I push through the anger that clouds my brain. What a waste it would have been, Violet marrying Zachary. He would have made her life miserable. “I know. I agree with you—it’s totally fucking crazy.” Her eyes widen at my word choice. There’s the slightest thrill in shocking her. I feel like everyone tiptoes around her, but why, I’m not sure. She’s always had this fragile air around her. I’m starting to think she’s not the one who’s behind that, though. “Let’s see where tonight takes us.”

“T-tonight?” Her voice trembles and she’s breathing shallowly—I can see the rapid rise and fall of her breasts.

“We’ll treat it as part business, part pleasure.” Clutching her hand tight, I lean in and press my lips to her forehead, letting them linger before I slowly pull away from her. “It’ll be … interesting. Don’t you think?”

Those luminous dark eyes stare at me like I have two heads. I’ve totally turned her world upside down. Only fair, because she’s done the same to me. She’s all I’ve thought about for days.

“I think it’s a huge risk,” she says softly. “I’ve heard the rumors about you.”

I frown and release my grip on her hand, settling back in my seat. I swear disappointment flashes across her face, but I can’t be too sure. “What sort of rumors?” Jesus, this is the longest car ride of my life. And where she’s taking this conversation isn’t making me all that comfortable.

She shrugs. “That you and Pilar have engaged in some kinky sex games. That you can’t let her go no matter how hard you try. That you’ll have sex with anyone in a skirt and walk away from them afterward without a care. Zachary says you’re the most despicable human being on this planet.”

All of it true. Every last bit. And her skirt in particular is arousing me at the moment. “Love how much he insults me when we’re actually very similar,” I murmur, puzzling over her words and how I’m going to defend myself.

“I told him none of it mattered,” she continues, surprising me. “That I didn’t care about your personal life. We’re involved professionally but that’s it. And if something happens between us it’s none of his concern. I refuse to let him control my emotions and make me feel bad that I gave up my doormat ways and kicked him out of my life.”

Violet’s backbone is making an appearance again. “You did the right thing, ending it with him.”

She smiles faintly. “You’d say that no matter what. I think your words were … hmmm … that you hate him?”

“You’re right. I do hate him. I also hate what he’s done to you.” I’m going to hate what I plan on doing to her, too.

“What I’m really trying to say is I don’t know if I want to take the risk and … ‘use’ you.” She lifts her eyebrows, almost as if she’s daring me to argue with her. “I think you might be a bad idea.”

“I am a terrible idea.” This is the last warning she’ll get. I’m being one hundred percent honest with her here. I’m the worst idea out there, especially for Violet. My plans for her won’t end pretty. But if it gets me what I want, then I’m going to take the chance. She’ll recover.

Eventually.

Laughter escapes her at my candidness. “You aren’t one for holding back, are you?”

“No.” I shake my head. “What you see is what you get.”

Her eyes light up with unmistakable arousal. “I like what I see.” Now it’s my turn to be the one who’s shocked.

“You already know I like what I see.” My gaze drops to the V of her neckline, how low it dips, offering me a glimpse of her cleavage. All that smooth, creamy skin on display is the most powerful drug to an addict like me. I want to touch her so bad it’s damn near killing me. “That dress you’re wearing is driving me crazy.”

“Does that mean you like it?” She glances down at herself, then lifts her head, amusement etched all over her face. I have no answer for her but I think she can tell. “It’s like armor. I felt so brave today wearing it. Facing you this morning. Facing Zachary this afternoon. The meeting I had, that I feared would go terribly, ended up being successful. And now … with you again. More armor.”

“You feel the need to protect yourself against me?” Smart girl. She impresses me every time I talk to her, I swear.

Not a good thing either, admiring her. I need to remember she’s nothing. Nothing to me.

If I keep telling myself that, maybe I’ll convince myself it’s the truth.

She nods, her full lips pursed in amusement. “Tonight is going to be torturous. I can tell.”

“Torturous how?” I can think of many ways I can torture her. Every one of them would bring her agonizing pleasure …

“You like to make people wait for things, me especially. I think you enjoy the anticipation. All that longing, waiting to see something, taste something, watch something.”

Ah fuck. This conversation is turning into a sexual one. Usually I don’t mind. Typically I’m the instigator. But the last thing I need is to get all riled up with Violet and then be left hanging, unable to do anything about it while we walk into a restaurant and have to make nice.

I’m no longer in the mood to make nice. I’d rather lift up the fabric of her dress and fuck her in the backseat of this stupid car.