Fall Into Place (Taking the Fall #5)(15)

My eyes track up and down her body as she flips her shoulder-length brown hair back away from her face. She’s wearing a tight, low-cut sequined dress that blends in perfectly with the people here. The dress is too goddamn short, letting her long, trim legs show. I grit my teeth as I look down every inch of them, seeing she has on some of the tallest heels I’ve ever seen. They would rival some of my mom’s shoe collection for height.

Clenching my jaw and making fists with my hands, I take a breath and try to relax. I’ve got to play it cool. Walking over, I come up behind her chair just as she’s standing up. She runs straight into my chest, and it feels like I’ve been hit with a truck. I don’t move an inch, but inside, my heart is about to explode.

Reaching out, I grab her hips, steadying her on her feet. Those heels are hot as f*ck but worthless if she’s going to break her neck. Then again I could just carry her everywhere. Shaking the thought loose, I inhale, smelling her perfume. I don’t know what it is, but it has my mouth watering.

“Fuck, you smell delicious.” The words stumble out of my mouth before I have a chance to think about what I’m saying.

Finally, she looks up and locks eye with me. She’s got the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen, and it’s as if they can see into my soul. Her dark chocolate gaze warms me from the inside, and I lean down to get closer to them. The connection is intense, and I can’t break it.

Nika comes closer to me, and suddenly our lips are touching. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s as if my body has been waiting for this moment to come alive. Sweeping my tongue in, I take over the kiss and grip her body tighter to me. I don’t want there to be any space between us ever again, and that thought shocks me. But the kiss is over faster than I want, with Nika pulling away quickly.

“Wow.” She looks at me in surprise, and I feel her release her grip on my ass. She’s lifted my wallet and my watch, and I can’t tell if I’m upset or impressed. “Thanks for the kiss.”

She turns to leave, and I reach out, grabbing her wrist. I know she didn't think it was going to be that easy. But she probably didn’t expect to meet someone with my skills tonight either.

“You’re coming with me, or I’ll tell security you just stole my wallet and watch.”

She mumbles something that doesn’t sound like English, but I just grab her hips and lead her from the casino. I’m kind of surprised she’s not fighting me, but I’m over twice her size. A little thing like her can’t do much to someone like me, so I’m guessing this is why she’s going along with it.

I should probably teach her some defense moves at some point. She’s mine, and I need to make sure she’s safe. It scares me to think she could be vulnerable.

When we get outside to the front of the casino, I flag a cab and pull her closer. I look into her eyes, and my body sparks and flares. I don’t know why she’s got a bounty on her head, but I want to talk to her and figure it out. I need to ask her some questions and then figure out how to tell her that she’s my true love and that we are going to be together for the rest of our lives. I’m sure that will go over well.

I lightly grip her chin as the cab pulls up behind me.

“I’m taking you somewhere safe. I won’t hurt you, I swear.” I see hesitation in her eyes, and for a split second I think I see her something calculating there, too. I sense her movement before I see it. She strikes out, landing a low blow on the lower-right side of my stomach. It’s enough to have me taking a step back, where she has enough room to spin and elbow me across my lip.

I taste blood in my mouth as she jumps in the cab and speeds off.

“What the f*ck was that?”

I grab the next cab and make sure I’ve got the number on the back of hers. Getting in, I throw some bills at the driver. “Follow that one.” I point. “Number one-thirty-three.”

I hold my jaw, feeling a twinge of pain. Damn if she didn’t hit like a professional.

She must think I didn’t follow her because her cab pulls over not too far down the road, and she jumps out and makes her way down the Strip.

I open the cab door, even though it’s still moving, as I don’t want to miss her. The cab driver yells something at me as he stops, and I get out and run. I’m thankful she’s in those ridiculous heels because they’re slowing her down.

Silently moving behind her, I grab her arm and take a step back just as she’s coming around with her fist. I grab it with my other hand, just inches from hitting my face. She starts to swing her leg, but she obviously hasn’t trained to do it in heels, and she starts to fall over.

“Blin!” She utters the Russian word again, and I’m assuming it’s some kind of curse.

Catching her body before she hits the ground, I scoop her up and throw her over my shoulder. She starts to kick and punch my back, but at this angle she can’t get much leverage.

“You’re a feisty little kitten, aren’t you? Where’d you learn to throw a punch like that?”

“None of your business. Now put me down.” She’s got a slight accent that goes straight to my dick, and all I can think about is how it’s going to sound when she moans my name.

“No can do, kitty cat. You and I have some business to discuss. And as luck has it, my hotel is just around the block. Feels like a nice night for an evening stroll, don’t you think?”