Page 14 of Whispers on the Mountain

The woman in the mirror tries to assure me that has nothing to do with a certain, brooding, Italian engineer and tells me to at least enjoy dinner.

Determined to take her advice, I open the bathroom door and walk straight into a wall of warm muscle and spiced cologne.

"Let's go, fiore, your date is over."

Augustus's hand splays across the small of my back, steering me out the door with a commanding touch.

When we get on to the sidewalk, I expect him to stop, thinking we'll talk and then I can go back to my evening.

Instead, August continues to navigate me into the parking lot.

"What the fuck are you doing, August? I'm on a date."

"Not anymore. You're not going anywhere near that boy again, Zephyr."

August's SUV is parked a few rows away and it dawns on me that he expects me to leave with him. Despite the forceful hand at my back, I come to a dead halt between the parked cars.

"You can't just steal someone's date, Augustus," I huff up at the dark eyes glowering down at me.

Even with the heels, August towers over me. His black hair hangs around his eyes as if he hasn't combed it with anything but his fingers; his eyes are narrowed, dark brows knitted together in consternation; and those wicked lips pressed in a hard line, his jaw ticking near one ear.

He lets me vent but it's pretty clear I'm not getting through to him.

"What the fuck is right, Zephyr, that asshole is lucky all I'm taking is his date. I'd have also relieved him of half his teeth and his dick if he'd touched you again. Let's go."

No, no, no. Nothing about that made my belly clench or my clit throb with need. Lies, I tell myself, but I'm still not going anywhere with him.

"For your information, I was into it." More lies.

"Sure as fuck didn't look like you were into it." August leans close to level his gaze to mine, fire blazes in the dark irises, his nostrils flaring as he challenges me to disagree when I realize what this means.

"'Looked like?' You were watching? Have you been following me?"

Augustus straightens back to his full height and when the firm tug he gives my hand doesn't get me moving again, he moves so quickly that I don't have time to do more than let out a surprised squeal as I'm tossed over his shoulder and carried the rest of the way to his vehicle.

For the record, I do consider beating my fists against his back as I'm carried. I also enjoy the view of his ass. The way the muscles flex and bunch with his purposeful strides-- and I think about reaching down to cup my hands around those strong glutes to feel them move. August's shoulder digs into my stomach, which is less than comfortable, but his arm is wrapped around the back of my thighs like a steel band and I feel his free hand tugging at the hem of my dress to keep me from flashing anyone before he yanks open the passenger door of his SUV and carefully, but roughly, places me on the seat, fastening my seat belt before closing me in and sliding behind the steering wheel on his side.

I'm furious, but I'm also turned on, which makes me more furious.

"Where are you taking me?" I demand. As he starts the engine and pulls out of the parking lot, I hear the door locks automatically engage.

"Home." His tone is resolute as he very noticeably heads in the opposite direction of my apartment.

"My place is in the other direction."

"Not your home, fiore."

* * *

Augustus

"You don't seriously expect me to ride all the way back to the Ridge with you?"

My flower's voice is cold and I don't have to glance beside me to know the angry glare she's leveling at me.

"No. I expect you to ride all the way back to Turtle Village with me." I grit between my clenched jaw.

The cabin of the car is filled with the sound of fiore's frustration.

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