LAD: A British Bad Boy Romance Novel (Bad Boys of London Book 1) by Emilia Holland Page B

am scared of you.”

    I gave her space, deciding to rest back on the other window. “Thought so.”

    “So, this is why you told me to be here? To trap me?”

    “Don’t you want to remember this holiday as the one where some crazy, no good Brit chased you around town the whole time?” I kept my eyes directly on her.  

    She regained some confidence and took some steps in my direction, “This is nothing I want. When I made the decision to meet you today, I didn’t want it to be like this. I make my own decisions on where I wanna be.”

      “You can’t always get what you want. Although, I think you did. Because I’m what you want,” I said plainly. I stepped towards her this time and her pupils dilated.  

    “You have your claws in me…Miss Frost…” I awaited her reaction, but she gave me none. “Now you’ll have a hard time getting away from me.”

    She softened and carefully contemplated her next words. “Do I have reason to feel this afraid of you?” She gave another step towards me and crossed her arms over her chest.

    “Have I given you a reason?”

    “Not exactly.”

    “I saw you. You intrigued me. You pulled me in somehow.” We orbited one another in a slow walk, taking the occasional glance out the window at the view. “So, forgive me to wanting to have a little fun.”

    “That is what this is, huh? A little game for you. ‘Let’s play with the naïve tourist, fuck with her head a bit. What does it matter, she’s leaving anyway.” She took her backpack from her shoulders. “You’re like a cat playing with a mouse. But I promise you that a mouse isn’t in my acting wheelhouse, unfortunately,” she said with growing confidence. Fiery Hayley was back, and she made the game all the more enjoyable.  

    “You don’t have to play any part in this. You don’t have to do a thing,” I said with a Cheshire grin. “Leave that all on me.” She pushed her shoulders back and sat against the railing, eyeing me up and down, plotting her next tactic.

    “I don’t see anything in it for me. Having you following me around like this.”

    “Think of me as your doting tour guide.” I lit my cigarette and she exhaled a breathy laugh.  

    “You are unbelievable. A rare breed, Mr. Cartwright.”

    “As are you, Hayley.” I gave her a look brimming with earnest sincerity. Whether she took it as such, I couldn’t tell. Regardless, I enjoyed complimenting her.

    We stopped circling and stood still for a moment. The room crested a point where we were getting a good view of the skyline. Hayley spun to gaze out on the miniature city she’d so dream about.   I observed her magnificent profile, her ski-sloped nose, her lips…

    “You take pleasure in following me around like this, catching me off guard?”

    “Yes.” She nailed it perfectly. Smart girl.  

    “Why?” She didn’t look at me.  

    I stepped in closer to her. My warm rasp entered her ear. “Because I can’t help myself.” Baby hairs prickled on the back of her bare neck. At that moment I couldn't help but put my hand on the small of her back, to feel the slight curvature there. I gently stroked her with my fingers, feeling all the various indentures until I moved my palms to feel along the skin of her belly beneath her top.  

    “I have all the time, money, and other vices in the world, but none of them make me feel as good as you do when I’m around you.” I took her braid gently between my fingers and tugged downward. I could see her breath fogging up the window in front of us.

    “Oh, sweet Lord,” she breathed.  

    “You have plenty enough women in your life.” Her hand slipped me off from her, leaving me and my semi-hard cock unsatisfied. “So, why do I get the feeling you’ve given this speech has been said before?” She turned to me and pressed her palms against my chest to back me away from her. “I know your type. My friend, Kristen, has not only dated but warned me enough times about people