Dangerous Love(8)

All right, maybe he should've listened to the job request the boss-man wanted before sending his two lead henchmen on their way. But, fuck it, he had an agenda that didn't involve wet work today.





7



Mackenzie sipped on her usual morning green tea. She'd never been able to sleep past ten in the morning and this morning she felt like crap because of that fault. Kayla had stumbled through the door at six and went straight to bed. She'd sleep until four or five in the afternoon.

A sharp knock on the apartment door startled her.

Who the hell?

She found herself glued to her seat, unwilling to answer the door. They weren't expecting company.

Another impatient knock.

"Mackenzie, I know you're in there. Open the damn door¸" Derk barked.

His hard, no-nonsense tone made her jump out of her seat. Good lord, he'd wake Kayla and she was not a happy early riser. Stumbling over the chair, Mac threw open the door before he felt the urge to break it down. His large, overpowering presence stalked past her and into the tiny kitchen. Closing the door, she spun to find him in her space. Up close and personal. Again.

What was it with this man invading her personal territory?

"Why the hell were you walking home at three-thirty in the morning?" he demanded, his voice alarmingly low and dark.

What did she tell him? That she got raked through the coals? That her ex took everything because she’d been stupid? That she had no money except what she made in tips last night, so how could she possibly afford a car?

“Well?” he snapped.

"I don't have a car," she replied softly, backing against the door.

He took a step closer.

"Why don't you have a car?"

"My ex took it."

Brows knitted together, he tiled his head. "Your ex took it?"

She nodded. "In the divorce, he got everything, including my car," she said ashamed. She found herself quickly confessing, "It's my fault. I was dumb. Everything had been his and in his name before we married. The house, cars, retirement, everything. I didn't bring anything into the marriage and ended up leaving with nothing. We were only married three years." She focused on the worn spot on the floor that needed replaced. "Yesterday we signed the papers. I had a car when I went into the courthouse, but when I left I had nothing, not even a place to stay."

His harsh intake of breath seemed to echo off the metal appliances. One of his heavily tattooed arms came up and lifted her chin to look him in the eyes.

"Don't you ever call yourself dumb, and don't you ever attempt to walk home alone again. You call me," he ordered.

"Look, Derk, I appreciate you coming to my rescue last night, but I have no idea who you are, why you're here, and what you want," she said.

"I want you," he bluntly said.

Well...what did she say to that? Stunned, she stared at him. "I don't have anything to give you, Derk. I couldn't possibly have a relationship right now."

He snorted. "I don't want a relationship, sweetheart, and you do have something to offer up."

Oh. She didn't know whether to be flattered or insulted. “Well, wasn’t that romantic. Sorry, but I’m not the type.”

He cocked a brow. “What type would that be, baby?”

“The type that will jump into bed with you,” she spat.

He chuckled. “I realize that, which makes me want you even more.”

She knew confusion crossed over her features.

He crowded her against the door, his big body radiating vibrant sexual heat. A strong scent of soap and cigarettes wrapped around her nostrils. Leaning down he ran his nose along her cheek, that longer shadow tickled her sensitive skin. He brushed his lips along her face, barely touching her, but leaving a tingling sensation in their wake.

“Couldn’t get you out of my mind last night,” he admitted. “Don’t like the idea of you walking home late at night. Don’t like the idea you’re not bouncing up and down on my cock. Don’t like the idea you’re not underneath me, allowing me to pound into your tight body.”

She pushed him away from her. “Could you get any cruder?”

He laughed. “Yep.”

Brushing past him, she went to the sink to wash dishes in order to keep her mind and hands occupied. Derk did strange things to her body, made her feel sensations she’d never had before. He certainly messed with her logical thinking. How could one man, in the matter of hours, create such a fiery stir inside a woman? That wasn’t something that happened in reality. Romance novels, yes, but in the real world, hell no.

Clearly comfortable with himself, he casually leaned against the sink next to her. His long denim clad legs crossed at the ankles. "When do you work next?"