Vengeance Aside (Wanted Men 0.5)(8)

“Sh…ugar,” she corrected just in time. One never knew when another might take offense to cursing. “I’m so sorry.” Fuck, something smelled gorgeous. “My shoes wouldn’t let me stop in time.” Tall guy. Hard body. But that was all she got because her eyes were watering. She blinked rapidly before the tears reached her mascara and caused a catastrophe. “Not that I had any indication you were about to pop out of thin air,” she added, laughing as her vision cleared. She looked up when the big, gorgeous smelling mute turned.

Low-lidded pale-grey eyes met hers and her ability to breathe screwed the pooch. He smelled gorgeous because the man wearing the beautifully cut black suit was gorgeous. His hair was dark and had a slight wave, his square jaw a hard edge, and those firm lips looked like something she could spend hours on. Or they could spend hours on her. She wasn’t fussy.

“I’m…so sorry. I…” Small heat pockets began popping up all over Dale’s body, releasing steam that seemed to curl in the air between them. As she struggled to form some words, she was knocked further into the nether by a blast of lust so genuine and innocent she could only describe it as pristine. It wasn’t created from anything other than the chemistry weaving around their bodies. “Please forgive me,” she murmured, not sure what she was asking forgiveness for. Bumping into him. Staring. Wondering what he’d look like naked.

Or maybe she was asking forgiveness for what she would do with him if ever given a chance. Because it would be a lot. Everything. She knew it without a doubt.

“Excuse me.”

Her eyelids fluttered as his melted-chocolate voice dripped over her and permeated her insides, heating them, burning. He didn’t smile. Didn’t ask if she was okay. He merely scowled down at her for another few seconds before stepping around her and walking off down the hallway.

Unable to stop herself, Dale watched every elegant step he took. She even went so far as to bring up her shaking hand and pat around until she found Erika’s mouth so she could shut her friend up and enjoy the view until he disappeared around the corner.

She pulled a hot breath into her lungs and fanned herself as she released Erika’s mouth. “What. Was. That?” she enquired as reaction began to set in.

“That, you idiot, was Farah’s brother-in-law,” Erika hissed.

Her head snapped to the side. “Whaaaa?” she mouthed. Holy fuck. That was Lukas Zavrazin?

No one spoke about it openly—would never be so stupid—but they were all aware Farah’s husband, Samuel, and his brother, Lukas, were the sons of Kostya Zavrazin, a suspected Russian mob leader. All you had to do was chat for a few minutes with Samuel, and you couldn’t help but pick up on the you-can’t-touch-me vibe. One look at his bodyguards and friends and you’d know; mafia.

Dale stumbled when Erika snatched her arm and pulled her along to the busy staff dressing room. Erika was talking, but Dale wasn’t tracking. She felt funny. As if she’d been struck by lightning. She was dizzy. Feverish. Felt like steam was still billowing from select areas of her body. Her muscles were quivering, and her knees were shaking.

“Dale, are you okay?”

She blinked as Erika gently shoved her into a plush chair. “Did you smell him?” she murmured. “Is that what money smells like?” No. It had been too…natural. Criminal activity, maybe? Had the guy ever killed anyone? Was he into drugs? Prostitution? She tossed that one out of her head because it pissed her off. Was he an arms dealer? Into gambling?

She was pretty sure that covered what people like her thought the mafia was into.

“Smell who?” Elaine asked as she sailed by on a cloud of sweet perfume mixed with baby powder. Dale hated Elaine something fierce. Okay. She didn’t. She liked her almost as much as she liked Erika. But she did feel viciously jealous whenever she walked by the tall blonde’s locker and saw all the photos of Elaine’s six-month-old baby boy.

“Probably Kong,” Rachel drawled as she teetered by on heels that must cramp her calves something crazy. “I swear, for an ape, the man has the scent of an angel.”

“Kong is no angel.” Paula and Peyton, a stunning set of twins, came over to grab two bottles of Perrier from the tray of refreshments and snacks that were left in the dressing room every night by management. They bent and pursed their lips in the mirror before taking turns talking.

“He’s a demon.” Paula.

“We’ve had him.” Peyton.

“Will never forget the bruises.” Paula.

“He tossed us around like filthy little rag dolls.” Peyton.

“It was incredible.” Both of them.

“He stares at your ass all the time, Dale. You should try him.” Paula.

Dale couldn’t help but grin as she silently passed.

It was then Farah Zavrazin stuck her head in the doorway. Their boss had either hit thirty or was knocking on the door, but it made no difference in her looks. The woman was super beautiful, and she had a positive vibe Dale found irresistible. “Hi, girls!” Her long auburn hair was up in a stylish twist and her makeup, as always, was perfectly applied. “Dale? My husband wants to see you at the bar. Don’t keep him waiting.” She disappeared, but not before Dale saw it looked as if she’d been crying.

“Fuck.” Dale looked up at Erika to see worried eyes already staring down at her. “What happened? What did I do? Did I say something insulting to Mr. Smells Amazing?”