“No but you got some bite to you though.” I switched feet and reached for the other heel.
Cashlynn cleared her throat. “You know one reason I hate dresses is because there’s less material to hide my weapons.” My hand paused for a second. Again I flicked my eyes up. Cashlynn was used to being in fight mode. Even now she would briefly let her guard down before shooting it back up. I had a feeling it had to do with her parents. Even with Emmet’s research, I still knew little about their relationship. Although from what I’d heard Cashlynn mention, I had an idea.
“Looks like you’ll have to trust me to keep you safe if something goes wrong then.”
She narrowed her eyes at me, but didn’t respond. When I finished putting her shoe on, I stood and towered over her. My hand went out and brushed over the collar on her neck, grazing the cool heart lock.
“You ready to talk about the other night?” My finger slipped in the circle connecting the collar.
“What about it?”
“You climbed in my bed, which I’m not complaining about. It’s about time we make adjustments with this sleeping arrangement anyways. I’ve been too lenient with you.”
“Why have you? I mean you forced me into everything else. Why not your bed?”
“I’ve never had to force a woman in my bed before and I’m not starting now. Believe it or not, women would kill to be in your position. Sometimes I wonder if I need to make that happen, find a concubine to occupy my bed at night since my wife continues to neglects me.”
Her eyes cut into slits. She reached up and smacked my hand away from her. “The day that happens you better hope you had the best orgasm of your life because it’ll be your last.”
I chuckled at the deadliness in her voice, stepped back, and stuck my hands in my pockets.
One corner of my mouth ticked up. “Careful, Wildfire. I might think you actually care about me.”
“I just won’t tolerate being made a fool of or disrespected. I’ve killed for less.” Her eyes turned cold.
I wasn’t sure if she thought that was supposed to do something to me, but all it did was turn me on. Blood shot down to my dick.
“And as for the other night, it’s no big deal. I don’t like thunderstorms. A lot of people don’t.” She stood up and went to walk past me but I grabbed her.
“That’s not good enough. That wasn’t a normal fear.” Her nostrils flared and she licked her lips. “It is my birthday; you really can’t say no to me.”
For a moment she stared at me without saying anything before pushing out a deep breath. “My parents used storms as a way to punish and keep me in line to make me stronger, they said. It started when I was six, it was storming out and they locked me in a shed overnight. Since then, I’ve hated them and I go back to that night.” The way she spoke was as if she was revealing the weather forecast. Her voice was cool as a cucumber.
“The fuck.” My eyes widened and my brows shot to my hairline. I didn’t know what I expected her to say but that wasn’t it.
She snatched away from me and turned, heading in the direction of the bathroom. Digging into my back pocket, I checked the time. My parents were throwing me a thirtieth birthday dinner. They’d rented out the private room at one of the high-end restaurants downtown. Afterwards, I would be celebrating at The District. Tonight was officially a new era in my life
____
My party was in full swing. The District and Euphoria were maxed out to capacity. I had a full supply of drugs delivered before we opened to make sure we were fully stocked. We started down in The District, but once it started to fill up we went upstairs. I knew Cashlynn didn’t care to be in large crowds and there was more space upstairs.
It felt good seeing the fruits of my labor. Starting this club put a strain between me and my dad at first. I built it from the ground up and even though the Tavarez family name helped it grow as quickly as it did, I put the footwork in to make sure it stayed running and successful.
“Are you sure you switched the pills?” I asked Lucas as we stood in the owner section of Euphoria. My eyes were on Cashlynn who was nursing a drink while sitting on the couch.
Lucas side eyed me with his face turned upside down. “Are you questioning my medical expertise?”
“I’m just saying it’s been a month and nothing.”
“It takes time. Learn to be patient.”
My tongue dragged across my bottom lip as I brought my glass to my mouth and slowly sipped from it.
I walked across the section to where Cashlynn was sitting and sat down, placing my hand on her leg.
“Having a good time?” I asked.
“It’s your birthday. I should be asking you that.”
