Junkyard Dog(19)

“No.”

“When did you last f*ck someone?”

His tone startles me, but I smile. “Well, my twins are nine so…”

“That’s a long f*cking time.”

“How about you?”

“Last night. She was excellent.”

Frowning, I look at my ice cream. “I’m assuming it’s a professional.”

“Why would you assume that?”

“You want to f*ck without emotional ties and prostitutes are good about not getting clingy.”

“Would it make you feel better if I said she was a whore?”

Rolling my eyes, I think I sell my indifference. “What do I care?”

“You care. That’s why you’re grinding your teeth.”

I eat a scoop of ice cream, hoping the sugar will steady my nerves. “Is this where I pretend I met a hot neighbor and maybe I’ll knock boots with him? You made me jealous, so I’m supposed to make you jealous. Is that the game?”

“There’s no neighbor,” he mutters, jaw clenched.

“There are a lot of men in Tennessee and someone is bound to interest me,” I say and then add, “besides you.”

Hayes blinks a few times quickly. His long arms stretch along the curved back of the booth.

“Sooner or later, this is happening,” he says, studying me. “You best prepare yourself.”

“Prepare myself?” I ask, laughing. “Do you mean with yoga or stretching techniques to prepare for your massive… What’s a classy word for penis? Ooh, I know, I’ll call it a super, big humdinger.”

“Giggle all you f*cking want, babe. You know I’m not kidding.”

Grinning, I eat my sundae slowly, seductively even. “I know. My only request is you don’t get sloppy with a woman without showering before getting sloppy with me. I have standards, boss.”

Hayes studies me and suddenly smiles. “You were jealous, weren't you?”

“Of your prostitute?” I ask with a mouthful of ice cream. “Yeah, actually. I was hoping you’d kept your humdinger clean and secure since meeting me.”

“Your * has cobwebs, and my cock is raring to go. I think you’re the problem.”

“My * is clean. It won’t confuse your humdinger for another guy. Your equipment won’t be able to tell me from the next broad.”

“Do you want me to tell you I’ve been celibate since I met you? Would that make you feel better?”

“No, lying is for chumps.”

Hayes smiles at me, and his gaze is no longer difficult to read. He’s watching me like a lion with a stomach filled with gazelle and a dick ready for loving before he naps away the rest of the day. Hayes exudes lazy predator. The only question is whether I’m willing prey.





TWELVE - CANDY


My job description involves a lot of vague duties, but the main task Hayes gives me is to keep morons from bothering him. I never ask him to get more specific. I assume if someone shows up without an appointment they’re a moron. If someone calls and expects to speak to Hayes, they’re a moron. The fact is everyone important has his cell number. Everyone else is looking to bother him with their moron problems.

The guy standing in front of my desk is one of those morons. He storms into the building and says he needs to talk to the boss.

“Unfortunately, Mister Hayes is in a meeting. Can I take a message?”

The moron’s beady eyes get really wide, and the vein in his forehead throbs. “Hayes is standing right there!” the moron yells, while pointing at Hayes leaning against his office door.

“Sir, would you like to leave a message? I’ll give it to Mister Hayes as soon as he’s out of his meeting.”

“Are you shitting me?”

Crossing my eyes, I frown at the moron. “I’d prefer you didn’t use profanity with me, sir. As a mother, it offends me greatly.”

The guy stares at me and then looks to Hayes. “He’s standing right there!”

“Mister Hays is in a meeting and can’t speak to you. Will you like to leave a message?”

The guy throws up his hands and storms out of the office. I run to the window so I can see him stomping to his car. He slams his door and pounds on the steering wheel. I’m laughing by the time he drives away, nearly hitting a parked car on his way out.

“Any messages?” Hayes asks, walking over to me.

“None, sir.”

“Profanity offends you greatly, huh?”

“Sure as hell does, *. Is that going to be a f*cking problem?” I say, laughing again.

Hayes startles me when his hand grips the back of my neck. His lips are on mine before I recover. He doesn’t kiss me as much as inhale me. His lips cover mine, owning them, and sending hot shivers downward.

I can’t breathe, but I don’t need to. He breathes for me. I’m a part of him now, an extension of this powerful man.

His lips leave mine as quickly as they joined. I stare at him and find him waiting for my response. Gutted by intensity and passion I’ve never felt before, I can’t think of anything to say. I know silence isn’t the answer, though.

“Ever heard of sexual harassment laws?” I ask, holding his gaze.