Fall(Romanian Mob Chronicles Book 2)(11)

“What? Work at a library or something?”

“You talk too much for that,” he deadpanned, and before I could stop myself, I laughed.

Fawn and Vasile joined in, and soon we were all laughing loudly, my sides beginning to hurt. When we finally calmed, I said, “Well, I probably won’t last long anyway, so I’ll look for something more suitable for the next job.”

Sorin quieted and then shot me a scorching look that made me forget what we’d been talking about.

The conversation picked back up, and soon I was able to almost forget what had happened. Almost, but not quite. But I kept up a good front as I said my good-byes and headed home.

I staunchly refused to think about Sorin and instead, after I said my good-byes, I kept focused on the walk ahead. So focused, I didn’t notice the car until it was beside me. One quick side glance and I turned forward again, refusing to look at him.

He rolled down the window and called, “I’m taking you home.”

“I’m fine,” I snapped, still not looking at him.

“Esther.” His firm command left me no choice other than to respond.

“What?” I asked as I looked at him, trying to ignore his handsome face, the heat in his eyes.

“That wasn’t a question,” he said.

I got into the car.





* * *



Esther



The minutes-long car ride was nerve-racking, and for entirely the wrong reasons.

Instead of focusing on how dangerous Sorin looked, face set in a scowl, tattooed hands gripping the wheel tight, I was remembering how it felt to have him touch me, remembering how much I wanted to touch him.

Instead of reminding myself that I didn’t even like the man, I was thinking of how good he’d felt inside me, how, in those few moments, I’d felt more alive than I had in years.

But despite how much I wanted him, craved him, I would not be governed by my desires, wouldn’t give my body power over my mind. Or worse, give Sorin power over either.

“Good night, Sorin. Thank you for the ride,” I said, only catching the implication of my words when I saw his quick little smile.

I jumped out of the car quickly, but he moved much faster and met me at the passenger-side door almost before I’d gotten out. Without acknowledging his presence, though I certainly couldn’t ignore it, I walked swiftly toward the house, his long strides easily keeping pace with mine.

I fumbled for my keys, hating that my nervousness was apparent, and hating even more he seemed so unaffected. When my eyes met his, my nerves calmed but something else rose in their wake. Surprise and curiosity, which I found irresistible. Curious because this was a Sorin I hadn’t seen before. There was no scorn, no menace, no laughter. Instead there was calm, almost placidness, an effect that was only amplified by his size and his ink and by the fact that I had never seen him quite this way.

I met his eyes again, saw the unspoken question. He was leaving this up to me, putting the ball firmly in my court.

“Just this once,” I said as I unlocked the door.



* * *



Sorin



As Esther had deliberated, I’d waited, an unfamiliar but not welcome anticipation thrumming through me. It shouldn’t have mattered. If she’d turned me down, it would have been easy enough to find someone else, but part of me knew that no one but Esther would do, and only through sheer force of will did I keep myself from a victory yell when she’d unlocked the door.

And now I watched her, enjoying this new, shy side of her. She hadn’t made eye contact since we’d entered the house, but I didn’t miss the slight tremble in her hands that she tried so valiantly to keep down. Nor did I miss the way she pursed her lips, a sign of her nervousness that I’d come to recognize.

And when I reached for her elbow, turning her so that she faced me, I didn’t miss the flash of desire that lit her eyes, the way she tilted her head to cover the moment. A smile ghosted across my face before I could stop it, but I found I didn’t want to. I let it spread at the same time as I lifted my hand to cup her cheek, tracing my thumb across the prominent, rounded bones there. She parted her lips on an exhale, her dark eyes going darker as she watched me lean closer.

I stopped when only a fraction of an inch separated our mouths, barking out a quick laugh at the unspoken question and then displeasure lit her gaze when I did.

“Show me your bedroom, Esther,” I whispered.

Surprise shone on her face, but then she nodded quickly. “First door on the left. Take your shoes off first.”

I laughed again and then started to remove them under her watchful gaze.

“Don’t trust me alone?” I asked as I discarded one shoe and then the other.

“Never know what you might do,” she replied.