And suddenly, Gina wished the asshat thug was back playing chaperone. Because the way Rick looked at her, she wasn’t sure being alone with him was the best idea. In fact, she knew it wasn’t. But that didn’t stop a wicked little thrill from running through her.
Then he took a step closer, raised his hands to grip her arms, and she stopped breathing altogether.
Chapter Eight
Rick pulled Gina closer, his patience with himself at an end. She was the opposite of everything he normally wanted in life. She was an impulsive, abrasive, anti-authority rule-breaker who had already turned his life upside down and backward. And he didn’t care. She’d gotten under his skin the way no one else ever had. She made him laugh and want to throttle her all at the same time. And he couldn’t get enough of her.
When he’d seen the mugger holding a knife in her face, a burning, rage-coated terror like he’d never felt before had flooded him. He’d faced down armed robbers, car thieves, and cracked-out junkies and had a body full of scars, and yes, he’d been afraid many times. But never like he’d just been.
There was no reason for it. He barely knew this woman. Didn’t trust her. Had nothing in common with her. But it didn’t matter. If he didn’t kiss her right now he was going to explode. He’d deal with the repercussions later.
“Gina.” Her name slipped from his lips in a near growl of frustration. He cupped her face, his eyes searching hers. He didn’t have to wait for an answer to his unspoken question. She rose on her toes, lips parted with an invitation he was only too happy to accept.
The first brush of his lips on hers and he was toast. She could devour him whole and he wouldn’t even care. The novelty of her tongue stud sent his blood rushing south, and he hauled her against him, crushing her to him until she moaned and threaded her hands in his hair. He’d wanted to kiss her from the moment he’d grabbed her ankle on the fire escape, but he hadn’t planned on their first kiss being like this. A first kiss was something to be savored. Stretched out. Instead, they were going at each other like two teenagers hiding in the janitor’s closet.
But God, she set him on fire. And he wanted her to burn just as hot.
No problems there. She rocked against him, and if they’d been anywhere near a bed, he’d have tumbled her onto it. But they were on a rooftop in clear view of anyone who happened to be looking. Dirty concrete beneath their feet. Certainly no place to be rolling around getting all hot and heavy. Not good enough for her. And most definitely not good enough for what he really wanted to do.
He broke away long enough to look around and spotted the wall of the building where the door was located. The corner between the two walls would offer some privacy. Not much, but he’d take it.
“Come here.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the door.
Before she could ask what was up, he backed her up until she was flush against the wall and kissed her again. Longer. Deeper. Until she trembled in his arms and his body begged for more.
Something brushed against his leg. He knew what it was before he looked down. He could also tell the moment Alejandro brushed against Gina. She jerked away from him with a startled gasp and looked down. Less than a second later, Rick’s arms were full of hyperventilating, squirming woman, a prospect that a few moments ago had him all kinds of excited. Now it was all he could do to hold on to her and keep from laughing his ass off. She’d managed to jump straight into his arms, wrap her legs around his waist, and twist herself around so she straddled him piggyback. All the while she was screaming and pointing at the last spot she’d seen their steely-eyed attacker.
Rick finally gave in and laughed. Gina swatted him across the back of the head.
“Where did it go?” she shrieked.
“I think he’s gone.” Rick tried to pry her from his back but she wasn’t having it, until he made sure there were no more furry avengers strutting about.
“I thought you got rid of that thing last time,” she said, once he’d finally coaxed her down.
“He could have climbed back up here. Or maybe it was part of his entourage. I doubt he’s the only rat in Hoboken.”
“That does it. I’m bringing a bat next time.”
Rick laughed again and pulled her back into his arms. “I solemnly swear to protect you from Alejandro and his cartel. You are safe with me.”
Gina eyed him dubiously. “Uh-huh. That’s twice now the furry little bastard has accosted me. I think you’re slacking off, Boyd.”
“Well, if someone wasn’t distracting me…” He bent to nuzzle at her neck, and she sucked in a breath.