I took two steps and blocked her. “You forget, you’ve got no wheels, sweet thing.”

“Did you forget I’ve got two working legs, pawn star?”

“And you’re not walking out of this shop on them.”

Elle crossed her arms, and, for a moment, her tits distracted me from what I was about to say.

“Because some scary guy decided he thinks I’m hot? What is he going to do? Kidnap me? I don’t think so. And you know what else?” She dropped her arms and poked her finger into my chest. “I’m really not impressed with the fact that you only decided you wanted me because some random guy showed interest.”

I glanced down to the finger jammed between my pecs and back up at her face. Elle’s golden brown eyes practically shot fire with the annoyance burning there. The feisty redhead temper was alive and well in her.

“You are so far off base with the shit you’re spouting right now, I barely know where to start. So how about this? First, Rix is not just a random guy. He’s the top dog of one of the most ruthless gangs in this city—and he eats women like you for breakfast. You might be classier than his normal piece, but it was pretty fucking clear he was digging the class even more than his normal. If you think you can handle tangling with that, then you’ve lost your mind. I’ll take you back to the Quarter and make sure you never set foot on this side of town again before I’ll let him have a shot at you.”

“And second?” she snapped.

Fuck, I was going to kiss that sassy mouth as soon as I finished getting out what I needed to say.

“And second, I didn’t keep kissing you after he walked out of this shop for any reason other than you’re the sweetest fucking thing I’ve tasted in as long as I can remember. He ain’t getting his hands on you because it would mean I don’t have my hands on you—and that won’t work for me.”

Elle’s chin lifted. “I just told you how you could put your hands on me. One night. None of this dating bullshit.”

A harsh noise came out of my throat, because the woman could be infuriating. I’d never thrown out an offer like this and having it pitched back in my face sucked ass. “Tell me why. What’s your hang up, woman? I get that I’m fucked up in a helluva lot of ways, but I’m not a bad guy. I don’t even deserve a shot?”

The ice in her expression melted a degree. “It’s not you—”

My laugh was gravelly. “Let me guess, it’s you?”

That ice? It was back, in spades. She pivoted for the door, but I moved faster. I trapped her against it, a hand pressed to the wood on either side of her fiery red hair.

“You’re going to tell me why before you leave this room.”

“You’re not a bad guy? Just the kind that traps women against their will in a room they want to leave?”

I smiled. “Not women—just you.”

This time it was Elle who growled. She shoved against my chest, but I was an immovable rock where she was concerned. I didn’t budge. “You’re a caveman too, just like your brother, aren’t you? I’ve heard the stories. Is this a genetic issue?”

I didn’t respond to her taunt. I was waiting her out. “Got all day. Take your time.”

“Fine! Because there’s no way in hell I’d ever answer to a guy. Therefore, relationships are out. And since I don’t want anything serious, why date? Most guys are happy to have no-strings sex. It’s a bonus. You’re the only whack job who won’t take the bait.”

“I don’t like hearing about you and other guys.”

“Get over it, pawn star, since I’ll be getting under one now that you’re out of the question.”

My temper flared. “No fucking way. Shit just changed. You want to get under someone, you’re getting under me.” My words were emphatic, and not just because I wasn’t going to let Rix see her with another guy. She wanted me. That was fucking clear, so there was no way she was going elsewhere to get what she needed. Con and Vanessa would just have to understand.

“Umm, that’s not your call. I can do whatever and whoever I want. And this is a prime example of why I won’t be doing you. No one tells me what I can or can’t do. I don’t check in. I don’t ask for permission. I don’t—”

“Have any common courtesy,” I interrupted her. “Because that’s what this is about, right? You doing whatever you wanna do without considering anyone else in the process?”

Her mouth snapped shut, and her eyes squeezed closed. “It’s not about that,” she said quietly. “And don’t make me sound like a bitch just because I don’t want someone telling me what to do every second of every day.”

That’s when the light bulb turned on. Whatever issue Elle had with relationships wasn’t something simple. “What does that have to do with dating?” My mind immediately went to some bastard who’d tried to control her in the past. I fought the urge to demand a name.

“I’m done with this conversation. If you’ll get out of my way, I’ll call a ride.”

I didn’t move. “You quittin’ on me, Elle?”

Her lips pressed into a flat line. “No. I’m not quitting. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

I didn’t know what kept bringing her back, but there was something in this shop she wanted more than she wanted me—that was for damn sure. So I decided to lay down an ultimatum. “You leave right now, and you’re fired.”

Elle’s mouth dropped open. “What! Because I won’t date you? You’re a piece of work.”

“It’s called quid pro quo. Not to mention I’m protecting your ass by standing between you and Rix.”

“You’re insane. Seriously crazy. I don’t get you.”

“You don’t have to. You aren’t from this world, you don’t understand the consequences, and I’m not about to let you learn the hard way when I can prevent it. On top of that—you’ve been trying to get my attention all week. So now you’ve got it. You just happened to get it my way.”

Elle looked to the side, as though bored with the entire conversation, but I recognized embarrassment when I saw it. She tried to cover it, but it still came through loud and clear in the pink blush staining her cheeks.