I want to believe I’m immune to his hypnotic allure, but the stirring low in my core proves otherwise. Focusing on his brazen glare, I wrangle in my racing hormones. I refuse to squirm or let my guard down—any more than I already have when dealing with this asshole. I glance down at his fingers wrapped around my arm, then back to his face. I tried to stroke his ego, even though he clearly doesn’t need it. But this fucked-up stand-off is taking way too long for my level of patience.
“Do you plan to hold me here like a caveman all fucking day, or did you forget it’s your turn to speak? Or both?”
The fire in his eyes blazes brighter. I’m getting to him in a very bad way. This probably isn’t the most intelligent way to handle this interaction, but I’ll be damned if he thinks he can manhandle me like one of his playthings. If Luca were here, this would be one of those situations where he would kick my boot and let me know I’m taking things too far.
I start to pull my arm free. He, in turn, only grips it tighter. For some fucked-up reason, I smile, knowing he’s enjoying this interaction. Acknowledging the challenge in my defiance, he furrows his brow, studying me to see if I have the balls to challenge him. I would have missed the tiniest twitch of his full mouth if I weren’t standing so close to him. The show of his dominance is only a small part of what’s happening between us.
“Since it’s your first day”—he pauses to peer around to my backside—“and you have a nice ass, I’ll let your attitude, and taking my parking spot, slide—but just for today.”
Clutching my free hand to my chest, I say, “Well, aren’t you a gracious guy?”
He draws me in even closer. Our bodies are so close that heat radiates through his clothes. He would have to have nerve damage not to feel my heart racing in overdrive.
“Don’t ever believe that I am anything but your new nightmare,” he warns as his eyes drop to my mouth.
I bite the corner of my bottom lip, slowly dragging the soft flesh through my teeth. His gaze feasts on the slight movement, and his eyes again find mine. “Good thing I’m not afraid of the dark,” I whisper.
His menacing grin spreads. “I don’t need the dark to do nasty deeds.” His low, deep voice draws out his threat as if he’s asking me to have wild, uninhibited sex for days on end.
Yes, please. Sign me up!
Wait. NO!
I pray he doesn’t notice how I tighten my thighs or realize how he’s penetrating my exterior like a laser cutting through iron. My prayer goes unanswered as his mouth curves up.
“Is this all it takes?” His fingers press tighter against my arm. His eyes are like silver flames as they return to mine. He leans into me until his mouth brushes the tip of my ear. His breathsare like feathers brushing lightly against my skin. “Imagine if my hands were gripping something else.”
Shivers of heat spread like whispers down my spine. With his broad, imposing body demanding all the space between us, it’s like we’re the only two people in an empty hall.
Denying my body any delight in the thoughts those cocksure words conjure, I quickly regain my composure after feeling like his savage spell has just sideswiped me. I back away from him, forging space between us. With our glares still locked, I say, “I suggest you get here a little earlier if you like that parking spot so much.” I jerk my arm free of his grasp.
His shadows peer over his shoulder. By the look on their faces, they’re clearly entertained and fascinated by the defiant new girl. Buzz-cut from the front seat rolls his tongue, tapping his metal bar against his teeth. He’s definitely the serious one in the group. He’s also the scariest, despite his overpowering, douchebag leader standing only inches from my face. Lucky me has managed to make it onto the arrogant asshole’s shit list before I even have a chance to whisper “Venom.”Perfect.
Phase one… complete.
Not done with me yet, Edge leans into me. “Don’t let there be a next time.”
He doesn’t attempt to move, nor do his piercing eyes stray from mine. As hard as he tries to hide behind his irritation, treating me as if I just splattered onto his windshield, his darkening eyes betray him. He can’t help but be as curious as everyone else watching our exchange.
I press my hand firmly against his chest in an effort to push him back. His skin is heated, as if he spent the morning in the fires of hell before coming to school. He doesn’t budge, but I don’t let it dissuade me from making a stand.
“Don’t ever touch me again.”
“Is that a threat?” he challenges.
I shake my head. “No. But this is. If you do, I promise you’ll regret it.”
The smile sliding over his mouth is undoubtedly one on loan from the devil himself. “Looks like you’re going to be harder to tame than the others, but don’t worry, I have my ways.”
“Give it your best try.” I move around him without taking looking away from him. “I dare you.”
“Be careful, little Ninja.” His smirk only grows until Eden clears her throat. He tilts his head and moves his stare over to her like a snake slithering through the grass. Disappointed in his subject, he purses his lips. “You should know better, Blue. You better work on keeping this one leashed.”
I feel like I’ve just been slapped. Eden visibly swallows. Her mouth is open to respond—to agree or bow down—when I lay my hand on her arm, stopping her.
The asshole might be hot as hell, but his deplorable personality could use a major overhaul.
I step right into his personal space, a place the two of us are all too familiar with in such a short time. “Don’t go there, asshole. Just don’t.”
