Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Hannah
I definitely didn’t expect Armando to let me go to work. I thought we were going to have another throw-down that I would lose. And I also didn’t guess he would come with me.
It’s weird and wrong that I’m semi-excited by the idea. Like my boyfriend is coming to hang out at work with me.
I keep reminding myself I’m his prisoner not his date, but then he holds my hand and opens my door, which sends my body into a riot of flutters and thrills.
I wasn’t totally paying attention to the route he took, but when he turns into a car repair shop, I sit up straighter.
“What are we doing?”
“Getting a new alternator in this thing. Come on.”
I grab my purse, open the door and hop out, noting he’s not snarling orders at me not to move any more. Trust is growing.
“I don’t have money for an alternator,” I tell him when I walk around. I figure he already knows, but it’s best to be clear.
“I got you covered,” he says.
“I can’t let you do that,” I say.
His face morphs to one of an authoritarian. “I’m not asking. I’m telling you that the van isn’t safe or reliable. So, I’m fixing it. This isn’t open for discussion.”
It shouldn’t be swoon-worthy, but there’s something about the way he says it that makes my nipples go hard.
It’s a flash of the old Armando—the slick, smooth-talking guy who used to come into the shop when Mary Alice owned it and flash huge wads of cash.
It’s that confidence and ease, a bit of swagger.
Like money is no problem, and he’s happy to provide. Definitely sexy to me.
He talks to a mechanic, telling him what he thinks is wrong with the van, and then we step inside to fill out paperwork. He has them fill it out in my name but gives his phone number and name as the contact then asks for a shuttle ride to the shop.
It’s not that hard, but I’ve been overwhelmed by the idea of even bringing the van anywhere since the problems started.
Mostly because I knew I couldn’t afford any repairs.
But also because I was afraid they’d take one look at me—a young Black woman who knows nothing about cars—and try to screw me over.
Nobody would ever try to screw Armando over. At least not anyone in his right mind.
He’s silent on the ride to the shop, sitting beside me but actually somewhere far away.
I nudge his leg with mine. “Thanks.”
He turns his head and looks at me, no hint of a smile, his face that dangerous, blank mask. I don’t think he even heard me. “What?”
“I said thanks.”
He blinks at me for a moment more, like it takes a while to come back to the present and process my words. Then his gaze drops back away. “My pleasure, Flowers,” he mutters.
I think about slipping my hand into his, but I resist. I can’t even imagine what he’s going through—fresh out of prison with someone trying to kill him. He committed murder and took the witness as his prisoner. A squeeze of his hand isn’t going to fix this.
I’m lucky my problems are fixable, and he’s willing to help me solve them. If he hadn’t bailed me out with the rent yesterday, I don’t know what I would’ve done. And getting the van fixed will be huge for my goals of getting the business profitable. Starting deliveries again.
The shuttle drops us off at the shop, and Armando unlocks the door, looking left and right down the street, secret agent style. His gaze travels over and lands on the place where the body fell.
“Are you all right?” I touch his elbow.
Armando jerks and turns, lifting his brows.
A puff of air escapes his lips in a tuh .
“You’re asking me ?” He settles his palm at the back of my head and brings his mouth down to my temple.
“Are you?” His voice is deep and quiet. There’s an intense intimacy to the question, like we share a deep secret, which I guess we do.
He smells clean, his freshly-shaven skin is smooth against mine.
My heart picks up speed. I become conscious of how close his lips are to my skin. How comfortable his grasp on me is. “Yeah, I’m okay. I didn’t know the guy, and it was… sort of unreal to me. Like watching a movie, you know?”
Armando nods. Behind my head, his thumb massages my skull. “Yeah. Same for me. But my whole fucking life feels like I’m watching a movie right now. Everything except—” He stops.
I pull back to look at him. “Except what?”
His fingers slide in the back of my hair and tighten into a fist, capturing a section of hair. He uses it to tip my head back. “Except for you. You feel real to me.”
I stop breathing.
He moves slowly, like he’s giving me time to protest, and lowers his mouth. He slides his lips over mine. It’s an elegant kiss. An experienced one. Not like that mad, hot claiming when we kissed yesterday.
This is different. This is seduction.
And seduction is definitely not playing fair. Because Armando isn’t the kind of guy I can fall for. This isn’t love. I may have played dirty when I first kissed him, but he’s definitely the one playing dirty now.
I manage to get my hands between us, and I push on his chest at the same moment I pull away. He allows it, rubbing his lips together like he’s savoring the taste of me.
I stumble backward then turn and hurry into the back, turning on lights and getting things ready to open shop.
Crap. I need some distance from this guy. Because, right now, he’s so up in my world, he’s in every pore. Which makes it very hard to put up any lasting defenses.
My hands shake as I move around the shop, my mind and body still overwhelmed by his kiss. I can’t deny the heat that still lingers between us, and I know it won’t go away anytime soon.
I try to focus on work, but my thoughts drift back to Armando and the way his lips felt against mine. A deep warmth spreads through me as I remember the electricity that passed between us.
I pause and look up, only to find him standing in the doorway, watching me with a smoldering look. I hold his gaze, and for a moment, neither of us move. Then, he steps closer and reaches out, running a finger along my cheek. His touch is gentle but firm, sending a wave of pleasure through my body.
His eyes scan me up and down, and my skin heats up under his gaze. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs, leaning in to whisper against my ear.
I shiver, my heart racing as I try to find my voice.
“You’re trying to distract me,” I say. “From work.”
“Is it working?”
“I open soon, and I’m not ready.” Jesus Christ the man is dangerous. The power he has over my body is undeniable.
Armando takes a step closer. “You look ready to me.”
“Armando…” I begin, but I’m cut off by his lips pressing against mine. This kiss is different from the first, more intense and passionate. And I can feel the tension between us rising with every passing moment.
Finally, he pulls away and looks at me with a heavy-lidded gaze.
“I understand if you don’t want this.” His voice low and husky. “But I can’t deny what I’m feeling right now.”
I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. I want this, too. But I’m scared. Scared of what will happen if I let him in.
“I… I want this,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
He pushes me in front of a tall shelf that I use to store ribbons and decorative items for my arrangements.
Pinning me against it, trapping me between the hard surface and his body.
His hands move up my sides, and I can’t help but arch my back, pushing my body closer to his.
He leans forward and presses his lips against mine, his tongue slipping inside my mouth, exploring and tasting me.
My breathing becomes shallow, and all I can feel is his hard cock promising me of what’s to come. His hands slide down my back and cup my ass, lifting me up and pressing our bodies together even more. I wrap my legs around his waist, and he reaches down and effortlessly rips my panties off.
Armando kneels down before me and begins to kiss my inner thighs, slowly working his way up until he finds my clit.
His expert tongue caresses it, and pleasure spreads through my body.
He moves his tongue up and down, teasing me until I’m panting with desire.
His hands slide around to my ass, and he pulls me closer, thrusting his tongue deep inside me.
I moan in pleasure, my body trembling. I arch my back, pushing myself closer to him, urging him to go even deeper.
He responds by slipping a finger inside me, his thumb finding and rubbing my tight bud. His thrusts become more urgent, and I can feel myself reaching the point of no return.
My moans grow louder, and my body is shaking as I reach my climax. His hands slide up my sides, and he slowly stands to meet my eyes again.
“Ready for more?” His voice is low and husky.
I nod, my body still trembling from the pleasure he just gave me. He kisses me deeply and turns me around, pushing me against the shelf once more. I hear the sound of a condom wrapper being torn open—or at least I hope that is what I hear, but I’m too far gone to care.
“You said you would never have sex with me again.” His husky words caress my flesh and send a shiver down my spine.
“I changed my mind,” I somehow reply.
He drags the head of his cock over my slit, then enters me from behind, filling me up with each thrust, and I let out a loud moan.
He moves faster and faster, and soon I’m screaming out his name, grateful I haven’t opened for business yet.
His hard thrusts become more and more intense, and I sense another orgasm building up inside me. As I reach my peak, I feel his body tense, and he releases a deep moan as he thrusts. He pushes even deeper, and I can feel his warm cum filling me up as he finally reaches his own climax.
We stay like that for a few moments, panting and trying to catch our breath. He pulls out of me and wraps his arms around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder.
Signs of my completion coat my inner thigh, and I glance to my panties cast to the floor.
He spins me around and kisses me deeply, his hands lingering on my body. His touch is electric, and my arousal quickly rises again in response. He moves his lips from my mouth and trails down my neck, sending shivers over my skin.
He slides his hand lower and presses two fingers inside me, circling them around until I’m quivering with pleasure.
“I like feeling your juices. I like how they coat my finger,” he says.
I moan in response, desire and need coursing through me. He continues to flick and tease, his thumb now brushing against my sensitive bud and sending waves of pleasure through me. I arch my back and push against his hand, wanting more.
He moves his other hand to my hips and holds me firmly in place as he caresses my core still trembling from my climax. My legs tremble beneath me, and I’m left gasping for air as he slowly withdraws his hand.
He wraps his arms around me again and whispers in my ear, “I owe you a new pair of panties.”