Page 22 of Big Red

A knock on the counter breaks me from my thoughts. When I look up, Red is standing there with a grin, eating me up with his eyes. I’m currently bent over, putting papers in the new filing cabinet I ordered. After one of the prospects delivered the laptop, Red gave me the company card and told me to order whatever was needed to make working here easier. Not going to lie. I had a field day. Red didn’t complain or even seem upset when I gave him the total.

“Can I help you?” I ask as I straighten up.

Red only continues to stare at me, causing my heart rate to speed up. His gaze is always intense, but when he gets like this… it’s too much. I’veneverexperienced sexual tension until him. I thought it was normal that I didn’t care to have sex with Declan. Before the abuse, I could go an entire week without sex, and I would be completely fine.

Now?

Now, I can’t even look at Red without having dirty thoughts. Not to mention the way my body reacts to him. Will told me to get a toy to take the edge off. The mere thought of masturbating had me blushing. I’ve never done it. But something tells me if things keep going the way they are, I’ll be finding out what it’s like.

“Red?” I call out as I approach him.

He seems to snap out of it and walks around the counter to meet me halfway. He walks over and looms over me. I can feel his breath on my lips. “Take your lunch with me.”

Again, he never asks. It’s always a demand, never leaving room to argue. Crossing my arms, I tilt my head back. “Are you asking me or telling me?”

Red’s eyes widen a bit. I guess because I’ve never taken this tone with him. Licking his lips, he stares down at mine. “Grab your purse. I’m starving.”

Our stare lasts all of ten seconds before I turn around to grab my purse off the desk. When I turn back around, Red holds his hand out for me. As soon as his large hand engulfs mine, my entire arm tingles. I know I’m not the only one that feels it. As we walk out of the garage, I glance out to the bay area. All eyes are on us. Feeling completely exposed, I quickly turn away.

Red helps me inside the truck as usual before getting in himself. Once we’re out of the parking lot, he turns to me. “What’s up with that blush, kitten?”

“Kitten?” I’m trying like hell, but I can feel my lips stretching into a smile against my will.

“Yeah. You’re quiet and curious like one, but I’m also learning my kitten has claws.”

“Yourkitten?” At this point, I’m giving him a full-blown cheesing, showing all thirty-two teeth in my mouth.

“Yeah.Mykitten. I dare someone to tell me differently,” he answers with a shrug. Biting my lip to stop from smiling like a loon, I turn my gaze out the window. “Oh, what? Nothing to say now?”

“It just seems pretty audacious of you.”

“Does it now? We’ll just have to see about that. Won't we?”

I’m convinced this man was put in my life to drive me crazy. Why does he have to say such things in that sexy-ass voice of his?

I get ready to open my mouth, but when Red parks the truck, I look up to see where we are. When my eyes land on the dinerthe club owns, I freeze up. Red notices my reaction. I feel his hand land on mine, and out of instinct, I jump.

“Kitten, what’s… wrong…” he trails off. Red looks between me and the diner before he realizes what’s going on. “Fuuuuck. I’m so sorry, Alice. I don’t know how I didn’t realize what coming here would do to you.” He cranks the truck back up. “We can go somewhere else.”

When his hand lands on the gear shift, I grab it. “No. I want to go in. Declan controlled enough in my life. I won’t let him affect me anymore.”

“Are you sure? Because we ca?—”

“I’m sure. Let's go.” I open my door and meet him in front of the truck. He holds his hand out for me and leads me into the diner. Once we’re seated, I grab the menu and look over it. My mouth is salivating when I read the description for the Western Cowboy Burger they have. It sounds so good, but for some reason, I void out the thought and settle for a salad.

The waitress approaches us, asking if we are ready, and Red tells me to go first. “Umm, I’ll have a glass of lemon water, Caesar salad, wi?—”

“Maria, give us a second.”

“Just wave me over when you’re ready, Red.”

I don’t know why, but the familiarity between these two makes me frown. I’ve never been the jealous type. I’m just going to chalk this up to being hangry because what other reason would that upset me.

“I see the look in your eyes, kitten, and things aren’t like that with Maria. She manages the diner, and I’m a regular here.”

“I wasn?—”

“You were and that’s fine. I’m territorial over you, too, baby. Glad to see it isn’t one-sided.” He smirks, melting my panties in the process. Did he just call me baby? I think I like that more than kitten.

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