Page 26 of Dancing with the Devil

There was yelling in the room next to mine and some people were running up and down in the hallway outside my door. I was going back to the house tomorrow.I had too.

CHAPTER 6

Nirah

SO MANY THINGS had tried to stop me in life, but one thing I would never let stop me? The weather.

I slipped into a brown, leopard dress that hugged my thighs perfectly. I paired it with my sleek black knee-high boots and let my hair down, tucking my face framing pieces behind my ear.

I stopped outside of a coffee shop and headed inside. Checking a notification on my cell phone, my heart ached in my chest.Nereus. I stared down at the notification, too afraid to open it.

Brushing off yesterday’s events and his text message, I straightened my shoulders and continued toward the countertop. I stopped in my tracks, seeingMr. Stalkersay goodbye to two men in equally fancy suits. His eyes landed on me after they had left, and I didn’t miss the flicker of interest behind them.

His voice was deep, laced with humor. “I thought I was supposed to be the stalker?”

I barely batted an eye at his words.

“And your style is…” he trailed off as his eyes slowly ran from my boots up to my eyes. “Unique.”

My brows drew together defensively. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

“It’s fifty-five degrees out.”

Looking myself up and down, then around to others in the cafe who were all covered up—including him—I shrugged a shoulder at him.

“I guess I don’t necessarily get cold.”Liar. I’ll just suffer through any weather for a cute outfit.

“And by the way,” he dramatically paused. “You didn’t have to come all this way to see me, you know.”

“That’s because I didn’t,” I faked a smile, pushed past him, and stepped up to the counter. “Hi, can I get a latte, please?” I asked, but my words completely flew over her head. I followed her gaze, and obviously, she was staring athim—who was staring atme. “Can you leave? You’re interrupting my already awful customer service.”

He slipped one hand into the pocket of his pants. “Doesn’t feel so great being on the receiving end now, does it?”

“You’re an ass. You deserve it,” I shot back, and he tipped his head.

“You have a very dirty little mouth, NirahJoy.”

A heavy breath fell from my lips as I rolled my eyes. I turned back to the counter, placing my order, and she handed me my receipt.

I took it and walked over to the first table in front of me, leaning my ass against it. I checked my order and as I was about to grab my phone, a large wall stopped in front of me— of course, it wasn’t a wall. Though, I like to think that he is. Big, sturdy, and tall.

“From my hotel building to this cafe… that’s about a twenty minute drive. You don’t have a car and didn’t have money for a cab. Did you walk?”

“Yep,” I nodded, keeping my eyes glued to my receipt. I amnotmaking eye contact.

“Where did you spend the night?”

“A motel,” I vaguely answered, seeing his chest rise with a deep breath in.

“Look at me when I’m speaking to you,” he demanded, and I bit onto the inside of my cheek, still looking down. “Nirah,” he warned, his voice darker and far less patient.

“Look,” I sighed, finally meeting his eyes. “I get that you helped me, but stop trying to act like you’re interested in this shit I’m in. I’m fine, so please just—” I got cut off by the little bell above the door ringing. Mr. Stalker—Mr. Jackass?Nah. Mr. Stalker dropped his coffee on the table and pulled me up by my arm before pushing me up against the wall.

My eyes shot open as he put both hands on either side of my head. “What are you doing?” I breathlessly asked, but he didn’t answer. “Oh God, it’syourturn to kissme, isn’t it?” I asked in horror. “Okay, just do it,” I fearfully squeezed my eyes shut, puckering my lips.

“Be quiet.”

I opened my right eye, then my left. “Don’t tell me what to do,” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I am not a morning person, and I haven’t had my coffee yet, so if you don’t back up right now—”