Hush, Hush (Hush, Hush 1)

Amusement dances in his eyes and I can see the grin behind the beard. He's smiling, but I'm not playing. I don't know where this is coming from because it's not usually me, but with the way he looks tonight, I want to plaster myself all over him and tell everyone he's mine.

But that's the thing. He's not mine, so I don't know why I even said anything. I'm annoyed with myself and wish I hadn't spoken up, but I just hate the way she’s looking at him.

Cupping my jaw, he pulls my mouth to his. I gasp right before his lips slant over mine and lean into him. He kisses me slow, deep, showing me that I'm all he wants, and he does it in a public setting.

"Valentina?" he says against my lips.

"Hmm?"

"Shut the hell up."

I nod and chuckle. "I'm just saying, if you want her instead tonight, I saw a hot waiter I wouldn't mind screwing in the kitchen."

James leans down and grabs my bottom lip between his teeth, tugging it hard before he kisses me again. I draw in a breath as his tongue erotically circles mine and I get lost in his strokes. A throb resonates between my legs and my heart rate kicks up a notch. I love and hate the way he kisses me. He knows exactly how to silence my moronic thoughts and get to me.

"You want that little fuck?" he asks, shrugging nonchalantly.

He's just as confident as I am, and fuck, it's a turn-on. He's the strong, silent type, and I realize that I just love that.

"Bring him to our room and I'll show him how a man handles a woman like you. I guarantee you won't be saying his name by the end of the night. You both will be calling me Daddy."

Forty-Four

I laugh so hard my stomach hurts. His grin sends a current of happiness though my veins. I love this back-and-forth banter we have. It's hot and exciting and fun. It's too easy for us—natural—and kind of addicting.

"I'll get us another drink. Let's circle the room and then we'll head out," he says. "I'm dying to get you out of that dress."

"Whatever you want, Daddy," I say in my Valentina voice.

His eyes widen. "I see that look in your eyes. Don't even think about calling me Daddy in front of anyone."

I grin so big my cheeks hurt. "You take the fun out of everything. First no big dick talk, now this? What shall I ever do?"

"Sorry to interrupt, James,” and man says next to us. “Mind if I have a word? There's a matter I'd like to discuss with you. James looks at me and I tell him I'll get us our drinks and see him in a few.

While I wait on the bartender, I take a seat on an open stool and pull out my cell phone and quickly check my messages. They’re all from Daniel. He wanted to see me tonight, but I told him I was doing an overnight nanny job and wouldn't be back for two days. He wasn't thrilled, going as far as making a nasty comment about the parents, but I ignored it. I feel bad, but this is a job, and that's what I tell myself. I won't be gone for two days, but I know I’ll need a day to recover.

"What did you have to do to get a man like that?" The woman in the yellow frock woman askes, staring openly at James from across the room. She wants him so bad I can taste it.

I place my cell phone back in my purse, not retuning any message to Daniel, and give this woman a honeyed smile.

"He's a hunk of meat on two legs, isn't he?" I say, playing her. "What's hanging between those hips, though?" I blow out an exaggerated breath and make a face like I've never seen anything so big in my life. "Too bad he bats for the other team."

Her face falls and I revel in it.

"You're lying."

I shake my head. "He's got a mouth like a Hoover and a trunk like an elephant. I've seen it in action and experienced it a time or two myself when he's let me. It's something to marvel at. I bet he gives better head than you."

Her face twists up like she sucked on something sour. She scoffs and gets up, stalking away just as James walks over to me.

He looks at her as she passes him and frowns. James unbuttons his jacket before sitting in her empty seat. He places a hand on my knee and swivels my chair to face him so that my crossed legs are between his.

"What did you tell her? She looks like her dog just died.”

I nod, giving him a grave look. “She’s heartbroken. I told her you bat for the other team and that you like it when I wear a strap-on."

James barks out a laugh and I smile in return. I know he's not mad because he's secure in his skin and knows the truth. One plus about this particular agreement with James is that I can be myself. I get the notion that not many other men would be okay with my crude thoughts the way he is. It’s just another reason why I adore him.