Page 30 of Liberated By Sin
“Well?” she pressed, stepping away from the wall. I noted the tension in her posture, and if I hadn’t known better, I’d probably be worried she’d put a bullet through my face.
“No. Only you,preziosa.”
Her blue eye twitched. “Don’t call me that.”
I slid my hands into my pockets. “I saw you leave, and it’s late. I thought maybe—”
“Do you hear yourself? You went out of your way to follow me because—it’s late?”
“I know what that sounds like—”
“Yeah, like you’re overstepping boundaries.” Amara was just inches from me now, fire in her eyes and an accusatory finger pointed at my chest. “First, I’m a grown woman—what I do, where I go, and when is none of your business. Two, don’teverfollow me. Outside of Illusion’s walls, I don’t answer to you.”
We remained locked in a stare-down. Where I would have lashed out at anyone attempting to berate and disrespect me, a tongue-lashing from Amara was rather enjoyable. Against my better judgment, I cracked a smile and put my hands up defensively.
“I didn’t mean to intrude or overstep any boundaries, as you say. Those were not my intentions. But these streets can be brutal, especially for a beautiful woman walking alone.” A counterargument was brewing on her lips, but I spoke first. “And you’re right, outside of the club, I’m not your boss. But your car is still on my lot so, technically, you’re stillunder my supervision. And part of the job is ensuring my dancers are always safe.”
She released an incredulous scoff. “That’s bullshit.”
“Maybe. But it’s the best I’ve got.”
With a shake of her head and what I could have sworn was the hint of a smile, Amara looked up and down the street, as if searching for someone, and I immediately felt a twisting in my gut. Was she going on a date?
“Listen, not that I need to explain myself to you, but I just wanted to get some air. And, as you can see, I’m fine.”
“This air sucks,” I said, futilely shoving my sleeves farther into the crook of my elbows, seeking every ounce of relief before it came down to ripping open my shirt.
She couldn’t hold back her smile this time.
“You better hurry back then.”
With one last sweeping glance at my inked forearms, she turned toward the crosswalk.
“Amara.” The slightest hesitation at the sound of her name caused her pace to falter. But she recovered and continued across the street.
I should have gone back, kept my distance, and stopped trying to forge a friendship she clearly did not want. But when I spotted the small cafe ahead, open to the beach, passing up the opportunity was no longer an option.
“Can I offer a mango smoothie as a peace offering?” I asked, catching up with her. She didn’t immediately react to my presence, as she was busy punching a message into her phone.
A small, resigned breath fled her lips, and she stopped abruptly.
“You must not be used to hearing the word no, huh?” How her eyes suddenly widened and avoided mine set off alarms, but I waited for her to elaborate. The patience and restraint I had with this woman almost scared me.
“I didn’t mean it…like that.”
I dared to reach out and tip her chin and, as expected, she movedaway from my touch. But despite having followed her and persisting to remain in her company, I had a feeling that whatever message she’d received had been the one responsible for souring her mood.
“My offer still stands.”
Amara peered down the street, and then back at me, debating whether to accept. “Fine. Lead the way,” she finally said, falling in step as I crossed the intersection.
“Were you meeting a friend?”
“Something like that.”
Apart from Cambri, she seemed to keep to herself, so a night out with one of the other girls was unlikely, which left the possibility of a date. The thought of Amara meeting with some random man at this late hour made my blood burn a little hotter. So I decided to pry.
“You don’t seem too torn about it?”