Page 37 of Angelic Vengeance

But pleasant, charming Zach?

I didn’t know what to fucking do.

During the silent car ride, I watched him drive. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing tan muscle and black ink. Ichewed my bottom lip every time we took a sharp turn and his palm smoothly circled the steering wheel.

I didn’t hate the fact that I found him attractive anymore. I mean, I kind of always did, but it felt weirdly good to finally sort of admit it. Part of me knew, that if I wasn’t so damn traumatized, I wouldn’t mind having his hands on my body.

But it wasn’t like it meant anything– I could recognize his attractiveness and not end up riding his dick in the backseat of his car.

It was a fucking nightmare.

For the first time in my life, I was actually physically attracted to a man… A man who embodied and represented everything I was running away from.The fucking irony.

When we arrived at my place, Zach pulled into my building’s underground parking. I searched my purse and handed him a card which he scanned to enter the garage.

“Wait there,” He said after killing the engine.

I complied, and my confusion disappeared when he began walking around the hood, to my side. Opening my door, he extended a hand.

I took it, and couldn’t help smirking. “Such a gentleman.”

He gave me a wink. “Only for you.”

I looked away, already feeling a blush warming my cheeks.

Zach placed a hand on my lower back, walking me to the elevator. I was about to say good night, but then he stepped in.

I didn’t.

Did he expect anything from me tonight? Was he going to use our deal against me? A part of me didn’t want to believe that he would, but another part of me was remindedof his dark side. He could be violent, but would he be violent with me? Would he try to force me?

I’d put a bullet between anyone’s eyes before they got the chance to hurt me.

I bit my bottom lip, unsure how to voice my thoughts. For some reason, I never did when I was around him.

Zach’s brows furrowed as he took in my reaction before he realized. Part of me really liked how I didn’t need to say anything when I was around him for him to understand me. He could read me better than most people and we’d only known each other for two months.

“I’m only walking you to your door,” He said nonchalantly, but I was so tired I thought I almost saw hurt pass his eyes. “Got to make sure you don’t pass out in the elevator again,” He added, making me exhale a small laugh.

I relaxed and stepped next to him. He pressed the button for my floor and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer.

I wasn’t sure what this was… We’d never even kissed before. But considering I’d wrapped my arms around his neck earlier, his touch felt more intimate than it should have. It made my skin burn, yet somehow remained weirdly comforting.

A few minutes later, we were in front of my door. I unlocked it but didn’t step inside my apartment. Instead, I leaned against it and turned to Zach.

He watched me with a silent intensity. He stood tall and strong, hands in pockets. His shirt sleeves were still rolled up, his suit jacket long forgotten in the car.

“I’ll call you,” He said after a moment of silence. “G’night.”

When I didn’t say anything, he turned to walk away.

I must have been beyond exhausted because what I did next was a lot more damaging in the long term than I had initially realized in the moment.

Just fucking do it.

Maybe it was the lack of sleep, the aftermath of the night’s events, or the intoxicating man in front of me. Whatever it was, it compelled me to act before I could overthink.

I grabbed his bicep, pushed up on my toes and kissed his cheek.

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