I gulped slightly, wanting to slap myself into lucidity. “Yeah, well, see you around,” I replied as I moved to pass him.
I was going to get out of there as fast as I possibly could. It seemed my dinner would consist of chocolate cereal with pickles sprinkled on top after all.
“I was going to barbeque up a couple of steaks. You hungry?” he asked with a cocked brow. He knew how much I used to love it when he barbequed.
My stomach betrayed me by rumbling in response, but I ignored it and pushed away from him. “Not a chance in hell,” I retorted, not even turning around.
“You havin’ cream cheese for dinner then?” he asked, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
I glared at him over my shoulder.
He shrugged. “Whatever you’re eating is working for you, baby,” he replied, his tongue licking his full bottom lip as he appraised me in my yoga pants and tank top. “Didn’t think it was possible you could get any hotter, but somehow you did,” he said, his eyes shining with lust.
I resisted the urge to ogle him in return in his white T, stretched to its limits across his muscular chest and shoulders. I could see his stomach muscles through it, and I couldn’t stop myself from imagining running my fingers over the smooth plane of his skin that smelled like heaven and tasted like sin.
Then reality knocked me over the head, evaporating any lust or warmth, and I narrowed my eyes at him once again.
“What I’m having for dinner and anything else to do with my body is none of your business, Sal,” I seethed.
“Oh, it’s my business,” he assured me smoothly.
His arrogance set off my temper and I spun to face him, my cart crashing noisily into his. “Do you have amnesia?” I hissed. “You left, Sal.Sixmonths ago. I’m not your woman anymore and I won’t be again,” I exclaimed, trying hard to keep my voice down despite my temper.
“You were always mine, baby,” he replied softly. “There’s nothing I see clearer now than that.”
“Go to hell, Sal,” I told him as I pushed my cart away from him.
“Only if you’re coming with me, baby,” I heard his deep voice return before I was out of earshot.
Well,shit.
Chapter 6
That Saturday had been a particularly busy night at the bar, and I was exhausted when I pulled into my parking garage. I heard the sound of Sal’s bike as he roared off after seeing me home. I slammed my car door, the sound reverberating throughout the concrete covered space and began to head for the entrance to my building.
When a hand slammed down on my mouth from behind I was so shocked that time seemed to stand still for a moment before it sped up abruptly.
“Don’t you say a fucking word,” a deep, unfamiliar voice snarled behind me. He hauled me back against his body and pressed his hand deeper against my mouth. “Shit, you’re fucking beautiful. It’s a damn shame I don’t have a chance to explore that tight little rig you’ve got,” he murmured, his breath warm and wet on my ear. “I’ve been following you for months, but you’re even more gorgeous up close and personal,” he hissed, grinding into me from behind.
I cringed away from him, my heartbeat hammering in my ears.
“What do you want?” I choked out when he removed his hand briefly.
He spun me around. “You’re Armstrong’s woman?” he demanded.
“Not anymore.” I shook my head adamantly.
“That’s not what I heard,” he glowered. “Did you know your bitch of a mother owes us a shit ton of money?” Before giving me a chance to respond, he continued. “Sometimes things have a way of working out,” he sneered. “We know for a fact the Knights can pay it back. So, I’ve got a message for you.”
I knew instantly I didn’t want the message.
I looked at him incredulously before I let out an ear-splitting scream and tried to run away.
He tackled me to the ground and punched me in the face. Fuck, that hurt.
“You wanna make it interesting?” he laughed into my face, the spittle from his excitement hitting my cheeks in a nauseating tandem.
That’s when I got my first solid look at him. He was slim with jet-black, slicked back hair and olive skin. I’d never seen him before.