“Going to share?”
She nodded as she sank back into him. “I figured out that I’m a big fat coward.”
He laughed. “There’s nothing big or fat about you, princess.”
“I noticed you didn’t take issue with the coward comment.”
“What makes you think you’re a coward?” He stroked her bare arm with his big hand. It was soothing.
“I’ve let my mother and Frank walk over me, all because I was scared to say no. Scared they wouldn’t love me if I stood up to them.” She snorted. “They don’t love me anyway.” She noticed he didn’t disagree. “I’m tired of being walked over, Matt. I’m tired of agreeing so someone will love me. I’m tired of being scared of what will happen if I stand up for myself. See? Coward.”
“Not cowardly. Sounds to me like you were taught that love is a reward for compliance. It isn’t. It’s freely given, even when the other person pisses you off.” He nuzzled her head at her temple, placing a kiss there. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. To be in Matt’s arms, to be taking comfort from him.
“I need to be more courageous. More honest.”
“I love it when you’re honest with me, and I don’t mind a bit of conflict.” He pulled her even closer. “I hear angry sex is mind-blowing. I’m keen to give it a try. Want to be my guinea pig? I’ll say some annoying stuff, you can tell me off, we’ll build up a tonne of adrenalin then go upstairs and work it off.”
Jena chuckled, but her body vibrated with agreement. It was a very good plan indeed. They stood in silence for a few minutes, watching the flames burn out. Who knew having a burned-out car in your yard would be so useful?
“My mother wants me to go home with Frank. She made a deal with
him where she forces me to go back with him and he introduces her to Josh. Part of me isn’t surprised she’d do something like that. It says a lot about our relationship, huh?”
“Aye, it says she shouldn’t be a mother.”
Jena snorted. “I don’t know why Frank wants me back so badly. It’s out of character for him. He’s a guy who gives up easily.”
Matt stiffened behind her.
“You know something,” she said. “Don’t protect me. Tell me.” The insane macho man would probably make her wear bubble wrap if he could.
“I was going to tell you, but other things got in the way. Lake did some digging. Frank is in trouble with his business partners, the Rizzonis. He’s been too busy sleeping with strippers to make the club a success, and they want him to turn it around fast or they’ll make an example of him.” He paused, but he didn’t need to say anything else. Jena knew what kind of example he’d turn into. The kind that sank to the bottom of the ocean.
“He wants me to go back and strip in the club, doesn’t he?”
“Aye.”
Jena wasn’t even surprised at Frank’s plan. He’d watched her politely turn down offers to strip for years. He knew how she felt about it. She thought he’d understood. Obviously understanding only went so far when it got in the way of something he wanted.
“They only want me for what I can do for them.” It wasn’t a question. It wasn’t even a realisation. Deep down, Jena had known this for a very long time.
“Not everybody is like that. You need to learn how to tell the difference. You need to stand up for what you want instead of doing whatever everyone else wants you to do. You can start by saying no to all these bloody men who ask you out.”
Jena laughed hard. It felt good. It felt freeing. She turned in Matt’s arms and slid her hands up to rest on his pecs. She felt his heart beat under her fingertips. Slowly, she looked up to find him studying her. His eyes dark with promise.
“I need to stand up for what I want. That’s what you said. Right?”
His blue eyes darkened with desire and amusement. “Aye, that’s what I said.”
“I know what I want,” Jena whispered. “I’m standing up for it right now.”
“Tell me,” he whispered back.
“I want you.”
Matt’s eyes turned as black as the night sky above them. His hands flexed on the small of her back. His lips quirked into a mischievous smile that made her stomach clench.
“I’m really hoping you mean in a sweaty, naked way and not in a supportive friend sort of way.”