Giorgio (Vigilance 1)

I headed for the bar, knowing I’d need a drink before I’d have the nerve to proposition a man like that. I ordered a vodka soda, drained half of it, and swiveled on my bar stool to see if the alluring man was still there. What I saw instead made my stomach flip-flop. Alan was walking toward me. Had he followed me there, or was it coincidence? Should I run?

He reached me before I could make myself move, but I was better off confronting him in a crowded room.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Having a drink.” I managed to keep my voice steady.

He shook his head. “You should have called me if you wanted to go out.”

My heart pounded. Why wouldn’t he just go away? “You’re not allowed to approach me. I have a restraining order against you.”

“I know you enjoy playing hard to get, but involving the police was a bit over the top, don’t you think?” He grabbed my arm and yanked me off the bar stool.

“No!” I freed my arm. “Leave me alone.”

He reached for me again, but someone grabbed his arm and yanked it behind his back.

“Are you having trouble understanding what no means?” the stranger asked.

“Fuck off!” Alan struggled, but he couldn’t free himself from the man’s grip.

I studied my rescuer, and my breath caught. It was the man I’d been watching from the dance floor. Up close, he was even more fucking gorgeous. He was taller than Alan’s six feet by a few inches. He looked like he could snap Alan’s neck with no effort. From the cold, deadly look in his eyes, I doubted he’d hesitate to do just that. The man was danger personified, and my cock was all about it.

“Leave me the fuck alone,” Alan snarled.

“Are you going to walk away?”

“I don’t have to—”

The man pulled harder on Alan’s arm, and Alan made a high-pitched sound that had me smiling.

“Fine. I’ll leave. Just let go.” Alan tried to step away.

The man pushed Alan so he stumbled away from us and didn’t take his eyes off my asshole ex until Alan had left the building. Only then did he look at me. “Are you all right?”

“I am now.”

The man smiled. “You certainly look it.”

“Thank you for…” I gestured in the direction Alan had gone.

“I didn’t like the look of that asshole, and I could tell you didn’t either.”

“No, but I…” I like the look of you.

His grin told me he’d guessed the direction of my thoughts. “You’re welcome.”

He started to walk away.

“Wait.” He was everything I’d been looking for. I wanted him to use his strength to hold me down and help me forget Alan and all his shit. “Let me buy you a drink to thank you.”

He turned around but didn’t move closer. “You’d probably be better off letting me walk away.”

I studied him. “Why?”

“I don’t put up with assholes who won’t take no for an answer, but I’m not a nice guy.”

“I’m not looking for a nice guy.”

He snorted, and I actually put my fucking hand on my hip.

He shook his head. “You’re cute when you pout, but with the mood I’m in tonight… let’s just say I don’t want to damage you.”

I glared at him, which only seemed to amuse him more. That ought to piss me off, but for some reason it turned me on. I wanted him to challenge me, to push me. “Bad day at work?”

He didn’t say anything, but he watched me with dark eyes that held me captive.

“Family problems?”

Again nothing.

“Tell me it’s not your dog or cat. That would be too sad.”

“I don’t have pets.”

“Come on. Tell me what’s up and how I can make it bet—”

He laid a finger over my lips. “I’m not here for small talk.”

Fuck it. Neither was I, and I was more sure now than ever that this man could give me what I craved. “I’m in a mood too,” I said trying to keep myself from licking his finger.

“Are you?”

“Yes. In the mood for a hard, punishing fuck.”

He gave me a slow once-over. “Maybe you could handle me after all.”

“You didn’t want that asshole to ignore me when I said no, but I don’t want you to keep me from saying yes.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Are you this talkative in bed?”

“Maybe.”

He shook his head. “You won’t be with me.”

Not if he choked me with the thick cock that was pressing against his pants, seeking its freedom.

“So you’re going to come home with me?” This was crazy. I was still trying to extract myself from my last stupid decision, and now I was bringing this dangerous-looking stranger home. He’d rescued me, though.

And then told you he wasn’t nice.

I don’t need nice. I just need a man who’s not an ax murderer. He probably wasn’t one, not that I could trust my judgement.