“Guess you’re hoping to see how many signed your petition. Tell me, how many signatures the last time you looked?”
“Fifty-three,” I state.
He stares ahead a minute, processing this. He looks hurt. No, pissed. No, hurt, I think. Actually, I don’t know.
He says, “Plus you’ll follow up with the SCC to see if that witch you talked to yesterday will help you keep me at arm’s length, right? Then we’ll go to that meeting with the council and the coven and you’ll cry the blues telling everyone how much of an asshole I am and how much you don’t want to be with me.”
“Pretty much,” I say coldly, folding my arms over my chest.
“I’ve had enough of you ignoring me, you runnin’ away from me, and you instigating shit with those witches. Then you try and make a fuckin’ date! Not to mention you’re gone last night, for hours, and do you know what that did to me?”
I roll my eyes while cutting him off. “Aw, did you worry I went to a bar to find a wild, hot hookup? Gimme a break.”
He slaps the dashboard, startling me.
“You tried to make a date, why wouldn’t I worry about that? You and your body are mine, Bailey; don’t you dare try to give what’s mine to any fucking body else.”
“Maybe I should have! And maybe I will!”
Anger flares in his eyes.
I’m on a roll. “What about what’s mine, Jason? No wait. You’ve never been mine. You’ve given it out all kinds. Why shouldn’t I do the same?”
“Anyone who lays as much as a finger on you answers to me,” he vows.
“Maybe I’ll leave town and do it. Go wild. You never wanted me but maybe somebody will…”
“Maybe I’ll fuckin’ follow you wherever you go to make sure you can’t. Maybe last night’s little outing will be your last one alone until you’re claimed. Wanted to track you down last night, but thought I’d give you space. Show some trust. Now I know that’d be a mistake.”
I laugh. This is rich.
He pulls off onto a dirt road and parks the car before he looks at me and says, “Do not let anyone lay a finger on you, Bailey. I don’t care if they’re shifter or human, or even a god. I willendthem. Do not think I’m joking. Nobody touches you but me. Use your head, baby, and don’t do something you can’t undo.”
My head is about to explode.
“You a virgin, Bay?” he demands, looking me over with a judgmental expression I don’t remotely appreciate.
“Take me home, Jason.”
He leans closer. Too close.
“Did you know it makes my cock harder whenever you call me Jason? It’s been hard since I knew you were mine but you actin’ sassy like this gets my motor runnin’ even harder.”
“Shut up! You’ve always teased me that Jason was my first word. I never made you hard, ever, except for this past week. The longest, most miserable week of my life!”
“The hardest week of my life too, Bay, and pun intended. Are you seriously trying to tell me you haven’t thought about us being together in the past few days? Even if you’re mad at me? I’ve smelled your arousal, baby…”
“Mad doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel, Jase.”
“Please tell me you’ve saved it for me. I’m gonna make it so good for you.”
Sweet words, but certainly not delivered that way. His eyes are glittering with anger and frustration.
“Please shut the fuck up.”
I’m seething. I glare at him, adding, “What if I’m not?”
“Then I’d be shocked. Yeah, a little disappointed, though I have no right to be. I’ll get over it. Doesn’t matter because you’re mine now and that means nobody ever touches you but me until the end of time. But I think you saved it for me. And that makes me very fucking happy.”