Page 14 of Up in Flames

“You do know this is the twenty-first century. Females can order for themselves,” I mock, trying to convey how annoyed I am at the cocky demeanor he’s giving off.

“I know,” he replies.

That’s it?

That’s all he’s going to say?

Is he for real?

My chair scrapes this time, flying back on the linoleum as I move to leave.I won’t let anybody dictate to me.But Cain is quick when he grabs my hand, so I stop to look at him. He smirks, which only serves to aggravate me more. His damn hand is warm around mine, which sends tingles up my arm, then down my traitorous spine. I try to pull my hand free, but he tightens his grip. So I stop struggling and glare at him.

This time, I talk low and sternly. “If you don’t let me go, Iwillscream.”

“No… you won’t,” Cain replies nonchalantly.

I let out a small huff. “Iwill!Don’t test me.”

“Sit down, Makaylie,” his voice is demanding, controlling, unnerving.

I attempt to pull my hand free again. “No, you freak.”

“Makaylie,sit… down…before I bend you over my knee and spank your beautiful ass.”

Well shit! That stops me in my tracks.Spank me?What am I… five?

“Ha! Like you would dare. We’re in a public place, and seriously? Spank? Do you have some sort of Daddy fetish or something? I’m not some five-year-old behaving like a brat. I don’t deserve to be spanked,” I blurt out.

“You’re testing my patience. You want to try me?” he asks, deadpan.

The look in his eyes, the way they are burning with intense lust and seriousness, makes me know he’s being completely serious. He would have no qualms with taking me over his knee right here and now.

And that thought terrifies me.

But intrigues me at the same time.

I’m taken aback by the intensity of the moment and decide to surrender. So I sit back in my seat, and Cain lets my hand go.

Something is menacing about him.

He’s dominant.

Commanding.

Powerful.

But I know my eyes are probably brimming with lust as I stare right back at him.

How on earth could this be turning me on?

Cain leans back in his chair and smiles brightly. “See. Wasn’t so hard now, was it?”

The waitress returns with our coffees, and I nod a thank you to her as she places them down, then walks off again. Picking up the piping hot mug, I bring it to my lips and take a deep breath before I speak. “Why did you bring me here? Was it to embarrass me?” I ask, taking a sip of the delicious hot liquid before it slides down my throat, soothing my tense nerves.

He chuckles as he watches me intently. “No, Makaylie, I want to figure out why you’re so awkward around me.”

I look at him dumbfounded. “I, ah… I don’t know?” I reply, as more of a question than a statement.

Cain chuckles and leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. He licks his bottom lip and drags his teeth against it. That seems to be his thing, and fuck is it sexy.

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