Chapter 26 #2
“You heard me and if they are not followed, there will be consequences.” While I was teasing, my tone was evidently too rough.
Which prompted her to huff just before managing to yank off her seatbelt and open the door.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Wow. Even my demand was no longer playful.
“To find a new ride.”
I was forced to stretch across the seat and grab her arm, yanking her backward just before she managed to make her escape. “You are going nowhere, young lady.”
Christ. Now I sounded like my father.
A honk forced me to lift my head, realizing the light had turned green. And she was laughing. Oh, she was so going to get it for tormenting me like that.
“You don’t own me.” She closed the door, providing a more seductive sounding huff when she did.
“Is that what you think?”
Before snapping her seatbelt into place, she blew me a kiss. “That’s what I know.”
Did she have a single clue about what she was doing to me? I shook my head several times as I continued driving, even tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. We made it all the way to Ziggy’s parking lot with her laughing.
The little wench.
Maybe that’s why the moment I found a parking place and pulled in and as soon as the gear was shoved into park, I had my seatbelt unfastened.
So did she.
Perfect.
Wasn’t she one shocked little brat when I yanked her over my lap.
“What in God’s name do you think you’re doing?”
“What in God’s name? I would be providing you with those consequences I mentioned.” I didn’t care that we were in the middle of a parking lot. I also had no concern about being at a bar where half my friends enjoyed grabbing a drink. Let them dare say something to me.
Who was I kidding? They’d be jealous I felt free enough with her to provide the discipline she needed.
Even if I’d likely face her wrath later. The outcome was well worth the risk. After all, I was a danger junkie.
“Do you know what I’ll do to you?” she moaned, her body undulating directly over my cock, and my jeans were losing the battle against my growing erection.
“I don’t mind suffering. You need this. Call it a perfect stress reliever.” I didn’t waste any time, bringing my hand down several times while enjoying watching people heading toward the entrance.
“I don’t know… I just…”
“I just. Your two favorite words. I can’t wait until one day you feel free enough to finish them around me.
” Teasing her was far too much fun. So were the tingling sensations in my fingers and the heat building in my palm.
My only regret was not ripping down her jeans.
I had a feeling if I’d tried, I’d be black and blue.
Maybe it was still well worth doing.
Violet continued bucking on my lap, her breathing rapid and uncontrollable.
And I loved it. I’d given her maybe twenty-five swats when a strange feeling of sadness washed over me.
I slowed my actions, the fire I’d felt in disciplining her beginning to fade.
Being around her forced an array of emotions, some of which I hadn’t wanted to face or tackle.
She wasn’t trying to push me in any way, but every challenge she offered, both emotionally and verbally, ignited a fire deep within.
The moment I slowed down, she managed to crawl onto her knees and I didn’t try to stop her. Panting, she brushed her hand through her hair as she glared at me. “You’re just…”
“Just what?”
“Just…” She resorted to cursing under her breath. “A pain in my ass.” This time I didn’t stop her from throwing open the door and climbing out.
Maybe I was the one who needed a couple of minutes to myself.
Wasn’t that a kick in the pants?
When I finally got out, heading around to the other side, her look of anger was enough for another smile. More malicious this go-around. She brought out the little devil in me.
“Come on. Let’s enjoy a couple hours.”
“You’re right. Maybe Rock is here.” The girl certainly knew how to push every button.
Which was why I yanked her arm, pitching her against the side of the building and wrapping my hand around her throat. “Lady. Haven’t you figured out by now that you’re all mine? If not, allow me to give you a little reminder.”
As expected, she squirmed in my hold while gripping my shirt. But her struggle quickly turned into yanking me closer. The chemistry between us had long since bypassed explosive. There was little I enjoyed more than kissing her soft lips.
Or dominating her tongue.
Or tasting her delicious mouth.
And especially when she melted in my arms, which she was beginning to do. With her body quivering in my hold, the feel of her warm touch, as usual I was driven into a place where no one else existed. Dominating her tongue and the woman herself was sheer pleasure.
When I finally pulled our lips free, she took a deep breath, her fingers still locked tightly around my shirt. And very breathless. “You’re a terrible man.”
“I keep telling you how terrible I am, but you aren’t listening. That’s why you’re a brat.” I backed away, taking her hand into mine. How long had it been since I’d wanted to hold hands with a girl?
That answer was far too easy.
Once inside, we found a table quickly, but not before several people waved, a couple even winking. My date was right. The people were friendly and created a warm atmosphere. We both needed that.
As we settled in, she shifted back and forth on the chair as if completely uncomfortable, even pouting as she did.
“Don’t give me that. You’re not in pain. I could have been much more forceful.”
“And I would have walked away from you.” When I offered a look of shock, as if I was really worried, she started to backpedal. “I’m just teasing.”
“Gotcha. You’re always doing that to me.”
“One incorrigible man.”
“You’re just figuring that out?”
“Oh, no, I knew from minute one. Maybe you do need another knock upside the head.” The way she rolled her eyes kept my attention.
Then again, everything about her did. The way she walked, the way she carried a room.
How she was with her team, directing without condescending.
And the way the other jumpers admired everything about her.
Every muscle tensed, my fingers turned into fists.
Damn it.
There was my jealous streak again, fighting all sense of rationality and even decency.
After we ordered drinks, she was finally able to sit back in her seat taking several deep breaths.
“Has Kenneth tried to contact you again?”
“No, but I changed my number. Again,” she admitted. “Which is a pain professionally. When I get back to LA, I’m sure he’ll track me down. Maybe I’ll work on hiring an attorney. I should have considered doing so a long time ago.”
“You could do that from right here, you know.”
Violet lifted her gaze. “Are you asking me to stay in Missoula for a little while?”
“Well, you said so yourself that it’s good for both you and Damon.”
Her face softened, yet she looked down. “I know, but I have an entire life in LA. Good or bad, it’s what I’ve worked for.
When I first had Damon, I could barely make ends meet.
The cost of babysitting and rent is unbelievable, but I made my way through sleepless nights and juggling bills.
I’m proud of being able to do so mostly alone.
But yes, I would love to consider doing something else. ”
“Like writing. You can do so anywhere in the world. Including while sitting by a riverbank.”
At least she could still laugh. “Tempting. Let’s get through the finish of the shoot first.”
“Fair enough.”
We were both surprised when Shannon brought the drinks. “Here you go. For the happy couple.”
“Oh, we’re…” We both started and laughed at the same time.
“Cut the crap,” Shannon said. “You’re very much a couple. You’re not fooling anyone.”
“Yeah, well, don’t tell the lady that. She doesn’t like to be wrong,” I teased only to have my date kick me from under the table.
“You’re not very funny,” Violet tossed back. “I did want to tell you that what you and the others in this town did for me is just… I owe you and I’ll pay you back.”
“Honey, that was a gift and one you deserved. I know what it’s like when you’re a single mother.
You work twelve to fifteen hours a day just to make ends meet.
Been there. But I’m here to tell you that sometimes, when you find the right person, it’s okay to lean on them a little bit.
” Shannon did me a solid, tossing her head in my direction.
“Don’t egg her on. She’ll think I put you up to that.”
The flash in Violet’s eyes was adorable. “You didn’t?”
“You’ll learn that no man tells me what to do. Just ask my husband. Let me know if you need anything. Oh, there’s one more thing. Damon’s birthday is day after tomorrow. Right?”
Violet groaned. “Yes, but I don’t think he’s in the mood to celebrate.”
Shannon narrowed her eyes.
“The puppy he found belonged to someone else and had to be returned. He’s bummed,” I told her.
“Oh, no. That’s terrible. Well, we have a little surprise party cooked up for him. Maybe you could bring him by just for a little while. We’ll try and cheer him up. We don’t have a puppy, but we have a few fun things planned.”
Violet’s face lit up. “That’s so sweet. He’d love that. He’s never had a surprise party. At least one that people attended. That’s the city for you.”
“Then get ready to party because we love birthdays around here.” Shannon grinned before walking off.