“Because a part of you wanted to warn me about what I would be facing.”
You have no idea, sweets.
She continued, “I also do think you want to fuck me.I don’t believe that is a lie.”
Fast, hard laughter escaped him.“Thank you for that.My dick is currently as hard as a rock, and I keep imagining you riding me in this limo.I definitely want to fuck you.Want to do it until you scream and come for me.”
A swift inhale from Lily.Was she going to tell him to screw off?To shut his dirty mouth?He waited in anticipation.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the attraction between us, too.”
Holy fuck.Holy.Fuck.His hands clenched into fists as he tried to fight the urge to grab her.Everything she said and did just drew him to her all the more.Okay, was the woman a freaking witch?Because he sure as shit felt like he was falling under her spell.
Maybe it’s the blow to the head.Maybe that prick doctor was right, and I should have stayed at the hospital.
“It’s basic, isn’t it?”Lily asked in her soft, husky, sensual voice.“Primal.And, honestly, a bit frightening.”
This woman,this woman?—
“Just so you understand, I have to trust you in order to fuck you.”
Had she just said those words or was he so far gone that he’d imagined them?Ithadbeen a bastard of a day.Or, uh, night.
“I don’t fuck monsters,” Lily told him primly.
You will be fucking me.So she might have to make an exception to that monster rule.However, he could give her one truth.“I’m not the punishment killer currently running around Dallas.”Fuck me, Lily.Fuck me right here, right now.
The limo turned again.Accelerated a bit, only to slow down moments later.
“No.”Lily sighed.“But you were trying to catch him, weren’t you?Not like you’d just randomly be in a parking lot without security.Not you.Your behavior changed about two weeks ago.Suddenly, there were more vulnerable moments for you.Moments when you wanted him to attack.”She eased closer.“You were setting a trap for him.Even as he was hunting you.Did you get a warning that he was coming?Did he reach out to you in some way?Because I believe that he contacted his other victims.I think he liked to play with them before he attacked.Part of the thrill of the kill.”
His heart beat steadily, but he was aware of every single thud.Far too aware.Boom.Boom.Boom.“And why do you believe that?”
“Another bit that Benedict made sure wasn’t leaked to the media.He found a note at William Lloyd’s house.Simple, to the point.‘You’ll pay.’”
Boom.Boom.Boom.Was his heart beating faster?He inhaled slowly.Exhaled the same way.“Did the second victim get a similar note?”
“Not that the cops found.”
Um.
“Didyouget a note?”Lily pressed.
“I get far too much correspondence.Am I really supposed to remember one letter?”He looked beyond the window.“We’re here.”Desmond had beaten them.He could see Desmond standing near her front door, but when Desmond caught sight of the limo, he immediately turned toward them.“Unfortunately, we did not get to go over those ground rules, did we?”
“I think we have a basic understanding.You don’t lie to me.I don’t lie to you.”
“Ah, yes.”The limo stopped.“Basic.”He hadn’ttechnicallylied to her about the note from the killer.He did get far too much correspondence.The note had also been useless.No prints.No distinguishing marks.No help at all.
Atlas leaned forward.He’d be exiting first.
But she curled her fingers around his arm.“When does the part about younotlying to me start?”
Fucking her in the limo would have been a dream.But he’d settle for fucking her in the comfort of his king-size bed, when he had her safely locked in his home.That way, he could take his time with her.“I did not kill William Lloyd or Conry Harding.”Absolute truth.“And if some fucker thinks he is going to play with me, going to huntme,then I believe I am well within my rights to defend myself.”Another truth.“Now, if that frightens you too much, we can stop this partnership right now.”They would not, in fact, stop.And he didn’t thinkpartnershipwas the right word.But he was just pushing to see what she’d say, so he didn’t think semantics truly mattered.
“You do not frighten me.”
No?“Now who is lying?”Atlas couldn’t help it.He brushed his lips over hers.She was simply too tempting.“You’re so afraid that you’re shivering.You talk a good game, Lily Gallo, but when it comes down to the cold, stark truth…” Atlas began to lift his head and move back.
