Rock Hard (Rock Kiss 2)

She shot him a glare now and then for form, but she felt like laughing. The dinner was fun overall, the people around the table a mix of both those she dealt with regularly and several new faces.

When the store manager—seated beside her—leaned over and said, “I don’t suppose you’d have a private dinner with me another day?” she smiled and shook her head.

“I have a guy.”

“Ah well, my loss. Should’ve scooped you up earlier.”

It was only when Charlotte glanced across the table that she realized Gabriel had tensed up, his good humor for show. Discreetly taking off her high heel under the table, she ran her foot over his leg. The gleam returned to his eye, but she could tell he was annoyed by the fact another man had hit on her.

Gabriel, she realized suddenly, wasn’t as onboard with the whole “under the radar” thing as she’d believed. He’d agreed only because of her discomfort with being in the spotlight. Her heart expanded—yeah, she was pretty stupid in love with her guy. And she wanted people to know he was hers, enough to handle any resulting pressure; she’d make that clear to him later tonight.

He was definitely possessive when he ushered her into his SUV, the two of them the last to leave the restaurant after Gabriel took care of the bill. Tipping up her chin after backing her up against the car in the dark parking lot behind the restaurant, he kissed her, his hand at her throat. It made her shiver, wrap her own arms around him, her mouth opening under his and her fingers tight in his hair.

Biting her lower lip, tugging, Gabriel smiled. “I’m thinking diamonds and skin.”

Feeling scandalous, she whispered, “I’m pretty sure you could convince me to get naked in the backseat.”

Another wet kiss, his hand tugging up her dress to slide up her thigh before he stepped back and opened the passenger door so she could get in. “Hold that thought,” he said after getting into the driver’s seat and throwing his wallet on the console. “But not in the backseat. I’m too damn big.”

She put the wallet in her handbag so he wouldn’t forget it in the car. “I like you big.”

“Naughty, Ms. Baird.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“So you’re saying I’m not big?”

“You should’ve been a lawyer,” she said with a laugh.

He put his hand on her thigh, the warmth and weight of it intimate and familiar. Closing her hand over his, she leaned back in the seat and just enjoyed the drive, enjoyed being with her guy. Even the thought alone made her grin like a giddy schoolgirl.

When he brought the car to a stop at the apartment building, she got out and they headed to the elevator. She slapped her forehead just as the doors opened. “Damn, I forgot to ask you to stop for milk. We’re all out.”

“Want me to go grab it? It’ll only take a few minutes.” Gabriel held the elevator open. “Go on up and get into something slinky.” He leaned in close to whisper, “I vote for the tiny black thing that’s all straps and skin.”

Blushing, she crooked a finger. “We don’t really need milk.”

He chuckled. “You’re not human until your first latte. I’ll be back in five minutes.”

“I’ll be waiting.” Blowing him a kiss, she pressed the button for the penthouse after swiping the keycard.

She had a smile on her face when she exited onto the penthouse floor, but she’d only taken five steps when her blood ran cold. “How did you get up here?” she said to the handsome blond man standing by the apartment door. His face was older, meaner, and he had a new scar across his cheek, but there was no mistaking Richard.

36

TAKING OUT THE TRASH

“I WAS WAITING FOR you,” Richard said with a flawless smile, leaning his body against the wall. “We have something to talk about.”

“We have nothing to talk about.” Charlotte’s heart thudded in her throat, her rage a roar beneath the skin. “Get out.”

“You bitch.” Richard’s mask fell off far faster than it had the first time. “I spent years in prison because of you, and you can’t give me five minutes?”

“You spent that time in prison because of what you did.”

“Only because you made me,” he retorted. “If you’d been a real woman—”

“I’m not the one with inadequacy issues.” Charlotte would not back down, would not run. She was no longer prey—and she was no longer vulnerable. “I’m with a real man now, and guess what? He doesn’t need to hurt a woman to feel good about himself.”

“Some stupid rugby player.” He sneered. “I guess a dumb whore like you would want a dumb boyfriend.”

“You’re a pathetic loser who doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as Gabriel.” She curled her fingers around the strap of her handbag. “I have nothing more to say to you. You aren’t worth the time.”

“Oh, we’ll talk,” he hissed, launching himself at her. “You’ll crawl before I’m done with you.”

His hand went for her throat, but hell no, he was not holding her there. That was Gabriel’s right and his right only. Swinging her handbag, she slammed it against the side of Richard’s head. He staggered; she kicked him between the legs. Then she gave him a second hard whack just as the elevator doors opened behind her.

The next thing she heard was a roar of sound, and then Richard was flying back to slam into the wall, his nose crooked and gushing blood. Gabriel’s second punch took him to the floor, the knife in Richard’s hand dropping soundlessly to the carpet.