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“You’re twenty-seven. I’m not old enough to be your father, but not by much. I’m still trying to understand what it is about you that has me second guessing everything.”
She had a laundry list of questions for Xavier. Was he a hired gun? How many people had he killed? Who did he work for? She wondered if a cold-blooded killer like him was even capable of love.
Instead of asking any of her questions, she only wanted to prove that she was woman enough for him. One moment he couldn’t keep his hands to himself, the next pushing her away. He confused her, but she couldn’t deny she was inexplicably drawn to him.
“Twenty-seven isn’t a child.”
“No, you’re very much a woman, aren’t you, Alesha? What do you think I should do? Do the right thing and cut you loose, or be a bastard and keep you for myself?”
Her heart pounded in her chest, her
womb coiling tight. “Like a toy?”
“No, just mine to keep.” She watched his lips as he spoke. His dark eyes gave nothing away. As much as she wanted him to tell her everything reassuring, everything she craved to hear, she wouldn’t beg.
She raised an eyebrow. “Do I have any say in this decision of yours?”
“You can’t force a person to love you, trust me, I know. Honestly, if I were you, I’d tell me to go fuck myself. Maybe you should.”
“Good thing for you, you’re not me.”
He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms behind his head. “Alesha, I’m not a good man. You’re looking for something in me you’ll never find. I’m a monster, and you deserve better.”
“Don’t say that. There’s good in everyone, and I’ve seen another side of you. Yesterday. Today. I can see under all your masks. You’re not fooling me.”
“So, tell me, what do you see? You’ve seen it all last night. My tattoos, my scars, my demons. That doesn’t scare you?”
She smiled, reaching out to grab his tie, pulling him closer. Alesha felt empowered, emboldened, and a little in love. “You don’t scare me, Xavier. I’ve seen the real you, and I like him. Maybe too much.”
“Be careful.” He combed his fingers into the hair and the base of her neck, then squeezed his fingers into a fist. She whined as he tightened his hold, her lips parting. God, she felt like she’d spontaneously orgasm at any second. He leaned close, so close she could feel the heat from his skin. His lips ever so lightly brushed hers, but he didn’t kiss her, leaving her yearning for more. “There are other sides of me you might not like so much.”
Chapter Six
“I hate restaurants,” Alesha said, taking Xavier by surprise.
Not that he’d consider this all day and night diner a restaurant but he didn’t mind it at all.
“You want to go somewhere else?” he asked.
“Oh, no, I’m just saying. I mean, I’m not big on the whole eating dinner while floating on the ocean deal.”
He stared at her, a little confused. The burger he was eating his way through tasted like grease. It was the best he could do, and he wasn’t about to stink up his car with takeout food.
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
“The thing tomorrow. The boat assassin thing.”
“Okay, first off, don’t ever say that in a crowded room. This is top secret.”
“Fine. Fine. Wow, I get it. Don’t say anything.” She rolled her eyes, and he found that to be the cutest thing.
It was strange how he found things to be cute with Alesha but annoying as hell with other women. The fact she didn’t cringe away from him in fear intrigued him.
“You do realize the kind of danger you’re in, right?”
She sighed. “Let’s see, the kind of danger I’m in? Yeah, I know. I saw your array of … memorabilia. You know the kind that goes bang.” Her eyes were wide, and he saw she was trying to speak in code.
Laughing, he shook his head, and picked up another fry.
