Page 38 of Villainous Kingpin

She shot me a sideways glance, then rolled her eyes. “Bas, either you’re crazy or blind. I almost drove into another car at least three times. And don’t cry to me when you find a scratch on your expensive, fancy car,” she warned.

I grinned widely.

It was the best way I could come up with to distract her from her ballet class. It was either start making out with her or have her drive us to Philly. I’d have preferred the former but making out with Wynter in the parking lot of Madame Sylvie's building was neither the time nor place.

“And don’t send me a bill either,” she added, narrowing her eyes, but her threat was ruined by a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “I could have totaled your car. Or even worse, got you hurt. I’ve never driven a stick shift car.”

“It’s just a car,” I soothed her. “And I paid attention the entire time. I’d never let anything happen to you.”

I pulled on the handle and exited the car, then came around to help her out, while grabbing her duffle bag and my own bag from the back seat.

Looping my hand around her, we walked together into the club and hotel my cousin Priest owned.

“Now, I want you to relax and enjoy our little vacation,” I demanded.

“Are we sharing a room?” she asked curiously.

“We have the presidential suite. There is plenty of room to sleep ten people.” I stopped and she did too, her face turning curiously to me. “Wynter, I don’t want you to worry about anything.”

Her eyebrows shot up, a puzzled look in her mesmerizing eyes. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that I’ll never touch you without your consent.” When she didn’t say anything, I continued, “If you are more comfortable, I can get another room and you keep the suite.”

She shook her head.

“Don’t you dare leave me alone,” she warned, but her voice was too soft to be effective. “If I was worried you’d force me to do anything, Bas, I wouldn’t have come along.” She rose to her tiptoes and pressed a kiss on my cheek. “I trust you, Bas. So you better stay in the same room with me.”

She was mine. Mine to protect. And mine to love.

CHAPTER15

Wynter

Iwas used to luxury.

Mom and Liam insisted we earn our own money for certain things, but it wasn’t as if Juliette and I ever lacked anything. Yet, it was different with Bas. He went out of his way to ensure I had everything and anything I could possibly want. Like an extra pair of AirPods. To ensure I could go for my jog if mine died, because I forgot to bring a charger. Or packages and packages of clothes and jewelry laid out for me.Just because, he said.

But right now, as I sauntered through the entire top floor of the hotel reserved for us, I realizedthiswas luxury. We had the entire top floor of the hotel with a magnificent view of the city. I felt like a princess trapped in a tower with a prince by my side, showing me his empire. The glittering city with a river running through it.

Standing on the large balcony of the suite, I admired the city skyline. I never thought of Philadelphia as a romantic city, but it would forever be one for me. The dark sky glittered with stars while the city lights shimmered beneath it.

“You like it?” Bas’ voice came from behind me and I turned around to look at him.

He leaned against the glass door with an unlit cigarette in his mouth. He looked like the most handsome bad boy I have ever met or associated with. There was a thrill to it, but it was so much more than just that.

The way he looked at me. The way he smiled at me.

“It’s my first time in Philly,” I admitted smiling, as the breeze swept through my hair. Tucking my curls behind my ear, I took a step closer to him. “I like it.” I likeyou.

I had never been a coward before. But I didn’t want to come out like some silly, clingy girl with an infatuation for this man in front of me. It was so much more than that.

“I didn’t know you smoked,” I remarked, because the way he regarded me unnerved me. It made every fiber of me come alive for him.

Admittedly, I didn’t know a lot about him, but for some reason, I had never felt so comfortable around another human being. It was like coming home.

“I quit.” His gaze was heavy on me and with the star-lit sky, the atmosphere gave off romantic vibes.

In my whole life, I had never been accused of being a romantic. More of a realist. But around Bas, it was like a new me was born. I melted with every sweet word or action. His mere presence made something hot unravel inside me, and I suspected it would only react to him that way. My dormant body waited to be awakened just by my own charming prince.