7.

"Care to tell me what the hell you are doing here?" His voice was a low snarl, his hands clenched tightly to his sides, as though to stop him from doing something.

From holding me.

Beard. Low shaved beard. Low undercut. Piercing grey-green eyes. Dangerous. This man is no adventure. But danger. Everything about him screams danger. But then I remembered what he said, the anger in his voice, and all thoughts vanished again.

"I should be asking you that. I mean, you came to meet me here, didn't you?" I answered, moving away from him as I sauntered back to my table. He fell into step behind me till we reached it, before he settled in the chair facing me, his face grim and hard.

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" He demanded again through clenched teeth.

'Oh, he did not just use that tone to speak to you!' Robyn snapped, but I tamped down on the bond to contain her, else I wouldn't be able to handle this.

"You don't own me," was all I simply said.

He swallowed, his gaze dancing around my face. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep eye contact. I was never good at maintaining eye contact with anyone, and certainly not when a gigantic man was sitting before me.

Then he smiled. Maverick's eyes just twinkled as his lips curved into a smile. So easy. So simple.

My frazzled brain malfunctioned, and I couldn't seem to catch my breath. He's disastrously gorgeous, his rough exterior softening a bit.

"But I do own you, mate." He replied.

"No you don't!" I seethed.

"Why? Because you don't feel the bond? Was that why you were with other men twice?!" He snapped, hitting his fist on the table.

Oh my! He felt it! A wave of excitement rushed through me, while Robyn howled in happiness. He felt it! When I decided I wanted to have sex, I didn't think of him, nor think about the possibility that he'd feel the pain. Those thoughts only came to me now that I knew he was an escort.

"Well, why do you care? For someone who pleasures women for money, you seem to not like the idea of someone touching me..."

"The hell I don't," his face was tight, as though he was in pain, and the pull was there, intensifying with each passing second. With each minute I keep spending in his presence.

"Too bad then. We didn't acknowledge our bond so I see no reason why you should care what I do with my body. It is mine for a reason," I said calmly, swirling the ring around. But not counting.

He simply stared at me for a while, constantly swallowing and sighing. I took that moment to finally notice his clothes. A tight fitting black shirt paired with cream coloured trousers. He had come out this way, dressed and smelling nice, a combination of his scent, which I still have no idea what it was, and his perfume to meet a woman. To pleasure her. To spend the night with her.

The thought brought a bitter taste to my mouth. The only reaction I managed to get out of this.

"So this is what you do," I gestured to the space between us. "An escort, huh?"

He grinned, and for a moment, I felt like smacking away the look on his face. How does he smile so easily when it doesn't seem like he enjoys doing it?

"What? Does that disgust you?" He raised one of his brows and curled his mouth sideways.

I rolled my eyes, a habit Lacie loves doing, and one of the many gestures I had picked up from her. "I don't care what you do with your life. Or your body. But I must admit, it was a surprise to see you here. As an escort." I admitted.

Again, that stare. That raking stare that makes me feel as though something is crawling on my skin.

"I'll walk you back to your hotel," he finally said, standing up.

"You know where I stay?"

"You'll be surprised to know how much I know, Kitten. Now, come on, I'll walk you back."

I swallowed. "That's great then. Easier to get this over with. I suppose you bought some condoms?" I blinked.

"Excuse me?" He furrowed his brows.

"You came for a job," I gave a half shrug, “so I suppose you came prepared, right?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"We are doing this. I've booked you already, and I'm not about to spend my night alone when I've been planning this for the past two days. You don't want to ruin my night now, do you? Come along, Maverick." I said, as I turned to leave.