Page 120 of Steel

“Come on. Let’s enjoy a couple hours.”

“You’re right. Maybe Rock is here.” The girl certainly knew how to push every button.

Which was why I yanked her arm, pitching her against the side of the building and wrapping my hand around her throat. “Lady. Haven’t you figured out by now that you’re all mine? If not, allow me to give you a little reminder.”

As expected, she squirmed in my hold while gripping my shirt. But her struggle quickly turned into yanking me closer. The chemistry between us had long since bypassed explosive. There was little I enjoyed more than kissing her soft lips.

Or dominating her tongue.

Or tasting her delicious mouth.

And especially when she melted in my arms, which she was beginning to do. With her body quivering in my hold, the feel of her warm touch, as usual I was driven into a place where no one else existed. Dominating her tongue and the woman herself was sheer pleasure.

When I finally pulled our lips free, she took a deep breath, her fingers still locked tightly around my shirt. And very breathless. “You’re a terrible man.”

“I keep telling you how terrible I am, but you aren’t listening. That’s why you’re a brat.” I backed away, taking her hand into mine. How long had it been since I’d wanted to hold hands with a girl?

That answer was far too easy.

Once inside, we found a table quickly, but not before several people waved, a couple even winking. My date was right. The people were friendly and created a warm atmosphere. We both needed that.

As we settled in, she shifted back and forth on the chair as if completely uncomfortable, even pouting as she did.

“Don’t give me that. You’re not in pain. I could have been much more forceful.”

“And I would have walked away from you.” When I offered a look of shock, as if I was really worried, she started to backpedal. “I’m just teasing.”

“Gotcha. You’re always doing that to me.”

“One incorrigible man.”

“You’re just figuring that out?”

“Oh, no, I knew from minute one. Maybe you do need another knock upside the head.” The way she rolled her eyes kept my attention. Then again, everything about her did. The way she walked, the way she carried a room. How she was with her team, directing without condescending. And the way the other jumpers admired everything about her.

Every muscle tensed, my fingers turned into fists.

Damn it.

There was my jealous streak again, fighting all sense of rationality and even decency.

After we ordered drinks, she was finally able to sit back in her seat taking several deep breaths.

“Has Kenneth tried to contact you again?”

“No, but I changed my number. Again,” she admitted. “Which is a pain professionally. When I get back to LA, I’m sure he’ll track me down. Maybe I’ll work on hiring an attorney. I should have considered doing so a long time ago.”

“You could do that from right here, you know.”

Violet lifted her gaze. “Are you asking me to stay in Missoula for a little while?”

“Well, you said so yourself that it’s good for both you and Damon.”

Her face softened, yet she looked down. “I know, but I have an entire life in LA. Good or bad, it’s what I’ve worked for. WhenI first had Damon, I could barely make ends meet. The cost of babysitting and rent is unbelievable, but I made my way through sleepless nights and juggling bills. I’m proud of being able to do so mostly alone. But yes, I would love to consider doing something else.”

“Like writing. You can do so anywhere in the world. Including while sitting by a riverbank.”

At least she could still laugh. “Tempting. Let’s get through the finish of the shoot first.”