“Back for round two already, darlin’?” He was sofucking smug.
I should’ve known that pleasure and punishment went hand in hand…
“Who the hell are you and what the fuck kind of game are you playing?” I seethed while attempting to ignore his bare chest, stomach, and… hips.Good lord, he’s more carved than the statue of David.My eyes aimlessly wandered down his six-pack before following the deep cut V of muscle that disappeared behind the waistband of his gray sweatpants.
The longer I ogled his gorgeous physique, the harder it’d become to maintain my outward anger, and my pussy was starting to drool for him like a horny dog.Woof, woof…
“You’d already know both of those answers, but if I recall, you were the one who said, and I quote, ‘no names, no back stories’ right before you let me fuck the perfect scream out of that pretty mouth last night.”
“I—you…” I couldn’t find the right words to respond as I crumpled his shitty, overpriced flyer in one hand, my fist shaking with the strain and pent-up aggression—sexual tension?“How fucking dare you—”That came out a little more starved and depraved than I’d wanted… down girl. Fuck.
“Look, I think we’re getting off on the wrong foot here. This doesn’t have to be a fight; a little friendly competition never hurt anyone.”
“Friendly?”He was joking, right?I could barely register the level of sarcasm that passed my lips as the blood rushed to my ears and I forced back my stupid, blind lust.I’ll show you fucking friendly.
Regardless of my undeniable attraction to the man, my first thought wasn’t to let this whole thing slide and mindlessly jump into his arms, begging him to bend me over like a salacious she-wolf…No.
Instead, in an emotionally charged fit of rage, I hurled my shake at him, the lid exploding the second the cup crashed against his hard chest, splattering the contents across his body before falling to the floor.
He didn’t so much as flinch. Didn’t react to what I’d just done. And before he could, I strutted out of his studio with attitude, giving him the cold shoulder and a good look at the ass he’d be kissing later.
Hate fucks were hot, and I was still in line for that second ride, but he was going to have to work for it. Because I didn’t come easy.
Chapter 9
Rhylan
Iprobablyshouldn’thaveantagonized Dakota as much as I did. But I wanted this chase to be entertaining—for both of us. Sure, I could’ve not opened a studio directly across the street from hers and just swept my girl off her feet the old-fashioned way. But then, where was the fun in that?
Her sister was the ideal bait, young and naive enough to take those shakes as a ‘grand opening’ gesture without question. I wasn’t entirely confident that they would work on the first try, and it was surprising to see that Dakota wasted no time in storming her pretty little ass over here. But then again, her competitive nature made it impossible for her to resist the temptation to scope out her new adversary.
Dance has always been a passion of mine; it’s why I applied for Kerosene in the first place and how I’ve managed to keep a close eye on Dakota over the years. Always watching from a distance whenshe was out at bars like The Yard, socializing with her friends—her partners.
I knew this woman inside and out, from her love of dancing to popular burlesque and pop music to the way she twirled a thin strand of long, blonde hair around her right index finger when deeply engaged in thought.
She was the definition of perfection, ready to be claimed.
“When you said you were switching up careers, this is not what I was expecting.” Trent’s voice trailed from the front entrance to where I was still standing. “By the way, you really pissed off that customer. She nearly threw me into the street on her way out. I almost thought I’d end up like that smoothie on someone’s windshield instead of your abs.”
“Doesn’t surprise me, but she also wasn’t a customer.”
“Rhy…” With a light huff, Trent dragged my name out with an obvious question laced in his tone, his eyes assessing the mess on the floor before creasing his brows. “She’s not—”
“She is,” I stepped out of the puddle, meeting him by the windows to get one last glimpse at Dakota before she disappeared into the near-blinding reflection of morning sun. “And I’m finally ready to get my girl.”
“Well, it’s about fuckin’ time. A few more years and another man taking up space between her thighs would force Silas and me to have you committed.” Trent mocked, sliding his hands into the front of his jeans, his stance and gaze mirroring mine.
“That’s not funny.” I didn’t react to his banter, turning around to grab a mop from the janitor’s closet. The hardest part of waitingwas the jealousy; the sudden urge to murder every man who got to so much as touch her.
“Oh, c’mon, it was a little.” Noticing my frustration, he stepped over to help, giving my arm a playful nudge. “But I definitely see the appeal. Too young for my taste, but her attitude and fire make that woman one worth keeping. I’d wait for a piece of ass like that too—”
“Fuck off, Trent, she’s not just somepiece of ass.” My tone wasn’t supposed to come off as clipped and harsh as it did. I knew he was only messing around, but at the same time, I couldn’t resist the rush to her defense.
“Okay, hold up. Are you seriously thinking what I think you are? Because if so, you’d better hope she’s as fucked up as you.”
“I haven’t done anything…yet.” After putting the mop away, my fingers toyed with my ring as I pictured our future; her green eyes greeting me with every sunrise. “There’s plenty of time to get her to where she needs to be—in the right mindset. But you can bet your fuckin’ spurs that I’ll have her claimed in more than just a physical sense. I’m gonna make Dakota my wife before she has the slightest chance to run.”
“And her test? Remember what happened to Leighton’s wife?” A deep, lingering pain laced his words.How could any of us forget?
