Page 4 of Innocent and Sweet (Roosters #2)

Anissa shook yet another set of hands and wobbled against Kam. She’d greeted, spoken to and laughed at so many people over the course of the last three hours. Most of the attendees didn’t know her, and only a couple mentioned her father. She hadn’t been integral to the event.

A man approached. He smiled, but the joy never quite reached his eyes. He stuck out his hand. “Anissa Dunn. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Alex Gahan.” He leaned into her and kissed her cheek. “You’re lovelier in person.”

“Thank you?” She tensed. “I’m glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Gahan.”

Alex’s brown eyes glittered, and a dusting of whiskers darkened his cheeks. He stood a few inches taller than her, but shorter than Kam. He focused on her, seeming to ignore Kameron hulking beside her.

The longer Alex stared at her, the more she wanted to leave. “Did you need something, Mr. Gahan?”

“Alex. Mr. Gahan is my father.” Alex focused on her. “I haven’t seen you around the social circles. I’m sure I would’ve remembered you.”

“Since I got engaged, I haven’t wanted to run with the old crowd.

” She’d never fit in with the rich kids and stood outside their cliques.

“Have you met my fiancé?” On cue, Kam angled her a bit behind him.

Anissa bumped his shoulder. “This is Kameron Stone. We’re getting married this summer. ” She fumbled. “I mean next April.”

“We’ve discussed both time frames,” Kameron said. “Whatever my lady wants is what we’ll do.”

Alex’s eyes widened. “Married. Ah.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Can we have a moment? Alone?”

“What’s wrong with right now?” Anissa asked. “Oh, and wherever I go is where Kam is. No question.” At least she’d found her backbone again. “What’s the issue?”

“I was told you weren’t engaged. Weren’t even in a dating relationship.” Alex shifted his gaze between her and Kameron. “Does your father know you’re doing this?”

“That I’m with Kameron? Of course. He blessed the union.” Okay, she might be pushing the envelope now. Oh, well. “We just haven’t made a big deal. I’m more of a fly-under-the-radar kind of girl.”

“You didn’t strike me as such.” Alex sighed. “Then good evening. I’d hoped to spend a few hours with you, but since you’re engaged, I’ll leave you to him .” He shook his head as he walked away.

“Was that as awkward as I thought?” She held Kam’s hand. “He didn’t demand to see the ring, so that helps.”

“I’ll make sure you have one by the end of tomorrow,” Kam said. “I should’ve thought of that detail before now.”

“I don’t need another bauble.” She squeezed his fingers. She wanted a ring that came with his love, not just a sham. Still, she had to be practical. “A prop might not be a bad idea.”

He grinned. “Are you telling me you don’t want to be spoiled?”

Spoiled. Shit. He didn’t understand. She’d rather give up her damn charmed existence if it meant she’d have him in her life. “Let’s go. I’m tired.” She grasped his arm. “Trouble averted, and I’d like to get out of here.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He escorted her down to the limo.

“Ani?” Alex rushed up to the car. “Wait.”

“Wait?” She waited by the open door. She didn’t have time for this. “What do you want?” If Alex tried something, she could duck into the car. Kam had her other side. Still, Alex showing up and calling her Ani annoyed her.

“Are you sure you want to marry him?” Alex asked. “He’s the help.”

“He cares about me.” She notched her chin in the air. “You’ve never spoken to me before today.” She slid her hand into Kam’s pocket. “I don’t get what the hell you’re doing, but I’m not interested.”

“I wanted to, but you’re never alone.” Alex shook his head. “You’re always got Beast Mode next to you. Now you’re marrying him.”

Beast Mode? So Kam looked scary… he wasn’t a beast. “What’s Kam supposed to do? He’s my protector.”

“For one thing, he’s not supposed to fuck the package,” Alex said. He groaned. “Jesus.”

“ He has a name.” Kam stepped between her and Alex. “No one made her do anything. If you had truly wanted to make a move, you would’ve found a way.”

Alex shrugged.

Anissa climbed into the limo. She’d had enough. They could take their testosterone fight somewhere else. Alex wasn’t a threat to her other than he wanted to push in on her relationship. Too bad the relationship wasn’t real. Besides, Alex probably only saw dollar signs.

Kameron joined her on the bench seat.

“Well, that was interesting.” She sighed and stared out the darkened window. “It gets old being used.”

“He’s just following his father’s wishes.

” Kameron grasped her hand, but she tugged it away.

“Anissa?” He shifted in the seat to face her.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to use you. Don’t want you to hurt.

” He brushed a loose lock of her hair from her face.

“I -- he just wants the same prize I see right here. You’re a gem.

You’re not just an heiress. Not just a pretty face or a means to get cash.

He might not see you the way I do, but I do see the real woman. I’m sorry he’s incapable.”

“Don’t apologize for him.” She met Kameron’s gaze.

“He thinks a little charm, some sophistication and a lot of nudging will convince me to give in. A month ago, he’d have been right.

I’m not the same woman I was back then.” She hit the button to open the sunroof.

“He waited too long, and you’re going to end up on the same path if you’re not careful.

” She left her seat as the glass slid out of the way.

The wind tousled her hair as she popped through the sunroof.

Flashes went off around her. The paparazzi had found her.

Go figure. Well, fuck them. She needed this moment of freedom.

The wind blew past her as the car raced forward.

Horns and sirens wailed around her, and the world blurred. She felt so small and unimportant.

“Get in here.” Kameron held onto her waist. “You could get hurt. Someone could do something stupid.”

“Join me.” She yanked on his wrist. “Just for a second. Come on.”

He eased up behind her, giving her a brace against the wind. He snared her in his arms but didn’t drag her back into the car. “You father will kill you for acting out. The paparazzi is catching all of this.”

“Oh, yes. Standing in the limo is so bad.” She glanced over her shoulder.

“So they see me with you. So what?” She laughed and backed into him.

She couldn’t think of a better place to be.

He cared, even if he had a strange way of showing it.

“My cousins have dabbled in drugs, alcohol and every other substance to get a high. They’ve gotten arrested, have been in and out of rehab, slept around…

but me? I’ve never done anything scandal-worthy.

If this is my biggest black mark, then the tabloids have nothing.

I’ve only drank a few glasses of wine ever, don’t take drugs and never had sex.

” She faced him. “I’m tired of being the good girl.

I want more out of my life.” She wriggled free of his grasp and settled on the seat.

Kameron sat beside her. The wind forced his hair to stand on end. “Anissa?”

“When’s the next lesson?” She folded her hands on her lap. “Hmm?”

He shut the sunroof. “Come here.” He pulled her onto his thighs so she straddled him. “You’re progressing well on your first lesson.”

“Kissing?”

“Now it’s time for touching. Lesson two. Just sit here and let me caress you.” He rubbed along her thighs, then up her back.

She shivered. She’d been touched before, but not like this.

He alternated between caresses and scraping his nails on her skin.

The changing pressure spurred her on. She writhed.

The bulge in his trousers rubbed between her legs.

Sparks shot around her, and her nipples beaded.

Her skin heated, and she couldn’t think straight. All she wanted to do was be with him.

“This needs to go.” He moved her shirt above her belly, then bared her breasts. “So does this.” He unhooked her bra. “Strapless?” His brows rose. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d wear something so risqué.”

She nodded. “It worked under my dress, and I never got around to changing it.” The garment landed on her lap, exposing her chest. The chilly air in the limo cooled her fevered skin. She balled her hands. “Kam.”

“Yes?” He palmed her breasts. When she whimpered, he flicked her nipples.

She jerked on his lap. She’d never known such pleasure -- not even when she’d masturbated. “Kam.” She arched into him. “More.”

“So the student enjoys her lessons.” He leaned forward and glanced up at her before he sucked one of her nipples into his mouth.

She gasped. “Oh, my God.” She threaded her fingers into his hair. He hadn’t said anything about not touching him. “That feels good.”

He kept her nipple in his teeth but released his suction. “It had better.” He backed away and covered her breasts with her shirt. “The car’s stopped. Get out.”

“What?” He’d made her dizzy, then confused her with his blunt tone. “I thought I was doing so well. What went wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.” He kissed her. “You’re doing well, but if you want everyone else to think we’re not misbehaving, then you have to get out of the car.”

“Oh.”

“We’re at the house, and you’re expected to go inside.” Kam stroked her breasts through the fabric of her blouse. “I’ll be right behind you.”

“I can’t even wait for you on my own property?” She scrambled off his lap. “Kam.” No. This wasn’t what she wanted. She needed him. Why couldn’t she have the one thing she truly wanted? Why did her life have to be complicated? “I need you with me. You’re my guard.”

“I am, and I’ll be right behind, like I said.” He brushed her hair from her face. “Just wait. I won’t leave you in the lurch. Promise.”

“What about my bra?” She held out her hand. “I’d like it back.”

“Mine.” He grinned and tucked the lingerie into his coat pocket.

“Along with the padding from my bra?” She shook her head. “You’re goofy.”

He shrugged.

“You’ll be right behind?” She’d asked already, and he’d answered three times.

“Yes.” He patted her ass. “Right behind.”

Anissa opened the car door. Going about her business without her bra felt strange, but not horrible.

The freedom excited her. She stepped out of the car.

Maybe shedding the bra, giving into her desires for Kam and embracing her confidence signaled the start of a new chapter in her life.

If so, she couldn’t wait to see what would come next.