Page 129 of Jinxes and Drumsticks

“What do we need to talk about?” she asks.

I rub my chin looking like I am feeling guilty.

“Damien!” she cries.

“Well, baby,” I say. “We need to do a little negotiating.”

ㅤ

Have I mentioned that Damien is evil? I’m sure I have.

After dropping the bomb about wanting to talk negotiations, this man insisted on ordering dessert before paying the tab. And, boy, did he take his time eating it. Pretending not to know why I looked about ready to vibrate out of my own body while taking tiny spoonful after tiny spoonful of vanilla ice cream into his mouth. I mean, who the hell orders a scoop of plain vanilla ice cream at a restaurant?

Evil boyfriends. That’s who.

By the time he finishes paying the bill, I’m some place between pissed off and anxious as hell. He smooths his hand down to the small of my back as we leave the restaurant and head out to the car. When I glare up at him, he has the nerve to smile at me like I’m an opinionated puppy.

“Don’t be mad at me, baby,” he says though a shit-eating grin.

“I will be mad and you don’t get to tell me not to be,” I say, crossing my arms.

“You are very cute when you pout.”

“I’m not pouting! This is very real irritation.”

“Uh huh,” he says, like he doesn’t believe it. “Are you irritated enough that you’re going to tell me you don’t want to be chased down in a secluded corner of a park before I tackle you to the ground and fuck you like an animal?”

I’m sure I had a retort ready to go. I’m almost certain I could taste the vitriol on the tip of my tongue. But here I am. Speechless.

He opens the car door after we reach it and I automatically slide in, my skin breaking out in goosebumps as he braces his elbows on the open car door and the roof, dropping his head into the doorway just enough to crowd me. “I’m pretty sure I asked you a question, sweetheart.”

Evil, evil, evil.

“No,” I mumble.

“Sorry?” he asks. “I didn’t hear you.”

“No, I’m not irritated enough that I... I don’t... want that...”

“Want what?”

“Damien, come on,” I whimper. “Why are you being evil boyfriend right now?”

His character breaks and he grins in that way that’s somehow boyish and sharp all at once. “Okay, okay. I did say we were going to negotiate. I’ll put it away for now. But I’ll tell you, baby, if you’re going to be a brat while we talk about terms, I will fucking tame you. Understood?”

The thrill of that has me thinking about being a little bratty on purpose. The quirk of his pierced eyebrow has me thinking he knows exactly the effect his threat has on me.

“I understand,” I say, almost begrudgingly.

He smiles and tips my chin back with the edge of his hand. I meet his two-toned eyes and can’t help but challenge him with my gaze. He leans down to kiss me, and I close my eyes, allowing it. It’s a soft, quick thing, even though we’ve both parted our lips. When he pulls away and shuts the car door, I almost jump out of my skin.

He comes round to the driver’s side, getting in and starting the car in one fluid movement.

“So,” he says, as he pulls out of the parking spot. “Negotiations.”

“Yes,” I say with a shaky exhale. “Negotiations.”

“I guess let’s start with the basics. Does my little idea sound appealing to you?”