Embrace the Darkness (The Maura Quinn Series Book 1) - Ashley N. Rostek Page 0,131
driving away.
Looking around, I found Louie had finally convinced Jamie to leave while I must have been busy, taking Dylan with them. The bodies had been cleaned up as well. This whole execution had been handled seamlessly. All who were left were Nicoli, his four men, Dean, Asher, Stefan’s goons, and me. It was then that I realized that if Stefan hadn’t left men behind, Nicoli and his men would have outnumbered me. This was why he was the boss.
“Shall we do this exchange?” I asked Nicoli, tilting my head towards my car. His fifty kilos were currently sitting in my trunk. The don held his hand out for me to walk ahead. I led the way to the back of my Escalade, where Asher opened the trunk, revealing six large duffel bags. I had to thank Rourke for retrieving the remaining fifty kilos from McLoughlin’s for me.
Two of Nicoli’s men returned from his car carrying a heavy bag each. We exchanged bags and took our time making sure everything was legit.
“This was definitely the most entertaining exchange,” Nicoli stated.
“It was. I wound up owing you a favor.”
A mischievous smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “You do.”
“A small favor,” I added.
His smile only grew. “A small favor that I’d like now.”
“Oh?”
He nodded. “I want a kiss.”
I didn’t fight my disbelief from showing. Really? “You’re not going to offer to buy a girl a drink first, huh? You’re just going to dive right into it?”
He chuckled. “Do you want me to buy you a drink first? I know a club I can take you to right now, but it won’t count as the date you still owe me.”
I shook my head because I couldn’t believe I was going to agree to this. “Let’s get this over with, Casanova,” I said, flicking my fingers between us, but I cemented my feet where I stood. If he wanted me, he’d have to come and get me.
As if reading my mind, he gave me a knowing look. My stubbornness didn’t seem to deter him. If anything, it amused him. He fluidly closed the space between us. His arms reached out, one circling around my back while the other sank into my hair and cupped the back of my head, pulling my body flush with his. A little flicker of panic fluttered in my chest. It wasn’t enough to affect me outwardly, but it was enough to let me know it was there. I’d almost forgotten what it was like to feel that way when touched sexually. Jaime had been the exception.
“You know, most women would be a little more eager—show a little more enthusiasm when kissing me,” he murmured softly, lips a few inches from mine.
My eyes locked with his gold ones. “I’m not most women. Killing turns me on. You’re lucky you caught me at a good time or else I might not have been so agreeable.”
“Turned on? I’d hate to leave you in such a state. Just say the word and I’d be more than willing to help with that.”
I couldn’t help myself. I laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”
He tightened his arms around me. “And you’re beautiful. I must admit, I’m determined to have you.”
“I’m not one to discourage someone’s dreams.”
My witty retort made his eyes darken and his lips pressed to mine. They were softer than I'd imagined. Not that I'd been imagining them. I just… Damn. He turned my brain to mush as he sucked my bottom lip between his. I found myself caving by kissing him back, molding to him more firmly. His tongue dove between my lips and I sucked and stroked it with mine, drawing forth a groan from him.
Hearing him cleared away some of the fog in my head. I became lucid enough to remember I didn’t really want to do this. I flattened my hands on his chest and pushed. He broke our kiss. As his eyes bounced between mine, he seemed reluctant to let me go, but his arms unraveled, and I stepped away.
I fought the urge to lick my swollen lips. “A favor for a kiss. Transaction complete. Until next time, Nicky,” I said, stepping backwards again, putting more space between us until I turned and walked to my vehicle where my security stood waiting. Asher opened the door for me to climb in. Like they were in sync, the rest of the guys hopped in and we drove away.
CHAPTER 39
It was late when I wandered downstairs. I couldn’t sleep. The events of