Page 52 of Point of Contention

Her nostrils flared. She licked her lips, swallowing hard, her mouth likely watering as she inhaled the scent of her favorite drink on my breath.

“Ms. Blake,” I said, lacing my voice with dominance.

She flicked her gaze to mine. Her back went rigid. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

Her chest rose and fell on heavy breaths. “Don’t do that. You know.”

“I’m afraid I’m going to need you to spell it out for me, Ms. Blake.”

She growled deep in her throat and gave me a curt shake of her head. “I’m going to be late.” Stepping past me, Rylan walked quickly down the street in the direction of her second job.

I glanced at Cole and motioned up the street so he’d tail along in the car, then followed Rylan, quickly catching up to her and falling into step beside her.

“Cabot,” she groaned. “You promised you’d stay away from me.”

“I did no such thing.”

She huffed, but kept walking, desperately trying to ignore me.

“This won’t work.”

“This…?”

She scowled, then motioned toward me, eyes straight ahead as she navigated the busy streets of Manhattan. “Whatever you think you’re doing.”

“I’m walking you to work. I don’t see anything wrong with that. The city can be a dangerous place at night, a haven for miscreants and—”

She stopped abruptly, spinning toward me. “People. Are. Staring.”

“Yes,” I agreed, leaning forward until I could fill my lungs with the scent of her. “I suggest not making a scene.”

Jaw clenched, she breathed deeply through her nose, nostrils flaring adorably. Then she stood taller, straightening her shoulders as she prepared to square off with me.

“There she is,” I whispered.

She popped her hip out and placed a hand on it. “Stop it.”

“No.” I shrugged as I sipped my—her—latte. “I’m seeing you safely to work. It’s simple. Innocent, even.”

“Oh,” she scoffed. “Nothing about you is innocent.”

I licked my lips, dragging the bottom one between my teeth.

She whimpered and I smiled.

“Shall we?” I said, motioning down the street. “Wouldn’t want you to be late for work. Mistress Sinclair detests tardiness.”

She groaned loudly, then resumed walking. I kept pace beside her but didn’t say another word, happy just to be near her and beyond pleased with the way my presence seemed to both irritate and amuse her.

Every so often, her hand would accidently brush against mine, and though her eyes would widen and she’d move quickly away to put space between us, there was no denying how our bodies gravitated toward one another.

Magnetic. Unavoidable.

Meant. To. Be.

I knew it, even if she didn’t yet want to believe.