The car rolled toward me and I stepped in front of it. I almost dove out of the way when he didn’t stop at first, and then at the last second, he slammed on the brakes. The bumper lightly hit my thighs sending me back a step.
The front windshield was shaded from the overhanging trees, but I caught a glimpse of his narrowed, piercing green eyes.
I stepped back as he got out of the car and shut the door—hard.
I stepped back again as he stalked toward me and didn’t stop until he was inches from me.
He wasn’t touching me, but it sure as hell felt as if he was. I went to back away a little more when he said, “You want to be brave then be fuckin’ brave. Don’t just piss me off.”
Jesus. Warmth flooded my cheeks at his harsh words. I swallowed, my throat tight as I tried to get the next words out. “I think you can make the decision to give him more time.”
He didn’t say anything.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “If you’re worried he’ll not finish whatever he is working on for you or he’ll run away, then take me. Insurance until he finishes, then you let us both go.”
By his widening eyes and lifting brows he appeared surprised, and no matter what I’d just bargained, that pleased me. Then any amount of confidence I had washed away when he laughed. His head tilted back and the husky sound echoed in the isolated woods. Birds scattered from the treetops and I didn’t blame them. I would have liked nothing better than to fly away.
“What makes you think I want to fuck you? Or that you’re worth it.”
It was as if he hit me in the stomach with a baseball bat. “God, that’s… that’s not what I meant. I just meant keep me… until he’s done.”
“I know exactly what you meant,” he drawled with a playful grin.
Anger blanketed any sensibility I may have had as I raised my hand and slapped him. He didn’t move. Not even a jerk of his head from the impact. But his eyes narrowed and his lips pressed together in a firm line.
“You’re an asshole. Do you enjoy scaring women? Bringing them out into the woods thinking that they are going to be raped and murdered? You’re disgusting.” I raised my arm to slap him again and he latched onto my wrist before I made contact.
“Stop pretending to be brave, London. I’m letting you go with a warning when my associates want something very different. Don’t make me regret my decision.”
My blood rushed through my veins as our gazes locked. “So, you can give him more time if you want?”
He didn’t say anything, eyes driving into me. I was trying to be brave. God, I’d never been braver than I was right at that moment, but I was still terrified.
“Don’t hurt my dad. Please. You can have me…” I briefly closed my eyes as I continued, “in any way you want.”
His grip loosened on my wrist, but he didn’t let me go. “I don’t fuck unwilling women.”
I stiffened. “I’d be willing. I’m willing.”
He moved quick as he grabbed me by the shoulders, spun me around and shoved backwards a few steps until my legs hit the bumper and I fell back so I was lying on the hood of the car. I pushed up on my elbows to get up, but that was as far as I managed before he leaned over me, hands on either side of my head.
“Are you? Because I think you’d say or do anything to protect him. That’s not willing. That’s simply stupid.”
I was stunned by his words because I saw it in his expression—the desire.
My palm stung like hell from the slap and yet I wanted to hurt him again. But I doubted this man could ever be hurt.
“If you give me time, I can get you money instead.” I had a trust fund from my mother, but I’d need a few days to get access to the amount of money he’d want.
“Don’t need money.”
“What do you need then? There has to be something.”
I heard him swear beneath his breath and the frustrating sound didn’t suit him. He shifted his weight to one arm then raised the other so his hand came to my face. I tensed, but didn’t move. He slowly stroked a finger over my parted lips. “Being with me… you don’t know what you’re bargaining.”
I didn’t, but sleeping with this man was a sacrifice I was willing to make. “I’m fully aware of what I’m bargaining.”
He paused, watching me—assessing. “I’ll consider it.”
I breathed frantically in and out as the reality of what I was doing hit me. It was as if I couldn’t find enough air. “And then you won’t hurt him? Even after he gives you what you want?”
“No. I’ll only hurt you, London.” His tone was laced with amusement, as if he was kidding, but there was truth in what he said. Because what I offered would hurt me. But I’d repair. I’d forget. What I’d never forgive would be walking away and doing nothing.
“Can you get off me now?”
He didn’t move.
I collapsed my elbows to lie flat on the hood of the car then placed my palms on his chest and shoved at the same time as I lifted my knee and tried to nail him in the balls. I failed. “I can’t breathe, damn it. Get off.”