Tears sting my eyes from the chilling wind as I duck my head and make my way toward the subway, wanting with everything in me to afford a freaking taxi. It’s days like these that I wish I could move somewhere else. Somewhere warmer. I’ve always lived in New York, but I have never handled the cold well. Maybe I’m part reptile. Cold-blooded.
Might explain my personality at times.
I still have a few more blocks to go when a strange feeling of being followed washes over me. The tiny hairs on my neck stand on end, and a gnawing sensation fills my belly. Most people would stop and turn around to find the cause, but I keep moving. Nana didn’t raise a fool. This is New York. Even if I’m being followed, I won’t spot the culprit among all the other people on the sidewalk. Nope. My best bet is to keep moving until whoever it is loses interest.
The chattering of pedestrians and the brushing of shoulders as we pass do nothing to stop the creeping sensation running down my spine. As I get closer to the subway, my stomach knots. Perhaps it’s paranoia, but if this feeling is right, the last thing I want is some weirdo knowing where I get off. Or worse, following me to my apartment.
My teeth dig into my cheek as I consider my options. There’s a small diner not far from the train. Maybe if I go in there for a few minutes, whoever it is will lose interest. Or they’ll follow me inside, and I can confront the creeper with witnesses. The only other option is to hail a cab or call an Uber. That’s money I can’t afford.
When the diner’s lights come into view, I cross the street, not caring if I get caught jaywalking. If a cop appears, I’ll tell him my suspicions and take the ticket—still cheaper than a cab. Better safe than sorry.
A police officer walks out of the diner just as I step onto the sidewalk. He glares at me disapprovingly, but he doesn’t stop me. I kind of wish he had, and for a brief moment, I consider approaching him. But there’s a real chance I’m just freaking myself out over nothing.
Condensation fills the air from my resigned exhale, and I march myself into the diner. The warmth is a welcome reprieve for my numb extremities, and the smell of greasy food and hot chocolate makes my stomach rumble.
I consider my budget, knowing even a cup of hot chocolate is a splurge at this point. It’s been over eight hours since I had lunch, and I just finished dancing for two hours. The math isn’t mathing for my bank balance, but another rumble makes my decision for me.
A tall, spindly girl wearing too much makeup for someone her age clears her throat—loudly—from behind the register as if I’m holding up the line even though there’s no one behind me. Giving up, knowing if she keeps glaring at me like that, I might do something I shouldn’t, I order the cheapest thing on the menu—a grilled cheese—and splurge on a cup of hot chocolate. The irritated cashier punches my order into her screen far harder than necessary, then tells me the total. Reaching into the side pocket of my dance bag, I search for the twenty I stuck in there this morning. Annoyance rumbles in my chest when I come back empty-handed, remembering I used it for lunch today.
When I meet the girl’s gaze, I force an apologetic smile instead of wiping the expression off her face. “Sorry. I forgot I don’t have cash,” I explain, then wave my phone at her. “It will just take a minute to turn my card on.” I pretend I don’t notice her overlined eyes rolling as I tap on my phone to pull up my bank app.
“I’ve got it,” a rich, smoky voice says as a leather-clad arm slides past me with a card tucked between tattooed fingers.
“Thank you, but that’s not nece—” The words stumble when I meet translucent green eyes and a sharp jaw. “—essary.”
He ignores me, choosing to add to the order instead. It annoys me, but also gives me a split second to ogle him again.
He’s just so…beautiful. All angles, ink, and attitude. Piercings glint from his lips and nose. I even spot one in his tongue that I absolutely should not be thinking about.
Sharp cheekbones, crooked nose, and lashes too long for someone already rocking an eleven on the hotness scale. And those eyes…pale, reflective like jade.
Violence and sin wrapped in tanned skin, with a mouth that could ruin lives—and probably has.
But once I snap out of my trance, I remember what brought me here. While I’m aware the previous two nights were a coincidence and tonight was expected—even if I didn’t think about it—it’s curious he’s here instead of with his family. My eyes narrow, and my mouth pulls to the side in suspicion. “Are you following me?”
He nods at the cashier, who I want to punch for all but drooling on him with high-pitched giggles.You are far too desperate for someone like him, sweetheart. He’s a player, not an idiot.
Which makes me realize I’m an idiot too. He wouldn’t follow me. Would he?
He tucks his card back into his wallet after the cashier hands it back. “Why would I follow you?” he asks, meeting my accusing gaze while sliding his wallet into his back pocket.
My arms cross over my chest. “Because…” I trail off. I’ve got nothing. There’s not a single legitimate reason except he’s here and not with his family. But if last night proved anything, it’s that he often skips family functions. I shouldn’t wonder. Wondering is horrible for my sanity. But I do.
He takes my elbow and leads me down the counter, the line suddenly having grown in the last minute. “Because?” he asks when we’re no longer blocking the line.
My eyes jump to his quirked brow, then to his twitching mouth. I stop myself from scanning his sharp features over again, hating how attractive he is, even when he’s pissing me off with his amusement.
No man should be this pretty. Even the bit of facial hair dotting his face doesn’t take away from howprettyhe is.
Then my attention snags on the discoloration on his jaw and cheek, and I remember last night. Not just the throbbing need I had to wait until I got home to finish, but the bloody fight as well. “No reason,” I answer, rubbing my nose as I take two steps back because now it’s all I can think about, and I’m not sure if it’s fear or arousal that’s kickstarting my heart right now. Okay, that’s a lie, but that’s also beside the point. “Thank you for paying.”
I spin on my toes to face the counter, so I’ll stop staring at the beautiful damage.
“Not going to ask me what happened?” Warm breath fans across my face, and my heart stalls in my chest. Goosebumps erupt from my scalp to my toes. For the first time today, I’m glad it feels like the arctic tundra outside because it hides the evidence.
“Of course not.” I tip my shoulder up, keeping my eyes forward. “We don’t know each other…”Except I nearly came while grinding against you last night. “…and it’s not my business.”
“Maybe.” His deep chuckle vibrates against my back, making my lashes flutter. I havegotto get myself under control. I thought my favorite purple toy took care of the aching issue once I got home, but it seems my vagina didn’t get the memo. “Though you know my name. I know yours. We both know Casey. One could argue we know each other.”
