I should be terrified. The anger and force behind Ryker’s words should chill me. The look in his eyes as he’s staring down at the drunken asshole who hurt me should make me run away. Instead, I’m excited. I won’t lie; I’m nervous as hell. But Ryker Stone just called me his in front of everyone in the bar. His.
“Okay, Ryker,” I say softly, touching his shoulder as I walk around him. He takes his gaze away from the other man—just briefly.
“When I get back there, Lola, you better have your ass bared and bent over the table.”
“What? Ryker, I…” I cannot believe he is saying these things, let alone in front of everyone.
“I told you to protect yourself and to be careful. You weren’t. It’s time you find out what happens when you jeopardize what’s mine.”
“Now, listen here. I know—”
“You offered yourself to me last night, do you remember, Lola?” he prompts.
God, I should be humiliated he’s saying these things, but the truth is I’m excited, aroused.
“Jesus. You’re all fucking crazy,” the drunk slurs out. He’s jerking his hand away now, but it’s useless. Ryker’s not about to let him go. All he manages to accomplish is making Ryker angrier. Ryker shifts and maneuvers so the man is now standing up. Ryker spins him around so he’s facing him, then drives his elbow into the man’s side, causing him to bend in half, crying out in pain.
“Lola?” Ryker prompts again.
“I remember.” I swallow, wondering now if it is nerves or excitement making me feel more than a little dizzy.
“You told me to tell you what I wanted first. So I’m telling you. When I get back there you better be in the position I want you, the way I want you, and ready for your punishment. Do you understand?”
“Ye…yes,” I stutter, wondering why my nipples pebble at his instructions. I can feel how wet I am now, my panties soaked clean through. His crass words and demanding tone should turn me off, but it doesn’t. At the very least, I should be embarrassed that the entire bar is listening and knows what Ryker will be doing to me soon.
I’m not—not really.
I hold my head up all the way to the back of the building where the office is. Out of the corner of my eye I see Tina and I know she’s looking at me with envy. I can’t resist smiling.
Chapter 8
Ryker
I have the fucker’s shirt wrapped tightly around my fist as I haul him out of the bar. When we are outside, I toss him away from me and he lands on his ass in the parking lot. He looks up at me, maybe wanting to retaliate, maybe thinking he can go up against me.
I want him to try because right now I am feeling pretty pissed. He put his hands on what is mine and I want the fucker to pay for it.
He picks himself up off the ground and we stare at each other for a few seconds. “Come on, motherfucker, come after me and let me beat your ass.”
I can hear the door to the bar opening behind me, and have to assume his friends have come out. Maybe they're smarter than him and will take his ass home.
Finally he just shakes his head and runs a hand across his face. His friends move around me and it’s clear they are smarter than I've given them credit for. They walk away from me and head to their car, but I still feel pretty pissed off.
I run my hand across my jaw and exhale roughly. Part of me is angry at Lola, mainly because I hate that she's in this situation constantly. I don't want her working at this bar, don't want bastards looking at her, touching her...thinking they have a chance with her.
I turn and look at the bar, knowing she's waiting for me in the back room. I curl my hands into tight fists at my sides and grin. What I'm about to show her, do to her, will make it abundantly clear that she is mine.
I ignore everybody and everything as I head back into the bar, toward Slim’s office. I don't bother knocking before I swing the door open. I stare at her, her body so much smaller than mine, so innocent and vulnerable...so feminine.
My arousal is strong, like this fucking beast inside of me. I kick the door shut behind me with my foot and reach around to lock it. No one is going to interrupt this.
I could ease her into things, give her some sweet-talking and be gentle. But I know she wants me the same way I want her, and going slow is more than I can offer her right now.
“Take off those tiny as fuck shorts, pull your panties down, turn around and bend over the desk,” I order her, leaving no room for argument—heaven help her if she tries.