My Cruel Lover (Wicked Poison #3) - T.L. Smith Page 0,30

over the years due to his indiscretions. “And how does that usually work out for you?”

“Well, the last mechanic I tried to fuck, let’s just say she chased me around with a wrench, and when she couldn’t catch me, she threw a hammer at my head. Just missed, but the Maserati wasn’t so lucky.”

“Yeah, so now you understand why I take no advice from you.” I sit back in my chair as he puffs on the cigar, billows of smoke wafting around my office space. “Put that damn cigar out before the alarms go off,” I growl.

“Personally …” he smirks, his bottom lip tips up as he does, “… I think you need to put out another fire, one that has nothing to do with my cigar and more to do with a hot secretary.” He laughs, and I throw the nearest thing I have at hand right at his head, only this time it doesn’t miss.

Chapter 16

Jacinta

“He isn’t always an ass.” I jump at the voice behind me as I stand in line at the café. “No, actually … come to think about it, he is.” It’s the guy from Beckham’s office, his friend and client. He holds out his hand, and I’m inclined to give him mine. Not only because he’s good-looking, but he scares me a little. He has that whole brooding gangster look down pat. “The name’s Archie.”

It isn’t in the way he’s dressed because he dresses well—suit, black button-down shirt, white tie, and the shiniest black shoes I have ever seen. Honestly, I could use them as a mirror to apply makeup. There’s a tattoo peeking out of his collar weaving up his neck, but that’s not necessarily the reason he gives off this persona. No, it’s in the way he holds himself. It makes me want to look the other way, even when he smirks at me.

“Jacinta.”

Archie nods and shakes my hand, gripping it softly but using force as well. I pull away and turn back in line to order my food before I need to leave to pick Oliver up from school today instead of sending him to afterschool care.

“He’s about to walk in, you know, just in case you want to run,” he whispers as I start to order. I look back over my shoulder and see Beckham. “He caught you, so I guess you can have lunch with us.” Archie steps up next to me. “I’ll pay for whatever the lady wants,” he says, then proceeds to order his own. After he pays, we both step away for the next person, and I blindly walk to where Beckham is sitting. Archie pulls out my chair, and I take a seat and cross my legs as Beckham’s dark eyes lock onto mine.

“Thought you had to run?”

“Play nice. I invited her,” Archie says. He sits as our coffee comes out, and as they do, he takes his and stands again. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Jacinta. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”

“Where the fuck are you going?” Beckham says.

Archie smiles down at me, fixes his tie, and gives Beckham a friendly glare.

“I have needs to be met, and it appears you two do as well. Enjoy.” He saunters off after those parting words, and when I turn to look at Beckham, he’s watching me.

“You’re a real dick, you know that? You can’t even keep it professional at work!” Crossing my arms over my chest, I sit back and wait for him to speak.

He says nothing, just glares at me.

“Really?” I bark, then shake my head. Standing and gathering my things, I don’t even bother waiting for my food. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Any more of what happened today, and I will quit.” I walk out and feel him behind me. I don’t look back, though. I keep walking until I get to my car. Using the key, I open the back door and toss my bag inside, then turn around to find him standing there. “Did you just stalk me?” I ask him incredulously. “You know that’s illegal.”

“Hmm,” is all I get in response.

I watch as his dark eyes darken just a fraction before he reaches out and grips my hip with a strong hand. I should be stopping him, pushing him away, but I’m a slave to his touch. When he has his hands on me, I seem to forget the world even exists because all I can feel is him. Before I can push him away or even think