he spun on his heel and walked away.
He plowed his way back through the revolving doors, narrowly missing a tiny Asian couple who jumped away like he was God-fucking-zilla come to life. Wasn’t sure why he was so pissed. It wasn’t like he needed that kind of distraction right now. And the goddess’s ooo-the-boogeyman reaction had just guaranteed she wouldn’t be one.
Glaring like a demon at anyone who dared meet his eye, he stalked toward the back of the hotel, kicking her from his thoughts along the way. He saw a suit cradling a glass that held a dark liquid and ice and suddenly had the urge to join Alek on his next trip to Wastedville.
It wasn’t until he was nearly out of the lobby that he became aware of heels clicking behind him. Not just the random wanderings of the gawking female guests, but the steady tapping of a determined step.
She couldn’t be following him.
Slowing his pace, he took his time passing the entrance to the busy dining room, the tantalizing aroma of fresh seafood and perfectly cooked steak wafting up his nose, making his stomach growl. He hung a right and traveled down the conveniently empty hallway.
The clicking heels followed.
Pushing open the door that led to an expansive area of meeting room doors evenly spaced in a semicircle around where he now stood, V planted his feet and turned, propping open the heavy glass as if he were dressed in uniform.
“Didn’t get your fill the first time?”
Delicately arched brows, a few shades darker than that hair, came together in a frown as, yup, his dazzling redhead stalled a few feet away. She looked past him, and he knew she had to be cursing in that beautiful head of hers because she couldn’t get by without going through him.
“Was there something you wanted, Red?”
Her eyes flared. At his question? Or the nickname? He didn’t know or care. Was too busy watching her emotions change in those glittering emeralds. Outside she’d been wary, and then a second ago frustrated. Suspicion had just zipped through, and now she was getting…angry?
“Not from you,” she said frostily. “Excuse me, I need to get by.”
Not from him. That stabbed him in his chest. “Go ahead.”
Her pretty jaw actually rolled. Like she was grinding her teeth. Vincente smothered a smile.
“You’re in my way.”
Yup. Teeth were mashed together. Even as she spoke. “And you’re in a hurry?”
“To end this interaction? Duh.”
If he hadn’t been so engrossed, he’d have missed the flash in her eyes as they widened ever so slightly, like she’d surprised herself by talking back to him. She took a breath, let it out slowly, then seemed to relax. Her shoulders lost their stiffness as her lip quirked.
“You should learn some manners,” she then floored him by saying, clearly getting her groove on. The spook that had been in her expression out front was long gone. Now there was only irritation and something that looked strangely like enjoyment. “Then again,” she continued, “maybe you think, looking as you do, that you’re entitled to play the role of bully. Which you do very well, by the way. I’m guessing you’re not called on it much, huh?” Her chin tilted, and even though she had to look up to hold his eyes, it seemed she was looking down that perfectly straight nose at him.
Do not let your jaw fall, his pride ordered. And for fuck’s sake, squint your eyes or something before they roll out of your goddamned head.
“What’s your name?” Was he really going to let that verbal ass slap go without a rebuke?
Yeah. He totally fuckin’ was.
He relaxed against the door, crossing his arms over his chest, and nearly purred in satisfaction when her eyes followed the movement. Nice. His own gaze zeroed in, narrowing when she licked her lips. The action left a sheen of moisture behind that he had the strongest urge to taste.
Their gazes suddenly snapped together as if both of them had just realized they were staring, him at her mouth, her at his body.
“It’s real leather,” he supplied, giving her an out by making it seem as if he’d thought she was interested in his duster. “Wanna feel?”
A gorgeous flush spread up from her slender neck to her cheeks. “I think I’ll pass.” Despite the visible reaction, her flat, bored voice robbed him of his moment of pleasure.
And didn’t the asshole in him rise to the occasion like a predator after prey. “Your name.”
She glanced around the empty hallway.