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I was becoming addicted to him—to his power, to his demands.
What happens when all of this is over? I knew he said he never wanted it to end, but something bad could happen, right? Something terrible could fuck it all up, and then all I’d be left with was a fucking hole in my chest where Bane had ripped my heart out. I didn’t want to think about the day either of us would walk away, but I was a pragmatist at heart.
He broke the kiss and stared down at me. “I want you safe.”
“I am safe,” I tell him. “I have three deadbolts and a Beretta 92FS in the drawer beside my bed.”
“And a broken fucking window lock in Boyle Heights. Anyone could get in here.”
Pulling out of his arms, I walked a few steps away. “People could have gotten in a hundred times over in the years I’ve lived here,” I retort. Spinning to face him, I added, “You can’t protect me all the time.”
His emotions boiled over in his eyes as he marched toward me. I backed up another step, but he caught me easily, his mouth slamming against mine in a kiss that branded me as his. “I fucking can if you let me.”
“I appreciate the offer, Bane, really, but this is my home.” My words were a whisper, all the fight left in me draining away. I didn’t want to argue with him about this shit. “We’re going to be late for dinner.”
With some reluctance, he let me go, but his hand still lingered on the small of my back. “I’m sorry. I’m a little wound up.”
“Bad day at work?”
“Yeah, you could say that,” he replied darkly. I wasn’t going to push him. I had the distinct impression that Bane Rivera was a closed-off man when it came to the ins and outs of his business.
“So, take me out to dinner, then.”
Together, we walked downstairs to the town car waiting at the curb. Andy smiled at me when we came out of the building’s door, and I returned the gesture. Bane opened the door for me, and I slid inside.
“Where are we going for dinner?” I asked when we were on our way.
“A place called Rivera. I’m part owner.”
Of course, he was. “And was it named after you, too?”
This question made him smile. “Bianca and I own it jointly, although I’m more of a silent partner. She was the head chef there until she went on maternity leave to have Valentine.”
The depth of this man was fucking surprising. “What other businesses do you have that I’m not aware of?” I asked, taking his hand and intertwining our fingers. I realized what an intimate gesture it was right away and went to pull away, but Bane covered my hand with his large one.
“Leave it there, Little Bird. Somehow, your touch can soothe me when you’re not fucking turning me on.”
I let out a breath and peered out the window. The lights of LA were blinding, but I’d lived here all my life. I’d seen what lurked in the shadows of those lights, and it wasn’t pretty. Eventually, we pulled up outside a restaurant that was modern and sleek. I smiled at the name die-cut in cursive on the steel sheet above the door. Tinted glass walls lined the front, where I could see the vague silhouettes of diners seated at tables against the window. Bane kissed the back of my hand, then got out to open my door.
My gaze drifted down to the large steel and copper door, a doorman waiting over to the side. The man nodded to Bane, then me before he ushered us in.
“Mr. Rivera,” a man said in a cultured British accent.
“How are you, Tommy?”
“Fine, thank you, sir. We have your table ready for you.”
Bane intertwined our fingers once more and led me through the restaurant. As we weaved through the tables, I found a lot of women staring at Bane for a beat before their eyes slid to me.Most eligible bachelor, indeed.We entered through a tinted-glass door and into a private dining room that had glass on all sides. Bane pulled out a chair for me, but I went to the glass instead. The tint was so dark.
“Can anyone see in here?” I hadn’t even noticed the room when we’d approached it.
“It’s one-way glass,” Bane said into my ear behind me. He touched his lips to my neck and whispered, “Very private. Unless you’re into exhibitionism, then I can flip a switch and make it two-way.”
A shiver went through me at the thought of what Bane and I could do in a room like this.
“You like that idea, Little Bird?” he rumbled, his hands coming to rest on my waist. Pulling me back against him, I squirmed at the feel of his erection pressing into my ass. “If that’s a fantasy of yours, I can make it happen.”
I spun around in his arms, looping mine around his neck. “Exhibitionism isn’t at the top of my fantasy list,” I tell him with a coy smile.
