She couldn’t nod or speak with his hand on her throat, but her eyes bored into his.
“Never,” he spat again, this time releasing her.
She sat down at his table when he did, and lifted the half-empty bottle of vodka. “May I?”
He grabbed it from her, stood, and stalked over to the bar. When he returned, he slammed a glass on the table in front of her and poured.
She didn’t wait for the toast that typically would be expected. Things between them were anything but typical. She threw the shot back and poured herself another. This time she waited for him, since his glass was still full.
Her eyes remained focused on his as she kept her hand clasped around the icy-cold vodka.
“Leave,” he said right before he threw the shot back.
Raketa shook her head, watching the only other person in the room, the bartender, follow a command intended for her.
Gunner inched closer, leaning forward enough that she could feel the heat of his breath.
“I want to be left the hell alone,” he seethed.
“No.” She’d been where he was too many times before, but never because she’d killed someone she cared about.
“Then I’ll leave.” Gunner stood, tucking the bottle of vodka in the crook of his arm. He swayed just slightly, but caught himself and backed away before she could touch him.
“No,” she said again.
He slammed the bottle back on the table and grasped her neck, this time from the back.
“You saved my life,” she whispered.
“You would’ve lived.”
If Gunner moved any closer, their lips would touch. Instead of waiting for him to do it, Raketa brushed his mouth with hers.
“Fuck,” he groaned as he wound his arm around her waist, pulled her body flush with his, and slid his tongue between her lips.
When she slipped her arms around his neck and pressed her breasts against his chest, Gunner put his knee between her legs.
“Take what you need, Rocket girl,” he taunted when she straddled his powerful thigh.
“Not here,” she said as he moved his leg, backed her up against the wall, and put his hands beneath her bottom.
“Put your legs around me,” he demanded.
When she did, he ground himself against her.
“Is this what you want, Raketa? All you ever want?”