Page 96 of Ice King

“What did you say to me?”

Suddenly, we were all back in high school, the gym bully acting as if he could take on the entire school. Few could believe I’d been a troublemaker myself, getting in the middle of those fights just to piss off the bully.

Which was why I opened my mouth without thinking.

“I assure you, Neanderthal, Ford is ten times the man you are. Be jealous, ladies. I know exactly what he can do with his…stick.” I licked my lips just to add a cherry on the fluffy icing. Of course, the alcohol had not only warmed my cockles but had also loosened my lips.

While the girls giggled, the brute huffed and puffed, but sneered at Ford then walked away.

“What were you doing? What in the hell were you doing?” he asked not once but twice, although I’d say his tone was more as if he was interrogating me.

“Putting that asshole in his place.” The tequila was definitely working through me as when I noticed the guy was staring at us, I flipped him the bird.

To which, my dinner companion grabbed my hand, pulling it close to his mouth and blowing a wave of scorching heat across my knuckles. “Georgia. Stop. I can fight my own battles when and if I chose to do so. That man isn’t one you want to fuck with.”

“Oh, really? He doesn’t know what I’m capable of. Besides, you shouldn’t need to.”

“No, I shouldn’t and no, he has no understanding you’re a killer under that dazzling smile, but you shouldn’t be forced to deal with an abusive man either. Humans can be horrible.”

Stiffening, I knew better than to try to pull away. Twice in one day wasn’t a coincidence. “Samantha told you.”

He propped his arm onto the table. “Yes, she did. Right before she demanded I close my eyes so she could write down a reminder for me of how much I hurt you. Even worse in that I scared you. Do you have any idea how that made me feel? Like an asshole. No one should ever hurt you again.”

I had to turn away to keep from becoming emotional. While both Samantha and Roxanne certainly meant well, I just wasn’t ready to talk about my past. Not with anyone. Maybe I was trying a little too hard to pretend what I’d endured was in the past or had never really happened, but that’s what my soul needed.

“It’s okay. You’re certainly nothing like Hoffman, but I honestly don’t want to talk about him. Please. I just can’t right now. Okay? But we can talk about Bubba over there.”

“Fine, but you need to accept something, Georgia. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you ever again, including myself.” His words hung in the air, providing a tense yet oh-so sweet sense of closeness. When I remained quiet, his body language softened. “Plus, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Bubba doesn’t scare me. You know why?”

“Why?”

“I have sharp canines and claws.”

His comment returned the jovial mood of the evening, even if more cautious than before. Yet for a few very special seconds the man I’d thought so arrogant had once again unveiled his softer side, promising security and something even more important.

A piece of himself.

CHAPTER 21

Ford

“Where are we going?”

Georgia’s question was accompanied with her leaning forward in her seat. “What if I told you I was kidnapping you?”

“Then I’d say the kidnapper couldn’t handle the victim. Didn’t I spend enough time telling you what I’m capable of?”

Of that I had no doubt.

“Now, what makes you say that?” I adored pushing her buttons more than I should.

“Because women are more powerful. I will escape. And don’t try and ignore the question.”

“I’m the driver.”

“Hmmm.”

Her sudden silence had me instantly on edge. I could smell her wheels turning. Did she know how crazy she’d driven me theentire time through dinner? With the gorgeous dress hugging every voluptuous curve and her soft near breathless sounds as she laughed.