Page 40 of His Ruthless Match

I heard his laugh before I saw him. The deep, rumbling sound grated on my last nerve. I didn’t need to look back to know he was catching up. His heavy footfalls quickened until he was beside me.

“Is your face red because you’re embarrassed?” he asked, barely able to get the words out through his chuckles. “Or are you extremely turned on right now?”

I whirled on him. “How dare you ruin my private hour? It’s theoneindulgence I allow myself, and now you’ve gone and obliterated it! I can never show my face in there again.”

His laughter faltered slightly, though the smirk didn’t fully disappear. “Look, I’m the one who can never show my face there again. The librarian made that very clear. You, on the other hand, are free to return whenever you want. Probably to read about... what was it? Hardening nipples? Wet folds?”

“You’re disgusting. How did you find me anyway?”

“I have my ways.” Jareth pulled my bracelet from his pocket and clasped it around my wrist without asking for permission. “You forgot a very important accessory, Delgado. Need I remind you that your brother and I require you to wear it at all times?”

Grumbling, I turned on my heel and started walking. Before I could make it two steps, though, his hand closed gently around my arm. I hesitated, hating that his touch sent a shiver down my spine.

“Let me make it up to you,” he said, his voice softer now. “Let me get you some food. You’re probably starving, right?”

I bit the inside of my cheek. Hewasright, damn him, but admitting it would feel like handing him a victory. So, I shrugged, hoping to look indifferent.

He grinned knowingly and gestured toward a nearby hot dog stand. “Come on.”

“Seriously?” I said, crossing my arms as he steered me toward a vendor cart. “Hot dogs? You think this is going to fix anything?”

“Don’t knock it ’til you try it.” He handed some cash to the vendor and returned with two hot dogs. “Here. You need to regain your energy after reading about pulsating loins.”

I snorted. “No, thanks. I don’t eat processed meat.”

“Suit yourself.” He took a massive bite, chewing with exaggerated relish. The aroma of grilled meat and onions wafted up to me, and my stomach betrayed me with a loud, traitorous grumble.

Jareth raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”

“Maybe… just a bite.” I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a hot dog—years, at least—but the smell was too good to resist.

He handed it to me, looking far too smug. I took a tentative bite. It was salty, greasy, and utterly divine. Before I realized what I was doing, I let out a small moan of pleasure.

Jareth’s gaze zeroed in on me like a predator locked on its prey. I swallowed quickly, my face flaming all over again.

“You okay over there?”

I quickly took another bite to avoid answering.

When a bit of mustard smeared the corner of my mouth, I reached for a napkin, but Jareth beat me to it. He swept his thumb slowly over the spot, then brought it to his mouth and sucked it clean.

My breath hitched. Why did this man have to be so infuriatingly hotandjust plain infuriating?

The tension between us hung thick in the air until my phone buzzed in my pocket. I jumped, fumbling to pull it out.

“Aren’t you going to get that?” Jareth asked, his smirk returning. “That thing seems to be the most important thing in your life.”

I rolled my eyes and answered, thankful for the distraction. “Genevieve?”

Her voice came through the line in panicked bursts. “Eva, more photos of me with that married man have been leaked. I didn’t even know he was married when we were seeing each other! And more information is coming out about the political donations that I haveno ideaabout. It’s coming at me from all angles. I can’t—” Her words broke off in a choked sob.

Fuck me. “Where are you?”

Genevieve sniffed on the other line. “In my hotel room.”

“Okay, listen to me. Stay where you are. I’m coming to you.”

Jareth was already flagging down a cab. When I ended the call, he opened the door for me.