Page 9 of Resisting (Men of Inked 2.2)
I turned to glare at him. “Hold up. I need a man, is that what you’re saying?”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I think your tongue is so sharp because you haven’t found the man who makes you whole. Someone who crawls inside you so deep that you finally figure out who you are, what you were always meant to be.”
“What the fuck?” I asked, scrunching my eyebrows in confusion.
“It’s for another day, doll. Sometimes, we just need someone to bring out our true nature.”
“Either I’ve clearly had too much to drink or you’re talking out of your ass. I’m going to go with option two.”
He cupped my face in his hand, rubbing the spot just behind my ear with his fingertips. “Sometimes, we don’t know who we really are until we find the perfect partner to bring it out.”
“Jimmy, I think we were talking about one night. You and me fucking each other’s brains out and then walking away. Now, you’re talking crazy if you think I need you in my life to complete me. I’m certainly not Renée Zellweger and you’re no Tom Cruise. I don’t need any man to complete me. I’m quite happy with my life.”
“Fine. Tell me who you are.” His stare pinned me in place.
Swallowing, I didn’t take my eyes off him as I thought about my reply. I’d never had to explain myself to anyone. “Who are you, James?”
He shook his head, a small smile on his face, as he laughed softly. “I’m a protector.”
I cut him off. “Do you think I need protecting?”
“I don’t know,” he replied.
“I have four older brothers who have made it their life’s mission to make sure I’m protected. It’s the last thing I need in my life.”
“Can I finish?” he asked, taking a deep breath and tilting his head.
“Yes,” I said, gulping hard and searching for some moisture in my now parched mouth.
“As I was saying, I’m a natural protector. That’s why I joined the agency. I’m loyal to the core. I know what I want in life, and I never give up until I get it. There’s nothing better than a good chase. Once I have my mind set on something, I’ll stop at nothing to get what I want.”
“Am I your goal?” I asked, smirking and feeling a little playful.
“What if I said yes?” James asked, moving his face closer to mine.
“I’d say you better have a new game plan.”
“Are you a secret lesbian?” he teased, the corner of his mouth twitching.
“No! Fuck!” I hissed. “I mean, more power to anyone who loves vadge, but I’m all about cock, baby.”
He closed his eyes, his breath skidding across my face as he blew the air out of his lungs. “If you talk about cock one more time, I’m taking you upstairs and fucking you until you can’t scream anymore.”
“That sounds creepy.”
His chest shook as a laugh fell from his lips. “You have to be the most difficult female I have ever met.”
“Maybe I’m more woman than you can handle,” I purred, running my hand down his chest. Underneath my fingertips, I could feel his muscles flexing. I splayed my palm against his shirt, letting my hand rest against his rock-hard pec.
“Doll, I’m more man than you’ve ever had. That I can guarantee.”
The air between us crackled. Like it did in the movies. Sparks were probably visible to any guest milling around the bar area.
“Izzy,” Mia said, interrupting my moment with James.
I blinked slowly, looking over his shoulder and smiling at her. “Hey, Mia.”
“Who do we have here?” she asked, a grin on her face.
“Mia, this is Jimmy, Thomas’s friend.”
His eyes flashed before he turned to face her. “Mia, it’s nice to meet you. I’m James.” He held out his hand, waiting for her touch.
“James, I’m Mike’s girl.” She slid her hand into his palm, shaking it slowly.
“I’d say you’re more than a girl.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and placed a soft kiss on the top.
She laughed, her cheeks turning red. Did he have this effect on all women? “You know what I mean,” she said, batting her eyelashes.
Thank Christ Mike wasn’t here to see Mia blushing and flirting with Jimmy boy.
“Mike’s a very lucky man,” James replied, releasing her hand.
I sighed, rolling my eyes before glaring at Mia. “Where’s Mike, anyway?” I asked, feeling a bit jealous of his flirting.
I was bothered that he was flirting with her, but why? I shouldn’t have been. I didn’t like him. I wanted to use him. That was all. I wanted to have my way with him for one night and walk away unscathed. Jealousy wasn’t an emotion I was used to experiencing, and I sure as hell didn’t know how to deal with it.
“He’s dancing with his ma,” she replied, winking at me and mouthing, “Wow,” as James turned to look at me before returning his attention to her.
“Would you like a drink, Mia?”
She smiled, nodding. “Always.”
James motioned to the bartender as I walked to stand next to Mia.
“He’s sexy as fuck,” Mia whispered in my ear.
“He’s an asshole, though.”
“Nah, he couldn’t be. He seems to be a perfect gentleman.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t have another if you think he’s not a total prick.”
“You’re just too damn hard on men, Iz.”
“He’s cocky, Mia. He makes Mike and Joe seem like teddy bears.”
“I like him,” she said, her eyes raking over him.
“Hey, slutty Aphrodite, you’re taken.”
“I can look, putana. I’m not dead. I can tell you like him.”
My mouth dropped open. “What?” I whispered. “I do not.”
She smiled, nodding at me. “You do.”
“All right, ladies,” James said as he held out two glasses of Jack.
“To love,” Mia said. “And passion.”
“For fuck’s sake,” I blurted, bringing the cup to my mouth.
“I’ll drink to that,” James said, holding me in place with his stare.
I didn’t respond as I slammed back the drink, letting it slide down my throat. Instead, I started to picture sex with James. There was a simmering tension between us. An animal attraction that was undeniable. I wanted to slap him and fuck him at the same time. I wanted to let loose and show him what Izzy Gallo really had.
“Thanks for the drink, James. I’m going to find Mike. You two have a fun night,” Mia said, winking and smiling as she waved and walked away.
“Traitor,” I mumbled, turning to face James.
“You want to fuck me?” James asked, taking the drink from my hand.
“What?” I asked, wondering if he would be so bold.
“You in or you out?” he growled with his hand on my hip, gripping it roughly with his fingers.
“I don’t even know you,” I replied, as his hold on me felt like a branding iron under my dress.
“What do you want to know?” he asked, still touching my body.
“You could be a bad man.” That sounded stupid and childish, but I was trying to not seem too eager to jump in the sack with him.
“Would your brother send me here if I were a total asshole?”
He had me there. “No,” I admitted.
“Do you know everything about every man you sleep with?” he asked, running his free hand down my arm.
“No.”
“Do you want to fuck me?”
I bit my lip, blinking slowly and processing my thoughts. Did I want to? Fuck yes, I did. Was it a good idea? Hell no, it wasn’t a good idea. But then again, mistakes sometimes leave the biggest mark in one’s life.
“Maybe,” I squeaked out.
He released my hip, moving his hand to the small of my back. “Ready?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow.
“Now?”
“Are you scared, little girl?” he teased.
“Of you?” There wasn’t a man on
this planet who scared me. The fear I felt was from within. It was pointed directly at me. A man wasn’t the issue. James was, and the way my body reacted to him had me on high alert.
“Yeah,” he said, the side of his mouth turning up into a grin I wanted to smack off his face.
This was where I should’ve called a time-out. The words I should’ve spoken didn’t come out of my mouth.
“James, I have four older brothers. You hardly scare me.”
“But they want to protect you and love you. While I, on the other hand, want to bury my dick so far inside you that I ruin you for eternity.”
“You say such beautiful things.” I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to myself that he made my pussy clench with his words.
“You in or you out?”
“The real question, Jimmy, is am I going to let you in?” I turned back toward the bar and signaled for another drink.
Let the games begin.
