Page 9 of Hurricane (Happy Hour #1)

Colby

L uckily, I can compartmentalize my feelings, or I’d never have made it through my presentation.

As soon as the first slide flickered onto the screen, I switched on autopilot until my professor nodded at the end.

I even earned a smattering of light applause from my classmates, which is a rare occurrence as competitive as this group is.

With my report complete, all the turmoil instantly returns as I gather my bag and cardigan, heading out of the auditorium to my car. I just want to go home and think. But I need to go to my parents’ house first.

After all the revelations I’ve learned about Lucian during the past twenty-four hours, I have to talk to my mom and dad. If I’m really marrying him, I want to let them know first.

And, set some guidelines, especially with my father. He may be giving me away like I’m his property rather than his daughter, but I refuse to allow myself to be treated like anything less than an individual person.

My normal quick pace stalls on the sidewalk when I catch sight of Lucian leaning against my car.

He looks incredible in his suit, unable to diminish his muscular body hidden beneath the expensive fabric.

Even just standing there relaxed, he pulses with a primal dominance that no one wants to mess with.

Except for me.

I love messing with him.

Just because we came to a tentative agreement this morning doesn’t mean I will just lie down and take what he doles out.

Unless it’s his dick of course.

That I’ll take every inch until I’m spent.

I regain my fast steps but leave a wide berth so he can’t grab me when I pass him. “You’re going to pay to fix any scratches you cause.”

He chuckles his throaty laugh that makes me almost lose my facade of being irritated with him.

“Lovebug, I’m buying you a new car once we’re married. Your old life will be left behind.”

The comment impacts me enough to stop teasing him. My old life meant being a pawn for power brokering. Treated as a prize to be won and the trophy wife who had to be—or at least was supposed to be—submissive and quiet like a good mafia wife should be.

I was worried my new life would be more of the same. Flutters overtake my heart. Things will be different with Lucian. I realize that now.

I understand it.

And I absolutely love it.

“Where’d you go, beautiful?”

After striding to me, he slides his finger under my chin and lifts my face to his.

“Don’t get up in your head without letting me in there too.”

The image makes me laugh. “You won’t fit with my big brains, remember?”

His grip tightens, and he tugs me flush to him. Despite my automatic response to resist him, I melt into his broad chest.

“That’s fine. I fit all the other places inside you that I need to be.”

Barely. But I don’t mind the bite of pain from his huge size in any of those tight spaces. “You’re disgusting.”

One hand curls around the back of my neck, holding me immobile.

“That’s why you love me.”

He bends forward, running his nose along the column of my throat and breathing in my perfume. “You love being a dirty girl for your husband.”

People stare at us as they pass by. We’re practically obscene in the middle of a busy campus. I care but then again, I don’t, when he sucks on the tender skin and grinds his hardness into my belly.

Only a few hours ago he was mauling me on the hiking trail. Now I want him again. I am a dirty girl. “I don’t love you. This is just obligation and sex.”

He stiffens against me, and his head jerks up. I’m shocked to see the hurt in his eyes. We’ve always had this punishing banter between us.

Obviously, something’s changed. He feels the difference too.

What he thought was improvement, I’ve mangled with my no longer warranted need to protect myself or my heart from him.

A defensive guard is difficult to let go of. I need to try harder.

Much harder—so that I never put that look of pain on his face again.

Lucian

Damn.

Every time I think I’ve broken down the fortress she’s built around herself, she assures me the barricades are as rock solid as ever. “So it is.”

Disappointed she still feels the need to lash out at me, I kiss her forehead and let her go. “I can’t keep my other obligations waiting.”

Slender fingers grab my lapels. She’s tiny yet strong when she wants something.

I’m just shocked that something is me right now after the insult she just levied.

“Lucian…I…”

I can’t lie. I enjoy seeing her squirm a bit. “What sweetness?”

A long breath blows out from between her soft, pink lips. “That was harsh…I didn’t mean…I was just kidding around…you know.”

Of course, I know exactly what she’s trying to say. But I still want her to utter the words. “Yes?”

Making her work for it, I infuse a tone of confusion in my voice.

“I’m sorry okay. I didn’t mean to be so…bitchy.”

I wink and drag her back to me again. “I like your bitchiness.”

Her eyes roll to the sky. “Perfect match to your assholeness.”

“That’s not a word, girl of my dreams. But you are the perfect match for me.”

A ripple flows through her body, and I love her shuddering inhalation. “We may not love each other but we’re going to have a hell of a lot of fun together.”

The sentiment makes her nod and grin. I smile in return, satisfied that she believes me. “Especially after we get finished talking to your parents.”

My comment steals her happiness. I hate her frown.

“How’d you know I was going to my parents?”

“Because I know how your brilliant mind works. You’ve accepted our impending nuptials but under your terms and you’re going to be sure your father understands that.”

I’ve stunned her to silence with her delicious mouth gaping open. As much as I enjoy my time with her, I love even more when she’s naked and at my mercy. Of which we can only get to that state once we speak with her dad. “Come, let’s get this over with.”

I turn her toward my vehicle and lead her in that direction. After a few steps, her black heels dig into the asphalt.

“Wait. This…this isn’t necessary. I can drive myself and I can speak to them by myself.”

No time for this. I scoop her up bridal style and carry her the rest of the way. “I’ve always got your back, goddess. If you’re going to argue with your father, I’m going to be there to support you.”

She says she hates me, but I swear I see genuine admiration in her eyes as she gazes up at me. Another win and it’s only nine a.m.

“What about my car? It’s a hassle to have to bring me back.”

What the fuck? “First, nothing related to you is a hassle. Second, your bodyguard will drive it to my house because I’m going to fuck you again after we get home.”

The appreciation from earlier explodes into anger, and she starts struggling against my hold on her. It’s good to be back to normal.

A better normal.

All the while I tuck her into the passenger seat she bitches at me. The only reprieve as I hustle to my side, she gripes from the moment I hit the ignition until I park in front of Alonzo and Betsy’s house.

I turn and smile at her. “Yes dear.”

She really gets wound up when she attempts to escape but realizes she’s trapped when she yanks the handle.

“Unlock the door and stop treating me like a child.”

“I will if you stop acting like one.”

Rage shoots up her face with a red flush exploding on her smooth skin. We sit in silence for a long minute before she turns to me.

“I hate you.”

Her voice is surprisingly soft. I stroke her hot cheek. “Which makes fucking that much more fun.”

She jerks away from my touch yet remains mute. Wordless, I come around to collect her and force her to hold my hand as we stride across the cobblestone and up the steps. By the time we reach the front door, her grip tightens, and she grabs my forearm with her other hand.

I understand the message she sends. She needs me, and she knows I’m always here for her. “We’ve got this, Colby.”

A terse nod confirms she hears me. I let her lead and follow her through the foyer and kitchen to the screened in-porch where her mother sits on a small sofa with a book in one hand and glass of wine in the other.

Kind of early for booze, but it’s her life. Obviously, how she escapes from her husband’s torment.

“Hey mom.”

Betsy’s glassy eyes flit from her daughter to our entwined hands to my face. I nod, conveying my confirmation.

“Hi honey. Hi Lucian.”

“Good morning Mrs. Sala. It’s good to see you.”

My mother-in-law offers her own head bob and hesitant smile. “What are you two up to?”

Colby releases me and sits down next to her mother. “We wanted to let you and Daddy know that we’re finalizing everything for the wedding.”

True but neutral statement. She saves the battle for her father.

Betsy finally sets down her reading material and drink. “That’s good. You’ll make your father very proud.”

Colby sits straighter from the praise. As much as she despises him and what he does to her, she’s still his child and longs for his approval.

“He’s in his office. Lucian can talk with him.”

That directive, of course, angers my bride, and she shoots up from the cushion. “I can speak for myself.”

The older woman sighs and shakes her head before retrieving her alcohol. “He’s already in a bad mood. Don’t make it worse.”

While she takes a long gulp, I slide my hand to Colby’s lower back, helping to steady her anger. “We’ll go together.”

She relaxes under my palm and nods her agreement. Betsy doesn’t say a word as we depart. I guess she’s used to Colby’s annoyance and her husband’s irritability.

At his office door, Colby pounds on the wood. I hide my smile. She’s got balls since most people fear him—almost as much as people fear me.

Nothing.

She hits the door with the side of her fist again. “I need to talk to you.”

Still nothing.

She’s badass but understands the rules. I obviously have no rules to follow and turn the knob.

I expect to see Alonzo snarling at us for entering without permission.

I’m wrong.

The bastard’s sprawled face down on the floor.

Fuck!