Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 154925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154925 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Damn.
He took the route that brought him to the kitchens and raced through to the back door, ignoring the cooks and waitstaff who waved his way.
Had he picked Julia because she was so self-focused? Because she wouldn’t do anything she didn’t want to do, anything that didn’t serve her purposes, so if she died on an op, he could know it wasn’t his fault?
Was he still in that car watching his friend curse him as he died?
He pushed his way through the door and started for the sidewalk. The street was well lit but it was still dark, and there were definitely places a stalker could stand and watch his prey from.
He was about to round the building and make for the parking garage across the street when he heard it.
“I saw you post about being here tonight, and it sounded like fun,” a deep voice was saying.
“I asked you not to follow me anymore.” MaeBe sounded annoyed.
“I don’t know what games you’re playing, but I’m getting tired of them,” the asshole replied. “You’ve played hard to get. Now it’s time to stop. You play the whore for everyone else. You can do it for me, too.”
Kyle barely registered any word beyond whore. He rounded the corner, his vision going practically red.
And then an arm wound around his waist and he was stopped, his fists impotent.
“Calm down, son,” a familiar voice said. “I know how much you want to take him apart, but calm down. There’s a better way to do this.”
Sean. His stepdad was behind him, holding him back as Jamal approached MaeBe. Jamal was six foot seven inches of pure muscle.
The bad-date asshole had gone pale and was practically hiding behind MaeBe.
“Sir, I don’t think you should put your hands on her,” Sean said. “I can barely hold my stepson back as it is. The only reason he hasn’t broken free and eviscerated you is that I’m family. MaeBe, you might want to come over here and calm Kyle down.”
Sean’s hold eased as MaeBe rushed over, and he found the arms he’d intended to use to kill the other man full of shaking gamer girl.
Damn, but it felt good to wrap them around her, to let his instincts lead him for once. She shuddered and put her head against his chest, nestling against him like she belonged there.
“Mr. Fellows,” Jamal was saying. “I think we should sit down and have a chat. I know. You’re looking between me and him and thinking maybe you could take him. He’s roughly your height and weight, and you probably do some boxing workouts that make you think you can handle yourself. You can’t handle him. He’s a highly trained former Navy SEAL, and he’s got a little crazy thrown in for good measure. You’re threatening the woman he can’t admit he wants right now because that kid needs therapy. Which do you think he would rather do? Sit down and talk this out or take your head off?”
“I’ll stay away. I didn’t understand that she was serious. She gives off some vibes, if you know what I mean,” the lawyer began.
Kyle started to stiffen up again.
MaeBe’s arms tightened around him and her head tilted up, those big gorgeous eyes kicking him right in the gut. “Please let Jamal handle him, Ma…Kyle.” She seemed to realize something and started to step back. “I’m sorry. I’m flustered. I shouldn’t…”
He pulled her close again. She was right. She needed him, and Jamal would scare the shit out of the lawyer in a way that didn’t get anyone sued. But there were going to be rules.
And he knew what she’d almost called him.
Master.
She knew. He knew. They fit together, and the roles they could play were so easy and true. He hadn’t gone through the training class yet, but he’d studied. After he’d found out David had gotten Master rights at The Club, he’d read some books, talked to some people, realized that he could use some control.
MaeBe would be a sweet sub, someone he cared about, her affection salve to the wounds he’d taken, the ones that hadn’t healed yet.
All he had to do was stay with her.
All he had to do was give up fighting.
“I’ll take you home. Come on.” He shifted but kept his arm around her.
Leading her away as his stepdad and Jamal started to take care of the situation was the best thing he’d done in forever.
Then he saw her car. “I could pick this up. Maybe with one hand.”
Her lips curled up. “You could not.” She had her keys in hand and they jangled together, proving how nervous she was.
He was all about instinct tonight. He reached out and covered her shaking hand with both of his. He clasped that hand, hoping he could help her find her balance. “Hey, it’s okay. I promise Jamal and Sean will put the fear of God in that man. And Ian will likely go to his boss in the morning. He works in the building, right?”