Being Me(Inside Out 02)(7)

“You did run, and baby, you only think you know my deep, dark secrets.”
“Show me.” I sound breathless.
“Show you.” It’s not a question. His gaze slips to my mouth and I am instantly aware of how deliciously brutal it can be as he adds, “There’s a price for not taking care of yourself as you claim you do so well.” His eyes lift to mine and there is mischief in their depths. “I’ll have to punish you.”
I glower at his reference to how well I take care of myself.
“Don’t be a smart-ass. I can take care of myself.”
“So you say.” His lips quirk, his eyes twinkle, and his dark mood has lightened in a flash as it often does. “I’m just looking out for us both. I need you alive and well if I’m going to f*ck you until you can’t forget my name.”
I feel myself heat from the inside out and I seize the opportunity to say what I had not earlier. “You’ve already done that, but if you want to be an overachiever, feel free.”
“Your wish is my command,” he assures me.
“I somehow doubt that.”
“Don’t doubt, baby,” he says, and the laughter between us fades as we stare at each other with the promise of dark, erotic pleasure between us and so much more.
My chest tightens and I touch his cheek. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
He traces my bottom lip and kisses me, a quick slide of his tongue that has me moaning with the taste of his hunger, with my own. “Let me go lock up so we can get the hell out of here.”
I grab his hand as he tries to move. “You can’t see in there to lock up.”
“I have a flashlight in the trunk.”
“What if whoever was in there with me is still inside?”
“If they make a wrong move, I’ll hit them with the flashlight.”
He wiggles a brow. “I’m efficient like that, especially when I have better things to do.” He grins. “Like you.” He’s out of the car before I can stop him and I can’t stand the idea of him going inside that black hole. I get out, too, and meet him at the trunk.
“Woman—”
“Save your commands for another more enticing time, Chris. I’m not staying in the car. Haven’t you watched Friday the th? Michael slashes the girl in the car.”
“Michael is from Halloween. Jason is Friday the th.”
“Whoever he is, he slashes the girl in the car. I’m not staying in the car.”
He slams the trunk shut, and he’s now holding a long, silver flashlight. “And you think going inside the dark storage room with a guy and a flashlight is the safer bet?”
“I’m staying with you, Chris.”
“Sara—”
Lights flicker behind us and we both turn as a utility truck pulls into the drive. “Looks like the repairman has arrived.”
The truck pulls in beside us and the sound of steps on gravel draws my gaze to a man in an orange maintenance uniform walking from the office building down from this one. “The guy you don’t like?” Chris asks.
I shake my head. “No. That’s not him.” This man is a good twenty years older, and though he looks grumpy, he doesn’t ooze creepiness. I glance at Chris. “I guess I should have gone to the office in the first place.” I begin to doubt myself. Have I created this danger in my mind? Did I make this more than it had to be?
Chris pulls me around to face him, and I slide my arms under his jacket. He is warm and the wind is cold. “Don’t do what you’re doing,” he orders.
“What am I doing?”
“If you felt that you were in danger, if you ever feel that you’re in danger, don’t ignore that feeling.”
“And if it is a random power outage?”
“How do you define random?” he asked.
“I don’t know. It’s not a city-wide thing like I thought it might be. I just … I don’t know what I think.”
“We’ll figure it out together.” His fingers brand my hips, and the possessive way they splay there makes me believe him.
“Can I help you folks?”
We turn to find the maintenance man behind us and I’m amazed at how fast he’s arrived, or maybe time just goes by quickly when Chris is holding me. I suspect that is the case when Chris releases me, and I wish he hadn’t.
Chris indicates his flashlight with a lift of his hand. “The power went out before we could lock up. We just want to get it sealed up and then we’re on our way.”
The man scrubs his jaw. “I wasn’t aware we had anyone inside when the power blew. I went inside and checked for anyone who needed help.”