Pick your battles, man.
“Fine.”
Worry again clouded her eyes. “Shouldn’t we call the police?”
Normally, he would have said yes, but he didn’t want to involve the police until he knew how the General was free to wander the streets of Darling without landing back behind bars.
“Better not until I’ve checked a few things out.”
Surprised and a little relieved that she didn’t argue, he put the box she’d been carrying back inside the shop and guided her to his bike.
This hadn’t been some random act of vandalism, it was a message. Something was going on. The only thing he was sure of was that, by coming after his Little girl, the General had just made the worst mistake of his life.
CHAPTER SIX
Books-N-Brews smelled like caramel-laced espresso and aged wood, the familiar scent cutting through the fog in Tazzy’s head.
Yesterday was a nightmare. First, there was the whole cigarette thing. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, her tires had been slashed.
Mostly, it was the way she’d lost her ever-lovin’ mind. She hadn’t let it show, but her traitorous heart was glad Jaxon had been there both times. Of course, she would’ve been glad if anyone had helped her. She’d have been just as moved by anyone’s protection and care. Anyone could have made her feel safe. Anyone could have taken care of everything the way he did. It had nothing to do with Jaxon in particular.
Right, next she’d be selling herself a piece of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was all about Jaxon, and that just ticked her off.
She moved between tables all day, taking her frustration out on anyone and anything she could. It was a minor miracle that the mugs she was stacking now didn’t crack when she slammed them on her tray.
The regulars got a tight-lipped smile—nothing warm, nothing real—just enough to keep them from asking questions. She’d picked the t-shirt Lovie made for her today with care. It read “Very Feral. VeryUnhinged. Very Batshit.” As far as Tazzy was concerned, everyone had been warned.
Her brain and her heart were at war with each other. Evidently, she needed to get her brain some Wheaties because her heart was kicking the crap out of it.
So, okay, she couldn’t help the tire thing. But the cigarette incident still left her burning with embarrassment. She knew better. Her life was crazy enough right now without adding smoking. She hated that she’d tried to light one. Guilt and shame were eating her alive, and she had no one to help her get rid of them.
And speaking of Jaxon, his growl yesterday when he’d caught her had prowled down her spine and settled between her thighs. If she didn’t do something about that soon, her lady bits were going to join a knitting club to pass the time.
Usually, she’d let her BOB take care of that for her, but taking a vibrator out with Jaxon in the house was just weird. Not to mention how mortified she’d be if he heard her.
The same thing had happened when his fingers had closed around her wrist like tempered steel. There was no denying the way her body had betrayed her, responding with so much need, even as she told herself she hated it.
She’d walked away. Just left him standing there while her every nerve still hummed from the tone of his voice promising things she refused to crave. At least, she’d given him the cold shoulder after that. But it hadn’t been easy.
The bell over the door jangled, and Tazzy’s head snapped up. As if summoned by her thoughts, Jaxon filled the doorway, still wearing his leather jacket. But now he wore a black tee stretched tight across his chest. His dark blond hair fell forward to cover his brows, but that just drew her attention to his sexy blue eyes
Those same steel-blue eyes were now locked on her. He wore no smile, because of course he didn’t. The old Jaxon had a gorgeous smile. The new Jaxon never smiled. He still had that chiseled jaw, though it was usually clenched so hard his muscles ticked.
Her heart kicked up a notch when he stepped inside, which he did,letting the door swing shut behind him with a thud that made the nearest customer flinch. He didn’t look around. Didn’t acknowledge anyone else. His gaze remained fixed on her, dark and stubborn. It was the same look he’d given her in the alley when he’d promised to spank the rebellion out of her.
A meek, fraidy-cat Little girl who’d never had her heart broken would have looked away.
Not her, though. Nope. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. God, he was so beautiful. It wasn’t fair. How could she remember he was off limits when he looked like that?
He had her so out of sorts that she bumped into a man trying to leave her a tip. The tray of empty coffee cups in her hands slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor. Face bright red, she bent to pick the tray up, offering him a mumbled, “Sorry, sir.”
Gah! Look what he’d made her do, just by standing there. She was in so much trouble.
Now, everyone in the shop was staring at her, especially Jaxon. Some men in the booth near the front window started laughing, but their amusement disappeared after one terrifying look from Jaxon.
Straightening to every micron of her five foot five height, she lifted the tray of cups she’d dropped. Most people in the shop had returned to their own business, but not Jaxon.
He still watched her every movement. The predatory look in his eye had her nerves jumping and her sex quivering. But whatever that look was, she didn’t want to talk about it here.