“I thought it would be easier if I came in rather than you having to find someone on short notice.”
Ajax leaned back in his chair, giving her a thoughtful look. Connor waited for him to bring down the hammer. Instead he just stared at Ria. Connor figured out the reason why when Ria started to shift in her seat. The other man knew what he was doing. Questioning her would only get her back up, and make her build up those walls. But she didn’t have the patience or power to outwait Ajax.
Ria let out a sigh. “Look, I figured I’d cover for her.”
Ajax’s phone buzzed and he picked it up. “What? Shit. Yeah, be right down.”
He gave them both a look. “Problem downstairs. I’ll be back.”
“Wait, Ajax—” she called out, but he was out the door and running down the stairs by the sounds of it.
“Well, Ria, alone again.”
Fuck. Hearing her name roll of his lips sent a shiver through her.
Stupid. Stupid. It sounded so familiar. Like he knew her. Well, he didn’t know her.
Except he was looking at her like he could see all of her secrets.
She forced herself to straighten her shoulders and give him a small smile.
Nothing to see here.
“I better get back to work.” She stood, moved around the chair and came to a stop as he grabbed her wrist. She winced. She quickly recovered but she knew he’d caught the involuntary movement by the way he stiffened.
He stared up at her and her breath caught. Intense and focused, his gaze lasered into hers, holding her frozen.
“Let me go,” she told him. Her voice shook. She was giving too much away. She needed to get away from him. Now. Before she did or said something stupid.
He didn’t answer, but he did move his grip. To her hand.
She tugged at his hold, but he didn’t let her go. “Let me see your wrist.”
“No, and if you don’t let me go things are gonna get nasty.”
Right. Cause you’re a big bad threat Ria.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” He gave her a curious look.
“Didn’t think you were,” she snapped back.
He raised his eyebrows. “That so? Your heart is racing.”
It was then she realized he had two fingers on her pulse.
“I get that way when I’m pissed off.”
He nodded. “Yep, I get that you’re angry. I just want to know why when all I’ve done is ask to see your wrist.”
“Maybe because I don’t want to show you.”
“Yeah? Got something to hide?”
“No.”
“Then you won’t mind showing me.”
“I do mind, actually. You’ve got no right to hold me here and ask that I bare body parts.”