“It’s amazing it’s been in business so long,” he commented, continuing to stroke my hair soothingly.
“It is. That’s why I feel so determined to keep it going. But I’m not sure how successful I’ll be with the competition and my uncle’s goons scaring everyone away.”
He tensed under me. “You neglected to mention that part.”
“I said he comes in,” I answered defensively.
“Yeah, but not that he scares everyone.”
I leaned back, peering down through the dim light at him, his image slightly blurry without my glasses. “Maddox, if my uncle is nearby—he’s scaring someone. It’s just how he operates. He gets off on it.”
He reached up, cupping my face tenderly. “I’m gonna take care of it, baby. Do you hear me?”
I sat up, so distracted I almost didn’t realize I was straddling him. “These are my problems. I don’t doubt your club is tough, but my uncle is powerful and pure evil. You should stay out of his way,” I advised.
He sat up too, gripping my thighs with his powerful hands. “I need you to listen to me here because this is really fucking important,” he growled. “This was my problem before I even knew you. He’s tryin’ to run shit through my town that my club wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. Drugs and pussy mainly. We’re not havin’ that. And even if that weren’t true, I’m not the type of man who sits back and let’s an asshole like him threaten good people, especially someone I care about. So just get that shit outta your head. I want to get to know you better. I want to spend time with you, and if he’s getting in the way of that then he needs to be dealt with. End of. Do you get me?”
His face was inches from mine, his hands at my waist. “I get you.”
Something shifted between us then as an awareness of how intimate our position was took hold. His eyes heated as his gaze locked on to where I straddled him, his tongue wetting his bottom lip in the most sensual move I’d ever seen.
When my hips shifted of their own accord, it seemed to be the invitation he needed. With a low groan he took my mouth in a soul-searing kiss. His hands moved to my head, raking into my hair, gripping the thick strands as though his life depended on it as he pulled me closer.
His lush lips caressed mine, his tongue seducing my mouth as he laid claim to me. I’d never been kissed like that, not even close. My entire body was on fire for him—my heart beating out of my chest as I gripped his shoulders in a bid to bring him closer.
Finally, when I thought I’d explode with lust, he pulled back, pressing his forehead to mine, his breathing as ragged as mine.
“You’re so fucking delicious,” he growled. “I bet every part of you tastes so good. Which is why I should go.”
“What?” I stammered in confusion, trying to break through my fog of lust.
He squeezed my hips. “I didn’t come here to fuck you, baby. And even if I did, I don’t have the time to do it properly. You have to go to work and I should get gone before your uncle or any of his men are nearby. So I’m gonna force myself to leave.”
“Oh.” I bit my lip in consternation. I’d never wanted to have sex more in my life and was debating the merits of an attempted seduction.
He smiled at me tenderly, as though reading my mind. “You’re so fuckin’ beautiful.”
I blushed and moved off his lap reluctantly.
He stood, pulling me up with him and into his arms. “When can I see you again?”
“Um, I don’t know,” I replied, still feeling slightly frazzled. “I think you fried my brain.”
He chuckled, swooping in to kiss me gently. “Feelin’ is definitely mutual, babe. How about we settle for soon? I’ll call you later.”
“Okay,” I agreed, a little sad watching him put his cut back on and gather his keys. Despite everything he’d said, I still doubted this could ultimately work. My uncle had a habit of ruining my life. I knew in my gut he’d do it again.
As though picking up on my mood he stepped closer, cupping my face gently. “I’ll sneak over here in the middle of the night if that’s what it takes, baby,” he assured me. “We’ll figure this out. Okay?”
“Okay.” I accepted the chaste kisses he placed on my lips and forehead. “Drive safe.”
“I will.” He stepped away, and with one last heart-stopping grin, opened the door and stepped through it.
The lightness in my step and elation in my chest were brand-new as I locked the door behind him. A grain of hope took root despite so many years of learned suspicion.
Had I known that cunning eyes watched Maddox depart my building, that hope would have dissolved, obliterated by fear.
Chapter 5