My skin almost instantly pebbles with perspiration, making my clothes stick to me like I’ve just been dunked in a vat of water. I fan myself as I drag my carry-on behind me in search of a taxi stand.
I didn’t have a chance to schedule an Uber because I had Dottie to contend with, and if I need to wait out here for a second longer than necessary, I’m afraid I might just evaporate. I pick up the pace, ready to cross over to the other side of the street outside of the Arrivals gate when a cherry red Ferrari Testarosa squeals to a stop in front of me as I start to cross the street and I yelp, jumping backward.
“What the fuck, you lunatic?” I yell, flipping off the driver whom I can’t really see through the shaded windshield. “You almost hit me!”
The door opens and my spine stiffens as one long leg climbs out of the driver’s seat, followed by another.
My breath hitches when I see one of the most gorgeous men in my entire life smirk at me. Oh, sweet Jesus.
It’s Gio.
How the
And why? Here, now?!
“You saw the ‘no crossing’ light flash, didn’t you? I had the right of way,” he says in his low, gravelly voice. Good God, I remember that voice…it caressed my ears the way his mouth and hands caressed so many other parts of my body.
“Oh, so if I was lying on the ground in a bloody puddle, would that have been your defense?” I snap, so flummoxed that the memory of him has such a strong hold on me.
And maybe a little bit angry because he doesn’t seem to recognize me at all, which tells me he’s a total scumbag who didn’t see anything besides a hot piece of ass.
Of course, I
Here I was, thinking he might have actually seen right through me if I gave him the chance.
What a fucking joke!
I slam my hand on the hood of the car, letting some of my pent-up aggression seep out and he snickers. How can he not recognize me? Are slutty clothes and makeup all he took away from last night?
I mean, not that I actually want him to recognize me.
It would just be nice to know that I left an impact on him.
The way he did on me.
“Rage,” he says with a wink. “I can sense you’ve got a lot of it.”
“You might feel the same way if you’d almost been bulldozed by an arrogant asshole who doesn’t even have the decency to ask if I’m okay!” I tug at my ponytail. God, something about this guy gets me so fired up…must be because he’s the devil with that mouth and body.
“Sorry, that was wrong of me.” He flashes his movie star smile and I swear my heart jumps in my chest. “Are you okay?”
“Yes!” I scream, stalking across the street because if I stand there for a second longer, I will launch myself at him like a wolverine, and that just would not be the persona I’m trying to adopt right now.
Besides, if given the opportunity, I might get arrested for assault, and Uncle Boris would not be happy about that. I’m also thinking that a rap sheet might prevent me from getting the job I’ve been sent here to do.
I take a few deep breaths, letting my eyes flutter closed as I get in line to wait for a cab.
“Can I give you a lift somewhere? It’s the least I can do since I almost killed you.”
My eyes fly open and I gasp at the delicious interruption. “What?”
“I asked if you needed a ride,” he says again, a twinkle in his bright blue eyes.
“Are you serious?” I ask. “You’re a stranger!”
“I am a stranger,” he says, acknowledging my words with a nod. “But I’m not the kind who’s gonna drive you to the middle of the desert and chop you up into a million pieces, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I look at him like he’s grown multiple heads over the past few seconds, one more gorgeous than the last. “No. I don’t want a ride. I’ll be just fine, Your conscience is clear. Be gone!” I wave him away and turn my back toward him.
But I can still feel his gaze on me.
As if my body can stand to be flooded with any more heat right now.
“Anya!” I jump, startled to hear my name being called.
“Shit,” I mutter. It’s Dottie and her crew. I flash a panicked look at Gio and he folds his arms over his chest with a knowing smirk as they walk across the street.
“Friends of yours?” he asks.
“Not exactly,” I say under my breath, craning my neck to see if there is any salvation in the form of a cab for me on the horizon.
“Anya! I’m so glad we found you! We can share a cab together! Let’s get one of those fancy SUVs!” Dottie exclaims, clapping her hands together as her friends squeal with excitement.
I feel bad. They obviously don’t get out much, but I don’t really have time to be a tour guide right now.
I sneak a glance back at Gio and bite down hard on my lower lip.
He doesn’t know who I am and let’s face it, if he tried anything, I could end him in a hot second, even without a gun.
It’s what I do.