“You flick your chin, and I come.” Her voice is smoldering. “Even when you hurt me, I’ll come to you.”
“How did I hurt you?” My face is lowered, and my voice cracks.
“Lying to me, telling me she means nothing to you.”
“She’s my assistant, nothing more. I bumped into her on my way here.”
My elbow is propped on the bar, and she looks to the bartender. “Stoli, neat.”
He nods, moving into action, placing a small glass on the polished wood and turning over a tall bottle of vodka, quickly filling it.
“Put it on my tab,” I say as he slides it across, and he nods.
“Thank you, professor.” She shoots the glass, setting it down without a flinch. “What do you want from me?”
“I don’t like you being here with Evan.”
“I don’t like you being here with Sharon.”
My jaw clenches, and I put my hand on her elbow, pulling her closer. “Sharon isn’t a danger to me. I want to break his hands every time he touches you.”
She flinches, but her eyes are locked with mine. “Maybe I should go back and let him touch me some more if this is how you respond.”
“He’s a player.” It’s practically a growl. “He’ll mistreat you.”
“I have no interest in him.” She slides her eyes down to my lips. “You, on the other hand…”
My grip tightens, and I lower my chin to her ear. “I would never hurt you.”
“You’re hurting me now.”
I release her arm at once. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”
“It’s too loud in here.” She takes my hand briefly, tugging me away from the bar. “Follow me.”
I hesitate, finishing the last of my drink, while she cuts a path along the bar to a side door and quickly exits. Lowering my tumbler, I glance around to be sure no one is watching before I retrace her steps, jerking open the metal door and leaving the noisy room.
Rusty hinges squeak loudly as I step into a narrow alley. The silence is deafening after the roar inside, and the metal door closes with a bang.
The space is empty. Two dumpsters are against the opposite wall, and the ground is damp with the occasional puddle dotting the brick pavement. The only sounds are the scree of cicadas and the occasional shush of a car passing on the street. A light at the end of the alley provides dim illumination, and it smells like wet asphalt, old beer, and garbage.
“I’m here,” her voice calls softly, like a siren in the sea.
Turning, I find her standing against the brick wall. Her hands are behind her waist, and she’s breathing rapidly, her full breasts rising and falling. I’ve had too much bourbon. My control is frayed thin, and I close the space between us without hesitation.
“Oh, God,” she gasps as I catch her face in my hand, holding her cheeks with my fingers.
Leaning closer, our noses brush. “What do you want from me?” I’m breathing fast, and it’s my last chance to turn back.
Turning her face in my hand, her pink tongue slips out, and she sucks my thumb into her mouth. I hiss, allowing her to do it, to pulse her tongue against the base as she holds my gaze.
Jerking my hand away, I seal my lips to hers. A moan slips from her throat, and I push her mouth open, plunging my tongue inside to taste her. She meets me halfway, curling her tongue with mine, straight vodka.
Her fingers thread in my hair, tugging me closer, and our faces turn, lips pulling as we consume, chasing each other’s mouths in ravenous kisses.
My hands start at her waist before sliding higher, cupping and lifting her bare breasts under her sweater. My thumbs circle her hardened nipples, and I want to rip the fabric away and consume her soft flesh.
Breaking apart, my face is in her hair, and I’m breathing fast, inhaling her scent of jasmine and rich woods. She’s decadent and delicious.