Chapter 27
twenty-seven
Of all the stupid mistakes I’ve made, underestimating Marco Amir might be the dumbest.
Or the most dangerous.
It’s too easy to forget how deadly the man must be. He’s always been a gentleman with me. Treating me like I’m delicate.
But now?
His dark eyes blaze. So full of fury and feeling. I suck in a silent gasp, trying to step back. The wall blocks me, and he follows, his big body crowding into mine.
His jaw flexes as he stares into me, lighting me on fire from the inside out. “No.”
I have to blink, forcing my mind to rewind. I asked him if this is really what I’ve always known it to be—part of his work. An elegant solution to keeping a close eye on me. Maybe, if Tris is right, a bit of flirting and fun on the job.
And he’s saying—
“No,” he repeats, more vehemently. “Jesus, Alice. Is that really what you’ve been thinking this whole time? That I’m using my dick to lure you into letting me do my job?”
A fresh blush heats my face, the shame smoldering all the way to my core. Nausea flips my stomach—both from the mortification of being called out and the fact that, really… I let him use his good looks and gallant manners to lure me into letting him do his job. Exactly like he said.
There’s something else, too. An insidious voice that tells me he’s still conning me. Leading me on. Trying to gaslight me.
Because there’s no way in hell this big, beautiful man would have any other reason to call me sweet girl. Or buy me muffins. Or tell me I’m perfect.
Right??
But then, why is he looking at me like this? As if I’ve wounded him to his very core—insulted his pride and his honor and maybe—
Maybe even hurt his feelings.
“Marco…” I start again, “I’m sorry. I just—”
None of this makes any sense to me.
I don’t say the words, but Marco has an uncanny knack for knowing what I mean even when I can’t form words.
His brawny hand snaps up to my chin, clutching it as he stares down at me.
“You want me to explain?” he roughs out.
“Tell you how I hated myself for not being able to keep my distance from you that day at the coffee shop?
Or how nervous I was showing up at your apartment last weekend?
“I tracked your laptop to the coffee shop because I couldn’t damn well help myself.
I went to your place last night just to spend ten fucking minutes with you—because it was the end of the week and there was only one person I wanted to see.
Have I ever been anything but clear? I like you, Alice.
More than I ever meant to. Because you were my job.
And I should have stayed objective. But I fucking couldn’t. ”
His fingers trail up my cheek, his thumb skirting across my lips as they part in shock. He presses his core to my belly, branding me with the thick heat pressing into his fly.
“My cock has been hard since you kissed me yesterday,” he growls, his deep brown gaze sparking. “A man died tonight because I was so distracted by you.”
He rubs his erection against me slowly, letting me feel it. “Do you think I could fake this?”
I try to speak, but I can’t even swallow. A lifetime of longing and shame has my heart and my mind taking off in different directions.
Of course he’s faking his attraction to me.
Unless he’s actually everything I’ve ever wanted.
“I’m not a man who plays games with women he’s interested in,” Marco concludes, stepping back and dropping his hand.
I finally inhale, but I have no clue what I should say. Another apology? Or more interrogating questions?
The sad fact is, this can’t be real. Because I’m me.
For the first time since we met, Marco doesn’t wait to hear what I have to say. Instead, he straightens, casting a dark, hardened glance down my body.
“We’ll have plenty of time to talk tonight,” he determines, “because you’re coming with me.”
Going with him? As in, to his place?
Tonight?!
I finally manage a thick swallow. “W-why?”
Marco’s lips kick up in his enigmatic half-smile. “Because, according to you, your safety is my job. And, according to me, you’re the woman I want in my bed. Either way, your apartment isn’t safe tonight, so we’ll have to go to mine. You can decide which of us is right on the way home.”