Causing Havoc Excerpt
Excerpt 5
Roger locked his teeth. "You need to sign the contract." Rather than accept her hand, he encircled her wrist in a fist. "We can go to my office now to take care of that."
As usual, Roger's grip was too tight. Eve winced, half expecting her Knight to intercede.
But he didn't.
His restraint amazed and thrilled her. Attempting to free herself, Eve strained away from Roger. "Since when do I need to sign a contract on the spot?"
The more she tried to pull away, the tighter his fingers clenched. "Summers are busy, you know that. If you want me to hold the time for you, you need to sign." Determined to have his way, Roger tugged her forward a step.
Eve didn't mean to, but she winced.
Havoc straightened from his lazy position. As if discussing the weather, he said, "No offense to your liberated soul, but do you need any help?"
Glaring at Roger, Eve said, "No, because he's going to let me go right now."
Instead, Roger jerked her forward another few inches. "If you want -"
"Sorry, but I can't take it." Again, Havoc's movements were fluid and fast. Everything seemed to happen at once. His hand circled Roger's wrist and squeezed.
On a grunt of pain, Roger's fingers opened, freeing Eve. Almost at the same time, Roger yanked hard against Havoc's hold - and Havoc just let go.
Probably because he wasn't expecting that, Roger stumbled backward. He fetched up against a table, lost his balance, and fell on his ass. The table tipped onto him, causing an awful clatter.
Good thing Dave hadn't yet brought their beers, or they'd be broken on the floor.
Inside, Eve laughed at Roger's predicament. Outside, she mimicked Havoc and pretended disinterest. While Roger struggled to right himself, she asked Havoc, "Did you mean for that to happen?"
"I meant for him to let you go."
"I could have handled it."
He lifted her arm and lightly brushed his thumb over her skin where red finger marks showed. "Before or after he bruised you?"
"It's a complicated situation."
"Yeah?" Leaning against the wall, he asked, "How so?"
Before she could answer, Roger regained his feet. Red faced and shaking with fury, he said through his teeth, "I want you out of my place. Now."
With regret, Havoc faced her. "I don't suppose you're ready to go?"
How she wished she could. "Sorry, no."
"Get out."
Going on tiptoes, Eve crowded into Roger's space. "Back off, Roger. You caused this and you know it."
"He attacked me."
"Because you had your hands on me. Again."
His nostrils flared. "And any other man's hands are fine, just not mine?"
Eve could barely breathe. She didn't understand Roger and never would. "One way or another," she promised, "I'm going to make Cam see the truth about you."
"I could say the very same thing." His shoulders straightened. "If it wasn't for Cam , I'd tell you to find another place for your functions. Be very glad that she's your friend." Those words were still hanging in the air when Roger turned on his heel and stalked out.
A little embarrassed by her outburst, Eve peeked at Havoc. He stood fixed behind her, his face a mask, his gaze piercing as he stared at her.
In some indefinable way, he suddenly seemed very, very different.
"Well." Eve clasped her hands together in regret. "I have no idea how I always end up in these awkward predicaments, but at least that should take care of my scene for the day."
"Who's Cam ?"
Havoc's tone and stance indicated boredom, but his eyes told a different story. They blazed with emotion.
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