Never Gonna Happen - Cynthia Eden Page 0,9
sure they will.”
She edged closer to him. His scent—warm, rich, masculine—teased her. Why did he always smell good? No, do not be distracted. “You still buddies with Detective Lewis? I bet he can help. I read an article recently about him and how he’s on the fast track to be named chief.”
“Yes, I’m still friends with Winston. I’ll be putting in a call to him just as soon as I’m sure you’re safe.”
Her breath expelled. “You mean as soon as you drop me off at my place.” Okay, now she was feeling steadier. This whole night had been crazy. And, yes, her fingers were still shaking and her insides were quivering a bit, but that was probably just due to stress. Adrenaline.
The same adrenaline that had given Sebastian one serious hard-on.
Her gaze jerked to his lap.
“Just so you know, I can see very, very well in dim lighting. Though, it’s really not that dim in here. Not with the blue illumination spilling from all the corners.”
In other words, he’d caught her staring at his crotch. Wonderful.
“Something you need?” Sebastian murmured, voice all silky and seductive.
Her stare snapped to his face. “You are an asshole.”
“Princess, tell me something I don’t know.”
“Fine. I’m not your princess, I’m not your anything, and I never will be.”
He swallowed. Glanced away. And she had the weirdest, strangest feeling…
Did I just hurt his feelings?
She…oh, God. Alyssa had one serious weakness. She hated hurting anyone. Anything. She felt guilty for days if she did that. Even if she accidentally killed a spider. She’d been working on the guilt issue. And so what if Sebastian was hurt? Though she doubted he was. Why would anything she say hurt him? But…
“I’m sorry.” Her voice was stilted. “I’m still shaking, and I’m scared, and my head is all over the place.” Alyssa pulled in a deep breath and stared down at her lap. “You tried to help me tonight. You got me away as soon as the gunfire started, and you even covered me with your body. That was actually quite heroic of you.” Now that she thought about it. “Unnecessary, especially considering the bulletproof limo, but I think your heart was in the right place.”
She could feel his gaze on her as he softly said, “And here I thought you believed I didn’t have a heart, Alyssa.”
Her tongue slid over her lower lip. “I know you have a heart. I just think that—most days—it’s frozen in ice.”
“Then maybe you can help me melt that ice.”
Was he mocking her? She peeked up at him. “I’m trying to both apologize and say thank you.”
“Yeah, well, here’s the deal.” He leaned toward her. Seemed to take up way too much space. Seemed to make her way too aware of him. “I don’t think you ever need to apologize to me. Like you said, I’m a dick.”
“I actually said you were an asshole.” To clarify.
“You don’t need to apologize and you don’t need to thank me.”
She did. “When someone tries to save your life…” Which, yes, he had…
“Fine. Thank me, then.”
“I-I was just thanking you.” Had he hit his head?
“No. Thank me for real. With a kiss.”
What?
“If you think I did a good deed, then you can thank me with a kiss. You can keep your lips closed. It can be fast. Just a little peck.” She saw him tap his own lips. “Right here.”
Had the limo stopped moving? She couldn’t tell. “Why do you want a kiss from me?”
“Because maybe I’ve always been curious about how you taste.”
“But if my lips are closed, you won’t be tasting much.”
“You’re right. You can open your mouth. Totally cool with me. I agree to your terms.” He slid forward more.
The limo lurched to a stop. Okay, now it had stopped moving. Her hand flew up and pressed to Sebastian’s chest. “Why do you play with me?”
“Who said I was playing?”
But she plowed right on, saying, “You do one good deed—”
“I’ve done way more than one. God, your mouth is gorgeous.”
“And then you screw things up by being the playboy again. Just when I think I’m seeing the real you.”
The back door opened. “Sir.” The driver cleared his throat. “We’re here.”
When the door had opened, more lights had automatically turned on in the limo’s interior, and now Alyssa could clearly see Sebastian’s face. And…
Lust.
His features were hard and tight with a dangerous lust that was directed right at her.
All of the moisture in her mouth dried up.
But in the next instant, a mask seemed to sweep