Page 114 of Ride a Cowboy

She stepped out from behind the bar and led them down the small hallway that ended at the back alley. Joel remembered the last time they’d been together in that alley. How explosive it had been.

Sadie appeared to remember as well, because she took a sharp left just before the exit, leading them into a storeroom. Bottles of liquor, bags of peanuts, packs of napkins and trays of clean glasses covered the shelves. It wasn’t a large space, but it suited Joel’s purposes just fine.

Sadie clearly regretted her decision the second Oakley closed the door behind them, the three of them in very tight quarters. She recovered quickly.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she asked, her voice dangerously quiet.

Joel crossed his arms. “That guy was a douche.”

“No shit. I’ve been around the block a few times, Joel. I can hand out my own rejections just fine.” Then she lifted her chin, her pretty face the picture of haughtiness as she added, “And I can accept whichever hookups I want.”

Oakley shook his head, but it was Joel who answered her. “No. You can’t.”

If it were physically possible, Sadie would have rocketed into orbit at his cocky reply. Her face was flushed with fury and her hands were shaking with rage. “You fucking asshole! How dare you?—”

Joel cut her off. Not with words, but with his lips. He’d told Oakley he was going to handle this situation wrong and he hadn’t lied. But he also hadn’t been able to stop himself. He saw Sadie flirting with another guy and lost it.

She pressed against his shoulders, trying to shove him away, but Joel tightened his grip and deepened the kiss. When she failed to dislodge him with force, she moved on to punching, her fists pounding against his chest. Joel took the blows, refusing to give up any ground. He might have backed away if not for the fact her lips weren’t exactly agreeing with the actions of her fists. Her lips had softened and parted. And then, her tongue found his, touched it lightly before darting back into her mouth.

Oakley saved Joel from a continued beating by stepping behind Sadie and grasping her wrists, tugging them behind her back. Their bondage girl responded instantly. Her head rearing back as she gasped. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, drawing his attention to her very noticeable nipples poking through her t-shirt.

Joel’s anger had faded, but it was still there. “You’re killing us, Sadie.”

Her face fell, and for the first time since she’d stormed out of the restaurant, he saw a trace of true regret in her eyes. “I’m not changing my mind.”

“We’re not watching you flirt with other guys.”

“I’m not yours.”

She’d said those same words when she walked away. Now, like then, she was wrong.

“You can say that as many times as you want. Still doesn’t make it true,” Joel said.

Oakley continued to hold her captive, though he remained silent, letting Joel fight this battle.

“Why can’t you let this go?”

Joel shook his head. “We just can’t. We told you we loved you, that we wanted to build a future with you. You said some shit about not feeling the same. Well, you know what? I don’t buy it.”

He looked at Oakley.

“Neither do I,” Oakley said.

“There’s something you’re not telling us,” Joel continued. “What it is, Sadie? Say it. And we’ll fix it.”

She snorted scornfully. “Believe me, this isn’t something you can fix.”

For the first time since they’d begun sleeping together, Joel sensed she was finally ready to confide in them. He silently prayed whatever was holding her back was something they could overcome.

“What do you mean?” Oakley asked.

“I don’t want to get married.”

Joel narrowed his eyes. It was a sentiment she’d voiced before. “Sadie—” he started.

She cut him off. “I’m not someone who can do forever. But it’s more than that.”

He and Oakley waited for the other shoe to drop.

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