Million Dollar Devil (Million Dollar #1)(6)



I’m just as shocked that I can’t take my eyes off him.

My knees feel wobbly. Every step closer to the door makes my thighs feel weaker and weaker.

Suddenly the other man murmurs, “You lusting after that kitten? Girl can’t seem to get away from you fast enough. Fifty bucks—dare you to try to fuck—”

Suddenly James lunges for him again, pushing the two men who try to restrain him away. I squeak and hurry to open the door, ready to leave, but something holds me back. Something—a nagging little whisper—stops me from opening the door. I glance back and watch him move.

This is a guy who will do anything for money.

Anything.

The thought makes me reconsider leaving. God, Elizabeth, you’re not really thinking what you’re thinking . . . ? It’s impossible. It would never work. This is tequila-thinking, not sane, rational thinking.

But yes, yes I am. Inhaling a breath for courage, I end up walking back into the bar, closer and closer to the chaos.

“Gentlemen!” I stop them with a loud call, stepping in between them, still not a hundred percent sure I won’t get a fist in the face in return for this act of sheer stupidity. “I’m sure we can all settle this like gentlemen, and talk.”

The men pause and eye me as if I’m crazy, and it’s only then that I realize how dumb it sounds. Men like this don’t talk. They just grunt like cavemen and then settle things with their fists. The end.

“Hey,” he breathes to me, his eyes catching on my pearl necklace before trailing lower. “Hillary Clinton. Nice suit. Get out of my way.”

I look down at my suit. It’s not like it’s a pantsuit. I look nothing like Hillary Clinton. I know I’m fabulously overdressed for this place, but . . .

James whips a lethal gaze back to the other burly guy. “I’m done talking to you. Your no-good brat goes near Charlie again . . . ,” James spits out, flexing his fingers into fists.

“Fuck you, Rowan.”

James steps around me, pushes me back behind him so fast that he knocks the wind out of me, then swings out and knocks the guy back with a punch on the jaw. More fighting ensues. I’m woozy on my feet, my heart pumping with adrenaline.

It takes three men to restrain James and two to restrain the other one, and finally, the other guy is pulled back enough to give me space to talk to James.

Something about the eerie silence in the bar makes me more nervous as I manage to capture his gaze again.

He’s released, and he instantly jerks his attention to me. He runs his gaze down my body again. His lips curve upward as he drags his eyes back up to mine. But suddenly he’s frowning.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” His growl is low and deep, causing a little shiver of fear and excitement to shoot down my legs. He takes a menacing step forward, his frown deepening. “Do you want to get yourself killed, lady?”

“Killed, no, noticed, yes.” Nervous because he’s too near, I stick out my hand. “James, I’m—”

“Jimmy, to his friends,” the bartender interrupts.

I pause. Think about it a little. Do I want to be his friend? No. Do I want to be his business associate? Maybe. “James will be just fine,” I say.

The daredevil just stares with narrowing eyes.

“I’ll take care of you once I’m done,” James suddenly croons down at me with a wicked little smile. He nods as if to placate me, and I gape as he turns back toward the other man.

I’m not used to being ignored. Especially by some hot-as-hell idiot who’d risk his life for five hundred measly dollars.

I stomp my feet and cross my arms.

“No! I’m leaving if you don’t come and talk to me now.” Straightening my shoulders, I add, “I have a lucrative offer for you.”

I’m not sure if the last part is for me or James, but since I have the floor, I want to give a reason for needing this man’s attention.

Oh my god. I’m really going to do this. Am I crazy?

I am completely batshit.

Part of me wants him to say no and laugh in my face. Then I can go home and lick my wounds. Then I’ll wake up tomorrow and laugh about how I was so desperate I actually tried to bribe some pretty-faced nobody who probably doesn’t even know what a cuff link is to be the face of Banks LTD. And then I’ll get to business and try to find a realistic solution to my problem.

But that doesn’t happen.

James spins around, frowning as he looks at me. He laughs. He licks the blood off the corner of his mouth, and the move makes my eyes fall there. Unbidden fantasies of getting it on with him trickle through my mind. My lips on his, beneath his, my whole body feeling the strength of his . . .

Gulping, I shove the thoughts aside, shocked that I’m even having them. This isn’t the Elizabeth I know. I can’t even believe how this guy stares down at me, past really dark slanted eyebrows, through a fringe of superdark lashes, with bright-blue topaz eyes that just laser in on me like there is no one else in the bar.

Does he feel this pull like I do?

I’m scared to find out.

He looks a little reckless as he starts to smile. Like he’s planning to do some crazy shit to me, right here, in front of everybody. My nipples harden even more, as if reminding me I wouldn’t object one bit.

I clear my throat and smooth my trembling hands down the front of my shirt. I’m just making sure that it’s in place.

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