Chapter 8
I toss my shopping bags in the booth seat across from me and check the time on my phone. It’s only just after lunch, and I feel like I’ve already walked ten miles.
The choice was simple since the only restaurant on the small downtown square was oddly named Restaurant. I still chuckle every time I see these hilariously precise business names. Nineties grunge music plays over the speakers of the edgy bar and grill as people file in and out. It’s by no means packed, but considering the size of the town, I’m surprised to see it’s this busy.
Like most of the architecture here, Restaurant is a sort of gothic-esque Victorian-style building with black beams that span across the massive ceiling. It feels old and elaborate and cozy, all at the same time.
Ashford Falls certainly has its charm. From the quaint little shops to the eccentric people who are in everyone’s business, to the pristine landscaping, to the Victorian architecture. Everything here is beautiful and has an edge of something I can’t quite put my finger on. Almost like they preserved the darkness as a memory of what once was, and I like that. I can’t help but think how beautiful it would be in the fall.
Of course, I’ll be long gone before then, on to check off the next item on Fern’s list. I might live by the seat of my pants in all other areas of my life, but settling down at the ripe age of twenty-two is definitely not an option—that’s for damn sure.
I pull the worn paper from my pocket and read it once again—not that these words aren’t branded into my memory by now. It’s good to have the reminder of what I’m really doing here, especially considering my current situation and all the distractions that come with him.
Seriously, how is anyone that rich and hot? Like, he’s playing on a whole other level. He sent me, a practical stranger, on a shopping spree with his credit card. Who does that? And not only is he gorgeous, but I fear I’m going to develop carpal tunnel in my wrist from having to distract myself from tiptoeing into his room, pretending I’m lost.
Then, there’s the whole alpha, grumpy thing he’s got going on. I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’ve always hated being told what to do, hated any form of authority really. Hence the reason I’m sitting in this cute, spooky town in the mountains instead of finishing my college coursework. I’ve never responded well to criticism; in fact, I think I’m more sensitive to it than most. So, why do my panties get wet when he goes all Daddy on me, bossing me around?
There’s something about his laser-sharp tone, all masculine and domineering, and his unyielding determination to keep his walls up that excites me. It’s like I’ve gone my whole life searching for a worthy opponent, and I just met my match. All I can think about is shaking up his tidy, planned-out life until he finally breaks open and releases his armor of control.
Nothing like being told I can’t have something only to make me want it more. I swear I’m the poster child for dysfunction.
I shake my head and laugh.
It’s a dumb game I’m playing—I know that—but at the same time, I love the rush I get, seeing his nostrils flare and his jaw clench when I tease him. The man is one stressful event away from exploding, and that’s coming from his doctor’s mouth, not just mine.
Leo Kingsley needs to relax and stop taking life so seriously, and lucky for him, he’s fake engaged to the queen of avoiding problems.
If I’ve learned anything in my short twenty-two years, it’s that as much as we think we are in control of our lives, we’re not. There’s no planning, mental preparation, or secret stash of money that will save you if it’s your time to go and sometimes, you just get dealt a crappy hand. So, why waste the precious moments we have, thinking we’re the ones in control? I’ve felt pain and loss deeper than I could’ve ever imagined, so things like work, money, and the other minor details of life don’t stress me out anymore, and I’ll be damned if something as insignificant as a job makes me feel miserable. Maybe that’s why Fern placed this uptight, grumpy man in my path. Because I’m growing more and more convinced by the day that she somehow orchestrated this whole thing.
Change someone’s life for the better.
If only I could get through to Leo to show him another way of living, how he doesn’t have to be so miserable all the time … how life’s pleasures are meant to be enjoyed …
And then, just like I knew I would, I get an idea. I know it’s a good one because I get the familiar buzz of belly flutters and tingles.
I can hear my sister warning me in her favorite parental tone, “Ivy, are you sure about this?”
Stirring my straw in my bubbly soda, I formulate the first step to my diabolical master plan.
Maybe I can’t get him to listen to me because I’ve been trying to get through to the wrong head.
Looks like I’ve got one more stop to make this afternoon.
“Jesus, woman! Did you leave anything in the shops?” Leo grumbles as I pile shopping bags in his outstretched arms.
“I was merely following your orders, and since I know how picky you are, I wanted to make sure I had all my bases covered.”
I slap another small bag to the top of the pile, and he has to adjust it so he can see.
“I’m not picky,” he grunts.
“Okay, controlling. Is that a better word?”
He grumbles something inaudible under his breath as I run ahead to open the doors for him. When he gets to my room, he drops the pile on the bed with the rest of the bags he already carried inside.
I see the moment his eyes land on the bag from Adult Store, and his face burns red. “What’s that? I thought I told you not to go there again.”
He takes a step toward the bag, but I move in front of him, placing my palm on his rock-hard chest.
“Excuse me, that is private?—”
He pushes my hand away and lets out a frustrated sigh. “Seriously, Ivy, would it kill you to just listen? Or are you actually incapable of following rules?”
Rules.
My stomach does a backflip as soon as he says it, and I fear I might be in over my head this time.
But now, I’m committed. He’s already mad, so I might as well see how it pans out.
“Relax. It’s not what you think. Just a personal item. Nothing to do with you.” I grab his elbow to usher him to the door, but he doesn’t budge.
He crosses his arms over his broad chest, making himself impossibly bigger as he stares down at me and nods to the bag. “Show me.”
“Show you? I’m not going to show you, you perv?—”
This time, I try to push him through the door, and it’s almost comical how weak I am in comparison, but the big guy still doesn’t move.
“I bought it. So, show me what you needed so badly after I deliberately told you not to go in there again.” His command comes out in a low growl that makes my toes curl and sends a wave of chill bumps down my arms.
I shake my head. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I stomp over to the bed and grab the bag, pausing to give him one last chance to change his mind.
He rolls his eyes and gestures for me to get on with it, and I have to bite my cheek to keep from smiling.
“You’re about to feel really dumb, so get ready …” My voice trails off as I pull out the hot-pink vibrator, complete with a flower petal clit stimulator. I present it to him like I’m at a dog show, making sure to highlight every bump and ridge before turning it on for the full effect.
Leo’s face heats bright red as he glares at me, staring daggers in silence, so I take it as encouragement to keep going.
I hit another button, and the base pulses thicker while the thin silicone petals vibrate and the center of the flower makes a sucking noise.
“You bought a vibrator,” he says in almost a whisper.
“More than a vibrator. It’s more like a robotic dick,” I answer, then hit another button that makes the shaft spin in circles.
He clenches his jaw and begins massaging his chest. And it looks like my little plan to get under his skin is working.
I chew on my lip to hold off my grin as I stare up at him in challenge. I don’t know what I want him to do, but considering the tingles I’m getting at the thought of both positive and negative reactions, I think I’m in big trouble, no matter what.
“And exactly how much did I pay for that?” He takes a step closer, closing the space between us, and I have to force my legs not to buckle under his towering glare.
I will not let him get to me. I can’t show any signs of weakness, or it’ll all be for nothing. This is the only way to get through to him. I just have to make him more uncomfortable and stick to my guns.
I hold my hand over the clit stimulator and smile as it flicks and tickles my palm. “It’s the latest model. There’s even an app so I don’t have to use my hands if I don’t want to?—”
“How much, Ivy?” He takes another step closer, so close that I can feel the heat of his skin, and my palms itch to reach out and touch him. He’s angry—there’s no question about that.
I swallow a gulp and keep going. “It’s also waterproof. It has a suction cup at the bottom for hands-free shower play?—”
“Ivy,” he hisses before snatching it away.
“Hey, give me that?—”
“I can’t believe I actually thought you were capable of behaving without supervision.”
I roll my eyes and jump to grab it, but he holds it over his head, out of my reach.
“I got a good deal on it. Miss Scarlett gave me a family and friends discount, so it was only four hundred … plus tax.”
“That’s just great?—”
“I thought so. Especially with all the updated features?—”
I jump again, but he dodges me, pushing my head down and covering my eyes with his gigantic palm. I try to pry his fingers off one at a time, but he’s too strong. I think the man’s bones are made of lead.
“So, not only does the biggest gossip in town know that my fiancée needs a robot dick to get her off, but the top-of-the-line model at that. I’m never going to hear the end of this.” He shakes his head.
“Will you stop freaking out? It’s not that big of a deal. Miss Scarlett is nothing if not a professional.”
I jump again when he’s not paying attention and almost grab it, but he moves it out of reach.
“Can you please give it back? I was really looking forward to using this before we left tonight. I need to take the edge off.”
At that, his body goes rigid, but then his shoulders relax, and the corner of his lips twitch like he’s holding back his own grin.
My stomach flutters again as I stare up at him, unsure if I should be happy or terrified by his sudden change in demeanor.
“You’re really nervous?”
I nod.
“Getting yourself off would probably help take the edge off,” he says more like he’s talking to himself than to me, but I nod anyway.
The thrill I get from not knowing what he’ll decide, from having zero control as I watch him contemplate his decision, is something I should definitely see a therapist about.
“But what would that teach you?” His lips twist into a wicked grin as he slides a gentle palm behind my neck, his thumb caressing my jaw with a heated touch.
He takes another step, closing the space between us. Instinctively, I try to move back, but my knees bump against the wooden bed frame, pinning me in place against him.
“I see what you’re doing here, and I should warn you that you will not win this fight. So, stop while you’re ahead, yeah? You have no idea what you’re going up against with me.”
He slowly traces his thumb across my bottom lip, and I suck in a breath.
“Besides, why should I make things easier for you when you’ve done nothing but try to get under my skin every chance you got?” He shakes his head and tsks. “No, I think I’ll hold on to your robot cock for a while, make sure you’re behaving like a good girl before I think of giving it back.”
“Just because you—” I start to argue, but he shakes his head, his thumb brushing back over my lips to silence me.
He leans down and whispers, “Careful, or I’ll forbid you from pleasuring yourself altogether. And then you’ll really be in a bind, won’t you?”
It’s a rare thing for me to be stunned speechless, but when I open my mouth to argue or press him on how he’d prevent me from touching myself, I’m quickly distracted by the rush of arousal pulsing between my legs.
I look up, seeing a pained expression behind his dark eyes, like he’s torn between leaning into this side of himself and bolting to get as far away from me as he can.
Before I can think twice, I act on impulse and bite his thumb. Hard.
“Ow. Fuck.”
He yanks his hand away in surprise as I flash him my teeth, giving him a challenging grin.
“You’re a fucking brat, you know that?” He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “Get dressed. We’re leaving in five.”
He grabs a yellow sundress that’s strewn across my bed and tears the tag off before tossing it at me. “And don’t even think about acting out tonight, or I swear on everything I will make you regret it.” His voice is all gravelly and laced with warning and does nothing to stifle my curiosity that’s growing bigger by the second.
I don’t want to know what he means … I need to know.
Looks like my little plan of temptation backfired, and I’ll be the one with blue balls tonight.
But this is far from over. Leo Kingsley doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.