Page 30 of Doomed

“I’m not your ‘thing,’ Knox,” Bianca hisses through a tight smile, her eyes flashing with anger.

I give her a stern look, tilting my head slightly toward the exit. “Play along,” I mutter under my breath.

Her expression shifts as understanding dawns. She’s caught between thanking me for the rescue and being pissed at my territorial display.

“My apologies for the interruption,” I tell the older man, my hand firmly on Bianca’s waist now. “But I’m afraid I need to steal her away.”

The man’s face sours as he realizes his evening plans are dissolving. “Of course. Perhaps another time, Ms. Hayes.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” I reply before Bianca can speak, steering her through the crowd.

Once we’re out of earshot, she shrugs away from my grip. “I could have handled that myself.”

“I know you could have, but why should you have to?” I stop walking, turning to face her. “The guy was a creep with wandering hands. I saved you the trouble of having to knee him in the balls in the middle of your own exhibition.”

Bianca crosses her arms, clearly conflicted. “Thank you,” she finally says. “But that ‘my things’ comment was completely unnecessary.”

“It was the fastest way to make him back off.” I shrug. “Men like that only respect territorial pissing contests.”

She shakes her head but can’t completely hide her smile. “You’re impossible.”

“Let me walk you outside. Get some air.”

The night air hits us as we step onto the sidewalk, the sounds of the party fading behind us. Bianca takes a deep breath.

“Your show’s a hit,” I say, watching her face in the glow of the street lights. “You should be celebrating.”

“I am,” she replies, turning toward me. “I needed a moment away from... everything.”

I step closer. “Everything, including me?”

“Especially you,” she whispers.

My hand finds her cheek, thumb brushing across her skin. Her breath catches. I lean in slowly, giving her plenty of time to stop me.

Our lips are inches apart when she places a hand on my chest, gently pushing back.

“Don’t think because you saved me from one old man that I’m suddenly going to be putty in your hands,” Bianca says. She takes another step back.

I can’t help but smirk at her defiance. That backbone of hers—it’s what keeps me coming back to her.

“I’d expect nothing less from you, princess.” I lean against the brick wall, not bothering to close the distance she’s created. “If you were that easy to impress, I wouldn’t find you half as interesting.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s that hint of a smile again—the one she tries to hide whenever my teasing finds its mark.

“I should get back inside. People are actually here to buy my art, not to harass me.” She straightens her dress.

“Harassment? Is that what we’re calling chemistry these days?”

Bianca shakes her head, already turning away. “Goodnight, Knox.”

I watch as she walks back into the gallery, the light from inside briefly illuminating her silhouette before the door closes behind her. Fuck, even the way she walks away from me is captivating, confident, and dismissive, like I’m another nuisance she has to deal with rather than the man who’s consumed her thoughts.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. Xavier’s name flashes on the screen.

“What?” I answer, not bothering to hide my irritation.

“Need you at Purgatory. Now.” Xavier’s voice is clipped, all business. “We’ve got a situation.”