Mine to Take by Lila Fox
Chapter Six
Zoe felt like she was ready to explode as she walked home after work.
The things Ms. Finch said to her and how much she’d put Savage down made her want to quit and walk out. The only thing keeping her there was that she made good money, and she had to remind herself she didn’t have to put up with the hag very much since she was rarely there.
She’d try to look for another job a few times, but there was nothing in town or around the area, so she knew she’d have to move, and she really liked her house and working with Nala.
She unlocked her door and stepped in. Then she closed it behind her, rested against it, and closed her eyes.
“Bad day at work, babe?”
Her eyes flew open, and she bit back a scream when she spotted Savage spread out over her sofa. He was so tall one of his legs hung over the arm, and he had his other foot planted on the floor.
“What are you doing— How did you get in here?”
He smirked. “I’m here because I wanted to see you, and I broke into the back door. By the way, a toddler could get through that lock. You need a sturdier one.”
“I’ll get right on that,” she said sarcastically.
His eyes narrowed on her, but he didn’t say anything.
“What did you want to see me about?”
“Our second date.”
She set her bag down on the table by the door and crossed her arms over her chest. “Who said you’d get a second date?”
“We talked about it.”
“But you left angry.”
“Yeah, I didn’t like the idea of another man’s hands on you. You say something like that again, and I’ll spank your ass red.”
She gasped and then narrowed her eyes at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Push me and find out,” he said reasonably.
She was almost tempted to try. She was still so angry about work, but she changed her mind. The last thing she wanted to do at the moment was fight with him. She was too damn tired.
“I’m tired and want to shower. Can we discuss this later?”
He nodded. “Sure, go ahead.”
“Good. Can you see your way out?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later.”
She turned and walked away, knowing without a shadow of a doubt he’d still be there when she came back, and she didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or yell at him.
She walked out of the bathroom in her sweatpants and t-shirt to see him lounging against her headboard. One of his knees was bent on the bed, but he made sure his boot wasn’t on the comforter. His other foot was flat on the floor.
“Do you mind?” she asked.
“No, not at all. I’m hungry.”
She rolled her eyes and walked out of the room. If he thought she was going to cook for him, he was very wrong.
She opened the refrigerator door and pulled out the juice. When she turned around, he was leaning against the wall, watching her. How in the hell could he walk so she couldn’t hear him with the boots he was wearing?
“Do you want some juice?”
“No. We need to keep some beer here.”
She almost spit out her mouth full of juice. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
He shook his head. “Naw. But I’m pretty sure about you.”
She leaned against the counter. “Well, don’t be.”
He started for her, and there was nowhere to run because the kitchen was too small. He stood straight in front of her and stared down at her.
Her neck was tilted way back, and it was highly uncomfortable. She hadn’t realized how large he was because he was always bending.
“Could you kneel or something? My neck hurts.”
He smirked, grabbed her upper arm, and pulled her toward one of the kitchen chairs. He sat down and pulled her into his lap.
“Wait—”
He subdued her embarrassingly easily. “Stay still. I just want to talk.”
She sat stiffly in his lap, making him chuckle. “What do you want to talk about?”
“What did that bitch at work talk to you about?”
She cleared her throat. There was no way she was going to tell him what Ms. Finch said.
“Tell me.”
“She doesn’t like you in the library.”
“I gathered that. What else?”
“She doesn’t want me associating with you.”
One of his eyebrows rose. “And what do you think?”
She sighed and turned to look him in his eyes. “I think you’re human just like everyone else, and you have every right to be in the library if you want. I went on to tell her that my private life is just that. Private.”
“Good for you.”
She shivered when his hand slid up and down her back. She cleared her throat. If she didn’t get off his lap in the next few minutes, things were going to get steamy, and she wasn’t sure she was ready for it.
“How about we order a pizza?” she asked.
He smirked. “Sure. What kind do you like?”
“Veggie,” she said.
He snorted. “No fucking way. We’ll have to order two.”
“Fine. Then you’re buying yours.”
“I’m buying both,” he told her.
“I can buy my own.”
“Probably, but you won’t buy anything when you are with me.”
She grinned. “Ahhh, you’re one of those chauvinist men?”
One of his eyebrows rose. “Is that going to be a problem?”
Suddenly, the conversation turned from being fun to serious, and she didn’t know how to take it.
“I … well … no, I suppose not, but don’t expect me to do everything you say.”
He cradled her face with one of his hands. “I’ll expect some resistance sometimes, but if you go too far, you should expect some reprisals.”
“Oh? Like what?”
He shrugged. “Let’s just play it by ear.”
Her teeth snapped together. “You know you sound like you want a relationship. I thought you just wanted a … you know.”
“You can say fuck, babe. You won’t get in trouble.”
She snorted. “I know that. I just don’t use that word unless I’m really angry.”
He nodded. “All right. That’s good to know.”
“Well?” she asked. “You haven’t answered my question about us.”
“Since I think I’m going to need to fuck you more than once, I’d say we were in a relationship.”
She slapped the arm he had draped over her lap. “You make it sound so … raunchy.”
“It’s not.”
She studied his expression and got frustrated when she couldn’t read him. “So, we’ll just get together when you want to have sex?”
He shook his head. “No. I’m going to want you with me other times.”
“So, you want me waiting by the phone just in case you want to see me?”
“No. You have a cell phone. Carry it in your pocket.”
She snorted. “Let’s order. I have to work tomorrow, and I’m opening it up.”
“What time is that?”
“Eight.”
“You’re by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Have those men given you any more trouble?”
She shook her head. “No, I think you scared them away.”
“I wouldn’t count on it. I need you to be careful.”
“I’m always careful.”
He rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Let’s order the pizza. I’m hungry.”
“Okay.” She got out of his lap and went to get her phone.
They would eat, and then she’d make him go home. She had a lot of thinking to do. She was pretty sure he was worth the grief she was going to get, but did she really want to push Ms. Lynch into firing her just for good sex?
Only time would tell.
