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)
“We’ve been working.”
I winced, almost feeling sorry for the guy. Pops growled and stomped toward the guy in question. Immediately, the guy backed off. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry!”
“You got a problem with working harder?” Pops was back to yelling again, right up in the guy’s face. “Do you? ‘Cause I won’t allow no deadbeat pussies in this fuckin’ outfit!
“No problem. No problem at all, Pops.”
Taz got a kick outta that. “Yeah. Things’re gonna be just fine while I’m gone.”
* * *
Taz left the next morning. He spent the whole evening with Liam, preparing his son for his absence. The boy was resistant, but agreed he’d stay behind if he could stay with Gracie. Kid might have thought he was negotiating, but it was exactly what Taz wanted.
Gracie was more than agreeable. The girl seemed to have latched onto Liam the same as he had her. I knew they needed each other. I got the impression Taz thought so too.
“You know, this is a good thing. Right?” Pops pulled me aside and wrapped his arms around me from behind. His mouth found the side of my neck and he sucked ever so delicately.
I shivered, trying not to show how much he affected me, but it was a losing fucking battle. “I know they’re gonna be a pain in my ass. Solidly.”
Mike chuckled. “Not disagreein’. But you’re good with this. Right?”
I turned to look at him over my shoulder. “Of course, I’m fuckin’ good with this! These guys are a fuckin’ mess!” I snapped my outrage, turning around completely to glare at him. “With Taz leavin’, who the fuck else is gonna save these bastards from themselves?”
Mike lifted his hands in surrender, an amused smirk on his face. “Just makin’ sure, Mama. No need to go all mama tiger on me.”
“Good.” I turned back around, giving him my back. I reached back for his hands and tugged him to me. “Now. No one told you to stop what you were doin’.”
Mike chuckled against my neck, sending electric zings down my spine. I wanted to melt into him. I wanted him to bend me over and take me right here. Fuck me. Show everyone who happened upon us that I was his and no one else’s. “Demanding little thing, ain’tcha.” God! The man knew how to push every single one of my buttons!
“I am. Ain’t apologizin’ either.”
“Never said you had to.”
“Good. ‘Cause if you don’t satisfy me, I’ll find someone who will.”
With a growl, Mike spun me around, slamming me against a nearby wall. When I went to shove him away, he grasped my wrists in one of his big hands, pinning them above my head. A wild, frenzied lust punched me in the gut, taking my breath. When I parted my lips, Mike descended on me, taking my mouth in a hard, controlling kiss.
His tongue thrust deep, his other hand squeezed my breast hard. He pinched my nipple roughly, twisting it once. Then again. I cried out with the third twist but not in pain. Sure, it hurt, but the pain morphed into something I wasn’t sure I was prepared for.
The pleasure was sharp, intense, making my knees buckle. Mike steadied me with his body, his breath hot against my cheek as he whispered, “You want this. You need this.”
I couldn’t deny it. The mixture of pain and pleasure was intoxicating. Every harsh touch was a message, every tender brush a contradiction that drove me wild. Mike’s hands roamed over me, exploring as if he had all the right in the world -- which, in this moment, I might have given him.
Then the hand holding my wrists tightened and his other hand went to my throat. It was a threat pure and simple. Except… it wasn’t. Instead, it was a dark temptation I’d never thought I’d even contemplate going down.
“Tell me what you want,” Mike murmured, his voice low and husky, filled with an unspoken promise. “Ask me for what you want.” He looked into my eyes, studying me. Withholding my reactions from him was impossible, but I tried to keep my gruff, demanding exterior so he didn’t get the idea he could push me around. Or take the lead. Except, wasn’t that exactly what I wanted? Needed?
“Fuck me, you bastard.” I bared my teeth at him. Mike tightened his grip on my throat just that little bit. He was a big, strong man. While I was tall, fit, and a seasoned warrior in my own right, Mike towered over me and was easily twice my size. Had I been in this position with any other man, I’d have been worried for my life. The expression on his face was hard. Calculating. And so very dominant it curled my toes.
“You don’t get to dictate. You’re not in charge here.” His voice was gruff, husky with steel in his tone. “Ask me.” He gave me an almost evil grin. “Nicely.”