Page 16 of Witch Queens: Tales from Oz

“Night, Scarecrow,” Jake’s voice rang out, “Night, Beautiful!”

I felt a sharp slap on my ass right before Scarecrow dropped me onto his soft couch.

I glared up at him, “I don’t like you.”

Scarecrow shrugged as if he didn’t care one way or the other and went to the fridge pulling out two beers. After popping the top, he handed me one.

It tasted cool and refreshing.

“Thank you,” I said grudgingly.

His lips twitched, “I hope that didn’t hurt too bad.”

“Why are you always trying to piss me off?” I demanded, setting the bottle down.

Scarecrow sat back on the couch next to me, kicking his long legs out and placing them on the coffee table.

“Why do you have that impression, Indy? I am helping you, aren’t I?”

I turned so that I could poke him in the shoulder, but he didn’t even flinch.

“Are you, Scarecrow? Are you really? Because how could you possibly qualify what happened at my sisters’ as help? Please, enlighten me.”

He closed his eyes laying his head back against the back of the couch, “Mombi already had her mind set, there was no reason for me to interfere.”

I hit his shoulder with a clenched fist, “There was every reason to interfere! She might have believed you! She might have taken you seriously! But all that ended up happening was her thinking I'm delusional.”

A smile cracked his lips, “Princess, she thought that before you ever opened your mouth.”

“Argh!” I attacked, but my small fists were useless against his massive frame. And in a matter of moments, I found myself straddling an irate man.

“You want to play rough?” his silky voice was edged with danger and I knew I had pushed him too far. But he had pushed me too far as well, and I didn’t care what came of it.

“You sat there flirting with my sister! Right in front of my face, no less! Did you sleep with her?” The words came barreling out of nowhere and I couldn’t stop them.

His jaw tightened, “I am not interested in your sister.”

But my emotions were too high, I couldn’t stop the accusations, “I saw the way you two looked at each other! I can’t believe that I am so stupid. I don’t need Mombi’s cast-offs!”

Scarecrow growled low in his throat, “I will tell you this once more because, apparently, you are hard of hearing. I have no interest in your sister. I never have, and I never will.”

“But...” I was cut off when he picked me up and marched us towards his bedroom.

“You need to know who you are dealing with, Princess,” he pulled some cuffs out of the drawer and I looked up in alarm.

“What are you going to do to me?” I stammered.

“Don’t talk unless you want a gag,” he used the cuffs on my wrists and attached them to the top of the bed.

My eyes were wide as I watched him lean into me. He took my shoes off and then pulled my jeans and panties down at the same time.

I flushed as Scarecrow’s eyes darkened when he took in my nakedness.

“Too damn beautiful for your own good,” he muttered and then ripped my V-neck in half.

I cried out, “You can't keep ruining my clothes!”

His gaze shot to my face, “Gag it is, then.”

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