Page 27 of Raziel

My jaw clenched as her mouth brushed my Adam’s apple.

Her body was soft against mine. Warm. Bare skin peeking out from beneath the robe.

I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her back. Felt the tension bleed out of my muscles.

She started wiggling in my arms. I tightened my grip.

“You’re going to smother me.” She laughed.

I let go.

She pulled back just enough to look at me.

Then she kissed my Adam’s apple—light, but firm enough that I felt it in my spine.

Her hands slid under my shirt, resting against my stomach. Her nails scraped lightly across my abs.

I wanted to purr like a lion.

“Tell me why you really came,” she whispered.

I couldn’t.

Because I didn’t fucking know how to.

I didn’t say anything.

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, keep your secrets.”

She stepped aside. I walked in. My heart was pounding.

She stood behind me for a second, watching.

“Did you play football, Mr. Mercier?”

Her fingers brushed my arm as she passed, distracting me from answering.

“You look like you did. The simple jeans, the shirt—I like that better than the stuffy suit.”

Then she changed the subject before I could say anything.

“I was heading out,” she said. “You should come. I could use your big truck, boss.”

I should’ve said no. Should’ve walked out, gotten in my car, and driven straight to Alessia.

Instead, I nodded.

Her smile widened, and she clapped her hands.

“Give me five minutes to get dressed.”

She came back out in a white sundress and combat boots.

The place she brought me to was sketchy as hell. A warehouse lot, with a couple of bikes lined up half-assed. One stood out. Red. Sleek. Looked fast.

The guy who met us looked just as sketchy—dirty nails, greasy hair.

Maya walked straight to him. “Can I test drive the Kawasaki?”