Page 32 of Hold a Candle

Pauley continued to fight with Jamie until he finally turned her around and landed several hard spanks against her jean-clad backside. She gasped in outrage.

Mica’s jaw dropped open but then his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Pauley’s eyes narrowed to slits and suddenly her leg was behind Jamie’s knee and he was headed for the ground. He held onto Pauley though and took her with him, tumbling her over sideways and rolling on top in a move he’d learned years ago.

“Now, lass,” he warned, holding both of her arms above her head. “I’m sure this asphalt is nae a comfortable surface to be lying on, but I’ll let ye up when ye agree to give this up. Get it through yer beautiful head that I’m no going to let ye do something reckless that could get ye and Luca both hurt. And if ye don’t agree, I’ll carry ye to the car and put yer own handcuffs on ye to keep ye inside. Plus, the next chance I get, ye will be over my knee and getting a paddling like ye have never had before.”

Pauley was panting hard and struggling, but her struggles slowed at his last threat. Jamie could see the rage leaving her gorgeous eyes and caution returning. Finally, she nodded her assent. “Aye.”

Jamie stood up and pulled her up with him. He was glad she’d given in because even though he was in good shape, rolling around on the ground wasn’t something he did every day. He was sure he’d feel it tomorrow.

They went back to the car in silence and Mica took Curdle out. Jamie put Pauley in the passenger’s side because she was trembling from the adrenalin let down. He would drive them home and then they would have a serious talk.

Mica leaned into the driver’s side. “I’ll let ye know everything I find out, Pauley, I promise.” He stood up and shook hands with Jamie. “Take care of her, Jamie. She’s a special lass whose had a hard way to go fer a long time,” he murmured.

Jamie stared. “I intend to.” He slid into the car, started it, and pulled out. Glancing over at Pauley, he could see her fingers laced so tightly they had white ridges on them. Her eyes were closed, her head back on the seat.

What was going on with her? There was no doubt in his mind that she’d needed to be stopped. She’d been livid about Macalister, angry enough quite possibly to go after the young lad in an inappropriate way. Reason had gone out the back door, and he’d seen it in her eyes.

He was also willing to bet her past with Macalister was more than just having to turn the man down for a date. The thought of him attempting to touch Pauley when it wasn’t wanted made him furious.

Gently, he reached over and closed his big palm around her entwined hands. “Are ye alright, wee firebrand?”

***

PAULEY’S SLENDER FRAMEwas still shaking and she was suddenly exhausted. She’d been so angry, so ready to slam Belton up against a wall and make him talk. Or shake him with the front of his shirt like she had Luca. Now that the adrenaline that had charged her up was receding, she was left with little energy to draw on.

Mica and Jamie had both tried to reason with her, but it was ultimately Jamie who she’d been forced to reckon with. Admitting to herself that he had done her a favor didn’t come easy. Her career could have been ruined, and she would have accomplished nothing if she’d actually assaulted Belton.

Mica letting her get by with shaking her own son senseless was one thing, but no way in hell would it slide by with Luca’s friend.

Would she have done it? Not knowing for sure just made her feel worse.

“I need some coffee,” she croaked. “Adrenaline letdown.”

Jamie nodded. “Aye, Starbucks it is.”

With still trembling fingers, Pauley took the cup Jamie handed her from the drive-through window at Starbucks and sipped in the soothing hot brew. She could feel the effects, whether real or imagined, in her mind and body. She didn’t care what anyone said, coffee won hands down as her brew of choice. She liked tea too, of course, but coffee was her go to caffeine high.

By the time they reached Jamie’s house, the cup was gone and so was the security team.

“How are we going to get in the house if the security is engaged?” she asked, prudently waiting for him to get her car door. She had a suspicion she might be in trouble. Maybe?

She wasn’t sure how she felt about that now that a reckoning might be near, but like any lass needing to cover her arse, there was no point in making it worse.

Jamie turned as he got out of the car and showed her his cell phone with a grin. “They sent me a temporary code to get in. I’ll change it when I get inside.” He came around the car and opened her door. Once out, he murmured in her ear. “Smart, lass. Ye learn quick.”

If she hadn’t already acted like a complete jobber, she might have snarked back at him, but once again, self-preservation kicked in. “I can appreciate a man willing to wait on me,” she replied, her hand tucking her hair nervously behind her ear.

He chuckled and tucked her up against his warm body as they walked. “I’m glad to see ye have stopped shaking. I was getting worried about ye.”

“No need to worry about me, I’m tough as nails.”

“Even nails have a breaking point,” he replied, squeezing her waist. “They stay more secure when wedged tightly inside a firm foundation.”

She glanced up at him in surprise. “I’m not sure if that’s corny or sweet, but it’s almost poetic.”

Jamie laughed then. “Blame it on my mother. She used to read Evangeline and other poems to me for bedtime stories. Maybe some of it stuck.”

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