Page 81 of Better Hide

I glare at her. “You’re losing.”

“Thanks for pointing that out, asshole.”

Her disrespect causes a shot of adrenaline to run through me. “What was that?” I lean over Jo, ready to snatch her up and put that collar on her to remind her how to behave until Cole clears his throat roughly. I snap my gaze to him, and he narrows his eyes.

I’m frozen, leaning over Jo. In that moment, I force myself to stop. Force myself to think.

Soft. I’m supposed to be soft.

Instead of snatching her up like I want to, I grit my teeth and ask, “Want to rethink those words?”

Jo mutters, “Just leave me alone.”

Well, that’s not how it works. She doesn’t get to pick a fight and just bow out of the punishment. “I get a turn,” I say. “If you can beat me in this round, I won’t spank your ass red for calling me an asshole.”

Jo glares at me. “Well, you’re obviously going to beat me.”

I resist the smirk pulling at my lips and deadpan, “That’s the point.”

Jo huffs but shoves the game into my lap. “Clearly, I have no choice, so may as well give me the punishment now.”

My cock throbs a little. “No, I’ll give you a fair chance.”

We play, and I beat her. Jo puts up a little hissy fit, which only serves to make my dick harder. I love when she knows she’s lost to me. I also love watching her squirm as she waits for me to punish her. It makes me wait even longer just to see her sweat.

We play round after round until Jo starts nodding off. When her head falls on my shoulder, I gently take the game from her. She jerks awake enough to pull away from me and go to rest on the side of the car.

That makes me angry. I’m way more comfortable than the side of the car. She’s just being stubborn.

Suddenly, I realize that Jo didn’t look angry when she moved. She just looked…tired.

That’s fine. I’ll wait until she’s asleep, and then I’ll move her to my lap. Fight me then, Jo.

Or maybe I should just keep her drugged this whole trip to keep her compliant. Then she can rest that pretty little head on me whenever she needs.

While I’m thinking, Jo passes out. I pull her over onto my lap and relish in her soft, light little body. Occasionally, the headlights from another car wash over her blonde hair, lighting it up and making it look like it’s glowing.

My mind is still busy, but for some reason, it’s not as loud as the normal noise that fills my head. I can’t stop thinking about what Cole said in the garage.

I stroke Jo’s hair, and oddly, I feel quieter than I have in days.

37

JO

I havethe same nightmare about my mom ignoring me on my birthday. Only this time, she drowns me in the pool.

I wake, gasping. As I do, I realize I’m surrounded by warm arms. I blink, trying to get my bearings. I’m lying down in my seat, and…my head is on Jayden’s lap.

I startle up just as Jayden moans loudly. I don’t get far as his arms band around me in a vise.

I struggle and turn to face him, my heart racing.

Jayden’s head is on his shoulder, and his eyes are closed. He squeezes me tighter and moans again.

I freeze. He’s sleeping.

“Fuck, Toby,” he mutters. “I’ll kill you.”

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