DIRTY BULLETS

chapter thirty five

I COULD HIT him.

I really could.

The way his face was gloating, so fucking smug with that cocky smirk tugged to his lips – it infuriated me.

But that was Harry's intention obviously, and he only continued this little facade he had started as we left the reception, his arm snaking around my waist as we walked away from the snobby woman who had handed us the key to our room for the night.

What the hell was he playing at? Making it out as though we were a couple?

He was a twisted asshole to make it seem like we were anything remotely intimate or caring when the reality was so starkly contrary.

The concept made me nauseous.

I exhaled sharply, trying my best to keep my composure.

It had just been a passing comment to the woman that worked there, that was it, just an opportunity for Harry to make me squirm. I know I probably didn't need to worry about the idea too much. It wasn't as though we were going to have to act like we were in a relationship or anything.

There wasn't a chance I would follow through with it if that were the case. I had more self-respect than that.

Couples hotel. I mentally laughed at the idea. I didn't even know they were a thing. But by the looks of it they seemed pretty rare. Which only made us being here all the more strange.

Walking towards the elevator on the other side of the lobby, I couldn't help but hiss at Harry though. "What the hell was that?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, baby." He grinned at me in faux ignorance and I scoffed at the look of innocence he was giving me.

I really couldn't keep up with the shift in mood all of the sudden. Just a few hours ago he had shot someone and now here we were in a damn couple's hotel while he was joking around making it out as though we were in relationship.

It was a fever dream. It had to be.

"I am not your baby." I spat, shoving his arm that was still wrapped around my waist off of me before stepping into the elevator that had just arrived. His persistence of calling me pet names was aggravating and I didn't bother to hide my sourness.

Harry chuckled lowly before following after me inside, his eyes dancing with amusement as he took in the scowl I was throwing at him.

I was stood with my back against the wall of the elevator, my front facing him as he walked through the doors before hitting the floor button.

Except the dirty look I was giving him faltered when he didn't stop his strides, instead continuing to walk towards me, right up until he was stopped right in front, toe-to-toe with me.

Dropping the bags he was carrying in one hand to the ground, he then brought up both of his hands so as the palms pressed against the wall on either side of my head just as we started to move upwards.

I quietly gulped at the sudden close proximity between us, my heart knocking about in my chest a little more intensely than normal as that stupid smirk was still pulled to his lips.

His eyes flicked back and forth between my own, his head dipping down so as he was level with me seeing as he was a good head and shoulders taller. His smell engulfed my nostrils, distant cologne and smoke mixing to make a dangerously intoxicating scent and I couldn't ignore the way my stomach leaped.

Letting out a humourless breathy laugh, he sneered. "I beg to differ."

Leaning his lips in closer, I felt him ghost them over my cheekbone as my eyes fluttered closed involuntarily.