Kissing Her(10)

I nod, but internally I want to scream. I would never raise a hand to a woman, let alone someone as sweet and delicate as Bee.

“Now Bee is a different one altogether,” he says, looking at me and then toward the door the women walked out of. “I don’t really know what to do about her. She’s not as pretty as her sister, and she’s got more weight on her, too. But she’s a good cook and cleans well.”

My ears are ringing, but all I can do is focus on why I’m here and how I’m going to get her out of here.

“She’s never really needed any sort of training, but I think she’d be willing to do whatever it was her husband asked of her,” he says as she leans in and gives me a smirk. “Some days I think about how much I’d like a young woman who was so eager to please.”

I clench my fists at my side and just as I open my mouth to say something, the women come in. Her mom and her sister are first, but I’ve only got eyes for Bee. Her hair is up in a bun and her eyes are on the floor, and it’s taking everything in me to not rush to her and pull her into my arms.

“Turn around, Bee, let him get a good look,” her father says, and I have to bite my tongue so hard I taste blood.

She does as he asks and I see she’s bundled up in several bulky sweaters and a long jean skirt. She’s got on oversized clunky shoes that make noise when she turns, but even as homely as they’ve dressed her, she’s still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“It’s a pleasure to see you, Bee,” I say as I step forward.

“Pleasure,” she says and does a little curtsey but still won’t look at me.

I turn to face her father and smile. “Quite the beauty,” I say, and he swells with pride. “How about I take her for a drive?”

He looks to Bee and then his wife. He opens his mouth and I know he’s going to say no, so I intercept.

“Chaperoned, of course,” I offer, and he nods in approval. “That is, if your oldest wouldn’t mind coming along?”

“Absolutely,” Melina pipes up and grabs her sister’s hand. “We’ll get our coats.”

I notice that Melina is in a nice dress with pretty shoes and her coat is colorful. Bee’s is the same thick black wool one she had on last night, but I don’t care what clothes she has on. I need to get her out of here.

“Not past dark,” her father says, and I nod and shake his hand.

“Of course,” I agree, then open the front door and the girls silently step outside.





Chapter Seven





Bee





My heart pounds as we walk towards Ragnar’s car. He looks as handsome as I remember, but today he’s dressed like he’s going to church or, like my sister said, an FBI man. I don’t know how I know, but I can tell he doesn't enjoy what he’s wearing. The suit looks good on him, but I like what he wore last night. He seemed more like himself then, but who am I to comment on clothes? I take whatever fits me and sometimes that still doesn’t matter. Now I’m wishing I had something pretty to wear for tonight that felt more like me.

I keep waiting for my parents to change their minds, but when I look back at them they’re both smiling broadly as Ragnar opens the passenger side door for me. Melina tries to step in front of me to get in, but Ragnar shoots her a look over my shoulder that even has me going still at the warning in his eyes. She grabs the rear car door and gets inside, mumbling something under her breath that I don’t catch.

“In you go, little Bee.”

Ragnar motions for me to get inside the car and I have to graze by him to do it. My breasts brush against his chest and I let out a small gasp at the connection. I barely touch him, but it’s enough and he enjoys my reaction.

I take my seat as he shuts the door behind me and I wait for Melina to say something. When she doesn't I peek over my shoulder to see she's too busy watching Ragnar make his way around the car and get into the driver's seat.

Irrational anger hits me hard and I’m sure she’s going to mutter something about him being rude to her. The look he cut her was far worse than what Dad gives us when he is pissed. Ragnar’s intensity is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

“Where are we going?” Melina asks before he can fully sit down in his seat. He doesn't answer her as he looks over to me. “Seat belt, sweet Bee.”

“Sweet Bee?” I hear Melina mumble from the back seat.

I must not move fast enough because Ragnar reaches over me and grabs the seat belt and puts it on me. The loud click fills the silent car and I realize it happened so fast I didn't get to savor the touch of him against me once again. His scent lingers, though, and it’s warm and crisp with something else I can’t place.

Get it together, Bee. I can’t act like every little thing he does shocks me into silence. I should have paid better attention to Melina flirting when she’d jabber on about what she and some guy had done. Now I have nothing but the books I’ve read to go by and I don’t think the real world works like that.

My cheeks heat when I think about what I’ve read over the years and all the dirty things I’ve locked away in my mind. I don’t think things could be as perfect as I’ve read in those books if I’m going off the life I’ve lived so far. My parents never touch each other and the sound of my sister and Brandon having sex makes my stomach turn every time. Maybe I’m broken. I was never boy crazy like Melina was growing up, but Ragnar has my attention. Last night he made me wet and being near him makes my whole body ache.