Page 88 of Volatile

“Good thing I didn’t hold your orgasm hostage until I got the right answer then or else you’d really be pissed at me.” She humphed. “Just think, if you get rid of your place you can save up enough to pay me back.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she smacked him on the chest. He chuckled, holding her arms down. Shortly after she’d taken him back, he’d told her everything, including the near miss with Lizbeth. Surprisingly, what upset her the most was the so-called bonus from Cherise. On the one hand, she’d been thankful to be free of a job she loathed. On the other, she thought of it as a handout and insisted on paying back every penny. If that’s what made her happy, she could go ahead and try, but there was no way he was taking a damn cent from her.

She got a mischievous gleam in her eye. “Or I could always go back to Rig’s. With all the extra tips, I’d save it up in no time.”

“Do you think that’s funny, woman? I should put you over my knee for a comment like that.”

“Try it and your balls will be in your throat.”

He bit back a laugh. “So, I suppose we’ll just have to leave the spankings for when I’m fucking you.”

Her face darkened, and she buried her head in his chest. She did pretty well embracing her desires now, but every so often it embarrassed her. She liked intensity, whether that was through emotionally-driven lovemaking or raw, aggressive fucking didn’t matter. As long as she got it. He kissed the top of her head and tightened his hold around her. She was perfect for him.

“I was kidding, you know. About Rig’s.”

“I know, but I’d take that kick in the balls if it meant keeping you safe.”

She sighed loudly. “Being with me challenges you, I get that. But you can’t protect me all the time.”

“No, being without you challenges me. And why can’t I?”

“When you said that I was yours... that’s true. I am yours, Jonathan, but that’s what’s scary to me. I’ve never felt this kind of love before. And now you’re asking me to feel it day after day after day. Don’t you have any doubts?”

“Nope.”

“None?”

“Zero, Ivy. I know exactly what I want and that’s you.”

He had to trust that it’d all work out in the end. Despite how she gave herself sexually, her essence was not submissive. And if he ignored that and tried safeguarding her, she would not respond favorably. He could end up losing her. But if he didn’t protect her at all, he’d go out of his fucking mind. But even with the delicate balancing act, he had no doubts. None.

“I... I have an idea.” She sat a little straighter. “I hope it’s not too crazy, but what if you got your, um, control needs satisfied in a different way?” He raised an eyebrow, having no clue where she was going with this. “What if we got engaged?”

“Engaged.”

She nodded, tugging at her bottom lip. He was trying his damnedest to follow along, but he was blown away. This was the last thing he expected. His woman could knock him flat on his ass with the best of them.

“Are you proposing to me, Ivy?”

“Well, I guess that’s what I’m—” His expression must have killed her words. The only problem was that she’d misinterpreted it. “Oh God, it was too crazy.”

“No, Ivy—”

“So stupid. What was I thinking?”

“Ivy, listen—”

“I probably just seriously freaked you out. We haven’t been together that long.”

“I said—”

“God, what is wrong with me?”

He covered her mouth with his hand. “Damn it, woman. Let me speak.”

Her eyes looked like two nut-colored balloons. If anyone was freaking out, it was her. She was working herself into a tizzy.

“I’m not saying it’s a crazy idea. I’m just trying to get it straight. You have concerns moving in with me, being with me every day, yet you want to get married?”

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