Her Hollywood Hitman: A Dark Romantic Suspense by Imani King Read Free Book Online Page A

for something like that…” I shifted uncomfortably.  

    “You mean he told that guy something about me?” She paused and looked down. “I’m not surprised. Just sad. He’s all I’ve got.” The weight of her grief settled down on both of us, crushing and awful. She hadn’t even stopped to question Art’s motives.  

    “I know. Sometimes all you’ve got ain’t that much in the scheme of things,” I said. The New York accent felt like it was rising out of me. “Believe me I know.” She chuckled, low and soft.  

    “Thank you for saving me,” she said.

    “Don’t mention it.” I brushed her damp hair away from her face, and she looked up.  

    “I was angry at you, Red. You were so full of rage when I took your stupid cigarette. And then you left me in your car, storming off like… like a child.” She brought her fingertips to my face, tracing my scars. “After all that, I shouldn’t have wanted to see you again. But I did. I wanted to know you.” I took her hand in mine and brought it to my lips, letting it fall away after a moment. I couldn’t get attached to this girl. It was all much too dangerous. Art was quick with an order to destroy any man who got in the way of his plans. And as it was shaping up, Gabi seemed to be part of some plan I wasn’t privy to.

    “You don’t want to know me, Gabi. I’m not a good man. I’ve never been.” She took my right hand in hers, and despite my words, I held her still. She investigated my hand, turning it and tracing her fingers over mine.  

    “Does it hurt?” She tenderly touched the cuts and bruises from the night before. Punching a face is always much worse on the hand than you think it’s going to be. I winced.  

    “It hurts a little. But I didn’t notice until just now.”

    “Good. That probably means nothing is broken. Unless you have superhuman pain tolerance. Which wouldn’t really surprise me.” She let my hand go, and I traced my finger over her cheek. Smooth as glass. But so lovely and real. She raised her hand to my neck, pressing those fingers into my hair and sending chills through my body. She pulled me in closer, bringing her lips up to mine. I knew if I started down this path, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself.  

    I’d never wanted someone so badly. And I’d never wanted to put everything on the line.  

CHAPTER FIVE

    Gabriella

    He crushed his lips against mine. There was a rush of energy flowing between us, sweet and intense. I savored the warmth of his touch, his tongue glancing against mine. This man was everything I didn’t need at this time in my life. His face reflected all of that, even in its undeniable beauty. His lips searched mine, gently roaming over my bruised, swollen lip. The pain jolted through me. It seared straight through to my core, meeting my desire and building it up from the inside.  

    I knew what he did for a living. Or at least I had a pretty good guess. After watching him beat Clay into unconsciousness with just a few deft punches, it was pretty clear what his skill set was.  

    But it seemed that my body didn’t care about Red’s life, or Red’s past. He had awakened a desire I’d never felt before, igniting something primal inside of me. He pushed me back against the bed, spreading my legs apart and lifting me up. His lips never left mine, his tongue softly probing. I took in his heady, masculine scent, letting my body relax into his. A shock of desire ran through my body, wetness rushing between my legs. The energy crackled and burst between us, his lips searching, roaming over my cheek and down to the hollow of my neck. To my surprise, he licked me there, darting his tongue out to taste my skin. I shuddered and moaned.

    “Oh, fuck.” I groaned. He grabbed me by the waist, his fingers digging into my flesh. With one hand, he held me up. The other traveled over my skin, kneading and touching, lifting my shirt to find my breast. His thumb brushed against my nipple, and I