“You like to play hard to get, huh?” He gives a smile that holds no warmth. “It’s cool. I enjoy the chase. It beats being bored at the airport.” He reaches over and grips her hip.
She breaks his hold immediately, and I growl.
She looks up, and her eyes grow huge. “There you are babe.”
I blink, confused.
The woman rises on tiptoes. Her breath caresses my ear. “I am so sorry. Please just pretend to know me so I can get rid of this guy.
“He is bothering you?”
“I don’t think he realized I was taken, honey.”
I glare at the man who holds up his hand and steps back. “Hey. I didn’t realize she belonged to anyone.”
“A woman does not belong to anyone but herself.” I don’t like the man who’s still closer to her than I like. I pull her back as if to escape his reach and roaming eyes.
“Right on. Women’s lib is alive and well. Look, man, she’s not worth fighting an ogre over. No harm. No foul.”
My fists clench. Anger begins to well up, creeping through me like an oil spill. Tunnel vision kicks in. A small hand presses into my back, grounding me.
“I think he’s learned his lesson about making assumptions.”
“Yeah. Yeah, man. Matter of fact, I’m not even that hungry anymore.” He backs away slowly, never breaking eye contact.
I watch him every step.
“He’s not going to come back. You’re far too terrifying to challenge.”
I glance down at the woman, wondering what it is about her that wakes emotions in me so easily. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” She nods. “I can take care of myself, but causing a scene with someone I can’t escape seems like a bad idea.” She shakes her head. “I’m Delta, by the way.”
“Samuel Solaris.”
“Well, Samuel Solaris. Delta always pays her debts, so the foods on me.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to.” She ducks down to meet my gaze. It’s not as intense with her kind eyes meeting mine.
“Okay.”
Stepping back, she allows me space without me asking. I grunt in surprise.
“You’re prickly, aren’t you?”
“I’m not a cactus.”
She laughs. “I like you, Sam Solaris.”
“You do?” Most find my literal interpretations annoying.
“Yes. You remind me of a close friend. He always tells me the truth.”
“I don’t lie either.”
Tilting her head, she studies me. I return the curious look. Electricity crackles between us. The sensation is bizarre and unfamiliar. “I believe that.”