♫ Spazzn - Decap and Gyrefunk ♫
I sat there for a good three minutes before finally racing out behind Lux. On the way, I shot Vic a quick text letting him know I was taking care of it and to disappear before someone caught wind of his presence.
That should take care of him, but I wasn’t holding my breath. He was more curious these days, more vigilant. Always asking fucking questions and showing up anywhere at the drop of a hat. But anonymity was still that of importance to him, so although there was a slight chance Lux or Suki might have already seen him, there’s no way he’d risk it further by following me out the door.
Barreling down the steps, I jumped off the final three and bolted to the back of the building as soon as my feet hit the pavement. I couldn’t seem to move fast enough, my limbs still somewhat weak after the strain I’d put my body through to keep my dick in check.
Took every fucking ounce of self-control within me, and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy.
A smaller, mostly emptied car park was all that awaited me when I made it around back. Surrounded by tall palms, there wasn’t a soul in sight.
At least none that I could see within the lighting from the streetlamps.
“Lux?” I hissed, stepping around three large dumpsters, the gravel crunching beneath my boots.
No answer.
But then suddenly, I was pulled into the shadows between two of the receptacles.
“Woah!”
Lux had me cornered, small hand clenching the front of my tee, eyes paralyzing me in entirety.
“Were you lying to me?” she growled.
“About?”
“About the stalker! What else?!”
“No,” I shook my head, “why would I lie about that?”
“Because you’re you, you idiot, that’s why!” She pushed me further into the steel at my back with a grunt. “Who is he?”
“I told you, I’ve never seen him before.”
Why did you follow him here?” she pressed.
“Because…”
“Because what?!”
“Because it’s clear he wants to hurt you, and that’s not gonna fly with me,” I grit out.
Those baby blues jutted out, but she didn’t speak a single word. I couldn’t decipher the expression on her face.
From the erratic tempo of my breaths, you’d have thought I ran a mile. My heart was jackhammering and I couldn’t understand why after what happened inside that building not ten minutes ago.
But then I saw it.
That fire.
It didn’t just spark in her eyes—it burned everywhere. Hotter than any hell. From the inside out, I could feel it.
Scorching me.
Calling to me.
And just like the last time we were alone, we collided, more intensely if that were even possible.
Lips scraping.
Hands seeking purchase.
Her stalker was a thing of the past. I gripped her at the waist and tossed her in my spot, frantically reaching for her thighs thereafter to lift her off her feet.
She complied without protest, throwing her head back as she wrapped her legs around my waist.
Can’t run now.
“We have to stop doing this,” she panted, mewling softly as I nipped a trail up her neck.
“I can’t,” I bit down, my grip on her thighs forceful and possessive, “it feels too good. I fucking need you.”
Lux’s laugh was breathy, bordering on manical. “Why me? Why are you doing this to me?”
“What part?”
“All of it—from beginning to end. Why me?”
Did it matter?
It’s not like I could tell her the truth anyway.
“Just shut up, Lux. It’s not important.” I slammed my mouth against hers once more and kissed her with purpose.
Ot at least I tried to.
“Like hell it’s not!” She pushed me off, arm bent like a shield. “You’ve spent months harassing me, making my life a living hell, then you stupidly kiss me and suddenly you need me? Are you insane?”
There wasn’t a lick of humor in her voice. She was completely serious.
This I could be honest about.
“Yes,” I answered.
Evidently, that’s not the answer she wanted to hear.
“Oh my God, you’re fucking maddening!” She groaned, wiggling herself onto her feet.
Whether she was trying to run or not, I threw my hands down on either side of her, caging her in, the receptacle booming from my force.
“So are you—that’s what you don’t seem to understand.”
“How am I maddening?” she spat incredulously. “I’ve done fuck all to you!”
“Fuck all? Really?” Now I was laughing. “And you think I’m insane? You’ve fucking possessed me—worse than any demon ever could.”
“Oh, please. You kissed me once, Roman. Stop acting like—”
“Stop fucking calling me that!” I exploded.
I don’t know why, but I was so fucking tired of hearing it come out of her mouth.
“It’s your name, psycho!” she squeaked. “The fuck would you like me to call you? Asshole? Douchebag? Motherfu—”
“Rome, Lux.” My hands were on her again, nose in her hair. “Just Rome.”
I’d been dying to hear her say it, especially in that little breathy tone of hers when I was touching her.
Just as I inhaled deeply, coiling around her like a snake, she pushed me off a second time, holding up a warning finger in my face.
“Stay away from me.”
“I can’t do that.” I shook my head.
“I’m serious,” she growled. “Stay. Away from me, Rome. We aren’t good for each other.”
“I’ve already told you that you can’t run from the King, kitty kat, but if you wanna continue living in the land of denial, then be my guest. I’ll catch up to you eventually.”
I would, too.
Eventually, Lux would give into me.
Into this.
The force was too strong for either one of us to escape.
“Kitty kat?” One of her sleek brows shot up as a scoff broke free. “What is it with you and animal names? Do I look like a damned cat to you?”
“No, but those eyes of yours are quite feline.” A single step forward. “And those claws, those claws are quite sharp.”
“I’m not afraid to use them.” She firmed her finger, pointing one of said claws in question right at my throat.
“I believe it.” I pushed her arm aside with ease, inching toward her again. “Can’t wait to feel them running down my back when I finally—”
“When you finally nothing. Nothing is going to happen, Rome. Seriously, stay away from me. This,” she motioned between us, “is a volatile mess, a disaster waiting happen.”
“So you’re going to keep denying you don’t feel it?” I asked, insulted enough that she was able to slip past me and put at least five feet between us.
“I never said I didn’t, but I’m not willing to risk anymore of my sanity to explore it. Promise me you’ll stay away from me…”
Fuck no.
“Lux…” I tried, but she shook her head.
“Promise me, goddammit! In return, I’ll leave you alone, too. I’ll even give you a cut of my territories, whatever you want. Just stay away from me, please. I’m fucking begging you, and I never beg anyone for shit.”
I heard the plea in her voice, but it was the ache in her eyes that hit me hardest.
I hated her all over again for doing this.
For torturing us both when she knew running away from this wasn’t that easy.
A pointless feat.
I wanted to wring her neck, shake the common sense into her. But in a split-second decision, I decided to go along with it.
For now.
I’d bend her soon enough.
“Fine,” I conceded, balling my hands into fists. “But who do I call for—”
“I’ll have my PA get in touch with you. Goodnight, Roman, and goodbye.”
And as quickly as she’d pulled me behind the dumpster was as quickly as she was gone.