We get off the escalator, and I realize people are staring at us. Two elderly ladies stop to whisper to each other, their eyes on Ras.
Ras notices and frowns. “Something on my face?”
I bite down on my lip, because how do I explain to him that he’s too damn handsome for his own good? He fit in better in Ibiza among all the other tanned Spaniards and Italians, but here, he stands out.
A group of high school girls walk by us, hearts in their eyes, and burst into giggles when Ras gives them a smile.
He stops, looking back at them over his shoulder with a confused expression before turning back to me. “Seriously, is there?”
“No, there’s nothing on your face. You just…” I wave a hand in his general direction.
“What?”
I pluck at his vest. “They think you’re handsome. And you’re all exotic with your tan and long hair and tattoos.”
Realization cascades over his features, and then his lips turn up into a self-satisfied smirk. “You know, I’m starting to like New York a lot more.”
I roll my eyes and start walking again. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Your ego doesn’t need another boost.”
He quickly catches up to me. “Tell me, what do you think about my looks?”
“Fishing for compliments?” I ask even as my face grows hot. Is he flirting with me?
“You tell me what you think about me, and I’ll tell you what I think about you.”
We’re passing through the lingerie section now. “You go first.”
“Ms. Garzolo!”
I halt. No, not him. Mamma said Melanie would be helping me today. But a glance to the right is enough to confirm that Benjamin is working.
My stomach drops.
The forty-something-year-old man has always given me the creeps. Two months ago, my gut feeling was confirmed when he walked into the dressing room while I was changing and tried to “help” me with my clothes. I didn’t cause a scene because I didn’t want Mamma to tell Papà who might have set one of his men on Benjamin. Or more likely Papà would have found some way to blame the incident on me. So I just told Mamma I wanted to work with a new sales associate. Something must have gotten lost in translation.
I pick up on Benjamin’s overly strong cologne from a dozen feet away and brace myself when he goes in for a hug. He’s about to make contact when Ras steps in between us.
“Can I help you?” Ras asks, his voice as sharp as a knife.
I peek around him.
Benjamin blinks at Ras, looking taken aback. “Oh, hello there.” He moves away, putting some more distance between them. Ras towers over Benjamin, his muscular frame intimidating. “I’m Ms. Garzolo’s sales associate. Benjamin Scott.” After a moment of hesitation, he offers up his hand.
Ras takes it.
Benjamin winces at the grip and goes a little pale.
“I’m Ras. Can I call you Ben?”
“I prefer Benja—”
“Ben, I’m Ms. Garzolo’s friend. I’m accompanying her for this appointment.”
“I see,” Benjamin mutters, extracting his hand. His fingers look smushed together. “Well, let me show you to the private shopping area.”
Ras’s palm lands on the small of my back, firm and possessive. Something swoops inside my belly. He keeps it there as we walk to our destination.
Benjamin glances at us over his shoulder. “I know there’s one particular dress you wanted to try, Ms. Garzolo, so I have that ready for you. I also brought in a few other pieces that I think you’ll enjoy.”
“Thank you,” I say stiffly.
We reach the private dressing rooms. “Just give me one moment to make sure everything’s ready. You can wait right here.” Benjamin gestures at the sofas in the waiting area and disappears through a door.
Ras frowns in his direction. “You know this guy?”
As I sit down, his hand falls away. The fact that I’m so aware of it makes my face heat. “He’s helped me a few times before. But I thought I’d have someone else today.”
His hazel eyes move back to me, studying me carefully. “You don’t like him.”
Am I that easy to read? Ras must be good at picking up on body language. I suppose it’s a handy skill to have in his line of work.
“Why not?” he presses, sitting down beside me on the sofa.
I don’t want to cause any problems. Benjamin is a creep, and he deserves to be reprimanded by his supervisor, but I don’t want to set the literal mob on him.
He didn’t kill anyone. He just tried to cop a feel.
I need to get my dress and get out of here.
“It’s nothing. I’d just prefer a woman.”
Ras shakes his head. “Tell me why.”
He’s like a dog with a bone, intense and focused. How do I make him drop it? “He just gives me a weird vibe.”
Ras throws one arm behind me and turns, his chest brushing against my shoulder. This man has no concept of personal space. His face is inches away from mine as he says, “If you’re not going to tell me what happened, I’m just going to assume the worst.”
I glance at him from under my lashes. I’ve never seen him look this serious. Almost stern. Heat spreads through my core. What is wrong with me?
Benjamin reappears. “All right, we’re all ready—”
“We need a few more minutes, Ben. Do you mind?”
I nudge Ras with my elbow. What is he doing? We’re in a common waiting area, and he’s acting like this is our personal meeting room. He just stares at Benjamin until the man slowly backs through the door.
“No problem.”
“Ras, this is—”
He leans even closer, forcing my back against the sofa, and cradles my chin between his fingers. “What. Did. He. Do.” His minty breath brushes over my cheeks.
I swallow, searching his eyes for any sign that he might still drop this.
He won’t. He’s going to keep me here until I give him an answer.
“Fine,” I grind out, jerking my chin out of his grip. Not because he’s hurting me, but because being touched by him makes my body buzz all over. “Last time he walked in on me while I was changing.”
Ras’s eyes darken. “On purpose?”
“Yes. He grabbed my ass, okay? He tried to play it off like he was just helping me with my dress, but I’m not that gullible.”
Ras’s jaw clenches. He gives me a terrifying smile and pats my cheek. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“Ras, it’s not a big de—”
He’s already up, prowling toward the door Benjamin disappeared behind.
I jump to my feet. “Ras, don’t—”
The door flies open. I catch a flash of Benjamin’s panicked face before Ras blocks him from my view.
“Sir?” Benjamin squeaks, sounding appropriately frightened. “What’s wrong—”
Ras grabs him by the neck, forces him backward, and slams him against the wall.
“Shit,” I mutter, running after them and pulling the door closed. We don’t need any witnesses.
“You fucked with the wrong girl, Ben,” Ras growls.
He loosens his fingers just enough for Benjamin to squeal, “What did I do? I didn’t do anything! This is a misunder—”