First Comes Like (Modern Love #3) - Alisha Rai Page 0,30
darkened. “I can’t accept that. I must make amends. I—” A small commotion near the front of the bar caught their attention, along with that of others in the bar.
“What’s going on?” He craned his neck to look around her.
“It’s paparazzi. Someone superfamous must be coming or going.” A few people around them were hastily donning their jackets, eager to capitalize on the free publicity outside.
Internet-famous celebrities didn’t appeal to most paps, but for once she didn’t want any attention. She waved the waiter over. “Is there a back way out of here?” Jia asked the waiter.
“Yes, of course,” the man said calmly, used to sneaking people out.
“Wait for me, please,” Dev said.
Jia cursed the innate politeness that froze her feet at Dev’s request. Dev was a bigger fish than her for sure, and as annoyed as she was at him—and his family—he’d personally done nothing to her to justify throwing him to the publicity wolves.
Dev handed over his credit card, and the waiter pulled out a handheld machine and swiped it right there, while she texted Gerald where to pick her up.
She and Dev followed the waiter through the kitchen and to a back door. “Goes into the side alley,” the waiter said.
“Got it, thanks,” Jia murmured. The cooler air hit her face as they stepped out.
“What is that smell?”
Jia sniffed. “Pot,” she said curtly. She’d gotten used to the scent of it here.
“Oh.”
“It’s legal, don’t sound so scandalized.”
“I’m not scandalized.” He was silent as they walked through the alleyway. “Jia—”
They stepped out onto the sidewalk. “I don’t want to hear anything—” She gasped when he placed his hand on her arm, whirled her around, and stepped in front of her. The smooth move crowded her back against the building. His arm slipped between her and the brick, though it didn’t touch her. His other hand came to rest on the wall next to her face, locking her in the cage of his body. If she took a step back, she’d hit his strong arm. If she took a step forward, she’d hit his strong chest.
“What the hell are you doing?” she whispered furiously. Or she tried to sound furious. Yes, it was definitely fury that had sent her heartbeat racing and her breath into her throat.
His chest moved quicker, like maybe his heart was racing too. His forehead almost rested against hers. “I’m sorry to startle you. Give it one moment,” he said softly. “There’s a man running up the street. He has a camera. He’ll be past us in a second. You seemed eager to avoid the press, I’m trying to keep him from seeing you.”
Oh. If she listened carefully, over the pulse in her ears, she could make out a pounding on the pavement coming from the other direction. “I see.”
His head dipped low, silky black strands of hair falling into his eyes. “If you’re uncomfortable, I can create a distraction, and you can run.”
“No. It’s fine.”
His hand fisted on the wall next to her head, and her breathing grew deeper, to match his. With the way his body was positioned, it probably did look like they were just a couple kissing or intimately embracing. Only they knew they weren’t touching at all.
Except for where their breath intermingled. He smelled so good. Expensive and woodsy. Like a fancy forest.
The cage grew warm, and so did she.
She moved slightly. Not to force a touch! That would be wrong. As wrong as the little tingles that raced over her skin. They stood there like that for a few seconds, or maybe minutes, she didn’t know, until Dev risked a glance to the side. “I think they’re gone.”
Who? “Oh. Good.”
His breath puffed against her skin. “Do you have a ride home?”
“Yes.” She looked up at him. “He’ll pick me up on Almont. What about you?”
“I’ll call a car. I don’t care if I get photographed by myself.”
She nodded, unable to think clearly. He smelled so good, expensive and soothing. “Okay.” Her phone vibrated. Gerald. “My ride’s here.”
He looked around more carefully, his dark eyebrows meeting over his eyes. Big and protective. Like a sexy bodyguard.
No! Her body wasn’t being anything-ed by this famous virtual stranger, let alone guarded. “Coast seems clear.”
He took a large step back, and she immediately had to bury the yearning she felt for his warmth. They stared at each other for a moment. It wasn’t often that she felt shy. “Okay. Goodbye.” That’s right. It was a goodbye, not a see you later.