Page 18 of My Rogue Boss

Chapter 15

Freaking Gorgeous Asshole

Arielle Nygard

As I watch him storm out of the bar, for a moment I’m mortified. Everyone is gawking at us. Anna’s face is a mask of embarrassment. Even her bold nature isn’t wired for such a public humiliation. Lisa has just made her way over to us.

“Holy crap, what was that all about?” she asks, her eyes wide.

“Can you believe the nerve of that asshole?” Anna gasps. “All I did was offer him a drink.” I’m still too shocked to say anything. The guy at the bar who was with Atticus shakes his head and chuckles.

“Oh, that’s nothing,” he says, “you should see him when he’s really in a bad mood.” Anna is running an eye over him. He’s not bad to look at...fairly cute in an overly groomed way that doesn’t really appeal to me. The kindof guy who makes you want to count your fingers after you shake his hand. He’s extending his now.

“I’m Cory,” he says, a veneer of charm sliding into place. “And I promise, unlike my friend, I don’t bite.”

Anna smiles back and takes his hand. My friend looks as if she’s about to get over her moment of shame. I, however, feel nothing of the sort. I’m fuming inside.

‘Who the hell does he think he is? He’s just some two-bit magic act,’I seethe inwardly.‘I never get out. Never dress up or act sexy. Haven’t had fun in two damn years.Not since…since…since I became a fucking widow.’I feel a sob threatening.‘And it’s my fucking birthday, for fuck’s sake!’

I’m mad mad mad!

‘How dare he treat me like a freak in front of everyone?’

Lisa is lingering beside Anna and Cory, who’s ordering another round of drinks. I don’t want another drink. I don’t want to smile and make small-talk with some smooth-talking stranger.

I have a bone to pick with Atticus Fucking Colt!

I spin to the door and storm out, just in time to see him reach the side of a tricked-out black Mustang. A real ‘players’ car.Typical!Though, if he’s such a player, I’m kind of wondering why he would turn Anna down flat. Or me. Not the I care. He’s a dick.

“Hey!” I call out. “Hey you!” He turns abruptly, surprise on his face. Bolstered by sheer rage, and half a pitcher of margaritas, I march over as boldly as my stupid heels will allow and stop in front of him. He’s towering over me, lean and dark and…and…and…dangerous. I feel it somehow. A black curl has fallen onto his forehead. I want to brush it aside as desperately as I want to slap him.

Dammit, he really is fricking gorgeous.But that doesn’t give him the right to treat people like dirt. I clamp my hands on my hips and glare up at him. I’m so angry I could spit.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” I demand, my chest heaving. Maybe the green wraparound was a bit much. It’s cut low and I can see his dark eyes dip for a moment before locking with mine. I’m not going to be side-tracked. “Where do you get off treating people like that?” I yell. “It’s my birthday, dammit! All we wanted was to have a drink!” I raise a hand and wag my finger at him. It’s not a good idea because the sudden move unbalances me on my idiotic heels. I teeter forward and splay a hand on his chest to steady myself.

Oh my God, he’s hard as steel.

And then, before I can think, his hand clamps around my wrist and he’s pulled me against that rock-hard chest. His head descends and his lips are on mine. I gasp in surprise. As my lips part, his tongue plunders my mouth. I haven’t kissed a man since Steve...and never like this. He deepens the kiss and I can’t breathe.

Jesus, I can’t breathe…

The air has been sucked from my lungs in a rush and I’m hot…tingling. My fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt; I’m clinging to him like I’ve turned into something desperate and unfamiliar to me.

What the hell is wrong with me?

His grip is still firm around my wrist, not painful but I know that I’m captive. His free hand has moved up, fingers curled behind my neck to tilt my head up, his thumb stroking along my jawline. I can feel myself trembling, I’m taut yet I’m melting against him; nipples hard nubs against his chest. Something unfurls inside, a sensation I barely recognize anymore.

I want this man. Need him.

I make a small, animal sound in the back of my throat.

And then he breaks off the kiss and releases me. For a second I’m afraid my knees are going to buckle. The air is cool against my moist lips. My cheeks are burning. Every part of me is on fire. He looks down at me for a moment, then straightens and raises a dark brow.

“Happy now?” he asks. I stare, speechless, as he gets into the car and drives off.

I’ve never hated and wanted anyone so much at the same time in my life.

Continue Reading