Robin guilelessly repeated her words, and Warden started laughing again. Mike opened and shut his mouth like a fish gasping for air. “Robin,” I asked calmly. “Where did you get that from?”
“Daddy. He was talking to Uncle Jude and told him, ‘Bitch, it’s a good job I love you.’ Bitch is a nickname, isn’t it?”
I glanced at Mike and grinned. He could answer that one.
“Robin, that’s—that’s a very unpleasant word,” Mike finally stammered.
“But you said it, Daddy,” Robin argued.
“And I was wrong to. Seriously, Robin, that’s a bad word.” Mike hunkered down.
Robin frowned. “But you called Uncle Jude that.”
“I was cussing and being rude. I’m sorry you heard that. Bitch isn’t a nice thing to call anyone,” Mike continued.
“You’re mean!” Robin exclaimed. “I want to ride with Dynamo, and I don’t think you should get cake, Daddy!”
“Fine. Let’s go. Dynamo sits in the front.”
“I can’t. I’ve got some tasks to do,” I said. Mike was not dictating this.
“Oh, whatever you have can wait. Have some fun. After all, how can you say no to that face?” Warden interrupted, waving at Robin, who was pouting.
“Sorry, but this is very important,” I retorted, sending Warden a warning glare. The fucker ignored me!
“Not at all. I’m your prez, go and enjoy yourself!” he insisted and made shooing motions at me before walking away. I was petty enough to trip him up.
Mike
“Not so bad, is it?” I asked as Dynamo sat stiffly on a blanket next to me.
She gave me a sour look. “Does no mean nothing to you?”
I sensed it was a trick question. “No means everything. If a woman says no, then I stop what I’m doing. Consent is vital and key.”
“But you ignored my no.”
“Because I believe you wanted to come, and you did too, but didn’t know how to tell me. Tell me I’m wrong right here and I’ll take you back and not bother you again,” I said earnestly.
“You’re wrong,” Dynamo replied instantly.
“Wow, without even a moment’s hesitation. That’s cold. Now give me the courtesy of thinking about it and being honest.”
Dynamo fell silent, and I could sense the warinside her.
“I don’t want anything from you. Not a relationship, not a friendship, nothing.”
“Fine. If you don’t mind, let the girls run around for another half an hour, and I’ll take you back.”
If I pushed, I’d lose her. Dynamo had to come to me on her terms.
Chapter Ten.
Dynamo
That was it? Was Mike going to accept my decision just like that? No way. He was a man; he had a cock and was all alpha male; I beat my chest, and you little woman, that type of bullshit. Mike was up to something. But what?
We sat there in silence; the wind blowing through my hair and whipping it around my face. But Mike didn’t speak or make a move. After fifteen minutes, I broke it.
