Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 36646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“Yeah. If she’s willing, that’s the best choice.” I raised my head and frowned. “Not sure I agreed to stay in Somerset with you.”
He grinned. “Not sure you didn’t either.”
“Asshole.” I took a sip of my tea.
The food was wonderful. Or maybe I was just hungry. I ate everything on my plate and drank another two glasses of tea. By the time we were finished, I was feeling every hour we’d spent on Mike’s bike.
“We gonna try to find Gracie tonight?” Mike wiped his mouth and snagged the check before I could. I frowned at him.
“No. I need rest before we face this. Got a feeling it ain’t gonna be pretty.”
Mike shrugged. “Not sure why. Girl’s dad kicked her out. She has no idea she’s not gonna have income from Alex so she’ll have trouble keeping a place to stay.”
“I need to think,” I muttered. “To do that I need rest.”
“I know exactly what you need, Josephine.” Mike stood and slapped a few bills on the table before snagging my hand and pulling me to my feet. “Come on.”
I wanted to argue with him just because he was trying to take charge. Thing was, I found I was OK with that. I was exhausted. Mentally and physically. And more than a little heartsick. For some reason, Alex Brown had wormed his way inside my heart and I couldn’t let this go until I was certain I’d taken care of the kid as much as I could.
Once we got back to the hotel, Mike shut the door and hung the security chain. When he turned around, there was hunger in his gaze. Hunger, and a knowing so deep I was sure he could read my mind.
“While we’re in here, in this room, you’re gonna let me worry about everything. You’re gonna rest and recharge, and I’m gonna take over. You’re also gonna let me comfort you.”
“You’ve lost your Goddamned mind.” He was delusional. “Don’t think you know me or what I need,” I spat, though I had the feeling my outrage stemmed from the fact that he did seem to know me. “Comfort is for the weak, and I’m not weak.”
He raised his eyebrows. “For the weak, eh? You think you don’t need someone to comfort you?”
“Absolutely not.” I scowled at him as I backed across the room. He moved toward me like a predator stalking his prey. “Why would I need comfort? These people are nothing to me.”
“Right. That’s why you went toe to toe with a colonel in his own territory. That’s why you threatened to cut off that cop’s balls. That’s why we’re on our way to find a white girl pregnant with a colored boy’s baby. Because these people are nothing to you.” He looked angrier than I’d ever seen him, even out front of Fort Knox. “You, Josephine, are a mama tiger. You see this kid as someone who needs your help, and you’re takin’ care of him in the only way you can. I got no problem with that. Admit it. Own it. But do not lie to me, Josephine. Ever.”
I’d backed up until I was against the opposite wall. Mike caged me in with his superior height and muscle. I placed my hand on his chest, unable to drag my gaze back to his face. His T-shirt molded that wide, muscular chest to perfection. I’d never felt threatened by Mike, no matter his size. Not even now. Oh no. Definitely not now. What I did feel was an intense lust threatening to swamp me and have me throwing myself into Mike’s strong arms to see what he could offer me.
“Oh yeah, Jo. Mama Tiger. I see you. You’re a hair’s breadth from takin’ what you want from me.”
“You sayin’ I couldn’t?”
“I’m sayin’ all you have to do is tell me what you want.”
“Ain’t beggin’, bastard. Not for any reason.”
“Did I say you needed to beg? No, Jo. I said to tell me what you want. Tell me. I’ll give you the fuckin’ moon.”
Before I could stop myself, I nodded. “Kiss me then. Kiss me like you mean it.”
Mike covered my mouth with his almost before I got the last word out. The first kiss we’d shared was spontaneous. I think it’d shocked us both. But this one… Mike completely dominated me. His body pressed me close against the wall, mashing me against his chest in the most dangerous and delicious way. Tongue sweeping inside my mouth, he invaded my senses, consuming me. And I didn’t put up a fucking fight.
His hand came around my throat, holding me steady while he continued to kiss me. I arched my neck, giving him better access. Why, I have no idea. I wasn’t the submissive type.
“That’s it, Mama Tiger. Let yourself go.”
The embarrassing whimper that escaped barely registered as I did exactly what he told me to do. I surrendered myself to him. Let him take control. Mike grunted his approval before squatting and lifting me into his arms, urging my legs around his waist.