“Well she made an amazing daughter as a result.” I omit her other child who’s obviously a jackass. ‘You’re kind and brave. I like that you try to take care of your brother even though he doesn’t deserve you.”
The grin fades to a frown. Damn it. I need to remember to keep my thoughts about Juniper to myself or she’ll always be upset with me. I need a distraction for her. “Did you miss going to a real school?”
“Sometimes, I guess. I always wondered what it would be like to be in clubs or go to dances or out on dates.”
Jesus. She’s probably never even been kissed before.
“My mom said we always had plenty of time for all of that, no need to rush growing up since we would be adults for the rest of our lives. But now that I’m twenty-two, I don’t really have a lot of friends to actually go out with.”
The shrug of her narrow shoulders seems nonchalant but I’m not sure if I buy her indifference. Shit. It’s not as if I have girls who are friends myself. The strippers at the club would probably hate her, especially since they might consider her competition as striking as she is. I planned to hide her away from the world and keep her all to myself but need to reconsider. I’ll have to suck it up and see if Wolf and the girl he’s fucking might want to go out. A double date might be exactly what she dreams of.
“A personal assistant? What the fuck do you need a personal assistant for? She gonna suck your cock or wipe your ass or what?”
Thank fuck Tulip’s with Stephen going through her company’s books so she doesn’t have to hear this ignorant bullshit. Harvey’s the only one who cracks up at his own stupid joke. Wolf works on his phone, ignoring the idiot while I try to keep from punching him in the kidney. “Yeah all that and more. Now give me the update on Beyers.”
My fingers drum on my desk from this stupid motherfucker flopping down in the chair across from me uninvited and unwelcomed. I only let him hang around out of loyalty to my father. Otherwise, he’d of been buried deep in the desert a long time ago.
He yanks a flask from his breast pocket, fumbling to unscrew the lid, and sucks down a long drink. Keeping me waiting which he knows I hate. Egging me on just because he likes to push my buttons. “Fuck Harvey, it’s only two o’clock. You’re a fucking lush.”
“Fuck you. Your dad always kept a bottle in his bottom drawer, happy to celebrate with a friend.”
“Nothing to celebrate now because Beyers is still missing with my fucking money.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m gonna go get him. Quit your bitchin you damn grouch. That girl better get on her knees soon and improve your mood or—”
Nope. My Glock’s pointed at his forehead before I even rise from my chair. “Don’t ever mention her to me again or you die. Now get the fuck out of here and track down Beyers.”
Fright jerks his gaunt body, and he drops his alcohol, soaking the carpet. Fucking great. Now my office smells like fucking vodka. Rheumy eyes meet mine, and he knows I’m serious as hell. With an obvious sway, he rises, yanking down the lapels of his wrinkled jacket with all the dignity he can muster which is less than zero.
“Eh…fuck you.”
The old man waves a backhand at me in feigned disgust as he turns and shuffles away. Bastard’s just jealous I’ve got a woman as fucking glorious as Tulip doing my bidding and soon to be in my bed.
I slide my weapon onto the wooden surface. Ready to shoot that jackass if he comes back in here without any information or my girl’s name on his tongue.
“Man, I fucking hate that guy. I don’t know how your Dad put up with him.”
I shake my head too. “He wasn’t as bad back then. Now he’s got so much booze flowing through him he sloshes when he shits.”
“Still. He’s annoying as fuck.”
“Do you think—”
The door opening muffles my question as well as my fucking mind from Tulip stepping inside. Glowing with joy, she beelines straight for me while Wolf jumps up and heads in the opposite direction. Bright enough to make himself scarce. “Hey petal. How’d it go?”
“Great! Stephen said we’re paying way too much to our suppliers and he’s going to help us negotiate better rates.” Her arms wrap around me in a huge hug, conveying her gratitude while I breathe her in like life. “Thank you for asking him to take a look. It’s going to help things so much!”
Ask, force, either way nets the same results. She’s happy and grateful and mine. “Anything for you.”
My response stirs the opposite reaction to the one I intend, when she leans back, trying to squirm out of my grasp and shaking her head. “I’m sorry Ares. I’m supposed to be helping you and so far all I’ve done is taken from you.”
“It’s not taking when I give it to you. I want to give you everything.”
I’m almost hoarse with need from her gorgeous body pressed against me, so sweet and perfect.
“You do?”
It’s over when she stops trying to get away and actually scooches in closer. Looking up at me with hope and desire swirling in her expression. I tip down and brush my lips against hers. She stiffens yet doesn’t pull away. Just breathes deep and curls her fingers around my shirt clutching me tight.
“I’ve never…”
Fuck me. I’m beyond manic from her whispered admission. I know. I fucking know and have to be her first. “Let me show you.”
She studies me for a second confirming my intentions which I will prove. Over and over again until she’s completely convinced I’m the man who should give her all her firsts because I am going to be.
Unwilling to allow her hesitation to stop us from finding the pleasure we want, I take her mouth gently. Licking over her lower lip and then nipping at the top one, sucking the tender skin between my teeth. A raspy moan makes her open for me completely, and I seize the opportunity, plunging deep and tasting her innocence. Fucking perfect that she lets me. Trusting me to possess her by tilting her head to let me delve all the way without resisting.
When her tentative tongue brushes against mine, I’m the one moaning. Incapable of stopping myself from owning her, I cup the back of her head and her cheek while she holds on to me with all her strength to keep from stumbling from the intensity. I force myself to pause when she falls limp under my hands, overcome with my weight bowing into her.
A stuttered breath blows against my scorching skin and she lifts her hand, touching her lips in reverence. “Ares…”
“You belong to me. Today your mouth…” I cover her graceful fingers with mine and we stroke across the swollen skin together. “Very soon your heart and your pussy.”
Her body shudders against my palm on her back, holding her up as she dangles backward in my embrace.
“Am I in your heart too?”
I didn’t think I had one before her. But now I know I do, and it’s all hers. “Yes, you’re my heart, my entire life, my whole fucking world.”
The luminous smile overwhelms me. That this girl, my petal, wants exactly what I give her.
Funny how she can still be as sexy as hell curled up in a tight ball on my sofa. I can only see half of her sweet profile with the blanket I draped over her a few hours ago tucked under her neck, but she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen just from the hollow of her cheek.