Page 38 of Flame
“I’m going to ask you one more time.”
“You can ask me a dozen more times for all I care.”
Foxx’s brows shoot to the sky. “Excuse me?”
“You’re excused.”
I turn to leave, but he spins me around to face him.
A small gasp spills from my lips. I’m not sure if it’s from him touching me or the redirection, but my blood pressure skyrockets. I grip the railing for support.
“You aren’t getting in that car,” he says, peering down at me.
“Bet me.”
“Let’s not forget the reason you’re here.”
I narrow my eyes even more. “Cool. But let’s not forget the reason I’m leaving, either.”
The car pulls to a stop at the end of the driveway. I give the driver a gesture to wait a moment.
“You arenotgetting in that car,” Foxx says, his voice icy.
I fire him the most hateful look I can manage and pivot. But I don’t even get one step to the stairs when Foxx steps in front of me.
“Move,” I say.
“Over my dead body.”
“Keep standing in my way, and we can make that happen.”
He wants to smile.
“Stop this,” I say, my tone as close to a growl as I’ve ever heard it.
Sweat dots the back of my neck, and I yank my hand away from his. But I don’t step back. That’s what he wants me to do.
“I don’t know why you think it’s acceptable to do this to me, but it’s not,” I say. “And I find it incredibly ironic that you just gave me a lecture about taking care of myself and then fuck with my head in the very next breath.” I lean away from him. “I’m takingyour adviceand doing something good for me—and I’m leaving.”
He cuts me off again. “You can either turn your ass around and walk back inside, or I’ll pick you up and carry you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Is that a bet you really want to take?”
A horn echoes through the small neighborhood, making me jump.
“In the house.Now,” he says, eerily calm.
“Foxx—”
“Someone out there wants to hurt you, Bianca. Now, get in the fucking house.”
His tone is not to be messed with. But I am not either.
“There’s someone in front of me that apparently wants to hurt me, too,” I say, keeping my eyes glued to his. “Considering I know how badly it’ll feel when this person does it, I’ll take my chances on the other. I—ah!”
I’m swept off my feet and tossed over Foxx’s shoulder in one fluid movement. He holds me down with one arm over the backs of my legs and the other pressed just above my ass.
