Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
Yeah, he was, and he had no intention of stopping. “What can I say? I want to nail the role.”
“I’ve got your number, Wicked.” She lowered her voice. “You want to nail me.”
“You don’t have to lower your voice. That’s not exactly a secret.”
THEIR BANTER CONTINUED as Zander took her to a nearby small town he’d found online, and they spent the morning exploring cool shops and interesting galleries.
He’d never had the urge to hold women’s hands or buy them things, but whenever he was near Shauna, he wanted to be closer.
He liked snagging her hand and stealing kisses, for which he gladly accepted her snark, and he wanted to buy her everything she liked.
She wouldn’t let him, of course. His temporary wife was too prideful and careful for that.
But he convinced her to let him buy her lavender, chamomile, and peppermint essential oils from a local apothecary—for when you’ve worked your muscles too hard and need your hubby to massage your pain away.
He looked forward to using them with her, and from the look in her eyes, so did she.
They hit a bookstore, where Shauna checked out the romance titles, and Zander skillfully avoided putting his nose in any books.
He went to pick out a few cute bookmarks and a booklight for her, admiring her from afar as she read back covers and the first pages of several books.
When he asked which books she wanted, she said she didn’t want any of them and put the three she’d been holding back on the shelves.
Then she went to use the ladies’ room, and Zander bought those three books, along with the other goodies.
She eyed the bag as she came out of the bathroom. “What did you buy?”
“Just a few of the…” Fuck. The word escaped him. Not now. Not fucking now. “Things you didn’t want,” he said to cover his ass, and then it hit him. Books. Fucking books. He hated his fucked-up head.
“Zan, I have a book to read, remember? You bought me the paperback of the one I’m reading for the book club.”
“Yes, but when we were moving your stuff into my house, we moved two boxes of books, and you said a girl can never have too many books or too much ice cream.”
“I can’t believe you remember that, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend all of your money on me.”
“Thanks for clarifying.” He draped his arm around her, heading for the exit.
“You’re a pain.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
As they made their way through gift shops and more art galleries, he loved learning about the things she liked and the things she didn’t, but the morning passed too quickly.
It was already after twelve. He wanted to spend all day taking her places where he could learn more about her, but he also wanted to share more of himself with her and bring her further into his world.
Soon enough he’d do just that.
They checked out the rest of the shops in town, and when they left the last one, a pet store, where they bought Kitty a pink outfit that had Daddy’s Girl written in black across the back, he said, “Think we can find one of these in your size that says Biker Daddy’s Ride or Die?”
Shauna looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Thinking about selling me to your father?”
“Hell no. Why would you say that?”
“Because if you think I’m calling you Daddy, I’m going to have to annul this marriage right now.”
“How about your king?” he teased, taking her hand as they headed to the truck.
“I wonder if that estate attorney handles annulments.”
Backing her up against the truck, he said, “You’re not annulling us.”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Because you like what we have.”
“The legal agreement? That’s kind of a necessity at this point, since I’ve already borrowed the money. But I could work the pole to pay you back. That might be easier than dealing with a greedy biker with enough big-dick energy for ten guys.”
He probably shouldn’t enjoy her snark as much as he did, but hell if it didn’t make him like her even more. “As long as you’re my wife, the only pole you’re working is mine.”
“That’s a lot of possessiveness for a guy I’m contractually obligated to tolerate.”
He slid his hands down her waist and grabbed hold of her hips, pressing his body into hers. “You didn’t seem obligated this morning, when you begged me to fuck you.”
“I did not beg you.” Her smile glittered in her eyes. “I invited you because you looked lonely.”
“I looked lonely, huh?” He rocked against her, enjoying the heat rising in her eyes.
“Terribly,” she said, a little breathless, her fingers curling around his waist. “I felt bad for you, all alone on the other side of the bed.”
“It sure didn’t feel like a pity fuck when I was balls deep inside you and you were screaming my name loud enough for the people in Canada to hear you.” He nipped at her neck, earning a ragged inhalation. “But it’s good to know pity comes with tongue.”
He squeezed her hips, grinding against her as he brushed his lips over hers again. She went up on her toes, trying to kiss him, but he shifted just out of reach and said, “Next time you feel obligated to kiss me, try not to beg.”
He stepped back and dug his keys out of his pocket, leaving her stunned, her jaw gaping and her lust-filled eyes blinking.
“Ready for our next adventure?” He unlocked the truck, and after she climbed in, he said, “Just so we’re clear, we may be contractually obligated to the marriage, but I don’t spend time I don’t want to give. I was kind of hoping you didn’t, either.”
He closed the door and headed around to the driver’s side. As he settled behind the wheel, she said, “You’re not an obligation. I was kidding.”
The grin he’d been holding back broke free. “I know. I was just fucking with you.”
“You jerk.” She swatted him.
He caught her hand, hauling her into a kiss. “I like you, Flores, and I like fucking with you. Literally and figuratively.” He let go of her hand and nodded to her side of the truck. “Now, plant that sexy little ass in your seat so I can show you a good time.”
She smirked. “Wouldn’t that be easier if I stayed over here with you?”
He knew she was trying to take the upper hand, but just the idea of her riding him in his truck made his body flame. “Climb on, darlin’.” He called her bluff, pushed his seat all the way back, and reached for the button on his jeans.
“I don’t think so,” she said too damn innocently, and planted her hot little ass in her seat. “You see, I like fucking with you, too, Wicked.”