Page 15 of Beautiful Enemy

It’s obscene.

“The only thing I’ve thought about,” I say, nodding to his belt, “is how you must be compensating for something to be this much of an asshole.”

When my attention drags back up to his face, the expression scorches me alive.

A cheer goes up from behind us, and we turn to see Leni come in the door, lifting her hands. “You were great,” she informs me with a grin, offering a high five. “See you back here Monday?” She looks between Harrison and me. “Unless the boss eats you first.”

The man at my side growls, and Leni laughs.

I’m mystified by the dynamic, still remembering the way he shut her up without a word earlier.

Not my problem, I remind myself.

When I reach for my phone, Harrison frowns.

“What are you doing?”

“Calling Toro for a ride.”

“He’s an old man who needs his sleep.” He jerks his head at one of the bartenders, who reaches for a house phone on the wall. “A car will be here in five minutes.”

He gestures toward the hallway, then follows me out.

He might be a villain to me, but he’s not to Leni. To Toro. To his brother.

I have a handful of friends now, but a network of people I go back with? People I trust and who trust me?

That sounds like make believe.

Security holds the outside door for us, the guard already nodding to me with familiarity. “Mr. King. Miss… Queen.”

A half laugh is out of my lips before I step out into the cool evening. Harrison cocks his head.

“Cute couple,” I drawl.

I catch his eye over my shoulder, and he huffs out a breath when he realizes I’m trying to piss him off.

I may not know how I’m going to win the war, but the battle?

This round is mine.

We stand in silence a moment before he breaks it.

“You’re the one making this hard.”

I rub my hands over my skin in response to the sudden chill—of the night air or his words. “Hard’s the only way I know.”

He strips off his jacket, and my gaze is drawn to the muscles of his shoulders and chest through the shirt beneath.

I’m distracted enough it takes me a moment to realize his intention as he closes the distance between us.

“No. Don’t—”

I lift both hands defensively, but he drapes the expensive fabric around my shoulders and pulls the lapels closed over my chest before I can stop him.

“You’d probably like to freeze to death your first night.” His closeness invades my senses, makes it hard to think. “If only to leave me in a jam.”

“I told you, I’m leaving in the morning.” Which means I won’t see him to return the jacket.

---