The Porsche engine roared to life, and he peeled out of the parking lot. He needed to calm down before they arrived back at his house, or he really would paddle her ass.
Tying her up and spanking her ass had a lot of appeal, but not when he was angry. He never played when he was angry. But damn, Janie could ignite his temper. She always did what she wanted. The girl had been a thorn in his side ever since she was fifteen.
“I did nothing wrong,” Janie said, her voice and tone even.
His gaze left the road for a second to look at her, then returned to the road. “I didn’t say you did.”
“Then why the barbarian act back there?”
He huffed out a breath.
“You don’t belong at Whips.” He ran his hand through his hair.
“Why don’t I belong there? You’re a member.”
His fingers clenched the wheel. “I’m a man.”
“Double standard.”
“Do you have any clue what that man was going to do to you?” She couldn’t. She was barely old enough to understand sex.
“Yes, I do.” She turned in her seat. “I’m almost twenty-six years old, not six. I know about sex and sex clubs.”
He swore and she let out a strangled giggle.
“He never would have gotten close to me with that paddle. I was getting ready to say my safeword.”
“And if he didn’t listen?” So she knew what a safeword was—that didn’t mean she understood the lifestyle.
“The DM was right there. He would have stepped in.”
Cole shook his head. “It’s my job to make sure you are safe. Going to Whips is not safe.”
“Oh, please.” She sighed. “It’s not your job to do anything. If I can’t go to Whips, then would you prefer I go to another club? I can do that.”
“That’s not what I meant.” How the hell did she turn this conversation around?
“I’m not a kid anymore.”
“I didn’t say you were.” He wished she were, because then maybe he wouldn’t be lusting after her. She’d only grown more desirable in the last seven years.
“You’ve done nothing but treat me like I’m a child since I came home.”
She was right. But he was having trouble reconciling Janie the woman with Janie the child he remembered. “Janie, your father was my father’s best friend. When your dad died, mine promised to take care of you. When Dad passed three years ago, I made the same promise. To keep you safe.”
“My father died when I was almost eighteen. I’m well of age now. My father’s trust reverted to me when I turned twenty-four, almost two years ago.”
“No, that can’t be right.” Cole shook his head. But Janie was right, he’d been so caught up in the grief of losing his father and settling his estate he’d missed Janie’s birthday. More than one. “I’m sorry.” He turned onto the private road to his home. How could he have missed her birthdays?
“It’s no big deal. You were grieving for your dad, I understood.”
He drove into the garage and turned off the engine. Janie undid her seat belt, climbed out of the car, and scampered into the house before he got his door open.
Cole sauntered into the house. Home, his nerves settled down somewhat as he entered the wood-paneled hallway. He hung his keys on the hook and headed for the family room. Janie was at the big window staring at the lake. He headed for the oak bar and poured himself a drink.
“Do you want a drink?” he asked.
“Vodka and tonic would be nice.”
