Page 52 of Cinder
As if it has a mind of its own, my body softens quite literally in his hands, and melts toward him.
I want to stay.
I don’t want to go back to that shitty motel.
I want to stay here with this man who looks like he could rain havoc and hell down on the world. But whose touch is comforting and kind.
I want to feel it all over my body.
On every surface of my skin.
Inside me.
Forcing myself to pull my hand away, I step back and clear my throat. “I really have to go.”
“Then let me give you a ride home.”
For a split second, I imagine what it would be like on the back of his bike. With the wind in my hair and my arms around his warm, muscular body.
But a ride back to the motel would ignite a lot of questions from him, and from the two thugs living either side of my motel room.
“I have some errands to run. Maybe another time.”
One perfect eyebrow shoots up, and I get the feeling Lars isn’t used to women saying no to a ride on the back of his bike.
I start to walk away. Because if I don’t move now, I might do something stupid.
Like stay.
I give him a warm smile to show him I’m not blowing him off. “But I’ll see you tomorrow?”
But by the look on his face, he knows something is up. “I’m leaving early and will be out of town for a couple of days. But I’ll be back Friday.”
“Is this the retaliation you mentioned?”
“Something like that.”
I frown. “Will you be safe?”
“Retaliation rarely is, sweetheart.”
Unease churns in my stomach.
Because if there was an ambush today, could it happen again?
“Today really didn’t affect you, did it?” he asks, sounding surprised. But it also sounds like he’s been thinking about it.
“I’ve always been good in an emergency. I just focus and do what needs doing.”
He’s studying me.
Looking for clues in my expression.
Or listening for the lie in my words.
But then he smiles. “Sounds like you’re someone good to have around when the shit hits the fan.”
I return the smile. But I want to steer the conversation away from me. “Be careful, okay?”
