Chapter 2
2
Emery
“ N o woman deserves that kind of treatment,” the stranger says, his eyes darkening. “Especially not you.”
The sincerity in his gaze catches me off-guard, making my breath hitch. Despite my apprehension, I feel a restless, heated rush low in my stomach.
He takes my wrist in his hand, and I flinch, unable to resist. It’s an uncontrollable reaction to being grabbed, but this isn’t a harsh grip, more an examination.
“You’re wearing an engagement ring.” He releases me, nodding at the thin band on my left hand. “Either your man can’t protect you, or he’s the one doing this to you.”
“That’s none of your business,” I say. “And why do you care? I don’t know who you are or why you’re doing this, but you can’t just walk in here and tell me what to do.”
His mouth curves into a smirk. “Can’t I?”
His eyes hold mine, daring me to look away. He’s so close I can feel the warmth radiating from his body. He traces a finger along my collarbone, and I close my eyes, the gentleness at odds with the intensity rolling off him.
“You’re wound up tight,” he murmurs. “Let me ask you this: if you had a chance at a fresh start, far away from him, would you take it?”
“I’m getting married.” I force myself to meet his gaze. “It’s already decided.”
His expression shifts, a spark of anger flaring beneath the surface. “Decided by who? Some prick who treats you like he owns you?”
“You don’t understand. It’s not that simple.”
“No? Tell me why.”
His presence is all-consuming, making my thoughts scatter. I want to push him away, yet I’m rooted to the spot, drawn to him against my better judgment.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask.
He pauses, then smiles. “Because you deserve better, val’kiriya.”
The honesty in his voice stuns me. No one’s ever said anything like that to me. What would it feel like to believe him?
Before I can process what’s happening, his hand moves to the small of my back, pulling me flush against him.
“You want me to go?” he murmurs, his voice deep and rough. “Tell me to walk away, and I will.”
My lips part, but the words die in my throat, every rational thought vanishing like steam.
Without waiting for permission, he leans in, capturing my mouth. His lips are firm and insistent, his hands warm as they slide up my back, tangling in my hair. I gasp, and he takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue teasing mine.
For a moment, I forget everything—Dante, the wedding, my fear. There’s only him, his hands and mouth consuming me.
No. This can’t happen. Make him stop!
I hit out at him, and he breaks away. His gaze flickers over my face, a mixture of satisfaction and something darker in his eyes.
“Damn,” he murmurs, almost to himself.
My pager is buzzing at my hip, and he glances at it. “Duty calls,” he says. “You better go do your thing, Doctor Emery.”
“Who do you think you are?” I gasp. “That was—you can’t do things like that!”
“I did though, didn’t I?” He grins at my outrage. “And remember, if anyone asks, I threatened you. Keep my name out of the matter.”
“That’ll be easy; I don’t know it.”
The corners of his eyes crinkle. “You’ll be thinking about me, so call me whatever you want. Goodnight.”
Then he’s gone.
It takes a few seconds for my frazzled nerves to unfreeze, and I dart to the door, catching sight of him as he strides through the parking lot, his silhouette cutting through the low glow of the streetlights.
A total stranger spoke to me like he genuinely cared. Hell, he saw right through me. How did he know things I haven’t even admitted to myself?
My heart rate never spikes in a crisis, but right now, it’s beating wildly against my ribcage. I bring my fingers to my lips, still tingling from his kiss.
Woah. Did that really happen?