Page 26 of The Dark Side

"WhyamI here?"

"I want you to tutor my daughter. Think I'd waste my time with someone like you?"

Jolie curled her fist as if in victory, gritting her teeth as she finally met his gaze. "Thank you for that. Thank you." It was a good reminder he's a piece of shit, no matter how good-looking. She stepped away, but Adrik grabbed her arm.

"Wait, wait, wait."

"No, I'm good."

"Jolie, can you sit?"

"I'm done talking." She twisted out of his hand and stalked toward the exit. If she let him talk, she'd get sucked in. She knew this game too well. How often had she tried to leave her ex, and he managed to lure her back in every time? They start off sweet, but then they transform into a monster. She was smarter than she was all those years ago. And not nearly so naive.

Adrik contemplated telling the guard to deny her, but he screwed up and didn't want her any angrier. He waved, and the guard opened the door for her.

Adrik sat on the chair, annoyed with himself. He didn't know why he brought her here, just like he didn't understand why he went to her apartment. It wasn't normal. There was an attraction, but not enough for him to jeopardize anything. She was intriguing, like a book he wanted to read, and a banned book was much more enticing. But the risk wasn't worth it. She could be killed because of his interest.

So how to stop it? More women?

It reminded him of the three women he had days before and how he felt afterward. Regret was rare and barely felt, but it sank in his gut like a bad hit of mushrooms.

Adrik got up and ran after her. His guards balked, confused about what he was doing. They scrambled after him, but he got into the elevator without them. He bounced on his bare toes, rubbing his head, trying to think of something he could say to make her come back.

All his life, the women that surrounded him took what they got. Even insulted, they would laugh it off. It was the kind of life they had, fearful of upsetting anyone. They were raised to be compliant and manageable. But Jolie wasn't.

Adrik jumped out of the elevator when the doors opened and ran out of the building. It was careless and stupid, but he didn't think. Jolie was across the street and about to enter the gym when he called her. "Jolie!"

She stopped walking, her head down, but refusing to turn around.

He ran up behind her. "Jolie, wait." He reached for her arm, but she pulled out of it.

"I don't want you to talk to me again. Am I clear?"

"I'm sorry. I'm not used to women like you."

"And what kind of woman am I?"

He stuttered, trying to say it in a way that wouldn't be insulting. "Nice."

The word threw her off. She was expecting a stupid pickup line like 'special' or 'one of a kind,' as if she hadn't heard it before.

"Nice?" she giggled.

Her reaction eased him, and he smiled. "Like grandma nice."

"What!" she squealed.

"No offense."

"Total offense."

The humor in her eyes encouraged him to reach for her arm again. Adrik stepped closer as his fingertips touched her elbow before slipping up her arm. It was a touch that consumed all humor and ignited the fresh taste of desire. He clenched his teeth, swallowing as he looked down into her gaze, noticing how her features changed. He could see it, the want that he was feeling reflected in her eyes. It would be too easy to lean down and touch her lips with his. His gaze flickered to her mouth, her lips slightly parted, a whisper of temptation.

But the risk of denial was too grand. He had to wait till he was sure.

Instead of kissing her, Adrik forced out, "Go out with me."

The sudden topic made her blush, and she backed up, tucking her hair behind her ear, as if the words didn't cause panic. "I thought you wouldn't waste time with someone like me."