Because I Can (Necklace Trilogy 2)

“You’re both about to lose your shit.”

“What the hell does that mean, Bella?” Dash demands.

“Yes, what does that mean?” I ask, setting my glass down and turning toward Dash and the phone.

“Brandon is now repping—God, I can barely say it—your father, Dash.”

“Oh my God,” I say. “He went after someone close to Dash with the intent to hurt me by hurting him. I know he did. I know he did.”

“Okay, this gets worse,” she says. “A few hours ago, I asked for the promotional material for the signing because I just couldn’t get a copy. I got irritated. I raised hell. They sent it to me.”

“Just tell me what the hell is going on, Bella,” Dash snaps.

“Apparently, Brandon set-up a Halloween signing for your father, Dash. Brandon swears he thought your father was the only one signing, but from talking to the publisher, they believed it was a father-son event. Something never done before.”

“Holy fuck. Are you telling me I’m signing with my dad?”

“Yeah. And he’s not happy about it either. But the publisher and the charity sent out a huge press blitz for this event just today, Dash. And yes, Brandon pushed for the blitz. You can’t get out of this. And neither can he. And for the record, I talked to that prick Brandon myself. I called him myself. He knew exactly what he was doing. He knows you two don’t speak, but apparently, he got your dad so much money, he feels like he’ll forgive him this error. I’m going to get on a plane—”

“No,” Dash says. “Stay there. It’s a signing. It’s complicated enough, Bella. And we both know this is too personal for both of us. I need you to keep your space and professionalism in case I don’t.”

“You have to, Dash,” she insists. “This is really high-profile. And you’ll have to take photos with him. I’m sorry. I wish I could make this go away. But believe you me, if I can make Brandon go away, I will. I’m going to report him to the ethics committee. He should not be an agent.”

“I’ll handle Brandon,” Dash says. “Stay away from him. I want him to come for me, and only me. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Dash—”

“Later, Bella,” he says, and he hangs up, setting the phone down.

“Dash, I’m so sorry,” I say quickly. “This is because of me. If I’d told you about Brandon before now, maybe we could have—”

“No. No one could see this shit coming, Allie. You didn’t do this. This isn’t about you. It’s about a couple of assholes. Your ex and my father.” He stands up and walks to the patio doors, opening them and stepping outside in the bitter cold night, with no coat on.

I grab my own jacket and pull it on, following him outside. He’s standing at the railing, holding onto the steel bars, face pointed skyward. I step to his side, shivering in the long moment that passes before Dash grabs me and pulls me in front of him.

My back is to the railing, his hands on my waist as he says, “Do not talk to my father. I need you to promise me you’ll stay away from him.”

I could be offended. I could get defensive. But I don’t. This isn’t about me and Dash. This is about Dash and his father. There’s something between them, something he doesn’t want me to be involved with. Something I can’t push him to explain while he’s dealing with this.

“Okay,” I say. “I won’t talk to your father.”

“Promise me, Allie. Stay away from him.”

“Yes, I promise. I’ll stay away—”

Already his hand is in my hair, fingers twining roughly, his mouth claiming my mouth. He devours me with that kiss, anger burning on his tongue that has everything to do with his father and nothing to do with me. He tears his mouth from my mouth, and turns me to the railing. He drags my coat down my arms and throws it away, but I’m no longer cold. My hands are on the steel railings now and my skirt is at my waist. He yanks my panties and I gasp into the night, the mist of warm air fanning from my mouth.

Then Dash’s fingers are between my legs, stroking me, teasing me, but the tease doesn’t last long. I’m wet and ready, and he needs no further invitation. He drives into me, his hand smacking my backside, harder than I expect, but something arousing in a way I also do not expect, before he thrusts yet again.

There’s a part of me then that knows that this is a time when Dash would fight, when he would look for an outlet. I’m that outlet tonight. But he’s holding back. With his secrets, and how he fucks me. I don’t know all there is to know about this man. Because he thinks I’ll hate him if I do. But I won’t, and as I push against him as he thrusts inside me, I know that this, what we are doing right now, isn’t enough for him.