Chapter Four
Slade
Her question has me chuckling. She’s feisty, but so damn beautiful while she’s at it that I can’t help grinning like an idiot. There’s a fire that dances in her eyes, and I find myself wanting to play with it even if I get burned. Most women aren’t a challenge. They see the bad boy with the tattoos and they’re like moths to a flame, but Ryn Callan is more than that. She’s a smart, independent woman, and she doesn’t take shit from anyone, including me and that makes me respect her.
But it’s not only her mind and personality that lure me in, it’s also the gentle nature I see behind her façade. I want to dip into the well and find out what this beauty is hiding.
“Darling, I’m no asshole. You’re probably used to those, but I can assure you, I’m the nicest guy you’ll ever meet.” My response has her laughing, the sound musical, soft and alluring. “Let me take you out and I’ll show you,” I say, watching her for a reaction, something to tell me she’s interested, but she suddenly shuts down.
“I can’t. Let’s get this done.” Her response is short, cold. The buzzing of the gun echoes around us, leaving little room for talking. As soon as the needles touch my skin, I close my eyes and allow her to do her thing. Jag told me she’s good; if he trusts her, so do I.
But I want to know more about her. Opening one eye, I take her in. Her blonde hair is tied back messily. Soft strands fall down her neck as she moves. Her gaze is trained on my body, and I wish it was more than just her eyes on me. I wish she was on me, riding my cock.
Sighing, I close my eyes again, needing to calm the fuck down or I’ll be sporting a hard on while she works.
“Do you enjoy working for my best friend?” I ask, not looking at her. The buzzing stops and we’re left in complete silence.
“Yes, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and he’s a good teacher.” The gun turns on again and I feel the scrape against my skin. Turning my head to her, I open my eyes, only to find her looking at me.
“Will you allow me to take you out? One night. Just dinner.” I’ve never begged a woman, never had to ask twice. This is new to me and I don’t know why I’m bothering, but something deep down tells me that there’s so much more to this sassy woman than meets the eye. And I intend to find out what it is.
“No. Do you like being turned down?” she quips, and an almost smile cracks on her face, which lights up her blue eyes.
“Never been turned down before, darling. Why don’t you want to go out with me?” I ask, watching her lips curl into a grin as she works. I don’t know if it’s our banter that’s causing that beautiful tilt of her mouth, but I know I want to see more of it.
“Because you’re a man whore, Slade. I’m not those bar bunnies you add to the millions of notches on your bed post.”
Gripping her hand, I pull it away from me, and guffaw at her response. “I never said you were one of those, Ryn. And I wouldn’t add you to those notches. Also... There aren’t that many. I mean, if it were millions, I’m sure my dick would’ve fallen off by now.”
“I’m surprised it hasn’t.” Her quick responses, sassy remarks, and the way her eyes glisten with mischief only make me want to try harder. To crack the shell, she’s built around her and find the woman hidden beneath.
“Well, why don’t I show you?” I ask, causing her to stop the gun again. “Or are you scared?” I tease playfully.
“I’m not scared of you, Slade Maddox.” She pins me with a heated glare. “I just don’t want to be another one on the long list of women you’ve fucked and chucked.” Her voice lowers, sadness heavy in her tone.
I watch her put the gun down, and I notice she’s finished the touch up. Her fingers massage cream into my newly inked skin and she covers it.
“I just don’t trust men like you.”
Her confession has me sitting up, abruptly. “What do you mean?” This time, I’m in her face, reaching for her chin, I gently lift it with my index finger forcing her to look at me.
“Nothing. You’re done. I need to close up the shop and get home.” She pulls away from me, and I watch her clean up the ink pots and plastic wrap. Silence hangs heavily in the air and I find myself wanting to burrow into her mind to find out why she’s so tortured, so damn sad.
“Ryn—”
“You’re done, Slade. Please leave.” Frustration ebbs at me as I pull on my T-shirt and stalk toward her. She turns to face me then, her gaze burning into mine. Our bodies are inches apart. Her heat is intoxicating. Lifting my hand, I trail it down her arm, mimicking the ink adorning her skin.
She trembles at my touch. When I reach her hip, I lean in, my mouth at her ear. “Do you feel that?” I whisper, allowing my breath to fan over her flesh.
She lets my hand to inch its way to her core. Even through the thick denim I can feel how hot she is for me.
“This right here.” I press a finger to her pussy and her head drops back as a whimper escapes her mouth. “Will be mine. I can assure you of that, sweet thing.” I smile, trailing my fingers to the button that’s restricting my access. Once it’s undone, I watch her face as pleasure soars through her.
“Slade,” she whimpers, her full lips part and my mouth crashes on hers. My tongue delves into her heat, tasting her for the first time.
My hand finds itself inside her jeans. The soft material of her panties are soaked when I trail a finger over her slit. Gently, I shove the offending silk to the side and find her hot, wet, and so ready, my cock jolts.
Her hand grips my wrist, holding me in place. She doesn’t move. Her hips don’t inch forward at all. Our gazes lock for a moment, a long, heated second before she releases my hand and allows me to dip two fingers inside her. My body is at boiling point when her pussy grips both digits. She pulses around me, her mewls fall from her lips and I finger her slowly, torturously.
My newly inked skin is tingling, but the ache only serves to make me harder. She’s beautiful as her head drops back and she lets go. Pleasure holds her firmly in its grip as her hips roll and she rides my fingers.
“That’s it, dirty girl, take it, take all your pleasure from me,” I tell her. In awe of how incredible she is, I make sure the image is seared in my mind because tonight, I sure as hell will be jerking off to Ryn Callan coming on my hand.
An orgasm racks through her, and her release drenches my hand. When those big blue eyes flutter open, she finds me in her haze of pleasure and a rosy blush tints her cheeks.
“You’re a bad influence, Slade Maddox,” she says on a moan.
Pulling my hand from her jeans, I bring my fingers, glistening with her essence, to my lips and I lick both digits. The sweet, musky, intoxicating flavor only causes my blue balls to worsen. I want to fuck her. I want to drive inside her right now, but that’s not what will make her see I’m right. She needs to be taken slowly.
“Soon, I’ll ensure that you find pleasure on more than just my fingers, sweetheart,” I tell her.
“I’d like to see you try, Mr. Maddox. This—” she gestures between us “—was me losing control once, and let me tell you one thing, it won’t happen again.” Her retort is breathy, nowhere near what she sounded like earlier, and I know I’m slowly chipping away at the walls that she’s hidden behind.
“This isn’t over, darling. I’ll break down those walls and you’ll have no choice but to let me in. I never back away from a challenge.” With that, I leave her in the back of the store and make my way toward the door. She doesn’t follow me. I didn’t think she would. Something bothers me about what she said earlier and I wonder who hurt her before. The need to punch someone runs rife through me.
I planned on heading to the bar when I was done, but I don’t feel the need to. What I do want is Ryn Callan. I want her in my arms. The thought settles in my mind and I start formulating my plan.
Women are easy to figure out. Their wants and needs. But with her, there’s something so much more. She’s a puzzle and I intend on discovering just how her pieces fit together. I want more. Not just a quick fuck in the back of my car. With Ryn, her innocence and fire make me want to see how much more I can find out about the beautiful woman.
Slipping into the driver’s seat of my Jeep, I start the engine with my mind on how to play this out. She needs some way to trust me. And I’ll make sure by the end of the week that’s exactly what she’ll do.