Page 93 of Shark’s Edge

“It makes perfect sense when you take all of that into consideration. So now what do we do?”

“I need to drive you home. I’ll have someone bring Rio’s vehicle to her home as well.”

“No, that’s ridiculous. We live in opposite directions from your office, and the traffic will be a nightmare at this hour. I’ll be fine on my own. Honestly.”

I could’ve bet a month’s salary on this being an issue.

“Well, according to Grant, anyone with half a brain knows you would be a good place to strike next,” I said, turning to stare out the window. I couldn’t meet her gaze after having to admit that information to her.

“Huh?”

“My best friend seems to think I’m wearing my heart on my sleeve these days where you’re concerned.” I turned to face her then. “My sister seems to share his opinion. Therefore, if someone is trying to fuck with me, they’ve probably put the pieces together to connect me to you. I’m sorry to involve you in something you don’t necessarily want to be involved in. But . . . well . . . here we are.”

“I’m not completely sure I’m following this whole last part.” She waved her hand through the air, confusion wrinkling her brow. “I don’t mean to sound dense, but I have conversation whiplash.”

“Conversation. Whiplash.” I chuckled as I tried the words on for size. “I don’t think I’m familiar with that injury. Sounds serious.” I laced my voice with mock concern to attempt to lighten the mood.

“It can be. I’ll explain.” She sat up taller, taking an authoritative mien before starting.

Damn, this girl makes my dick throb for the oddest reasons.

“It’s when a person—you, in this particular case—changes their position on a topic—me, in this case—so rapidly that the people involved in the conversation—us, in this case—get whiplash.”

I couldn’t take it. Not for one. More. Fucking. Second. I unlatched my seat belt and slid across the seat until I was right up against her. Her already huge green eyes grew impossibly larger.

“Do you know what I think, Ms. Gibson?” I said right into her ear in a register so deep, it all but vibrated the windows. I was sure she could feel my warm breath on her skin, my need pulsing through my system where our legs touched.

“What?” Her breathy whisper felt like fingers strangling my cock.

“I’ve decided I like hearing you say the words you, me, and us in the same sentence. I like it a lot.”

I couldn’t stop myself from tasting her. Being that close to her, smelling her, feeling her heat. I kissed her neck. Just leaned my head onto her shoulder and pressed my lips to her silky skin. Perfection. Fucking perfection. How had I forgotten since the night at my house? How had I forgotten how right she felt against my mouth? I reached my arm across her chest to fan my fingers against the column of her throat on the other side. I could feel her throbbing pulse beneath my touch.

I ran my tongue up to her ear and back, and when she gave me a little moan, followed by a little sigh and shift in her seat, I did it again.

“Do you like that, Abbigail?” I said beside her ear and pulled back just far enough to watch her reaction.

Her hand flew up so fast I thought I might be slapped, but she clutched my face so I couldn’t move far. “Yes. Yes, I do. I’m an idiot for it, but I do.”

I threaded my fingers through the loose strands of hair that had worked their way free of her work-required ponytail and rubbed firm fingers along the base of her neck. Long days on her feet and lots of lifting and carrying had stored tension in the muscles of her shoulders and neck. Of course, I might have had something to do with the fatigue as well.

“Oh, that feels good.” Her eyes fell closed while I stroked her. Over and over, long caresses to ease the day away. Any reason to keep touching her.

When she seemed relaxed and hopefully more agreeable, I asked quietly, “Will you let me make sure you’re safe? Please? Just let me take you home tonight?”

After a few long moments, she answered. “Fine. But why don’t you just follow me? I’ll take Rio’s car home tonight.” Her eyes popped open, and she sat up taller again, the spell from the massage broken with the conversation. “But why would you drive all the way across town? Do you see how ridiculous that is? Traffic is horrible at this hour.”

I pulled back a bit. “But you should have to do it? Alone? Because I’ve kept you on this side of town long past the time you normally are? How is that fair?” She would never win an argument with me. We could do this for the next hour. Every point she could think of, I’d have a counterpoint. It was one of the many reasons I was so successful at my work. I whittled people down until they just gave in. I could verbally beat someone into submission within minutes.

“Sebastian,” she said plaintively.

I picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “What is it, Little Red?”

She just whimpered. Whimpered in submission.

I was the master, ladies and gentlemen. It was the plain and simple truth. I mentally took a deep bow in the middle of a stage, spotlight focused directly on me.

“Are you hungry?” I asked her, hoping to redirect the tired subject of car relocating.