Page 73 of Jester

“I’m having a bad day,” I mutter, lowering my gaze and going full submissive bitch in reaction to his anger.

“Well, get your ass inside, so I can do my thing.”

My pathetic broken-little-girl act is rattled by his tone. I narrow my eyes and consider refusing to enter. I’m not his property. I ought to run away and reject his horny hands.

Except once I see his rough face twisted into a pout, I feel guilty for blowing him off.

Shuffling into his townhome, I mumble, “It’s not your fault I’m scared.”

“No, it’s not,” he says and reaches for me.

Sidestepping his grasp, I move deeper into the townhome before he can regain his footing. Jester grunts again, sounding more irritated than pouty. I reach the kitchen where a vase filled with blue roses rests on the counter next to a gift bag and a lit candle.

“Are you cheating on me?” I demand and look around. “Where’s the hussy?”

Jester startles me by bolting in my direction and pinning me to the wall. “You’re madness.”

“Just a little. Why you gotta point out my flaws?” I ask, wiggling around against his hard body as I try to escape.

His gray-blue eyes shift from irate to annoyed before finally settling on pity.

“I was dumb to think you were healthy.”

“Hey, I’m plenty healthy. Let me free and I’ll do so many fucking pushups.”

“I mean in here, dipshit,” he says and taps my head.

“Don’t call me names.”

“Stop squirming and just listen to me.”

Forcing my gaze upward, I don’t dare look away. “What?”

“You’re too messed up for me to fuck right now.”

“I resent that.”

Jester almost smiles at my crap before losing the hint of a grin. He steps back enough for me to escape but then pins my arms over my head when I attempt to run.

“I’m giving you a month of that wine-and-dine shit,” he murmurs as his lips brush across mine. “No fucking. I won’t even eat out your pussy. Just girly kissing and fondling stuff. But you can’t leave me alone at night. I don’t want to sleep on my own. Agreed?”

“Why a month?” I ask, thinking about Bomber who came to my rescue, big-brother-style.

“Because I think you’re too insane to let me inside your body within a week. So, a month should be enough time.”

“I’m not crazy.”

“We’re all crazy, Talon. That’s why we live at the Sanctuary.”

“No, I live here because it’s where my family and friends live. If they left, I would, too. I’m a follower.”

Jester doesn’t lose focus on his point, no matter how much I babble. “So, are we agreed?”

“I don’t know. This feels like a trick.”

“Why would I trick you?”

“Because you think I’m too insane to be straight with.”