“Where is she?” My icy tone strongly suggests he doesn’t fuck with me.
He visibly shrinks back. “The woman who caused a scene?”
“That’s the one,” I rumble.
Ronnie is still whizzing around with her friends. One of their parents volunteered to keep an eye on her while I handle this problem.
The employee gestures to a far corner. “They have her blocked—”
I storm off before he can finish blabbering on. Those standing in my path wisely remove themselves. My pulse drums in my ears with each furious step. It’s too damn bright in here.
Two uniformed men are standing guard near an open room. That must be the place. I shoulder past them and slam the door behind me.
At the boom of my arrival, Frankie whirls to face me. Her wince has the decency to appear sincere. “I can explain.”
I cross my arms. “You sure as shit better.”
She drags her sharp, black talons through her hair. “That kid had it coming.”
“He’s akid.” This situation calls for emphasis on that word.
“Still should know better,” she mutters. “If I yanked on a girl’s pigtail and called her ugly, I would’ve gotten my bare ass whipped with the belt. Probably would’ve given me the buckled part too.”
My frustration slams to a halt, swerving in a different direction. “What did he do?”
“I just told you.” Frankie studies my stupefied expression. “You didn’t know?”
I shake my head dumbly. “Figured he looked at you wrong or bumped into you on accident.”
“Oh, fuck off. I’m not that unhinged.”
My dry scoff claims otherwise. “You called him a baby after he peed his pants, which he only did because you scared the piss out of him.”
“Hey,” she snaps. “Jimmy got what he deserved. Nobody bullies my girl and gets away with it.”
“Wait,” I growl. “Jimmy Carlson?”
“How the fuck should I know?”
“He’s a little shit.”
She throws her hands up. “That’s what I said!”
I’m stalking across the room in the next second. Whatever’s burning in my stare has Frankie backing up until she’s flat against the wall. There’s no escape as I cage her upturned jaw in my palms, allowing me to crash our lips together.
An explosion of warmth rushes through me. It’s like basking in the sunshine after spending years buried in the cold of winter. My groan is desperate, bordering on a plea. An equally relieved sound spills from her before she breaks free.
“What’s happening?” she breathes across my mouth.
“Fuck,” I groan. “I’ve been thinking about kissing you senseless since you first mouthed off to me. It’s my new favorite way to shut you up.”
“Why didn’t you do it sooner?”
“I prefer to keep my balls attached.” And then I dive back in.
Frankie gasps, granting me deeper access. My tongue glides along hers in a sensual caress. She tastes like cinnamon and reckless abandon. It’s addictive, much like her soft mewls. Another guttural noise rips from me as I push against her, needing to get closer. She fists my shirt and hooks a leg around my hip as if there’s still space to eliminate. Our shared hunger burns hot between us.
Time lapses while we explore this new contact. It’s more intimate than just sex. We’re delving into emotional territorywhere two halves become a whole. I forget where we are. All I feel is Frankie’s desire stroking mine.