Page 95 of Shark’s Edge

Did I say something wrong? Am I fucking this up?

“No. Not necessarily. I just thought that would encourage you to say something more. Maybe?” She still had that hopeful look in her eye.

Time for a different approach.

“I think Grant gave me some decent advice this morning. After I smacked his head into the floor a few times, but that’s beside the point.” I grinned, thinking of the blood on his favorite suit. Dickhead.

“What did he say?” she asked after a few long, quiet beats while I daydreamed about the rumble we’d had on my office floor.

“He said I should stop trying to manipulate everything where this is concerned.” I motioned between us. “Just let it do what it’s going to do.”

She nodded. “That was good advice.”

“I like you. I think you like me. Shit, I sound like I’m in junior high right now.” I shook my head, feeling so foolish.

“I do,” she said quietly.

I snapped my head left to meet her gaze.

“I do like you, Mr. Shark. Very much, in fact.”

A rush of air escaped me.

“Why don’t we just see where things go between us, then? That’s what he said. Let it do its thing.” I shrugged. “I haven’t dated anyone or been in anything even closely resembling a relationship, since—okay, ever. I don’t even know what that means. But I know when I think about you with another man, I see red. An actual red haze clouds my vision, and I want to hurt people and break things. I haven’t felt like that before. Outside of Cassiopeia and Vela. Grant to a certain degree.”

“There’s more to caring for someone, though, than jealousy and control. You understand that, right?” Legitimate concern etched her face.

“Of course I do,” I said as if she were absurd.

I mean, I thought I did.

The drive from downtown to Torrance took over an hour. I knew it wouldn’t be pleasant, but I had no idea just how bad it really would be. When we finally got to her place, I wanted out of the car so desperately, it wouldn’t have mattered if we were in front of a crack den. I would’ve still been happy to bail out of the passenger seat of the car.

“I’m a little embarrassed. I mean, it’s nothing like your house. Really though, what is?” Abbigail stalled at the end of the winding walkway that led from the street to the multistory building before us.

“Stop. I love it already. Because it’s where you live. Where is your condo?” I took in the expanse of the complex, surprised something like this popped up in this neighborhood. “Has this always been here? This complex, I mean?”

“I’m not sure when it was built, but they were recently renovated, so it’s like brand-new inside. I’m really enjoying the place. I’m on the third floor, so grocery day sucks a bit, but other than that, I love it.”

We walked around the building to the back and up the flights of stairs to her door. I stood behind her while she dug through her bag for her keys. I couldn’t help touching her though, and I knew it was making the door-opening process take that much longer.

“Some of the residents own, but I just rent because I’ve been saving to expand the business.” She fiddled with the key and the lock. “I spend so much time at the kitchen and at my brother’s.” She sighed and let her head fall to the side while I kissed my way up her neck, nipping the smooth skin.

“Jesus, just let me open the door. I can’t think straight.” She was breathy and flushed.

“I find it very difficult to keep my hands off of you.” I tugged her backward into my groin by the pockets of her jeans. My erection pressed into her, and she moaned.

“My neighbors are going to be wondering why a man is groping me on my front doorstep.”

“It’s pretty obvious why, Ms. Gibson. You’re sexy as hell. What they’re wondering is why I’m so lucky and they’re so sad.”

Finally, she opened the lock and pushed the door forward, the cold air from inside washing over our overheated skin as we entered.

She turned to face me, eyes glittering with lust. “Well, I guess—”

Shit. I was supposed to bring her home safely and then leave. That was as far as this plan went. I didn’t want to leave, but now I had to face the whole virgin-shaped elephant in the room.

“Tell me what you want, Abbigail,” I said, voice low and lust filled. I held on to her hips but kept her body away from mine. I couldn’t think clearly when she was against me.