“I don’t get a lot of people questioning me.” He sobered instantly. “I’m answering your questions because I’m being courteous, but don’t mistake my politeness for patience. Now, Ms. Weatherton, would you like to work for me?” He leaned back again in his seat and regarded her.
Tatum looked between Kiki, Collin, and Slade. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to respectfully decline your offer.”
He picked up his cigar and puffed on it. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am.” Tatum wanted to get the hell out of there, like an hour ago. This whole situation was weirder than hell, and the back of her neck itched with uneasiness.
Slade’s smile looked anything but pleasant. Tilting his head, he said, “Collin will see you out. Have a good evening.” The way he said those parting words had Tatum’s skin tightening.
She stood, still with Kiki’s hand in hers, and followed Collin out of the office. She had never been more thankful for the thickening heat and crush of bodies around her than she was at that moment. Collin stopped right before the exit and stared at her. The way his eyes bored into hers made Tatum feel uncomfortable. They hustled out of the club and toward Kiki’s car.
“What in the fuck was that about?”
Tatum shook her head, not knowing where to even begin.
“Obviously, that creep wanted a hell of a lot more than just you working for him. Did you see the way he watched you?” They stopped in front of Kiki’s car.
“Yeah.” Tatum didn’t want to admit how much that whole situation scared her. It hadn’t felt right, not in the least. “You okay to drive?”
“Girl, that was a sober-me-up kind of situation. Come on, I think I’ve had enough excitement for one night.” They got in the car, and Kiki pulled out onto the strip. “How do you know that guy anyway?”
“Saw him at the club a few times.” Tatum rested against the seat and stared out the window. Hordes of people walked up and down the streets, drinks in their hands and smiles on their faces.
Tatum wanted to think about something else. “You still mad at Beau?”
Kiki sighed, and Tatum noticed the way her hands tightened on the steering wheel.
“I love him, Tater, but I just don’t know what’s going on with him. Things have been going so good… well, up until the weird way he’s been acting.” She sighed loudly again. “I just don’t know.”
“Go home, Kiki. Talk it out with him. Tell him how you feel.”
“I tried that.”
Tatum leveled an incredulous look at Kiki. “I know how you ‘try to work things out.’ They usually end up with you screaming and swearing in-between throwing shit.”
Kiki laughed. “Yeah, well I’m going to have an adult conversation with him this time. No throwing shit.”
“Tell me how that goes.” Kiki slapped her on the knee, and Tatum grinned.
Kiki turned onto her street, and Tatum’s heart sped up when she saw a gunmetal-gray Corvette in her driveway.
“You are so freakin’ lucky.”
Tatum snorted and opened the car door. “Text me when you get home so I know you’re okay.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Kiki sped off, and Tatum found herself staring at the back of Leo’s car, her feet moving extra slowly. When his large frame folded out of the car, everything inside her heated. Her pussy became wet, her nipples beaded, and she became overly warm. It didn’t matter that she had a crazy-weird night; just seeing Leo made everything else fade into the background.
God, she was so in love with him, a revelation that freaked her out more than anything else.23Like every time Leo saw Tatum, his heart stopped. She wore a pair of shorts that were too fucking short, and her top barely held in her tits. He clenched his hands at his sides, reining in the possessive need to pull her to him and stake his claim.
He had put Frankie on detail tonight and told his guy to watch her and Kiki when they went out clubbing. But then Frankie called him and said the girls had gone to Stripped. He had freaked the fuck out. The way Slade departed suddenly left no doubt in Leo’s mind that the shifter had known Tatum stepped into his club. He should have known the fucker had been gunning for his girl.
When she was close enough to him, the wind decided to pick up, and he inhaled. A snarl left when the scent of his enemy came off of her. He had been on his way to Stripped when Frankie called him again and said the females were leaving. He had hauled ass to Tatum’s and waited until she showed.
“It’s late.”
Blood would be shed when he confronted Slade. That fucker had put his hands on her. He nodded, his tongue tied as he stared at her. He didn’t know what had gone down, but he sure as fuck was going to find out.