He pointed to an outdoor patio on the sidewalk up ahead. “You want to stop there?” he asked.
“Sure.”
When his hand settled possessively at the small of her back, she held her breath. Tingles and warmth broke out where he touched her and traveled down between her legs. She expected him to be embarrassed of her. Most men were. Scarlett was happy with who she was, but she wasn’t disillusioned about the superficial and highly critical world she lived in. Working with the media put things into everything into perspective—hot guys didn’t settle for big girls.
****
Bain hated crowds. He rarely came into the city on his own accord. Walking through the throngs of law-abiding citizens made him feel like a monster. It was the beauty by his side that anchored him. He focused his energy on keeping her safe, ensuring no asshole got into her personal space.
They sat down at a small table at some hippy café. He wanted to impress Scarlett, to be what she needed, even though he knew it would never be enough.
“What if someone sees me?” she asked. Boss had given
him the inside scoop about Scarlett, but her friend hadn’t reported her missing yet. He still wasn’t sure what the fuck he was going to do about the whole situation. This was the first time he had a conscience, or any issue finishing a job. It would be so simple if he could end her, wrap his hands around her throat until her life slipped from her body—but he couldn’t do it. Fuck, but he wanted to keep her.
“I’m not worried.”
A twenty-something waitress passed them menus. She lingered, and it was blatantly obvious she was trying to get his personal attention. He ignored her until she left. The only thing he knew about women was how to thoroughly pleasure them, and since he’d been forced to do that for so many fucking years, he wanted no part of it. And it pissed him off that she assumed he’d cheat on his date. Just because he was rough around the edges and covered in ink didn’t automatically make him a lowlife prick.
“You know what you’re getting?” he asked.
She’d kept her head down, her shoulders lowered. Bain knew she wasn’t shy, she’d said so herself. He couldn’t understand how a woman with so much going for her could lack confidence. Maybe her asshole ex had fucked with her head.
“I think so,” she said, folding the menu back on the table.
“You never shut up when we’re at my place. What’s going on with you?”
She glared at him. “Nothing.”
He growled. This was just one of a million reasons he was single. Women infuriated him with their mixed signals. “Was it our waitress?”
When she didn’t respond, he knew he was on the right track. “She’s a stupid bitch if she thinks I’d choose her over my prize.”
Scarlett looked up at him, eye to eye contact without saying a word.
“That’s right, babe. I’m talking about you.” He reached low and tugged her chair closer, the legs scraping loudly against the concrete patio. “And you’re right about the color. The purple looks beautiful on you.” He ran the back of one finger along the edge of her jaw. That same desperate urge to kiss her took over, but he controlled it, pushing the need away.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He narrowed his eyes. “You’re not comfortable with compliments?”
“I’m just not used to them. They make me suspicious.”
Bain chuckled. “I guarantee you, I don’t go out of my way to impress anyone. If I give you a compliment, take it.”
They ordered their food and received it about twenty minutes later. Bain had a club sandwich.
“I thought you hated sandwiches,” said Scarlett.
“Never said that.” He finished another bite. “I love them. Anyway, this one’s fancy.”
“I should make you some real food one day,” she said.
“You know how to cook?”
She nodded, taking another spoonful of soup into her mouth. He watched the way her pouty lips wrapped around the utensil, and his cock firmed up in his slacks. After decades of numbness, no desire for love, Scarlett made him feel a powerful longing he’d never felt before.
He wanted to pretend he hadn’t just killed a target this afternoon, go to the grocery store with Scarlett, and play house. It was all a fucking illusion, a life not meant for him. Bain was a killer for hire, nothing more. He wouldn’t even know how to live a normal life if he tried because he’d never been raised with any values or expectations beyond murder and seduction.