Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40446 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40446 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 202(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
“Shortcake.” There was wealth of need and affection in that single word. It also was like needle scratch back to reality.
“Don’t call me that,” I muttered, familiar defensiveness rebuilding its walls around my heart. Shadows deepening in the fading light seemed to grow denser, as if they too sensed the gravity of what was unfolding.
Piston’s chuckle was low and somewhat pained. “Why not?” he asked, his voice teasing yet edged with something like sincerity. “It suits you.”
“I refuse to believe I resemble smelly doll in any way.” My chin went up and I gave him full force glare that should have shriveled his dick on spot. Instead, I felt it pulse between us. Yeah. I’d missed that before. How, I have no idea because it seemed Piston was big. All over.
Chapter Four
Piston
A couple of things went through my mind as I looked down into the upturned face of a woman who could be the deadliest female in the world. First was the fact that she hadn’t already cut off my dick for kissing her. Some might scoff, but, personally, I called it progress. Second, she actually did look like an angry little Strawberry Shortcake.
Her expression was as disgruntled as it got, but I absolutely could not stop my lips from twitching. When that expression abruptly changed to something altogether lethal, my cock got impossibly harder. Instead of grabbing her hands to keep her from stabbing me with those dagger-like nails of hers, or shoving away from her, or any number of safe, sane, and cunningly clever things, I simply gripped her hips and pulled her more firmly against me. Let her feel exactly what she did to me. If she still wanted to disembowel me, I’d take it like a man.
“If that name repeated outside this room, I’ll know where it came from.”
“It’s only for the two of us.” I grinned down at her. “Shortcake.” To my surprise, Venus gave me an annoyed look, but her lips turned up just the same. It was only a half smile, but it melted my heart. I’d known she was a remarkable woman all those years ago, but never truly appreciated her worth until I got close to her. “You’re still irritated, but I’ll take it.”
“More than irritated.” She chuckled, but the initial mirth was wearing off and her anger was poking through the surface. She muttered, “Cannot afford this.”
“Can’t afford what?”
“Nothing.” She stepped away from me slowly, as if waiting for me to pounce on her. “You should leave. I’m tired.”
I raised an eyebrow but gave her a slow nod. Then I narrowed my gaze on hers. “If you try to leave without me, I’ll know it.”
“No doubt you have spies all over compound.”
I didn’t even bother to deny it. “Yep. Keep that in mind when you’re sneakin’ out.”
“You might think you know me, Piston. You do not.”
“Oh, I know more about you than you might think. You and I aren’t so different.”
“El Diablo said much the same thing,” she muttered. “Look. If you want to scratch itch, I suggest you find club whore. I’ve got too much on plate as is to fuck with you, Piston.”
“If you’re tryin’ to piss me off so I’ll leave, you’re goin’ about it the wrong way.” I gave her a steady look, doing my best to keep a rein on my temper. She was trying to get to me. Even though it was working, I didn’t want her to realize it. She’d push until something snapped.
Venus sighed, running a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated yet battling some inner turmoil that kept her rooted in place instead of throwing me out. The shadows played across her face, highlighting the sharp contours.
“Too damn stubborn for your own good.”
She turned away, her shoulders rigid. The taut line of her back spoke of battles fought and scars hidden beneath layers of both leather and spirit. “And what would be right way?” she asked, her voice cold as the steel of the knives she favored. “You know. To piss you off.”
I studied her for a moment longer, understanding that every word, every breath between us was a step on a minefield that could either blow us apart or bind us closer. “Do you really want to piss me off bad enough for me to leave you? Be honest. If not with me, at least be honest with yourself.”
She scoffed, turning to look over her shoulder with a glare that should have killed me. Just made my cock all the harder. “I have no idea what you are talking about,” she snapped. “I don’t particularly care if you’re pissed off or not. You go your way. I go mine. Problem solved.”
“Like bloody hell,” I muttered under my breath. “Like it or not, Venus, you’re stuck with me. You can leave. You can go whatever way you want. But I’ll always be close.” With that, I made a strategic retreat, leaving her to her thoughts.