Primal Instincts_ Volume 2(16)
Author: Nicole Edwards

 

His forehead creased as though that might help him figure out what I was up to, but he stood to follow my orders. While he did, I pressed the on-screen prompt to dial Journey’s number. Because I wanted him to hear what she had to say, I put it on speaker and set the phone on my knee.

 

“Hey,” she said in that sexy rasp of hers.

 

“How was dinner?”

 

“It was … nice.”

 

“Nice?”

 

There was a brief pause. There was a rustle of blankets or something in the background.

 

“Journey?”

 

She sighed. “What do you want me to say, Creed? That I had a great time?”

 

I could hear her irritation, and it caused me to remain silent.

 

“Because I did. Really great, actually. I like Garrison. A lot. But I’m not a big fan of yours right this minute.”

 

My gaze shifted to Hawk. He was listening intently, his expression masked as he lowered to his knees. His hard body was tense, the muscles in his abdomen shifting flawlessly beneath skin adorned with ink. His cock wasn’t privy to his expression because, with each husky rasp of Journey’s voice, it stood up a little more.

 

“Garrison’s a likable guy,” I admitted. “But what did I do?”

 

“Don’t play dumb,” she huffed. “You manipulated us. I just don’t know what your angle is.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I’ve got dads who are just like you,” she said firmly. “They can manipulate a situation the same way you did. You put us on the spot, and I wish I knew what was going on.”

 

Confused, I asked, “Why do you think anything is going on?”

 

The silence was deafening, and I wished I could see her face. I wanted to see that little purse of her lips when she was pondering something. I hadn’t seen it nearly enough, but it was a quirk I picked up on during the few conversations I’d had with her.

 

“You’re intentionally being obtuse, Creed. And I don’t think anything is going on; I know because when you’ve seen me with Hawk, you look … jealous. I thought maybe you were, which was, you know, kinda flattering. But now … after what happened this morning—”

 

I interrupted to force her to elaborate. “What happened this morning?”

 

“You know what happened,” she countered.

 

“Remind me.”

 

Journey sighed. “You made me masturbate to the sound of your voice.”

 

“I didn’t make you do anything.”

 

Her voice pitched a bit higher from her annoyance. “You know what I mean. No, you didn’t force me, but I did it to please you.”

 

If she only fucking knew what that confession did to me, she would shut her mouth right this fucking second. She would hang up the phone and refuse to take my calls, avoid me at all costs. Journey Zeplyn didn’t realize that she had sealed her fate by admitting she wanted to please me. That statement triggered my instinct to hunt. After all, we were all animals driven by the same primal instincts: chase, capture, conquer, and claim. I had relied on those instincts to keep me alive since I was a kid, but no one had brought them out quite the way she did. And right now, I was the hungry predator, and she was the prey I sought. Nothing and no one would stop me from pursuing her until I caught her.

 

“You did please me,” I assured her, my eyes locked on Hawk. He was no longer masking his expression. Probably because he couldn’t. As I said, he anticipated my reactions, which meant he recognized the hunger she’d ignited.

 

“Is it supposed to make me feel good when you praise me?”

 

I heard the sincere wonder in her tone, and my body responded to it. “You like when I praise you?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“I like that you do things worthy of my praise,” I admitted, realizing exactly how that sounded. “Like when you changed in front of Garrison. You didn’t have to show me your tits, but you did.”

 

Her breaths grew heavier, raspier. “I’m not sure I did that to please you.”

 

“No?”

 

“I did it … I wanted to show you I can stand up for myself. Just because I like your dominance doesn’t mean I’m weak.”

 

I chuckled softly. “Hellcat, being submissive doesn’t make you weak. It makes you strong.”

 

A soft laugh sounded. “I’m not sure I would go that far.”

 

It looked like I had my work cut out for me. Journey had a natural inclination to submit, but she didn’t have the faintest idea that her submission kept her in complete control.

 

“Did it please you for me to go out with Garrison?”

 

I grinned, acknowledging the sassiness in her tone. “Depends.”

 

“On?”

 

“Did he kiss you goodnight?”

 

She was silent for a moment, and for every second, my guts twisted tightly.

 

“No. He was the perfect gentleman.”

 

I exhaled heavily, my relief potent.

 

“He said he wanted to, though.”

 

She was taunting me. I could hear it in her tone. “Did you want to kiss him?”

 

There wasn’t a second of hesitation in her resounding, “Yes.”

 

I felt my possessiveness surging to the surface. It felt ugly and dark but natural, all the same. “I thought you wanted to kiss Hawk.”

 

“Creed…” She exhaled roughly. “Is this a game to you? Are you trying to test me?”

 

I didn’t answer.

 

“Yes,” she blurted. “Yes, I want to kiss Hawk.”

 

Present tense.

 

“More than Garrison?”

 

“As of this minute, yes. I like Hawk. A lot. A whole lot more than I like you right now.”

 

I glared at Hawk as though he was forcing her to say these words. His expression was open and honest, filled with relief and wonder, even subjugated to me, naked and vulnerable as he knelt before me.

 

“You know what?” she said, frustration twining around each word. “Maybe we should table this conversation until you get back. You’ve got an angle, and I’m not particularly fond of it. I do not intend to be your plaything or inadvertently hurt Hawk or Garrison because of your agenda. Good night, Creed.”