of sandalwood, musk and everything leather. Everything him. It was delicious. No, it wasn’t. I pitched back violently, shaking my head like a lunatic. “I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?” he growled.
Can’t or won’t? I was in too deep to figure it out. I couldn’t think. My skin itched. My breath hitched. My pulse spiked, and it wasn’t on my wrist. I needed air. Something to cool me off. Because this man had robbed me of my brain cells.
“Can’t or won’t, Ahana?” he repeated, his voice low, warm, and rough. It glided along my skin and crept into my soul. A touch of silk, with an edge of rawness in it. It was sin. Coated in sweetness.
“This is ridiculous.”
“Agreed.”
“You are blackmailing me.”
“No doubt about it.”
I paused. My gaze on his dark irises. No green anywhere to be seen. Black. Only black pulling me in. “So, why are you doing it?”
“Can’t help it.”
“Can’t or won’t?” I threw back his words.
Hot air sizzled between us. It was like the gear shifted from neutral to the sixth. There was so much chemistry here, a spark would light a fire and blow us up. He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The thick swallow of his Adam’s apple, the shift of histhighs, the slide of the back of his hand inches from the nape of my neck said it all.
Then his gaze shifted, unexpectedly. Beyond me. I turned to find my much-needed cold relief. Lia was walking out the door and strolling our way. This feeling, like I yearned for something… that was relief.I think. I spun around to find his annoyed gaze on me. “I want that kiss, Ahana. Give it to me now, and it might just be a peck.”
His lie was glaring. This man didn’t do pecks. If he kissed, he’d make sure to put his mouth all over me. My body hummed in anticipation of that. I shook my head vigorously.
“Coward,” he whispered.
