When I feel his hand on my shoulder, I swing around, ready to slap the smirk right off his arrogant face. The look of worry is not what I expect, and it totally takes the heat out of my anger.
“You’re upset?”
I can’t believe the idiot has the audacity to look confused. I wonder how he would feel if I told him I’d need a magnifying glass to find his dick.
“Just leave,” I bite the words out.
“Hold on. We’ve been doing this back-and-forth thing since we met and now you decide to get your panties in a twist?”
I take a deep breath.
Assault will not look good on your record. Breathe past the anger. Don’t kill him.
“This… back and forth...” I take a deep breath so I don’t lose my voice from all the emotions swirling in my chest. “It’s over. You’re a player and the second you can’t get what you want, you insult the woman. I’m done talking to you.”
He tilts his head, not breaking eye contact, as his mouth sets into a hard line. When he takes a step closer to me, I tighten my fists, ready to punch him if he tries anything. When he takes another step closer, I give him a look of warning.
“Princess,” he whispers darkly.
He leans into me, and I bring my hands up to his chest with the full intention of shoving him away, but instead, my palms collide with his bare skin. Before I can yank away, he leans closer, pressing his chest hard into my hands.
“Two things…” His voice is deep and gravelly, almost sounding like a low growl. “One, you have nothing I want.”
I clench my jaw so tightly, I’m afraid I’ll crack a tooth.
“Two, let this be a lesson to never start something you can’t finish.”
I bite my bottom lip to keep the words from coming out. If I open my mouth now, I’m going to explode. Instead, I shove at his chest which of course doesn’t even budge him.
I yank my hands away from him, hoping he’ll back off. When he still doesn’t move I look down and force myself to take deep breaths.
“Princess,” he growls, sounding as angry as I feel.
Good! I hope he chokes on his anger. He loves to argue and the fact that I’m keeping quiet is killing him.
When he grabs hold of my hips and lifts me to the counter, a shriek of fright escapes with a gasp.
“What the hell?” I manage to get out as my breathing speeds up. I’m not sure if it’s from anger or the proximity of our bodies as he pushes his way in between my legs.
He places his hands on the counter, effectively caging my body with his. When he leans into me, I’m forced to lean back to avoid being nose to nose with him.
My heart is beating so fast I’m sure cardiac arrest is a real possibility if it beats any harder.
“On second thought, you do have something I want,” he says with an undertone of infuriation which makes his voice thick.
“What?” I whisper, wondering what I have that will be of any interest to him.
He inches forward until I can feel his breath on the corner of my mouth. It takes a lot of focus to keep absolutely still. Part of me wants to kiss him, just to shock the living hell out of him. The sane part wants to shove him away but seeing as it didn’t work the first time, I doubt it will be of any use now.
When his nose touches my cheek, I close my eyes and will my heart not to fail me.
Be strong.
Keep beating.
You’ve got this.
Closing my eyes wasn’t the best idea I’ve ever had, seeing as it intensifies what I’m feeling as he brushes his stubbly cheek against my skin. His hot breath fans over my ear and then I feel his lips on my earlobe. Goosebumps rush over every inch of me, making my body feel alive with an unwanted need for him to touch me.