Page 16 of Torched

“Have dinner with me.”

I keep quiet, pretending to think over his request.

“I want to get to know you. Let me show you I’m not just the man everyone paints me to be.”

“You’re not a good man.”

“I’m not,” he admits. “But only to people who deserve it. Give me a shot.” There is a desire in his eyes that’s not just sexual, lifting my chest with a light and giddy feeling.

“Please.”

“Why?” I ask, not willing to give it to him this easily. I want to see just how much Liam Carrillo will work for it. How much he will show his hand without even knowing.

He searches my face as if he’s contemplating how much he wants to share with me.

“Because I think the things we want in life are not that far off from each other.”

Pretty damn much, I see.

I narrow my eyes at him, showing him an expression of confusion.

“What makes you think you can give me what I want?”

This time, the ghost of a smile in the corner of his stubbled jaw is a little cocky, but he still manages to keep his pragmatic stance in check, showing the powerful man that he is while still expressing his vulnerability.

I did my research. He’s not the scary one out of the Carrillo brothers. He’s the most sensible, but that doesn’t make him any less lethal. But luckily for me, he just showed me how much I’m up for the task. Proving just how to penetrate the usually impenetrable armor that allows him to control the underground in this western world.

“Because I know it’s what Iwant.”

World domination? Maybe. Probably not what he’s talking about since he already has that.

For now.

“Fine.” I give in with a big huff. “Dinner. But don’t get your hopes up.”

I take a step back to break loose from his energy, then nudge my chin at him.

“Have a good night, Liam.”

“Wait, how do I reach you?”

I volley a mischievous grin his way, walking backward as my heels continue to tap the curb. “You’re a smart man. You figure it out.”

Without waiting for his reply, I turn my back toward him, my hips waving from left to right with the confidence that I know has him staring at my ass. I smile at my victory at this turn of events.

“I’m going to get that date, Cristina,” he calls out to my back.

Oh, I know, Mr. Carrillo. Can’t freaking wait.

“Just let me know when and where!” I chuckle without giving him a second glance. I feel his eyes cutting through my back for a long time until I reach the safety of the next block to turn left, sucking in a deep breath to drop my stance.

The giddy feeling that makes my stomach flutter makes it hard not to squeal, completely delighted about how easy this next step was. I thought it might take me a little while longer, and I even figured he might not notice me.

But it all went the way I told Junior it would. I guess I made a pretty good estimate of what makes Liam Carillo tick.

With my smile still in check, I continue my way down Fifth Avenue, waiting for the cathedral to come into sight. I notice the black sedan parked in front of the immense building, and I turn around to quickly scan the street behind me before I open the door and hop into the back.

Settling into the leather seats, I wave away the curtain of smoke that hits me in the face.

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