Chapter Thirty-Three

New York City

October 20

C lara had just finished her classes for the day and bought a snack at her corner market when she spotted Miles emerging from the subway, looking fit to be tied. She tucked her purchases, apple juice and a granola bar, into her book bag. She grinned. Looked like someone had been snooping on her dating app.

“Miles?” she asked innocently.

When he spotted her, his eyes flamed. Miles strode the short distance to the front of the corner store and caught her by the elbow. “Just the person I was looking for.”

“Why were you looking for me?” She batted her lashes.

“You know why.”

“Where are we going?”

“Your place. You need a reminder about how to conduct your social life.”

“It was a joke, Miles.”

“It wasn’t funny, Clara. I have more important things to do than make sure you aren’t assaulted by some online predator.”

“So you’re going to assault me instead.”

He pulled her to face him on the sidewalk. “Exactly.”

“S ay the words, Clara.”

Miles had her right where he wanted her. Naked and begging. For an hour, he had tormented her with his fingers and mouth. She was trembling and desperate, her hands gripping the sheets.

“Please, Miles.”

“Not those words.”

“I will delete my online dating profile,” she panted.

“Continue.”

“I will not put myself in dangerous situations with strangers.”

He nestled his hips at the apex of her thighs and reached for the condom beside him. “And?”

Clara glared at him.

“ And? ”

She spoke through clenched teeth. “And I will let you vet any man I want to date.”

Miles ripped the foil with his teeth.

Clara looked up at him and said, “I’m on the pill.”

“I’ve never not used a condom, Clara. And I’ve been tested.”

“I trust you, Miles.”

Those words had more impact than any foreplay. He pushed into her, devouring her sounds of pleasure. God, her body was heaven. Miles gave no reprieve as he fucked her relentlessly. Like the fearless, gorgeous thing she was, Clara welcomed him into her body, returning his strokes with a tilt of her hips and a squeeze of her inner walls. She wanted everything he gave.

Miles bent forward, his mouth drawn to hers, but redirected. He had told Clara this wasn’t about intimacy—there would be no kissing. Her pink lips parted, inviting, but he settled for closing his eyes and touching his forehead to hers.

She was a devil. And at that moment, Miles wanted to sell his soul.

She released the sheets when her orgasm hit and gripped his back. He lifted his head and met her gaze. They tumbled together, spiraling down, intertwined. It had been so long since he’d been held that way, since he had connected . He should look away. He should roll out of bed and leave. He should…

Just one more minute.

It was dark when Miles awoke, entwined with a sleeping Clara. She nuzzled his neck. Fortunately, sanity had returned, and he pulled away. Miles was determined to distance himself, but apparently, his body hadn’t gotten the memo. His erection was heavy between his legs as he stepped into his pants.

“Where are you going?”

Away from you. Nowhere.

Somewhere.

He had never hesitated to snipe at Clara, to go tit for tat when she goaded him.

This was different.

She was naked on the bed, foggy with sleep and unashamed. Those vivid blue eyes were guileless and vulnerable. Miles blew out a breath and searched for some justification to do what he was about to do. You like her. That was true enough. The greater truth was that he needed to get Clara out of his life before he destroyed her.

Miles picked up a half-full mug of tea and rinsed it in the sink. After drying his hands, he stepped on the pedal to lift the trash can lid and toss the paper towel. Leaning closer, he spotted the dead arrangement at the bottom of the bin. Without guilt or hesitation, Miles took the card from among the dried leaves and opened it. As he stood in her kitchen, something burned hot in his chest. He stared at the door with the deadbolt thrown and the safety chain latched—even in their rush to the bedroom, Clara had secured the door. He thought back to how she had scanned the street and checked over her shoulder as they had rushed inside. Now, this disturbing card with a drawing of a lynx. Consumed by his obsession with her and preoccupied with Ugentti, something vital had escaped his notice.

Clara was afraid.

Miles couldn’t leave her now. He wouldn’t. He needed to know what was going on.

“That depends. What’s in your fridge?”

“Mustard.”

“And?”

“Maybe beer?”

“Then, to answer your question, I’m going to get us food.”

Miles climbed onto the bed and straddled her. Running his nose along her cheek, he whispered, “If you’ve learned your lesson properly, you’ll be rewarded. Have you learned your lesson, Bluebird?”

“Yes, Miles.”

“Good girl.”

Her nipples brushed his bare chest as Clara arched her back. Miles pulled away and stood. “Get dressed. Let’s grab some Thai food from the place on the corner.”

“Yes, Miles.”

“Smartass.”

Ten minutes later, they were walking side-by-side down the street. Miles had to resist the urge to wrap an arm around her shoulder or rest his hand at the small of her back. He wanted her close.

The buzzing of his cell phone pulled him from the maddening possessiveness that seemed to be overtaking him.

The text from Chug Ugentti jolted him back to reality. Miles fumed at the not-so-veiled threat. After finding the contact information he was looking for, Miles sent another text. The reply came promptly.

Miles placed a call. “Giselle? Set up table forty. Four people.” He checked his watch. “About an hour, thanks.”

“What’s all that about?” Clara asked.

“Change of plan.” He took Clara’s hand and pulled her to the curb as he hailed a taxi.

“Where are we going?”

He helped her into the back seat. “First, my place on the East Side. I need to change shoes.”

The loafers with the tracker were about to come in handy. It was time to turn the tables on Chug Ugentti.