The Scotch Queen (Scotch 2)

He kept his eyes on the road. “Because I am.”

I should have been more specific. “Why do I get the feeling you’re mad at me?”

“I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at myself for allowing you to come with me.”

“Why?” I blurted. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Crow asked if he could have a go with you.” He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles slightly turning white. “Cane did the same.”

I was grateful he didn’t share me. Crow and Cane were good-looking, but I didn’t want to be loaned out to strangers. It had been difficult enough for me to sleep with Crewe to begin with. Now sleeping with him was so natural I didn’t think twice about it. “You didn’t act like I meant anything special to you…”

Crewe clenched his jaw.

“And I don’t mean anything to you, so why do you care?”

“I just do. I shouldn’t have let you come. It was a stupid decision.”

“You’re being really unfair. I didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not my fault they’re both perverts.”

“They aren’t perverts,” he said quietly. “They’re men. When men see a beautiful woman, they want to fuck her. It’s pretty fucking natural.” His jaw was still clenched as he spoke.

“Then you shouldn’t be upset.”

He turned his head my way, the anger in his eyes.

That wasn’t the smartest thing to say. “Crewe, if you’re gonna keep me around for a long time, put me to use. Let me help with your business. Give me something to do. I don’t want to be at the mercy of your employees every time you aren’t around.”

“I don’t care how you feel, London. I’m sorry if that wasn’t apparent.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and looked out the window. “Why don’t you just kill me…?” I had hope prior to this, hope that something good would happen. But now, all optimism was disappearing.

He turned his head to look at me again.

“Just kill me,” I repeated. “You’ll get your vengeance on Joey. He’ll be miserable. Win-win.”

“Why would I do that when I enjoy being between your legs so much?”

My heartbeat quickened at his words, although I wasn’t sure why. Did that simple sentence make me aroused? Was it the possessiveness? Or was it nothing at all, just a natural reaction.

I purposely kept my eyes out the window, not wanting to look at him or see his reaction to me. I didn’t respond to his flirty words, refusing to do so.

His hand grabbed my elbow, and he loosened my arm before he grabbed my hand. He rested it on my thigh then brushed his thumb along my knuckles. Like he did on the plane, he showed me affection that surprised me. It was tender and sweet, a great contradiction to everything he was.

My heart rate slowed down again, and just for a moment, I felt at peace. I felt safe, like nothing could hurt me while he consoled me. I liked this version of Crewe, when he showed compassion that derived from nowhere.

“I’m not gonna kill you, Lovely. That’s the last thing I want to do.”

“Then what do you want to do with me?” I didn’t pull my hand away because it felt nice. I wanted him to keep touching me. It made me feel alive, not hopeless and dead.

“For now, this.” He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. “That’s all.”

It wasn’t an answer, but at least it wasn’t a death threat. As long as I was useful to him, he would keep me around. If he liked me enough to kiss my hand, maybe I had a chance after all.

But I still doubted it.

When we entered the bedroom, it was nightfall. The stars appeared in the sky and could be seen through the open window. I hoped Crewe didn’t have plans for the night. There was a lock on the door and I doubted Dunbar would go out of his way to make me miserable, but I preferred it when Crewe was around.

He kept everyone in line.

He dropped his jacket and removed his watch, taking his time undressing in front of the closet. His tie came next then he unbuttoned his shirt.

I tried not to stare at him.

His physique was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. I’d never seen a man so hard and strong. He had lean muscles on a tall frame, his biceps leading to tight triceps. His pecs were so sculpted they didn’t look real. He had a light tan line around his neck where his collared shirt ended, but it was so faint it was hardly noticeable. His shoulders were just as toned as the rest of him, packed with muscle but slender at the same time. The only time I’d ever seen a man look this beautiful was in porn, and that was all lighting and angles.