Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger

I blurt, “He’s a Michelin-starred chef, though. So it was
really kind of a compliment.”
Seeing my anxiety, he murmurs, “Please don’t be afraid of
me. I told you I’d never hurt you. That was the truth.”
I’m breathing like I’ve just run a timed sprint, so it’s a little
hard to answer. “It’s not fear. It’s nerves. You’re very…”
I can’t think of a good enough word until I remember what
Sloane called him the night we met. “Undomesticated.”
His smile comes on slowly. “Now that was a compliment.”
“It’s what my girlfriend called you that night at
Downrigger’s when you told me you weren’t a knight in
shining armor.”
“Your girlfriend the confident brunette?”
“That’s the one.”
He tilts his head and considers me. “Did she tell you she
hit on me when you went to the bathroom?”
“Yes.”
“And that I wasn’t interested?”
“Yes. And to be honest, neither one of us could believe it.”
“She’s a pretty girl. But there are a million pretty girls in
the world.” He lifts his hand and lightly touches my cheek. His
voice softer, he says, “There’s only one of you.”
I exhale, hard, and close my eyes. “You’re killing me
here.”
“Tell me to go, and I will.”
“I really don’t understand what’s happening.”
“Yes, you do.”
“I told you I didn’t think a fling would be good for me.”
“I don’t want a fling.”
When I open my eyes, I find him staring down at me with
such intensity, it takes my breath away.