Page 39 of Beguiled

I leaned back into the leather seat, my heart thumping more than before. Being around him made me nervous, but not because I feared him or what he would do. Instead, the anxiety, which seemed to be increasing with every passing minute, was because of the electric charge jolting my system and the wetness pooling between my legs.

Even clenching my thighs together didn’t seem to help. When I squirmed in my seat, I felt his heated gaze all over again. Just like the first night. Just like… Why was I doing that to myself?

“You can relax, Saige. I really am not planning on hurting you.” Why was it that his accent seemed heavier tonight, sexier in a way that was as unnerving as everything else about him?

I had a sudden craving to hear him pronounce anything. Just to be gifted with hearing his accent.

“How comforting to hear.” My words sounded strangled again. He was still driving like a crazy man or a bat out of hell, coming close to exceeding the speed limit and certainly the laws of safety.

He was an expert driver, never screeching tires as he rounded the corners as if riding on rails. When he made a sudden turn onto a side street, slowing quickly then stopping and jerking to a parking space against a curb, I thought I’d have whiplash. However, his practiced maneuvers had left me breathless with continued excitement. This wasn’t normal.

“What are we doing here?” I asked, although my tone was more demanding than it likely should be.

“We’re going for a drink. I have a feeling you need one.” He popped his seatbelt and I flinched.

Yes, I did need a drink, but not with him. Try a gallon of tequila all by myself behind locked doors.

When he leaned over, I sucked in my breath. His face was only inches from mine, his scalding breath tickling my cheek. If I turned my head, we could be kissing. “Which one are you?”

“What?”

“Team I’m a criminal or team I’m fuckable?” His laugh was surprising. He was having fun with my utter discomfort.

“I say mostly you’re an asshole. Although I can see why almost every woman who works in the building calls you a wolf.”

“A wolf.”

“Yes, because you’re a predator.”

My answer surprised the hell out of him. I was out of the car before he had a chance to challenge me.

But I stood right where I was, trying to get my bearings. I honestly had never been to the area, but I knew it was only a few miles from where I lived. Not that I could make it there on foot. I did have the cash to grab a cab. Hmm…

“I can’t go into a bar looking like this.” The sudden awareness of what I was wearing and that I’d left my coat at the club hit me. Much like everything else had done.

“Mmm…” Without hesitation, he moved to the trunk, opening it and grabbing something. “Put this on. Let me help you.” He held it out and I stood where I was.

The black trench coat was exactly what I thought he’d wear.

“I assure you there is no ploy with allowing you to borrow my coat.”

I nodded. The humidity wasn’t enough to abate the chill, the warmth just enough. I quickly tied the sash while forced to inhale his scent, which clung to the light material. Why did he have to smell so amazing, the sensual aftershave what he wore every day to work?

This time, he placed his hand on the small of my back and I wasn’t prepared for the wild wave of kinetic energy, chemistry so strong I was completely thrown. He was possessive with the light touch, more so than any man I’d been with. As soon as he guided us inside, I was surprised by the bartender’s acknowledgement, his face not completely familiar.

“A cabernet for the lady,” he said while walking us past the aging man.

“You know what I drink?” I asked, shocked more than fearful of his answer.

Which he didn’t provide until he’d found a table near a window. With the bar being on a corner, he had a perfect view of both streets. As he pulled out my chair, I almost snapped at him since this wasn’t a date.

He sat down and as expected, he scanned the customers, finally turning his attention to me a few seconds later. “I know a lot about you, Saige. You do work for me. And if you must know the truth, after the first night we shared and learning of your desire for employment, my curiosity created the need to learn more about you. You don’t mind if I call you by your first name, now do you?”

“As long as you don’t mind me calling you Stash.”

The corners of his mouth upturned. “Warranted after tonight.”

“Perhaps you’re right. What else do you know about me?”