Page 44 of Bedding Rose
It’s maddening but also an exhilarating tease at the same time. I both hate and am addicted to the way it makes me feel on edge, so much so that I lose track of the conversation for a minute. But then Enrique makes a comment that hits me across the forehead like a two-by-four.
“Two hot chicks by the bar,” Quique informs me, as any good wingman would. It’s a normal practice for us.
But that was before.
Rose stops talking to Candace, her eyes suddenly finding mine. “Oh, fresh meat.” She arches a brow, challenging me.
This is the side of her I like. The side with that little bit of fire. “Nah, you know, I’m more interested in frozen meat than fresh. It’s more tender.” I wink, to ensure she gets the reference.
“You’re weird,” Candace remarks, giving me an odd look before sipping her wine.
Quique and Rose laugh—for different reasons. He laughs at the fact that his date just insulted me and she laughs with a little bit of naughty sparkle in her gaze that wasn’t there before. I love that I put it there.
“But seriously, they’re pretty hot, man.”
“No. I’m here to escape work stress.”
“Perfect stress reliever.”
I shake my head and he leans forward, putting the back of his hand on my forehead. “You feeling okay, man?”
I shove him off, not able to deal with his games, because it makes me want to spit out the truth: I’ve claimed his baby sister and I’m planning to splatter my cum all over her tonight as those green eyes stare up at me. Fuck. I have to prop an ankle on my knee to hide the fact that picturing rubbing my cum into her breasts makes me hard.
It’s a struggle to keep my tone neutral when I explain, “I just need a night off. No expectations. From anyone.”
“Dude … seriously?”
“Yeah.”
He narrows his eyes. “You never turn down girls.”
“Yeah. You’re a player,” Rose interjects, piling on, a look on her face I don’t love.
“I was. But, what can I say? I’m getting old. Time to settle down,” I say jokingly, but as soon as the words roll off my tongue, they feel right. I force myself to look at Quique as I say it, not Rose, because I am definitely not going to be able to handle it if that admission freaks her out. It will only ramp up my need to claim hernow, toss her over my shoulder and chain her up until she swears she’s mine—which is absolutely the wrong thing to do with a girl who’s been hurt the way she has.
She needs baby steps.
God, when did I become such a lunatic? Why she has this effect on me, I’m not quite sure—and the fact that it doesn’t alarm me at all should be alarming, but it’s not. It all just feels … right. She’s mine. And that’s that.
If I thought she was ready to embrace it, it would be one thing. But the way she’d scampered out of the meeting room earlier with an embarrassed “thanks,” after the massive orgasm I gave her tells me that my lil reina still needs a little more time to come around. Not surprising, given her trauma.
I’ll give her some.
Not much, because I’m not a good or patient man.
But some.
Quique clearly doesn’t believe my remark about settling down because he barks out a rough laugh. “Yeah, that will be the day. Do you even know how to ask a girl on a date?” His brown eyes twinkle with mirth.
“Could probably use a demonstration,” I tell him.
He turns to his date, holding out a hand. “Candace?”
The bottle blonde links her fingers with his instantly, a huge smile on her face. “Yes?”
“Ask me out and show him how it’s done.”
Her cheeks blush a pretty red as she stares over at him, looking a bit lost. I bite my lip in amusement because this girl is the kind of looker who’s probably never had to ask a guy out in her life. She probably has to turn down dates regularly. “Umm … want to go out with—”
