The corner of his lips pulls up the tiniest bit. “I think the correct thing to say would bethank you, Fireball. Maybe next time, I’ll let you eat shit on the ground instead.”
“Please do; it’d be better than being this close to you.”
His smirk only grows with every word that comes from my mouth as I attempt to tell him to piss off.
“Is that any way to talk to the man who just saved you?” He tsks me. “Also, that’s certainly no way to do business, is it, sweetheart? Being all mouthy like that surely won’t get you any closer to getting what you want.”
He may like to play with me, but I’m also aware that when he chased me through the woods, his mother wasn’t even in sight anymore, yet he did it anyway. So, maybe I have the ability to play with him too. And I’m going to find out.
I stumble a few feet backward, pushing my back against a tree and bringing him right along with me. As I cock my head to the side, my lips curve up. “We both know you’re not going to be my client. You’re too much of a stubborn asshole for that.” I shrug. “Besides, I’ve never had a client chase me through the woods just to get his hands on me.”
“Yeah, well, have to try to keep my mother happy,” he mumbles sharply. “I’d rather be doing anything besides this, trust me.”
“Your mom couldn’t even see us anymore, big guy.” I bite down on my bottom lip. “It’s obvious that you’re just too … obsessed. Business and obsession don’t mix, you know.”
“What are you talking about?” he snarls, keeping that same unimpressed expression on his face, though I watch it falter slightly. “Me? Obsessed with you? Pfft. You’re not only bitchy; you’re fucking insane too.”
I’m getting under his skin, and I’m loving every second of it. It’s like playing with a favorite toy just before you decide you don’t like it anymore and you toss it back into the bin. Ridge Adams might not know that’s how I see him, but in this moment, it’s exactly like that.
“Well, I mean, it’s obvious that you’re not the person I should be trying to pursue into selling. It’s clear I need to …targetsomeone else.” I let a thoughtful expression cover my face. “Someone who is sweet and maybe a little shy. That way, he can hear my ideas.”
I’m talking in codes, and yet, right away, it’s evident he knows what I’m hinting at, just like I hoped he would.
He leans his head down, hovering his face just above mine. “Stay away from Tucker,” he snarls. “I mean it,” he says coldly. “Actually, stay away from all of my brothers.”
“Or else what, big fella?” I coo. “What exactly are you going to do?”
For a moment, he’s silent. Though his breathing is angry and ragged as his stupidly delicious minty breath hits my face. He lifts his hand, gripping my chin.
“For starters, I got a feelin’ your boss wouldn’t be too impressed with you calling me names.” He swallows. “Or you getting drunk at my parents’ house and then trying to seduce me.”
I make sure to keep myself even, not giving him a single inkling that I’m worked up.
“But the tricky thing is, it’ll be your word against mine, big guy,” I whisper, keeping my confidence high. “And FYI … I can be quite convincing.”
I lift my hand up, pressing my palm to his abdomen, and even through his thick hoodie, I can feel his body shaking. But I don’t think it’s with anger. No, this is from breathing heavily because just like I planned, I’ve gotten him worked up.
“So, don’t play with me,asshole,” I whisper sweetly. “You won’t win. That’s a promise.”
His fingers tighten on my chin, and heat pumps from between my thighs, even though I play it off like I’m bored.
“You know, I could give you what I know you so badly want,” he drawls lowly before dipping his lips down to my ear. “And, no,I’m not talking about my family’s land, sweetheart. I’m talking about my cock.”
A shiver runs down my spine, and my nipples harden under my jacket. I don’t say anything as his lips remain close to my ear.
“Hate-fucking can be real fun, you know,” he coos. “And we sure have a lot of hate to fuck out, don’t we?”
I think my soul leaves my body for a moment and my brain grows completely fuzzy. I have no doubt he knows what he’s doing in bed. But I’m not falling for his tricks this time. So, instead of making a fool of myself, I lean my head back and gaze up at him, doing my best to look dazed by his words. And let’s be honest … I don’t have to try too hard.
“Hmm … that sounds …” I let my palm skim down his abdomen, getting lower and lower to his belt while my eyes float to his lips.
It’s him who is looking like a dazed mess. Just as he leans closer and his lips are hovering over mine, I give his chest a shove, sending him stumbling a few feet back from me, and then I bolt.
“That sounds awful, sucker!” I call out, so sure that this time, I’ve won this battle.
But I should have known better because my five-foot-two body can’t run away from him. And seconds later, just like he told me he would, I’m thrown over his shoulder while he turns back toward where his truck is.
“Put me down!” I pound my fists against his back. “This is illegal! I could have you arrested!”
