Free Addiction by Shantel Tessier Page B

break?”
    I’m about to say no when Shanna shoves me to the side. “Of course, she can.” I stumble but am able to stay upright. I shoot her a glare, and she nudges her head over in Case’s direction as if I didn’t know the idiot was standing right there.
    “I’m not leaving with you,” I inform him as I walk around the counter cautiously.
    He chuckles, but nods his head in understanding. “Of course. A seat?” He gestures to one of the tables behind him sitting up against the window.
    I take a deep breath as I walk over to the table that he’s now standing by. I eye him skeptically when he pulls the chair back for me to sit in. “Trying to be a gentleman?” I ask when he comes around to sit in the chair across from me. I take a quick look around to see how many people are in here. He can’t kill me if there are witnesses, can he? Would he just kill them too?
    “I have my days.” His deep voice is full of amusement.
    I place my forearms on the table and lean over. I hate that the smell of him has me taking a deep breath. He smells delicious and all man with a hint of spine. It’s good enough to eat.
    I feel like I’m a fly stuck in a flytrap. Or a kid who has been brought to a candy store. What kid wouldn’t want a taste of something so sweet? “What do you think you’re doing here?” I try to keep my voice down and take shallow breaths so I don’t inhale him. “How did you even know I work here? Spying on me?” Get answers! That is my main goal.
    He lets out a chuckle to indicate that my question and accusations don’t alarm him. “Your brother told me where you work. And no, I’m not spying on you. I just came to check on you.”
    I roll my eyes. “And why would I need checking up on?”
    “He also informed me about the break-in.” His dark blue eyes search my face and his lips turn down into a pout. I hate that it makes my heart speed up. He doesn’t care about you, Taylor. Don’t buy the act.
    “Of course, he did,” I hiss, getting mad at myself. “But you already knew about it, didn’t you?” Turn the table on him. Make him confess.
    I hate to admit that the smile he gives me is very charming. It’s one of those slow and sexy ones, showing off his perfectly white teeth. If I didn’t know he was a drug dealer and had been arrested, it would melt my panties. But since I do know all of that, I ignore the way my legs tighten. “No, I didn’t know about it until he told me that I am your number one suspect.”
    I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest. Play it cool. “And you have come to try and convince me otherwise?”
    “Something like that.” He shrugs carelessly.
    Now, my heart is racing for a different reason. Alarm. “What is the something ?” I ask slowly.
    He waves me off. “I’m not here to convince you I didn’t do it when you already know …”
    I’m sure he can hear my heart pounding from across the table. “Are you admitting to it?” He knows I think he did it. So why would he say that? He’s starting to confuse me.
    “No,” he replies calmly. “I don’t want you to go to the police. Therefore, I would have no reason to act unless you acted first. Which you haven’t done.” He gives me a cruel smile. One that makes him threatening and handsome at the same time. His dark blue eyes light up as they look me up and down, and I swallow nervously. This man is danger! Why do women find danger so attractive? Because of men like him. The ones covered in tats and have those smiles that make you weak in the knees. Every person wants a walk on the wild side. To know what sin tastes like. I bet he tastes like the sweetest piece of candy going down; it’s that bitter aftertaste that will get you.
    I say nothing but shake my head. Another warning. And he knows I’m not going to go to the cops now. I would have already done so. He probably has them in his pocket anyway. “I haven’t broken my word,” I say, but I’m sure Blane already told him