Partygoers backed away instantly, several gasps heard over the loud thumping music. The creep’s moans could also be heard. He was flailing his arms as Navarro ground his face into the wooden surface.
No one dared try to stop him.
Navarro was taller than I’d envisioned him, easily six and a half feet tall and a solid two hundred twenty pounds of rock-hard muscle. However, when standing in heels, I could almost see eye to eye with him. That was a distinct advantage I hoped troubled the man. Navarro didn’t intimidate me in the least. Men were all the same, easily distracted by the allure of sexual domination.
He lowered his head, muttering something to the would-be attacker before tossing him aside as if nothing but a piece of trash. During the interaction, the sleeves of his jacket had been pushed up by several inches, revealing tattoos on both hands crawling up his arms and disappearing under the thick material. I felt a sudden urge, one that was far too depraved for the moment.
Wetness and heat pooled between my legs, my heart thudding rapidly in my chest. I was anxious, more so than I’d anticipated, but in studying the graphic art covering his strong arms, I found myself mesmerized instead of terrified.
I barely acknowledged his violent technique, instead shaking my head as if nothing but annoyed at the interruption. Navarro moved closer while keeping a decent distance, ordering another martini in Spanish.
As expeditious as the bartender had been earlier, he was even quicker given Navarro’s obvious command. Within thirty seconds, a fresh drink was placed in front of me not by the handsome bartender but by Navarro himself.
Sighing, I studied the glass briefly before lifting my head, doing my best to hold zero interest in my gaze. Yet there was something cathartic about facing the devil for the first time. His piercing eyes stripped me bare as if we’d already been intimate.
In the sparkling light accentuating the bar, his dark eyes seemed even more ominous, yet seductive at the same time. My body instantly reacted, my nipples peaking. If the corners of his full mouth upturning were any indication, he sensed I was attracted.
I was, but that meant nothing. I’d turn it into a useful tool.
When I slowly pushed the glass away, the powerful Spaniard lifted a single eyebrow.
“Is there something else you’d prefer?” he asked. I’d studied every photograph I’d found of the man on the internet. I’d captured his nuances by watching a single video I’d found without sound. I’d used his photographs as a dartboard, fueling my anger so there was no hint of remorse.
I’d shoved aside the little girl thoughts about the man being Prince Charming, the only good memory that had followed me from the past.
Being this close to him, inhaling his aftershave was damning.
Cedar and tobacco, leather and citrus. And danger. The fragrance was intoxicating.
“To be left alone,” I said casually yet with a challenging lilt.
If he held any annoyance or even anger, I wouldn’t know it. He simply crowded my space, studying me more intently. “I apologize for the grunt manhandling you. Men should learn women are treasured creatures.”
I laughed, swallowing the bile in my throat, refusing to flinch as he allowed his heated gaze to roam down the length of my body for a second time. “Men have no understanding of women whatsoever. If they did, they’d realize we enjoy being the aggressors from time to time. Oh, and that good looks mean almost nothing at the end of the day.”
“Ouch,” he said with a pained expression on his face. “It would seem the beautiful lady has been unintentionally annoyed by my interference.”
“Not annoyed. Simply… amused. I can take care of myself, but thank you for providing me with a taste of typical he-man mentality. You’ve successfully done your job.”
“Now I feel mortally wounded.”
“I’m certain you’ll get over it.”
“Please, at least do me the honor of having a drink with me. Call it payment for services. You owe me that at least.”
I laughed as if on cue and turned my head more decisively so I could stare into his eyes. He was even better looking with only inches to spare between us. I hated the way my body reacted, a hint of desire holding my attention. “I’m curious. How are you able to look yourself in the mirror every day without falling over?”
“I don’t understand.”
“With an ego that large, I’d assumed you have difficulty not kissing the ground on a regular basis.”
There was a slight hint of anger infused in the wanton lust I’d already seen in his eyes, but he quickly locked it away. Instead of backing off like most men would do, he pushed the crystal glass in front of me once again.
“Because I know my value. Have a drink with me.” This time he wasn’t asking.
For all my bravado, I was thankful the lights were low because with the dominating look he was giving me, my cheeks were burning as heat pooled in my lower stomach. His voice was much deeper than I’d anticipated, husky but not forced as so many men attempted, believing the tone to be attractive.
It would seem he believed his charms would break down my defenses, allowing his predatory nature to claim his prey for the evening. It was time to allow him to believe his chaotic chivalry was working.
