Page 12 of Full of Wrath

“You’ll see.” He looks over at me with a smirk that kicks one corner of his lips up and causes him to look younger. I can totally see him as a teenager out with the popular girl who everyone loves. I’m not that person, and that’s not really an answer I’m comfortable with.

“Look, um, Memphis, I don’t really have a lot of money to stay in a hotel or whatever, and it wouldn’t matter anyway because…”

“We’re not going to a hotel.”

Then where the hell are we going? I’m sick and tired of not being in control of any fucking thing. I stopped being in control when I decided I was going to go tra-la-laing in someone’s flower garden and someone got kidnapped, damn it! And I’m a little fed up with it!

“Memphis, just tell me where we’re going and when I can go back!”

Even though the night outside the car is dark and I can’t see him very well, I know that smirk isn’t on his face now.

“Your apartment just got vandalized, you got attacked, and in case you missed it, someone is very much trying to kill you. Going back isn’t an option now, Waverly.”

Shit! When he puts it like that, it doesn’t sound great at all.

“I’m taking you to a cabin my family owns. It’s secluded and out of the way. No one knows about it except mom and dad and the Chief.”

“We’re hiding. You’re doing like a protective custody thing with me like that one detective suggested.” Panic floods through me at the thought of being left in the middle of nowhere alone.

“No, not like he suggested.”

“But you’re going to take me out here and leave me.” So much for staying in control. My voice just keeps climbing at the thought.

“What?” He turns to look at me for a few seconds before turning his attention back to the winding road. “You think I would just take you out in the middle of the woods and dump you?”

“I…,” yeah, I kind of do.

“Why the hell would you think I would do that to someone?”

Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because my own mother would have done something like that, so she didn’t have to put up with all the trouble I caused.

“Why wouldn’t you? I’ve been nothing but trouble for you. I almost got you hurt in the hallway. I could have gotten Sadie hurt, and it would have been my fault. All because I needed some fucking air!”

He pulls the car over to the gravel shoulder, and before I can take my next breath, he has my seatbelt unbuckled pulling me into his lap while at the same time sliding his chair back.

“Hey, none of that stuff is your fault.” He takes my face between his hands, so I have to look into his dark blue eyes. “None of that shit is your fault, baby girl. That’s on the people who did it. Not you.”

I wish I was as sure about it as he seems to be. I’ve never been someone to shy away from responsibility, and I’m not going to start now, but is this something that is mine to carry?

“Everything is just spinning out of control, and I can’t find anything stable to hold myself together with. Nothing is there…”

Chapter Twelve

Memphis

Istop her the only way I know how. I kiss her. I slide my hand around to cup her head so I can bring those lips I’ve not stopped thinking about closer and take her mouth with my own. This time I don’t pull back and let myself actually sample her lips like they’re a fine wine. Tentatively, she starts kissing me back, shy little kisses that begin with the faintest pressure.

“Open your mouth for me, baby girl,” I mumble it against her lips and am unprepared for her to pull away from me.

“I…um…,” she gives me a little head shake that has my brow shooting up.

I know she feels this thing between us. So why is she suddenly retreating and trying to deny it?

“This is not a good idea.” She tries to move off my lap, but all she manages to do is wiggle around on my very hard cock. “This is a very bad idea.”

I help her into her seat and move mine back to the place it was before. I pull the car back out on the road without saying a word. She doesn’t speak either. What the hell? Why would she think we’re a bad idea? Is it because of the power dynamic between us? I have no problem helping her discover she’s got all the power. Hell, I’m not one of those guys that need to be the one calling all the shots, even if I do call her baby girl. That’s just because I want to take care of her.

I realize she doesn’t need me to - and in truth - that makes me want to do it even more. It makes me like her even more. I don’t doubt she could have taken those two men in the hallway, but the point is she doesn’t have to. The way she beat the hell out of the guy with her cast…yeah, it was fucking hot and made me want her ten times as much.