Page 52 of Brandishing Beginnings

“Yes, sir.” I chuckled.

His answering growl sent shivers down my spine and would live with me throughout the day.

I couldn’t help but be nervous for my date with Jason as I dressed into a pair of blue jeans. I had laid out several options for shirts on the bed, knowing I was likely to be warm in the jeans and boots. I had a basic black t-shirt, which would be practical; a spaghetti string black tank top, which would keep me cool and was a little sexier than just a t-shirt; then I had a red low cut halter top that would put a lot of bare skin on display.

I texted Slade a picture of my options, to get her input.

Maya:

Date with Jason tonight. He said he’s taking me shooting. Only said to wear jeans and boots.

Slade:

Then clearly no shirt required.

I laughed while another text from Slade came inimmediately.

Slade:

Go with the red halter. It’s still sexy, and wear that leather jacket you picked up the other day.

I grinned, thinking back to the mini shopping spree I’d gone on while killing time while the guys were busy. The leather jacket had been on a manikin in a window display at the mall. I had just been walking by, when it called to me. I ended up buying several more outfits and the black combat boots from the new edgy store I had stumbled across.

Maya:

Thanks!

I finished getting dressed quickly, knowing I was running out of time. I kept my make up simple, eyeliner and mascara and bright red lipstick. I pulled my long curly golden-brown hair up into a high pony, leaving a couple tendrils down to frame around my face. Draping my leather jacket over my arm, I quickly left my bedroom, hoping to slip out of the house unnoticed by my parents—rather my mother.

My father was sitting in his recliner watching TV as usual, but thankfully my mother was nowhere to be found. “Night dad. I’m staying with a friend tonight, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Night, honey.” He barely even glanced away from the TV to look at me.

I ignored the pain in my heart at his easy dismissal and walked out the front door. Walking down the long driveway, I was right on time as Jason came riding down the road on his bike, the rumble of the Harley going right to my core. I fucking loved motorcycles.

I grabbed my bag out of the back of my car and slung it over my shoulder.

Jason pulled up beside me and I quickly slipped into my leather jacket. He popped open the large side compartment of his motorcycle and I stuffed my bag inside. Then he handed me an extra helmet without a word and I put it on. Before I could start looping the strap through the rings, though, Jason slapped my hands out of the way.

I grinned up at him, but his intense gaze was looking down under my chin. Deft fingers worked the straps of the helmet, grazing my skin and making me hot. Feeling a little out of place under his scrutiny, I reached up at slapped down his visor, in a childish move.

His answering growl, though, as he jerked my body forward by the straps of my helmet, made me whimper a moan. Fuck, that had been sexy. His eyes flashed to mine, the warning in those steely gray eyes only half-deterred me from trying something else bratty. If that was how he was going to respond, then brat I would become.

“You gonna say hello to me?” I asked saucily.

“Hi.”

Once he finished with my straps, he slid his hand around my throat and squeezed sensually. “Oh, my little, little, brat. You playwith fire, you’re gonna get burned.” His voice was low, a gentle croon that sent a shiver down my spine.

I swallowed audibly. “I like fire.” My voice a soft rasp.

There was a storm brewing in his gray eyes, a sinister gleam that promised retribution. “We’re going to have fun with that another time, darlin’. Tonight, you’re going to listen to me, you hear me?”

“Yes, sir,” I replied immediately, keeping my eyes on his.

Twenty minutes later we pulled up to a nondescript warehouse on the far south side of Creekton, in an area I didn’t dare venture into alone, as it wasn’t safe. I knew different gangs liked to claim these parts of town and crime was high. Knowing there was a shooting range over this way, was not surprising.

I eased off the back of Jason’s Harley when he shut off the engine, and I slowly looked around. I didn’t like the look of the area; it made me feel unsettled, so I stuck close to him.

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