Page 13 of Protecting Charity

“I’m coming,” I said breathlessly.

“Why do you sound like you’re having sex?”

“Okay, first off, if I was having sex, I wouldn’t announce my approaching orgasm to a person on the phone nor answer it, and second, I’d rather be having sex than doing this. It’s your fault for being up in a fucking skyscraper.”

His chuckle tickled my ear. “Are you taking the stairs, Charity?”

“I thought that was kind of obvious.”

How have they not figured out elevators terrify me yet? The last time I came here, I climbed all the stairs, and he said nothing. Maybe he was oblivious. It was a genuine fear, though. I’m certain there is even a name for it—fuck if I know what it is, though.

“What floor are you on?”

I glanced at the big, bold white number on the door above me. “Coming up on six.”

“Stay on that floor. I’m coming to get you.”

The phone clicked before I could tell him he had lost his goddamn marbles if he thought I was climbing into an elevator.“Ugh.” My frustrations echoed off the stairwell walls, along with the stomping of my feet hitting the steps I worked so hard to conquer. I slapped the metal bar to open the door and came out next to the elevators on a ritzy floor with colors that resembled three-day-old vomit. Who picked that color of yellow? Waiting for Nico gave me a chance to catch my breath and think about five different ways I’d die if I climbed into that elevator after him, and none of them were quick and painless.

Being in an elevator was like going on those rides at the amusement park where they’d strap you in and slowly take you to the top and then drop you. Why would people want to experience the feeling of death voluntarily? If you wanted to experience something terrifying, I’d be happy to press my gun to your temple and make you piss yourself. I’d even do it free of charge—what a real bargain.

Nico strolled out of the doom box in his perfectly tailored black suit and tie. Even though thoughts of death swirled around at the forefront of my mind, I couldn’t control the smile that slipped across my face at the sight of him.

“Don’t judge me. You know I hate elevators.”

He grinned and placed his hands up. “No judgment here.” He stalked towards me, then tugged me between the gaping doors. I dragged my feet as best I could, but it was no use. This was happening. I found the farthest corner from the doors and gripped the side handles while pushing the button for his floor. Oh, Lord. My heart rushed to escape my chest, causing me to take shallow breaths that made my head feel hazy and faint.

The doors closed, sealing my fate with a mechanical clank. The lift jarred as it moved up.

“Relax, killer.” Nico glided toward me, moving a lock of hair away from my face. He cupped my cheek with his warm palm while pinning me against the wall with his muscular frame. “You’ll be okay. I got you.”

Warmth flooded my body with his closeness, and I melted into his body at his seductive words of comfort. I fixated on his plump lips hovering next to mine as I took in his scent of citrus and leather. He leaned forward, closing the distance, and touched his lips to mine.

A fire burned deep in my belly as I dropped my death grip from the bar and grabbed hold of his suit to bring him in tight, making sure he couldn’t escape my clutches. Our tongues danced with each other in a sensual and greedy fervor neither one of us could satiate, but desperately wanted to.

I ran my fingers under his jacket just to get a better feel of his solid frame against mine.

The elevator stopped with a slight drop as it settled into place, causing me to shriek against his mouth like a stupid schoolgirl. He grinned, gazing at me with fire in his deep chocolate eyes, then pressed his lips harder against mine in another hungry kiss before tugging me to the exit as the doors swung open. More images of my body being chopped in half as I stepped close to the doors fixed my feet in place. I jumped over the threshold as fast as I could, not giving fate the chance to end me—stupid movies.

“What was that?” He snickered.

“Haven’t you seen the movie where Fate tries to take back the lives of people who cheated him? Someone died being chopped in half by an elevator.”

He shook his head and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. A move I’ve noticed Luca do when he thinks I’m ridiculous.

“He’s waiting. Let’s go.”

Chapter 7

Nico

Ikept my hand tight in hers as I pulled her around my secretary’s desk and into my office, where Senator Adams waited. I released her as we walked in, giving off the appearance that we were professional. About as professional as one could be with a stiff dick, as images of her naked body beneath me filled my mind.

Showing her a chair next to Adams, I took mine behind my desk, then unbuttoned my suit jacket and leaned back. “Sorry about that. Why don’t we start with introductions? Charity, this is Senator Adams. Adams, meet Charity.”

His eyes widened, and a shrewd grin slid across his lips. “You didn’t mention how beautiful she was.”

I cleared my throat, bringing the attention back to me while letting it be an unspoken warning that his remarks weren’t welcomed. “We didn’t get to that. How about you explain to her what you told me?”

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