Ask Me Why(30)

Braelyn cocks her hip. “Why wouldn’t it be? I can’t afford to turn away customers. Even if you’re surly and rude.”

Her snide response is less than helpful. I pull in a lungful of patience and try again.

“Are you scared to be alone with me?” For some reason, her confirmation feels vital.

Her smooth forehead creases. “No? Why would I be?”

I ease toward the door, Braelyn’s fiery stare tracking my movements. I flip the lock, then switch off that obnoxious neon sign.

Her narrow gaze flashes at me. “What the hell are you doing?”

“You’re closed.”

“Are you trying to freak me out on purpose?”

“No. We need a few uninterrupted moments alone.” My dick is halfway to solid steel just staring at her.

She parks two fists on her slim hips. “You might have a weak work ethic, but I sure don’t. I have a business to run. I can’t just fuck off whenever I want.”

I steamroll over her snark. “We need to talk.”

“I can’t imagine anything you’re gonna say is important enough to shut my store down.”

“Guess I’ll have to change your mind.”

I stride toward her with purpose. She makes a hasty retreat, knocking into the shelf behind her. Stacks of colorful bowls and matching cups rattle.

“Do you get some sorta rise outta this?” I take a measured step forward.

The furrow between her brows deepens. “Are you speaking in riddles again? Just a heads up—I don’t comprehend.”

I erase another foot of space between us. “Do you like fucking with my head?” I almost make that word plural but don’t want her to bolt.

“Not sure what kind of mental manipulation you think I’m capable of performing. But either way, the answer is no.”

“Is that your final answer?” The smirk covering my mouth is ten shades past filthy.

Braelyn blinks at me, her lashes lowering in slow motion. “Um, yeah. Pretty positive about that.”

“You’re playing a wicked game, Braelyn.”

She stays silent for a moment, tugging at the messy bun the top half of her hair is piled up in. Her sandaled feet brush against the floor. I let her stall, enjoying the show. She eventually peers up at me with heavy lids, looking the opposite of innocent.

“Not sure what you mean. I haven’t done anything.” The breathy undertone to her voice wraps around my cock. Fuck, she’s good.

I straighten against the strain in my pants. “Everyone gets a smile but me. Each and every person who walks through that door gets a pleasant greeting. All I get is a fake-ass grin and plastic attitude.”

“Pretty sure you’ve earned that.”

“Maybe. But that doesn’t matter. I’ve come to collect some pleasantries.”

Her lips twitch. “Didn’t realize you noticed.”

“Impossible not to. You throw hate my way with rapid fire.”

“That’s filthy rich coming from the master instigator. I wouldn’t have reason to defend myself if you weren’t always on the attack.”

I hand over some truth. “You seem to make it worse.”

“Wonder why.”

“Me too.”

“What’re you gonna do about it?”

I run a palm over my jaw. “Haven’t decided.”

Temptation dances in her green eyes. “Need suggestions?”

I picture her writhing beneath me. Those green eyes wide and dazed. Long blonde waves spread in every direction. Lips parting in pleasure. Lust pounds in my veins. Hell to the yes.

“Pretty sure I can manage.” The words grate from my throat.

“Yeah? Care to share your plans, then?” She’s focusing on the bulge behind my zipper. Her interest is even more obvious than the flush racing up her neck.

“That’s for you to find out,” I murmur.

“Are you just gonna tease me? Or actually do something?” She’s bold, and I’m ridiculously aroused.

I narrow the gap between us, and her legs tremble. “I like seeing you squirm.”

She lifts her chin. “I enjoy watching the steam billow from your ears.”

I find a sliver of space to move closer. “Wanna hear a secret?”

“Always,” Braelyn purrs.

“You’re a damn distraction.”

She snaps her fingers. “Guess it sucks to be you.”

Her tactics don’t deter me. “All I can think about is wiping that sad look off your face.”

“I’m fine, other than these inconvenient visits from you.” Her guarded eyes skitter away from mine.

“Don’t lie. You want me. Just once would do. I’d turn that frown so far upside down, you’d never stop smiling.”

“Cocky asshole.” She dips her chin, but I catch the blush staining her cheeks.

I close the distance between us by another foot. “I’ll lick your clit until you scream my name. Then it’ll be my cock’s turn to pleasure you. Over and over until you beg me to stop.”

Braelyn clears her throat, but there’s no disguising that husky rasp. “You have quite the imagination.”

I’m hovering on the edge of her personal space. “That’s just the start.”