Page 71 of Worth the Risk

She was playing games, and that wasn’t something he’d tolerate. His naughty little miss would find that out soon enough. He intended to get to the bottom of what was going on with her, even if it meant paddling hers. And he was going to make it damn clear to her he wouldn’t stand for being stood up a third time.

Shaking himself from his disgruntled stare down with his windshield, he shifted gears and, with great restraint, left the Decadence parking lot at the posted speed.

All the windows were dark when he pulled up to her townhouse, but he saw a flash of white on the porch. She was sitting on the swing, which was still, and seemed to be waiting for him.

When he climbed her front steps, Bella rose to face him. From the way she was alternately folding and unfolding her hands, she was clearly on edge. The anger that had been simmering inside him dissipated, leaving confusion and concern.

“What’s going on?”

She looked everywhere but at him, apparently trying to come up with an excuse he would buy. She’d had plenty of time, countless seconds had dragged by from the time they were supposed to meet, but all she’d come up with was, “I’m so sorry, Dan.”

But he wasn’t going to let her off the hook that easily. “An apology means you didn’t forget we had plans.”

“No. I just thought...maybe the two of us aren’t, um, such a good fit.”

“You came to this conclusion since 8 a.m. this morning when I left you warm and satisfied and smiling in your bed? I’m not buying it, Bella,” he said, eyes narrowing. “You’re hiding something, and I intend to find out what it is. Let’s go inside and talk.”

When he moved to the door, she didn’t follow, only stared at him, eyes wide, body frozen like a deer in headlights. “Why didn’t you tell me you were a cop?” she blurted out.

Her accusatory tone surprised him. Everyone at Rossi had a military or law enforcement background. Some had both, like him. It was common knowledge at the club. Bella, who was new, seemed to be the exception. The omission hadn’t been intentional, however.

“You got a problem with cops, baby?”

“No,” she replied, her denial coming too quickly. Her discomfort was evident by the way she shifted and fidgeted with her hair. Even without those outward signs, Dan knew she was lying because she wouldn’t look at him.

“It’s time to come clean with me.” He opened the front door and held it wide for her to enter. When she didn’t move, he spoke calmly but firmly, “You can move your ass inside under your own power, or I can help you. Which is it going to be?”

The glare she aimed his way didn’t faze him, but her butt would pay for that, too—later.

“You’ve got three seconds to decide.”

“I not a child, Dan. I’m a grown woman.”

“A fact I’m well aware of, but you’re still getting your ass in the house, and we’re talking this through.”

“But what if—”

“One...”

“You’re actually counting?” she asked, incredulous.

“Two...”

“Fine,” she declared, twitching with indignation as she moved her round ass to the door. She was so incensed, she turned sideways so their bodies didn’t touch on her way inside.

Although he was still pissed off, he fought the urge to laugh. She came across as both sweet and sexy, with a touch of brattiness—a combination he found irresistible. It made him want to cuddle her in his lap, fuck her against the wall, and spank her with a firm hand, and, if given the chance, he’d be hard-pressed to decide which to do first.

After following her in, he locked the door then walked down the short hall to the still-dark living room where she was pacing. Before he entered, and gave her an ass chewing, he lurched to a halt at the sight of her belongings—a duffel bag, a tote, and her purse—piled up on the floor.

“You were leaving?” he demanded.

“Yeah, but I couldn’t go without talking to you first.”

That was something, and a damn sight better than disappearing into thin air.

He stalked by the bags, his footsteps echoing loudly on the hardwood floor. The only light came from the faint glow of the streetlights outside, casting a soft shadow over her face. She was so beautiful, his teeth ached, but also made him crazy as hell.

“No more games. What are you hiding? Or, better yet, who or what are you hiding from? Are you married? Was your husband abusive and you ran? Lord, Bella”—he shoved his hands through his hair in frustration— “if that’s the case, you have no business working at a bondage club and sleeping with a sadist.”

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