Chapter Five
Amanda could’ve kicked herself a half-dozen times in the last fifteen minutes.
But this time, she deserved it. Panic clawed through the thick fog of arousal that had drowned out the urge to run.
But even as she freaked, Amanda couldn’t escape this man’s spell.
She was thirsty for his company, and wasn’t that just cause for irritation? “Asshole.”
His mouth neared her ear. “I don’t think that’s what you wanted to say.”
A full-body shiver prickled at the nape of her neck, then rolled to the tips of her toes. His voice worked over her like the talented fingers of a masseuse. But it was the warmth of his whisper that made the fine hair along her back stand up like sharpened spears. “You’re right.”
“You know what I’m curious about?” he asked, sliding his hands down her arms.
She couldn’t ignore his touch, and her goosebumps chased his strong hands. “Not really.”
“I’m curious”—he skimmed his fingers up the underside of her forearms and bicep—“why you’re still here.”
She looked over her shoulder. “I’m pinned against the wall.”
He took a step back.
She didn’t move. “You have my gun.”
He ejected the chambered round and released the clip.
They clattered to the floor. Her nerves vibrated as if he’d stripped away her layers as easily as he’d rejected her reasons.
This didn’t make any sense. She had trained herself to be a machine.
Never wavering, always following her strict rules.
Amanda didn’t take up with sexy strangers in remote hallways of construction sites any more than she would go on a date at a restaurant with someone she already vetted and knew well.
He waited for her to elaborate. The strumming beat of her pulse reached dangerous territory, and she didn’t trust herself to speak.
Amanda stared at the rough wall as if an answer might appear.
Of course, it wouldn’t. The last time she’d let a physical attraction sweep her off her feet, it’d almost killed her. Only the scars remained.
He leaned close, his chiseled face nearing her neck. “Is this game wrapping up or just getting started?”
Amanda didn’t have an answer. Their tension thickened. This was insane, but she didn’t care. In a careful, measured pace, Amanda lifted her arms above her head. She swore the man’s breath caught. Arousal thundered in her chest, and impatient for his hands, she pressed her palms against the wall.
“You good?” He towered over her.
His question rumbled down her spine. “I’m terrified that I’m not terrified.”
“Tell me if that changes.”
She should say that she’d lost her mind; instead, she relished the new freedom. Unfettered liberty washed over her, clean and fresh and full of promise. “I’ll let you know.”
“Good.” His powerful thigh nestled against the back of her legs, spreading her stance until he slid his foot between hers.
Heat bloomed deep in her belly. Breathless, she couldn’t ignore the way his muscles pressed against her ass. Her pussy pleaded for the same attention. A long-forgotten, fevered thrill urged Amanda’s back to arch.
His palms squeezed her shoulders. A shock wave of searing arousal swelled.
She wanted to mewl but closed her eyes to indulge in the illicit touch.
She imagined how his rough hands and herculean strength would fondle her body, demanding her orgasms. A moan caught in her throat as he kneaded her neck and drifted down her spine, repeating the same noninvasive pat-down she’d given him, but with electrifying results.
He remained painfully unhurried. Her arousal spiraled, and Amanda vibrated on the edge of reckless mistake. Yet she was safe and certain that if she walked away, she’d never share an encounter as intimate and real as this.
He pulled away. “Now, we’re both clear.”
His voice was staggeringly unaffected. A torrent of shame twisted her stomach.
Arousal had triumphed over prudence. She’d barely picked a side in their fight, preferring a fantasy.
Worse, she’d defiled the reasons why she had protective limitations in the first place.
Abasement gripped her thoughts and throat.
She couldn’t breathe. A black hole of reproach swallowed her ability to scream.
He touched her arm. “Are you okay?”
She exploded. Her elbow jerked back. The sharp angle connected with his gut, and as though she were a spectator watching, she knew what would happen next, but couldn’t stop. She twisted and knotted her hands into his shirt. Her knee slammed into his groin.
Violent pain exploded across his face.
“Oh, God.” This wasn’t his fault, but she struggled to gain control.
The man doubled over, coughing and cursing. He stumbled to the steps and collapsed.
“I’m so sorry.” Tears ran down her cheeks. Damn it, she should’ve known better. “So sorry.”
He wheezed in agony. “What the hell?”
“I didn't mean to.” Though that didn’t matter. Amanda pressed her hand to her throat. “I forgot how to breathe.”
The man glanced up and glared, then returned to a self-soothing ritual that sounded like a dying bear.
Her legs trembled, and she reached toward him, hand shaking like she might pet his head but was too scared. “Are you okay?”
Groaning, he waved her away.
She didn’t know what to do. Her guilt multiplied. “Do you need ice?”
Eternity passed. Then he laughed. “Are you serious?”
Another round of hot, embarrassed tears ran down her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
Unmoved, he grunted, then uncurled himself, propping his hands on his knees like he might get sick. If he’d had a white flag to wave, he might’ve thrown it at her. “Game over. You win.”
Amanda shrank back. “What?”
He managed a chuckle that quickly ballooned into stomach-clenching laughter.
Amanda’s jaw fell. She hadn’t meant to hurt the guy, but she wasn’t about to watch her freak-out become his source of hilarity. “I should leave.”
“Great idea.” He winced and kept laughing. “The first good one either of us has had.”
“It was an accident!” She wanted to disappear but couldn’t shake her growing exasperation. “You’re not dying.”
He looked remorseful for flirting with a she-devil and tossed out a hand, half agreeing, half waving her away. “I’d rather you had shot me.”
She flushed, then swiped the unloaded weapon and clip. “Don’t touch my gun again.”
“Lesson learned, lady.”
Guilt roared back. “Really, are you okay?”
“I’m not sure if I’ll ever have kids…”
“Oh, God.” She holstered her weapon and edged closer. “Honestly, I didn’t mean for any of that to happen.”
His head tilted up, and his eyes narrowed. “None of it, huh? Too bad.”
“What?” She jumped back. “I thought you were dying!”
He winked, and she wanted to strangle him.
“Either way.” The man pushed off the step, failing to hide a wince. “I’ll survive.”
He eyed the descending staircase, probably nauseous at the number of remaining floors until the ground level.
Then he ran a hand over his face and returned his focus to her.
The scrutiny made her feel as vulnerable as before but without the fantastic, fluttery light-headedness. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
His grin hitched. “Trying to decide if I’m going to puke or follow up on that invitation to dinner.”
“What?” Her eyebrow twitched.
“I’m not much for games.” He extended his hand like she hadn’t just brought him to his knees. “But I dig puzzles.”
Without thinking, she lifted her hand to his and floated when his grip swallowed hers. The handshake lingered and made her mind feel fuzzy. “I’m not a big fan of games.” Their hands fell apart. “Or exchanging names.”
His lips pursed as though processing what she’d said. Then he asked, “How do you feel about Majboos?”
“You’re serious?” Her stomach clenched, and for a split second, the idea of a romantic dinner over spiced chicken and rice was enough for her to crawl back into his arms, where she had been safe and deliriously free. Then reality crashed her daydream. “No—I can’t.”
A heavy stairwell door opened and closed above them. A descending thunderclap of boots sounded a lot like Boss Man. She swallowed hard and heard the man next to her curse. Without another word, they faced the stairs and waited. Their encounter, for better or worse, had ended.