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Revenge(32)



“Don’t tell me you’re the kind of guy who makes a big deal over stuff like that.”

“I’m not.”

“Good.”

We lock eyes for a moment in silence. The truth is, I wasn’t waiting for him to open the car door for me. I’m only standing here with my hands at my sides because I’m too nervous to open the car door myself.

He wants me to go somewhere with him in his car. Where? I can’t even imagine what he has planned.

“Jess, do I really need to open that door for you?”

“I need to ask you something. I want you to be honest.”

His eyes twinkle with mischief. “Pink looks really good on you. You’re probably one of those girls who doesn’t try to look pretty. You probably think dressing up is bullshit, and it is. Usually. But I gotta say I really dig that whole outfit. You’re wearing the hell out of those clothes.”

“That’s not what I want to ask.”

He closes the driver’s side door and walks around to the passenger side, where I’m standing.

Gazing into my eyes, he says, “Ask me anything.”

The whole world around us disappears. I could drown in his attention.

I swallow down the lump in my throat. He looks like he might kiss me again if I take too long, so I’ve got to speak up now.

“Those guys who were with you in the meeting,” I say slowly. “Was it one of them who mugged me? Was the whole thing a setup for a video?”

Dylan takes half a step back, putting space between us. He glances around, like he’s on the lookout for someone listening in.

He turns his dark brown eyes back to me. “Jess, I promise I’ll never lie to you. But you have to promise me something. Never ask me a question if you’re not prepared for the answer.”

Now I take a step back. And then another. “You used me.”

“You’re fine. And you got paid, didn’t you? As soon as you give me back the money, then you can glare at me like that. But if you take the money, you have to live with what you did.”

My hands clench into fists. “You didn’t give me a choice. You just did what you wanted. You didn’t care who got hurt.”

I keep stepping back, until I’m practically stumbling. I turn on my heel and start to walk away. He might be the hottest guy on the planet, but he just admitted to using me. I can’t have anything to do with a guy like that. I definitely can’t fall in love with him.

I’m halfway up the street when arms grab me from behind.

I cry out in alarm, but he claps a hand over my mouth.

“Don’t run,” he growls in my ear. “If you run, I’ll just have to chase you.”

I go limp in his arms. He relaxes his grip.

He’s let his guard down, so I make my next move.

The self-defense move is a reflex, not even conscious.

My elbow smashes back into his solar plexus, the soft spot below his ribs.

I crack my head back, trying to connect my skull to his face. Something connects. Maybe his chin.

“Fuck!” he yells.

His arms let go and I’m free. I take two steps and whirl around.

He rubs his chin, glaring at me.

I bring my arms up in a defensive position. I should run. That’s what they taught in the course I took. Even the toughest girl can’t fight a guy. They’re too big and strong.

But I’m not really afraid of Dylan, am I?

“Don’t you ever grab me,” I growl.

Still rubbing his chin, he says, “Lesson learned.”

“Good.”

His eyes glint with danger. “Next time I won’t loosen my grip. You won’t even know what happened until you’re in the trunk of my car.”

My jaw drops open.

“So, what’s it going to be?” he asks, rubbing his hands. “Are you going to get into my car willingly? Front seat or trunk?”

I take a step back. “You wouldn’t.”

“Jess, get in the car. I’ve got something to show you.”

I look over at the black car with the dark windows. My heart is racing. Am I more excited, or scared?

My whole life, I’ve been the kind of girl who says no. I don’t get into cars with guys I don’t know. I don’t take risks.

Now I have a choice. I can turn around and go back to my job. I’ll probably get sent down to archives, with no chance of escape.

Dylan walks back over to the car and opens the passenger door.

Without a doubt, he is the cutest guy I’ve ever seen. Even though his temper scares me, all it takes is the smallest of smiles and I’m melting.

He seems to be reading my mind, because now he’s grinning.

“Get in,” he orders. “There’s no air conditioning in the trunk.”

I waver, unsure. “I forgot my bag upstairs.”