He studied her face and must have seen what he wanted because he put the gun away.
“You would have shot them, Daddy?
“Without a second thought. Pulling into this trail was me giving them one last chance to live.”
Tazzy pressed a kiss to his cheek. What did it say about her that the idea of Jaxon shooting the people in the SUV didn’t bother her? Her concern was all for him. It must have been hard for him to control his fury.
She could still feel the anger. It still simmered right under his skin. He’d hinted in the past week that he didn’t want to hurt her. No doubthe was holding back pieces of himself because he worried that it might be too much for her. Even when they made love.
Now she had a glimpse of what he needed, even if he hadn’t said the words outright. A plan formed in her mind right there in the clearing. Littles weren’t the only ones who needed to be themselves. There was a way for him to let that edge out when they got home, and she was going to give it to him. She would push just enough to loosen the tight grip he held on his darkest desires.
“Can we go home now, Daddy?”
“I was thinking the same thing, babygirl. This has been a long damn day.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Jaxon started the Harley again after a few more quiet minutes. He kept the speed slower on the rest of the ride home. Tazzy could still feel the rigid tension in his back and shoulders. He hadn’t calmed down much.
Anger sat in his chest waiting for an outlet. One she intended to give him, the way he always gave everything to her. She pressed her body closer and let him know without words that she trusted him completely. She loved his bike, but never had she been so relaxed riding behind him.
Jaxon parked his bike in the garage and helped her off. The moment they stepped inside the house, she put her plan into motion. Darting past him, she bolted through the door and snatched his keys off the hook. She held them behind her back and gave him her best mischievous smile.
“I got your keys, Daddy,” she said with pure trouble in her voice. “I guess you’ll have to catch me to get them back.”
Jaxon locked the front door and turned to her. His eyes darkened in that way that made heat pool low in her belly. She had no idea what she was doing, but whatever it was, it was hot.
“Tonight is not the night to brat, Tazzy,” he growled.
She shrugged one shoulder. “It’s as good a night as any, Jaxon.”
The muscle in his jaw clenched. “I hope you don’t regret that decision, little girl. You just remember, I warned you.
As he stalked toward her, she backed toward the living room, her heart racing with pure excitement.
“You think you can get away from me, little girl?” he asked. His voice dropped deep and rough. “I wouldn’t bet your ass on it, which, by the way, you’re doing right now.”
One more taunt should do it. “Oh yeah? Well, Daddy, color me worried. Not!”
“Oh, really? After all that’s happened today, you may have forgotten that you are still in a lot of trouble. If you’re smart, you won’t make it any worse.”
She squealed and ran, but he caught her in three long strides. He pinned her against the wall with his strong body. One hand captured both her wrists above her head. The keys dropped to the floor with a soft clink.
She brought one foot, planted it in his chest, and shoved him back. He hadn’t been expecting it, or that never would have worked. He took two steps back, which forced him to let her go. Taking off, the last thing she saw was him grabbing his chest in astonishment. Nice to know she could surprise him. Possibly.
“Tazzy,” he yelled after her. “You’re playing with fire now.”
Running down the hall, all she could do was laugh, which she knew was going to piss him off even more. Oh God, what the hell was she doing?
She was opening the study door when his hand landed on her shoulder. Spinning her around, he stared at her, breathing hard. “Do not push me, little one. It’s not safe.”
She pushed against his chest. “Don’t you get it? I don’t want to be safe.”
He snapped his head back in shock. Followed by a wicked grin.
Oh lord, what had she done?
He closed in on her. She beat against him and pushed at him until he was pinning her head against the wall with a ferocious kiss.