“I promise.”
Fox slowly drops me to the floor, letting me feel how hard he is in all the right places.
Amalee stands just outside the door with a frown and her arms folded. “Five minutes,” I mouth, trying to express I’m not the kind of woman who needs all the male attention on her.
The cool night air is a relief on my skin as I pull Sam with me away from the entrance. I spin to face him and fold my arms. “Let’s get real for a second,” I say.
Sam scratches the back of his head, and I realize I hadn’t even taken in what he’s wearing tonight. Whereas with Fox, I could tell you everything from his shirt to his shoes.
“I don’t think this is going to work out,” Sam says with a wince, like he’s letting me down gently.
I rub my right temple. I could just let him think he’s the one rejecting me, but I’m all about the hard truths—even if it would be kinder to his ego.
“Sam, this date was never about giving you a chance, it was about letting you see the real me and how wrong I am for you. You want a woman who is happy to be your little wife, to wash your clothes, make your dinner, and dote on your every word.”
“That’s not?—”
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting those things, but I can never give you that. I won’t be the damsel in distress that swoons in the sight of danger. I’m the woman who punches men twice her size to put them back in line. You don’t like that, and I’m not changing to fit anyone’s expectations—I’ve been there and done that.”
“You are one hell of a woman.”
I grin. “I’m aware.”
Suddenly, he wraps me up in a hug that is one hundred percent platonic, and I find I don’t hate it. “As for finding that perfect woman, look a little closer to home. She’s right in front of you.” I pull free and spin him around.
He chuckles. “I thought matchmaking was Helen’s thing.”
I shrug as I stride next to him to meet Fox. Amalee’s gaze is all for Sam.
“You good?” Fox asks as his gaze rakes me up and down.
“I am.”
“How’s your hand?”
I stretch my fingers and wiggle them. “No damage.”
“You’ve got one hell of a left hook.”
“So I’ve been told.”
He hands me my clutch I’d left inside, and after a quick goodbye to Sam and Amalee, we are on our way home. I resistthe urge to squirm, and I definitely don’t turn on the vibrator. I’m already struggling to remember the reasons why I shouldn’t allow a man to touch me, especially not one like Fox who entertains my demons with a dare.
He turns up the music. I close my eyes and groan as the seat vibrates under me, causing the butt plug to wiggle. Oh my God. My hands grip the sides of the leather chair. Can I come from this? Fox’s large warm hand curves around the inside of my thigh, just like he did at the grill. My head knocks back against the seat, and I widen my legs, both hoping and terrified that he’ll go higher. He does, but not enough to give me any friction. I could solve this right now and click the switch on the remote. I’m ninety-nine percent sure I’ll come in thirty seconds flat and that’s thanks to him and the very clever challenge he laid at my feet.
He turns down the music using the button on the steering wheel so he doesn’t have to let go of my leg. It’s like he’s afraid of breaking the spell he’s woven over me. He needn’t worry; it would take a disaster to stop this freight train. I try to stay calm as I accept that Fox is probably going to see me come tonight. I’m not ready for more, though. The icy fear of being that vulnerable to anyone creeps up my spine, squashing the need that’s been riding me hard all night.
“I can feel how hot you are from here,” he mutters. “I’m so tempted to pull over and taste you on the hood of my car right now.”
I shake my head. “No, not here.” Out in the open where anyone could catch us? Is he insane?
He jerks his head at me. “Not here?”
Ah, he caught that. I keep silent. He steps on the brakes and stops in the middle of the road.
“What are you doing?” I stutter.
“Answer the question.”
