Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
I grunted and dragged a hand over my face. “Yeah, I have a job. But you don’t.”
She straightened, and her brow dipped. “I just said I need to get one.”
“No.” I shook my head, already turning to lead her toward my office. “You don’t.”
She followed without arguing, but I could feel her gaze drilling into my spine the whole walk there.
Once we were settled with me behind the desk and her across from me, I booted up the system and logged into the bar’s security logs. I had the feeds open in the corner of the screen, mostly to keep my eyes on things, but also because I needed something to do with my hands so I didn’t grab Tamara and remind her exactly whose shirt she slept in last night.
She was curled into the chair, laptop balanced on her thighs, one leg tucked under her, her bottom lip caught between her teeth while she clicked and typed. Every time she made a little noise of frustration, I fought the urge to stalk around the desk and kiss her into submission. Or bend her over the damn chair and remind her she didn’t need a job. Not when I had plans to put a ring on her finger and my baby in her belly.
“You always this quiet?” she asked after a while, eyes still on her laptop screen.
I didn’t answer. Couldn’t. Not when she stretched her back, arching her chest so her perfect tits were all I could see. My control was slipping like sand through my fingers.
She glanced up, and one corner of her lips hiked up. “Let me guess. Brooding is part of the brand?”
My mouth twitched, and I decided to go for honesty. It was about time she started understanding what was happening between us. “Tryin’ to talk myself outta bending you over this desk right now. Figured silence was safer.”
Tamara’s eyes widened, her breath catching.
I didn’t take the words back. Just let them sink in.
She was saved from a response when there was a sharp knock on my door.
“Yeah?” I called.
It cracked open a second later, and Racer poked his head in. “Hey. Fox has been trying to get in touch with you.”
My gaze dropped to my phone, and I mentally groaned when I saw a missed call and two texts from our prez. Fuck. I’d been so distracted by Tamara that I hadn’t been paying attention to anything else.
“Sent me to drag your ass to his office.”
Tamara looked up with a curious tilt of her head.
Racer’s eyes flicked to her, then back to me. “Club business.”
I gave a sharp nod. “Tell him I’ll be there after I get Tamara settled back in ou—her room.”
Racer smirked. “Just don’t take too long. Told me to interrupt no matter what you were doin’. Not gonna risk Prez kicking my ass for not following orders or take a bullet from you because I saw something that turned you into a jealous bastard.”
My eyes narrowed, my tone low and laced with warning. “Talkin’ about it makes my trigger finger twitch.”
His mouth widened into a grin before he disappeared without another word.
I stood and turned toward Tamara. “Come on. Gotta get you back to the room.”
She didn’t argue, but I saw the hesitation in her eyes as we walked toward the door. Before we stepped out, she paused and looked up at me through her lashes. “I don’t really like the idea of being on my own,” she admitted quietly.
“You won’t be.” I guided her down the hallway, my hand skimming low on her back. “I’ll be staying in the room too. That way, we both know you’re safe and protected.”
She double blinked, her steps stuttering slightly. “Oh. Uh, there’s a couch, I guess—”
I didn’t reply. Just grunted something noncommittal. She wasn’t gonna be on that couch. And neither was I.
We reached the room, and I stepped inside with her, grabbing her hand to keep her close when she started to walk away.
“If I’m gone past dinner,” I said, my voice lower, harder, “one of the old ladies will come get you. You eat with them. Stick close. Do not wander around alone. You’re not wearing a property patch yet, which means some dumb fuck might think you’re fair game.”
Her mouth parted, but no sound came out.
I stepped even closer, crowding her until her back hit the wall. “And if anyone touches you?” My voice dropped to a deadly rasp. “I’ll rip their arms off and shove them so far up their ass, they’ll be brushing their own teeth from the inside out.”
Her eyes widened, and her lips parted.
Tempting. So tempting. But the prez was waiting, and when I gave Tamara more than just a fast touch of our lips. I was gonna need more than a few minutes.
Instead, I leaned in and gave her a quick, firm, possessive kiss. Just enough to leave her stunned.