Page 28 of Entangled With The Hellhound

“No. We need to get a few things clear. Don’t ever stand in another motherfucker’s face grinnin’ like I’m nobody. Especially in my fucking clubhouse. Do you know how that shit makes me look?”

I rear my head back like he slapped me. His voice isn’t loud, and nobody is paying us any attention, but he might as well have yelled to the entire place that I was a whore.

“Excuse the fuck outta me. Weren’t you the one getting a hand job in public by another woman? We haven’t even had a date yet. And you act like we’re married or something!” I keep my voice as low as his, but I’m pissed.

How the hell does he have the audacity to stake some kind of caveman claim on me, and he’s fucking around in public places. I think the fuck not!

I ball my fists up and place them on my hips as I take a calming breath. I can feel my skin heat from my anger, and I know my upper lip will have sweat on it if I don’t calm down. But I can feel those glasses of Bourbon pumping through my system, and I don’t think it’s helping me stay in control of my emotions.

Stone seemingly calms down some as he straightens to his full height and looks me over. I’m still wearing the same outfit that I had on when I saw him this morning, but by the way, he’s looking at me; it’s like he’s seeing me for the first time.

“I didn’t get a hand job from anybody, Lamb. Who told you that?” The timber of Stone’s voice has taken on a new tone, but he’s still speaking low. The anger isn’t lining every word now, though.

“Karma wouldn’t lie to me, Stone. But a man I hardly know would. But you don’t have to lie because you’re not my man.” I say, staking my own claims.

I won’t be a fool again, and that’s exactly what Stone takes me for. There’s no reason Karma would make something like that up. She’s not that type of person.

“First of all, somebody having their hand on my dick doesn’t mean I’m gettin’ pleasured.”

“Oh no. So what the fuck does it mean then? I really can’t wait to hear this bullshit.” I shake my head.

I don’t even know why I’m entertaining this shit. I should just walk away from him. We don’t have any ties to one another. I barely know this man. We’re not on some Netflix show about falling in love at first sight. This is real life, and shit like that doesn’t happen, especially to me.

“It means that somebody was touching me without my permission. And even though we haven’t had our first date, I wouldn’t start this off by lyin’ to you.” Stone’s voice is even softer now, almost gentle. But I will not fall for the switcheroo. He will not charm me into believing nonsense.Been there, done that.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not yours.” I feel like my proclamation isn’t taken seriously by the look on Stone’s face.

He’s no longer the angry villain in a horror film; he’s now the hero in a romantic comedy. Stone is now smiling with a twinkle in his eyes that has me worried. Although we spent the last week occupying the same space, and he’s given me all types of looks. Lusty looks, wanton looks, I’m gonna fuck you where you stand looks; he’s never looked at me the way he’s looking at me now.

“Youaremine. We might not know each other, we might not have gone on a date, we might not have done things in the traditional way. But you’re mine, and there’s no turnin’ back now.”

I just look at Stone like he’s crazy. Because he so obviously is, but I guess so am I. I want so desperately to believe what he’s saying. But all the evidence says this will never work between us. But maybe I can enjoy it while I can.

I don’t have to lose my mind or my heart behind this man. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have something with him. I know from our kisses that our sexual chemistry will be off the charts. But sex doesn’t have to lead to love. Right?

“We can talk about this later. I’m tired, and I just want to go to sleep. I have to call Dee, so I can see if I can stay with her for the night. Hopefully, Wire will take care of my apartment, so maybe I can get in there to clean up the mess tomorrow.”

“Baby, you ain’t stayin’ with nobody but me. And Wire ain’t doin’ shit about your apartment. I’ll take care of it. I didn’t see your SUV outside. Did you drive?”

I can feel the crinkle in my brow because I don’t know when Stone decided I was his baby and that I needed to be taken care of. This day has been too long, and that Bourbon was too strong for me to even contemplate everything that Stone and I need to discuss.

“I drove; my car is in the back. Wire thought it would be safer in case anybody was looking for me.”

“Hmmph.” Stone growls, but he doesn’t comment anything further.

“Since you’re tired, we can stay here tonight. As a voting member, I have nicer accommodations than most. Come on.”

I follow Stone down the long hall. I saw Dee and Crush disappear to the last time I was here, and although my nosey nature is being satisfied, I’m too tired to even look around.

When I enter the room, there’s a large sitting area with a couch and coffee table. The King sized bed is pushed up against the wall facing large picture windows that are hidden behind black blinds and curtains. There’s a black dresser, and a closet on the other side of what I assume is the bathroom.

“It looks like a hotel in here,” I comment. It’s very tidy, and it smells like freshly washed linens.

“We Hounds have style, Lamb. The bathroom is the second door. Is there anything you need out of your car?”

“My overnight bag. I want to take a shower and wrap my hair up before I go to sleep.” I look over at the bed. A nervousness fills my belly, and I know that once we take that step, there will be no turning back.

Am I ready for Stone? Really ready?