Page 60 of Judas

“I’ll add seeing eye dog to your tab, since you’re also blind.”

Not wanting to look up, because I already know, I groan. Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Instead, I stare at a broad chest. Black shirt stretched across it like a small was the last one on the rack and he just couldn’t wait any longer. Tattooed arms hanging heavily out of the sleeves squeezing his biceps, more ink trailing down to his fingers, and god-awful looking rings circling them.

Ra.

“Go away.”

“Now why would I do that?

He reaches for me and I brace myself for the manhandling he’s promised me during our first phone call. Yet I’m met with the softest of touches when he hooks a single finger under my chin and tilts my head back. My stomach drops at the sight of him—the computer screen does this guy zero justice. Dark, menacing, and I’m finding it hard to think of anything smart to say. So, I close my eyes.

Blind as a bat, motherfucker.

His huff is obnoxious and grates my nerves, but what’s worse is when his voice lowers next to my left ear and my stupid body turns towards him.

“There are so many things I can do to you with your eyes closed, Nadia. Would hate to frighten you when you sograciously told me you’d, and I quote, ‘beat the shit out of me.’ It’d be so much safer if you kept them open after a threat like that.”

Begrudgingly, I open one then the other. He’s right; closing my eyes in the presence of a jaeger was silly but I’ve been known for making some poor choices. When they slide open, meeting his more intense stare, I forget how to breathe. My breath catching makes his pupils dilate and a slight grin pulls at the right side of his lush mouth.

Big fucking mistake.

He’s fucking scary, not unattractive, but… I don’t know how to explain it, he’s somuch. Nothing like Kace. Where he was bright and sarcastic, playful and domineering when needed—this guy is the opposite. Dry as fuck, darker than hell, and I bet you he likes one of those twenty-four hour relationships. Where he’s always in control.

Ra’s staring down at me, the finger that was hooked under my chin now running the curve of my jaw while he soaks me in. It’shighly unnerving to be standing on the side of a road in some random ass town, having someone check me over like prized cattle.

“Take a picture, it lasts longer,” I quip.

“I have plenty of photos, Nadia.”

“Ohhhh-kayyyyy.”

“Do I make you uncomfortable?” Ra asks, tone flat. His other hand finds my arm and grabs it firmly, giving a slight yank to pull me off my balance. He probably thinks I’m about to bolt—I would if I didn’t need his help.

Answering truthfully, I murmur, “Yes.” Most men make me uncomfortable, especially the ones that are twice my size. Yeah, I dealt with them when I worked in the prison but that was before—no. We’re not going down Nightmare Lane today.

“Good. The screen won’t keep you safe anymore. Suggest you rein in that smart ass mouth of yours.”

“How did you get here? You were states behind me.”

“SUV, plane, motorcycle. In that order. No deviation,” he answers.

“Efficient. No lack of fossil fuels.”

“Nadia, you’re too close to me to be mouthy.”

“What do you kids say? Sorry, not sorry?”

The one roaming hand, reverent in its touch, grasps my face now. He places his palm over my lips like makeshift duct tape while his finger digs into the apples of my cheeks until the maxilla and mandible bones ache.

“I got you a room on the top floor, for as long as you need it. Consider it a gift for yourlackof good behavior.” Ra tosses my word right back at me.

All I can do is nod, then he lets my mouth go, sliding his big-as-fuck hand around to the back of my neck and leads me away from the car.

“Should probably be mindful how you handle me in public—“

“Careful with your words,” he warns.

Yeah yeah, I know.

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