When He's Dirty, стр. 37

Her hands go to my hands at her waist, as if she’s almost ready to push me away, which works. She needs to read my agitation and read it well.

“I take him plenty seriously, Adrian,” she says. “I’m doing this to save lives. What is your problem right now?”

I walk her backward until she hits the sink, my legs caging hers. “I didn’t ask for immunity for nothing. Don’t underestimate me.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“Because I fucked you? Do you think that protects you?”

“Okay, that’s it. I want out of this bathroom.”

“Not yet. I’m not done with you. Is that what you’re going to say to Waters? I’m not afraid of you?”

“I told you. I’m not naïve.”

“And yet, I spent the night at your house. How easily you trusted me.”

“Because it’s you.”

“Me? You don’t even know me let alone what I did to ask for immunity. I know I have a certain level of protection and I’m still asking for it, Pri.”

“I have your references.”

“Blake knows the man I let him know and I learned that from the master himself: Waters.” My gaze sweeps the curve of her breasts and lifts. “You look like an angel in that dress, Pri. The kind a man goes to sleep thinking about. He devours angels. He obsesses over how to turn them or hurt them.”

“I’m not an angel,” she bites out.

“He’s sneaky. He’ll seem like Prince Charming and he could kiss you while he’s working to destroy you.”

“He sounds like my father.”

“Not even close. Your father manipulated you because he wanted you to follow in his footsteps. Waters wants you to kneel for him. And even if you do, you’re just a disposable soldier. He will slice your throat and laugh about it.”

“I’ve read his file. You remember that, don’t you?”

“His file doesn’t tell you shit. Why do you think he wants me dead? I know what you don’t know.”

“Okay. Can you let me off the sink now?” She presses on my unyielding chest and I catch her hands. “No. I’m not done with you.”

“We’re done. Completely. I made a mistake. You made your point.”

My fingers tangle in her hair and I drag her mouth to mine, my hand pressed between her shoulder blades, molding her close. “What point is that?”

“You’re dirty. I’m just bad. There’s a difference.”

“And here I thought you liked it when I’m dirty.” I brush my lips over hers and she trembles in my arms.

“What are you doing, Adrian? I don’t want—”

“I do. I want.”

“An angel you can destroy?” she challenges.

I pull back and cup her face, tilting her gaze to mine. “Never. I will never hurt you. You know that. I know you know that.”

“And yet you don’t trust me to know better with Waters?”

“I’ve watched too many people underestimate him, Pri. I’m just trying to protect you.”

“By being an asshole? I’ve got enough of those in my life, Adrian. I don’t need another.”

“And I’ve had too many people die in my life. I don’t want you to be next.”

She studies me, searching my face. “He really affects you, doesn’t he?”

“You really affect me. I don’t want your trust in me to impact how you see him.”

“Then next time, just say that.”

There’s a knock on the door. “We have a line out here,” Adam calls out.

I lean in and kiss her and she really is the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted. “Change this damn dress,” I order. “Wear something black and baggy.”

She laughs and there’s another knock on the door. “Seriously,” I add. “Be careful.”

“I will.” She runs her hand over my cheek and when she tries to step away, I catch her hand again. “I’m sorry.”

She turns back to me and pushes to her toes, kissing me. “You’re not the monster you think you are, Adrian. Monsters don’t stop someone from walking out a door to apologize.” With that, she grabs her briefcase and hurries to the door, exiting while Adam enters.

“They all think I’m next in line,” he says, shutting the door. “How the fuck are we going to walk out of here together without the line of women waiting outside thinking we’re knocking boots or some shit?”

“I’ll go first,” I say, amused by his distress. “I need to protect Pri.”

“You mean you’ll go first because the last one out gets to explain what we’re doing in here. You owe me on this one.”

I’m laughing as I exit to find four women waiting. I wiggle an eyebrow at them and say. “He’ll be right out. He has to fix his make-up.” There are a couple of gasps that would amuse me more another time. Right now, I’m thinking about Pri’s declaration that I’m not a monster. She’s wrong and the only way to take down Waters is for me to prove that to her.