Midnight Toxicity

5.

I slid the diamond ring onto my middle finger, holding it up with an innocent air despite flipping him the bird. "You took your sweet ass time. You're down a pop-tart."

He frowned. "I hope you weren't idiotic enough to take pictures wearing stolen goods."

With a flat stare, I shoved the ring where it belonged. "Puh-lease."

Ian licked his lips, his thick lashes fluttering as his eyes roamed over the items in my lap. "Diamonds, huh? First, you boost a Ferrari, now expensive jewelry. What will you show up with next?"

I shrugged, pretending to be unaffected by his curt tone. He looked pissed, but at least he had not kicked me out. He wasn't one to fill empty air space with useless chatter. A classic self-possessed leader, he had internal demons. I saw them reflected at me whenever our eyes met.

But what did I know? After years of friendship with Jack, I just started to interact with Ian.

"I need money," I softly admitted, slipping to the edge of the mattress. "Things at home are... I can't stay there any longer."

He let out a sigh, flopping down beside me. Biting my tongue at his abrupt proximity, I watched as he picked up the velvet-lined box to examine the contents, sans the strand I wore. Slowly, ever so slowly, his olive orbs lifted to meet mine.

"The car won't pay out for another week or so. But these... give me a few days?" he gruffly asked.

Whoosh went the air in my lungs, exhaling the breath I had not realized I held. I grinned, nodding with relief. Leaning on my elbows, I kept quiet, hoping he continued to speak.

Why I felt such a pull towards this angry, troubled man was beyond me. I should have skipped the party and figured out a way to avoid Derry and Golding until Ian fenced everything, but we were in our own little bubble, and I wasn't ready for reality to seep in yet.

"You shouldn't pick up the habit of stealing shit before setting up a buyer," he advised, before tossing the case on the nightstand. "I won't be around next time." I wanted so badly to ask why instead of pressing my lips together to hide my curiosity. His amused smile sped up my heart, and I hated how transparent I came across. "I have big plans, gypsy thief."

For real? What an awful nickname. But then why did I flush, recalling how he had whispered that after kissing me stupid in his car last month before I bolted? People have called me worse than a gypsy or a thief. With my tawny skin and skill set, I could get behind the pet name, but I didn't think the Roma culture would appreciate my lifestyle.

"Oh, yeah? Bigger and better jobs ahead?" I teased him, ignoring how his arm brushed mine when he settled further into the mattress.

Would he make a move? I practically lay naked in his bed, my hard nipples on display through my lacy black bra, but he seemed oblivious.

"There's a new power-player interviewing for a special project," he lazily explained, "But it's an iffy situation. We'll see how it plays out."

My horny brain screeched to a halt.

Hmm... this player sounded familiar. I almost asked if Andy Golding rang any bells, but why give him an advantage? Would it upset Ian if I became involved in whatever Golding schemed? It sucked that I couldn't explain how I had no choice. I signed that damn NDA and had to stick to the agreement.

"Thanks for the heads up," I sighed, falling back. "I'll keep my phone on for your call."

Ian stiffened, his gaze settling on my exposed rhinestone moon and stars, navel piercing. Just because we were attracted to each other, it did not mean we had to act on it. Twice today I allowed men to touch me to gain favor, but the thought of Ian treating me the same way made me ill.