Abigail's POV

　　Hearing my name roll off his lips with such authority made my stomach flip unexpectedly. I knew I was close to being putty in his hands, but he ruined it, letting his arrogance get the better of him. Stubborn had always been a word used to describe me, so it was no surprise that I dug my heels in and pushed his buttons, wanting to provoke him. Hearing the irritated tone in his voice, I made a mental note that he was easy to wind up, something I would have to consider when teasing him.

　　What I had not banked on was him turning the tables on me, feeling his hand brush against my hip ever so gently; even such a feather-light touch sent electric sparks through my body, causing me to tremble with anticipation. Unable to control the purr that slipped from my lips at his closeness and touch. Wanting to kick myself for how my body reacts around him.

　　Was it time I bit the bullet and gave in to my natural urges? Perhaps then my body would behave and stop betraying me. I don't know if I am ready for that leap; my mother thought she had found the right person, someone she could trust and devote herself to, letting him in, only for her life to be turned upside down and inside out, left to raise me alone in an unpredictable world. How could I trust my feelings? Him? Or Damien! I couldn't! At least not yet! My guard had to remain up despite their bewitching lure.

　　I could hear the challenge in his voice and see Archer in the back of his green orbs, both of them letting me know they were ready for the challenge I threatened to lay at their feet. Looking at Lizzy sleeping soundly in his arms, I decided I was safe to push further; what would he do with a sleeping child tucked securely under his chin? Determined to get the last word and have the upper hand, I turned on my heels, ready to stride off.

　　Stopping instantly hearing his husky voice, the promise of spanking if I kept pushing back against him. My feet refused to move like they had been turned to stone, processing his threat. My heart hammered in my chest; how had he managed to make that threat sound inviting? I was considering taking that step just to see if he was serious but feeling him behind me, his hand resting on my hip, I knew I wouldn't move for fear of pushing him too far and never feeling him this close again.

　　Turning to look at him, seeing his eyes burning into mine with smouldering passion, He was looking at me like he wanted to devour me – In a good way! Hearing Archer's throaty promise, I felt the first stirrings of heat in my core, tightening my thighs to try to mask the scent of my arousal, knowing he'd be able to smell it if I wasn't careful! How had I gone from pissed off to turned on in seconds- This was insane!

　　Feeling his grip on my hip tighten, pulling me back against the side of his body firmly. Panting softly, I sighed, leaning into the chiselled chest. I wanted to surrender my upper hand to him, but the idea of ruffling Archer's fur and pushing back against his authority turned me on more than the threat of a spanking! Cocking my head back to look at him, a shimmer of mischief in my eyes, I snorted playfully. 

　　"What makes you think I'd let that happen!" I teased, chewing the inside of my lip. The smirk that spread across his lips told me I was not winning this fight!

　　"What makes you think you'd have a choice!" He growled possessively, making me suck in a breath my sex throbbing. Looking him up and down curiously, I opened my mouth to reply but found his stern tone silencing me. "Let's not pretend you wouldn't like it, princess; I can smell your arousal… again!" I was saved from answering hearing a scoff from the side of us.

　　"Get a room, will ya!" Only then, noticing the male on the floor just a few feet away, looking at us with interest and disgust. He looked like he had seen better days. Remembering him from earlier when I left my apartment with Lizzy, I smiled warmly. Had he been there all day? Why hadn't he gone home? Seeing the state of his long filthy nails, the dirt around his beard and haggard clothes, I felt my heart ache; why did he have to suffer? There were empty flats all around this neighbourhood. Couldn't someone do something about his predicament? 

　　"Sorry, sir, I didn't see you there," I answered honestly, wanting the earth to swallow me up, knowing he had heard and seen the exchange between Jason and me.

　　"No, I bet you didn't! With your nose in the air too high and mighty for the likes of me. We are just the shit on your expensive shoes! Ain't we!" He declared aggressively, anger lighting up his face. 

　　"Sir... I... I... Em... I didn't... I wasn't… I mean... I am sorry I u-u-upset you!" I tried to answer, but my mouth felt dry, causing me to stammer over my words, the aggression in his voice catching me off guard; I hadn't meant to offend him.

　　"Nah, what upsets me, is the likes of you, swanning around here like..."

　　"ENOUGH!" Jason hissed in a deathly growl. Lizzy seemed to stir a little, stroking her hair tenderly, she nuzzled back down. "I suggest you find somewhere else to sleep." He added, his eyes piercing the strangers angrily.

　　"You!" The man sat on the floor, surrounded by his life's possessions, clearly in shock. "I dreamt about you last night; you were..." He started but was cut off again.

　　"I don't care what you dreamt about, but you talk to her like that again, and I promise you, it will be the last dream you ever have." Even I felt the shiver go down my spine; it wasn't what Jason had said, but the deathly calm to his voice that made the threat so eerie—leaving us all in no doubt that he meant every word!

　　"Yes." The poor guy nodded frantically; I obviously wasn't the only one picking up on Jason's anger. Scrambling around for a bottle of what smelt like whiskey, he stood and swayed, unable to watch him fall. I stepped forward to steady him, frowning deeply, feeling a hand on my wrist. With a deep sigh, I turned to look at Jason, lifting my brow questionably. Pulling my hand from his grip, I shrugged confused and went to take a step closer to the man I had offended; he was still swaying, completely intoxicated.

　　Feeling him close to me again, I tried to control my heart, which felt like it was about to burst out of my chest; the tension in the air felt electric. As the guy stumbled off the curb, I felt like a mother watching her child take its first few steps. I went to lunge forward to stop him from falling, only to find a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against solid muscle. The drunk hit the floor with a thud making me wince! Turning a little to give Jason a mouthful for trying to stop me from helping, I gulped, seeing him shake his head, tutting.  

　　He was an obnoxious, possessive and a bloody snob! 

　　"You're a complete jackass," I declared angrily! 

　　Nevertheless, I was shamelessly attracted to him!

　　"You know you won't always get your way with me! Right!" I grumbled, pulling from his arms and walking towards the complex.