Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 111359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“Look at me, Hannah.”
She shook her head.
“Do as you’re told.” His voice was so firm. So stern.
God, it was delicious. A shiver ran through her as she glanced up at him.
He cupped her face between his hands. “You’re being so good for me, aren’t you?”
She tensed.
“Uh-uh, you’re being so brave. You can keep being brave a bit longer. We’re taking those words back, remember? And you are so good. Thank you for telling me how you are feeling.”
She took in a deep breath.
“But you need to stop worrying. Because, baby, I’m not ever walking away. And I wouldn’t ever let you walk away either. You know I want you. I’ve made that clear. I care about you and I just want to protect you. What you might not realize is that I intend to possess you. Not tell you what you should do, or what to wear. Although I can do that sometimes if you need or want it. I have no problem with taking control. In fact, I like it. I’m thinking I might need it.”
What? Really?
“I can give you time, I can go slow, I can wait for you to feel safe enough to tell me what happened to you. As long as you promise that you’re safe.”
She nodded.
“As I said, I will not ever walk away or allow you to.”
Maybe part of her should have protested that. She should be allowed to walk away if she wanted to, right? But there was some safety in knowing he wouldn’t allow it.
“No matter what?”
“No. Matter. What. You. Are. Mine.”
Then he slowly dropped his mouth to hers and slid his hand behind her head to hold her to him as he kissed her.
And he showed her exactly how little issue he had with taking command.
His lips moved softly against hers, before his tongue slid along them, pushing into her mouth. She moaned as pleasure flooded her and she pressed against him, wanting more.
But he drew back, staring down at her. A noise of disapproval and longing escaped her.
“More.”
He shook his head. “It’s time for dinner. And I’m not standing and kissing you in a dirty alley all night.”
She pouted, and he tapped her lower lip. “Put that away.”
“You could make me.”
24
He stared down at her for a moment, then he let out a loud laugh. “I could, darlin’. But not in the way you’re hoping.”
Drat.
“Come on, dinner will be getting cold.”
He led her to his truck and lifted her inside. Then he ran around to the driver’s side and climbed in.
She was sitting there, her lips tingling, her body alight with arousal.
“Baby? You okay?”
“I don’t know. Is it possible to go into shock from a kiss?”
He let out another bark of laughter. “Are you saying that was good?”
“Sooo. Good. I’ve never been kissed like that. With passion and control. Hunger and fire.”
He glanced over at her. “I like that.”
Yeah. So did she.
“Now, buckle your seatbelt,” he ordered as he started the truck.
“Did you take an extra dose of bossy medicine before you came out tonight?” she asked as he drove away from the curb.
“Nope.” He grinned over at her. “This is just me, darlin’.”
Hmm.
“Where are we going for dinner?” She hadn’t let herself think about it, because there were only a few places to eat in Haven.
At Dirty Delights. The diner. Or Fet.
Fet would be the place of choice for a first date. But she couldn’t help but feel nervous about going there. What if Saxon was there?
She wasn’t scared of Saxon. At the club, he was always there, watching over and protecting the subs. He and Aspen were now married, and Aspen was one of her favorite people.
But still . . . was she ready for that?
“Hannah? You okay?”
“Sure!” No way did she want to ruin their first date.
“I think I’ve made it clear that I don’t like when you lie, darlin’. So I suggest you stop.”
Her eyes widened, and she glanced over at him. “What? I wasn’t lying.”
“You’re still doing it. Perhaps it’s time we start seriously talking about punishment.”
“You’re going to punish me?” she asked in a high-pitched voice as they left the outskirts of Haven. Where were they going?
Shoot. They were heading in the direction of the ranch the Malones owned. Was he taking her to dinner at his place?
“I don’t know. You ready for that?”
She thought it over. She trusted him and she didn’t want him to think she didn’t. But there were some things she couldn’t imagine doing right now.
Like being tied down.
Or even held down.
Yet . . . the idea of being spanked again . . . and by Raid . . . yeah, that held some appeal.
“I’m going with not yet,” he said in a low, soothing voice.
“What?”
“If you have to think about it that hard, then I don’t think you’re ready.”
Shoot. He was right.