Page 80 of Taken In Trade
I spin around, intending to grab the pack I keep in my desk drawer, but I freeze to avoid barreling over Vanessa.
She doesn’t back away.
“You defended me.” Her head tilts, and she blinks at me from behind her dark lashes. Her small hand comes to rest on my forearm, giving a squeeze. “Twice. You went after my father the other night and Grigoryan just now.”
If she’s not careful, she’s going to get herself bred and bitten.
She’s beautiful and softer than I expected. Everything I’ve seen from her over the years led me to believe that she didn’t let much get to her. I can see that now for what it truly was—a survival response to growing up without anyone to protect her.
What I said to Magnum flashes in my mind, haunting me. Even if she’s capable of strategizing ways to look after herself, she’ll never be able to physically protect herself against most men.
And the more tender I realize she is, the more ruthless my system thinks we need to be to ensure her safety.
I wasn’t exaggerating when I told her that we both needed to tread carefully. Otherwise, I’d end up a monster that she wouldn’t be able to stand.
Jesus.
I need to get my shit together.
I know better than to let anyone get under my skin the way I let Grigoryan get to me, but my instincts are riled to the point that I’m not sure how to settle them. I’ve always known I’m more animalistic than most of polite society, and that’s exactly why I keep a tight leash on myself.
“I did,” I agree. “If you’ll excuse me. I need to smoke.” I shuffle around her, taking off toward my desk.
“I don’t think that’s allowed inside the club.” Based on the sound, she follows me without mercy.
“Yes, well, I can slip through that panel and no longer be in this building.” I nod to the wall that leads to the empty space behind the pizza shop. “That passageway dead-ends in a storage room.” I finally make it to the drawer, ripping out the pack of cigarettes—that’s probably stale, since it’s been so long since I was in the club. Bringing one to my lips, I prepare to light it.
Vanessa plucks it from my mouth, tossing it into the trash.
A low growl rattles out of my chest.
“In my entire life, no one has ever defended me the way you have.” She doesn’t seem concerned as she slides between me and my desk, pushing the drawer closed. “Are you just forced to protect your image, or were you guarding my feelings?”
“Vanessa,” I growl, taking a step back. She keeps hold of my arm, and I don’t have the heart to shake out of her hold. She’s always in sky-fucking-high heels, and she’s never very sturdy. I don’t want to risk throwing her off-balance.
“Emory.” She flutters her lashes, licking her lips and following me. Her hand lands on my button-down, and her thumb sweeps over my forearm. “Why does it feel like a warning every time you say my name?”
I scoff. “Because it is.”
“Too bad I’m not scared of you.” She stretches up on her tiptoes, and everything in me says it’s dangerous to kiss her when I’m so jacked up.
My lips crash against hers, and my hand weaves around, cupping her ass before I can stop myself.
Her electric scent makes my body buzz with each inhale, and my self-control is at an all-time low.
She leans against my chest, pressing her soft curves into me.
I fucking love it.
The little moans she releases into the kiss don’t help my head stay clear.
Vanessa’s fingers dig into my shirt, and she brings her other hand to cup my jaw, fighting for dominance. She should know better, but she must be trying to trigger my instincts. She rakes her teeth over my bottom lip, which she understands will trigger my need to bite.
And fuck do my teeth ache.
Rather than acting rashly with something I can’t take back, I pull away, leaning around her to swipe everything off my desk.
Chapter Twenty-Four
