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I automatically grip the material of his coat, and the scent of him wafts under my nose. It’s a combination of a spice and mint, refreshing and clean. It’s intoxicating.
“What the hell?” The angry customer shifts his stance and leans further across the counter. “Who are you?”
Bennett drops his gaze to his cufflink. His long fingers work the metal through the tiny hole, the design a silver serpent with a ruby for an eye. His actions are precise but unhurried. He hands me the cufflink, and then the other before slowly rolling up one sleeve of his dress shirt.
I stand there, with his coat draped over my arm and his jewelry in my palm, watching him expose the skin of his forearms. It’s akin to him stripping. Even Harper stands rooted to the spot, her gaze transfixed on Bennett’s hypnotizing movements.
With one sleeve in place, he begins to work on the other. My heart stutters in my chest, but I can’t look away. Somewhere, in the deep recesses of my brain, is the thought that I loathe this man. But it’s been overridden by the woman in me.
The female that enjoys the sight of a beautiful and powerful male.
I suppose we’re all animals at our core, always warring with our basic instincts. Similar to the way I’ve been fighting my attraction to the lawyer since I first laid eyes on him.
“What are you going to do?” The customer chuckles, the sound full of disbelief with hints of unease. “Hit me?”
“If it’s necessary,” Bennett says.
“She’s just some chick.”
“You’re wrong.”
Bennett fists his hands by his sides, his sleeves gathered at his elbows, and tilts his head. The lights shining overhead cover him in brightness, but the dark promise of his voice erases any indication that he’s angelic.
Unless one compares him to Lucifer…
I clutch Bennett’s coat tighter, pressing it against my chest as a wave of energy hits me. It rolls off of him and onto me like a breeze in winter, chilling me to the bone.
“Whatever, man,” the customer says.
Bennett nods once. Whatever conclusion he’s come to has me taking a step back. His eyes flash with intent right before his hand shoots out, snatching the man by the throat.
“Holy shit,” Harper whispers from behind me.
I’d echo that sentiment if I weren’t at a loss for words.
“What the hell—”
Bennett tightens his hold, cutting off the customer’s airway, his fingers digging into the man’s skin. He yanks the man over the counter, keeping him partially suspended in the air while the guy claws at his hand.
“If the next words out of your mouth aren’t an apology, then you’ll lose your tongue,” Bennett says, his voice even despite the air of violence surrounding him. “Am I clear?”
I swallow deep, ready to obey even though he’s not speaking to me. This is what frightens me about the lawyer: my immediate instinct to do whatever he says. I ignore the urge, still too stupefied to do anything except watch this scene play out.
The customer thrashes about in Bennett’s hold, and someone behind them mutters something about calling the police. The man’s face turns a sickly shade, and his attempts to get free die down before Bennett loosens his grip. But only enough for the man to suck in a quick breath, as if through a straw.
He looks at me, eyes bulging and skin splotchy. I suppress a grimace when he parts his dry, cracked lips to speak. “I’m sorry.”
It’s hoarse, barely audible, but an apology nonetheless.
I nod, unsure if I’m acknowledging him or if I’m silently asking for Bennett to release him. Only he doesn’t let the man go. Instead, Bennett pulls him closer.
“If I ever see you here again, it’ll be for the last time.”
Even though Bennett’s voice is a low rumble, the threat rings loud and clear. Several people gasp and look at the door, contemplating their stay. The captive man nods vigorously, as much as possible with Bennett’s large hand still gripping his throat. Only when the customer’s eyes are bulging from his skull does Bennett finally release him.
The man stumbles back and makes his way past the group of people staring at him. Their gazes shift to me next, but my focus is on Bennett. He reaches for his coat and cufflinks without a word. Once he’s taken possession of his items, he walks from behind the counter and out the door, leaving everyone to stare after him.
Including me.
