Page 90 of Sweet Surrender
“Is that such a bad thing?” Her voice husky when she felt him hardening inside her again. He groaned and scrubbed a hand down his face, his expression stricken, and a laugh bubbled out of her.
“Fine but you owe me tonight then,” she said.
“Deal, can’t wait.” He kissed her nose then she got off him and they righted their clothing. They went back out to the gym which was mercifully quiet.
“Did you drive here?”
She hesitated, knowing he would be pissed. “Uh, I walked.”
“Taylor!” he exploded. “Anything could have happened to you!”
“But it didn’t! I saw lots of people, the streets were busy. I’m safe.”
His jaw clenched and she wrapped her arms around his waist, peering up at him. “Are you mad? Are we fighting like a real couple?” she cooed.
“No, why?”
“Because then we can have super-hot make up sex.” She waggled her eyebrows at him and his nostrils flared.
“Take my car and go now, woman. Before I show you that supply closet again,” he growled.
“How will you get home?”
“I’ll run.” Another kiss to the tip of her nose.
“Okay but eat lots today then, I don’t want you exhausted after running back. You need your strength for later,” she dropped her voice and stood on her tiptoes to nip his chin.
His eyelids slammed shut. “Jesus woman, take my car and go. Right. Fucking. Now.”
She giggled and snatched the keys from his outstretched hand and placed a quick kiss to his lips. “I love it when you cuss like that, wanna know how it makes me feel?”
“Taylor…” His warning had her laughing, she was such a brat.
As she left the gym she turned back and found him watching her, the goofiest grin on his face and it took all her strength to leave and not go running back to him. She had to remind herself that this relationship was part fake, part besties and part friends with benefits, but it wasn’t real, no matter what he said about it.
She drove home and floated into the bar, so pleased to see Kayleigh back at work. She was a little jittery which was to be expected but Taylor also felt like Kayleigh was avoiding her. She gave her the space to fall back into the routine, not wanting to push her. Then Ben appeared and she introduced him to Kayleigh properly.
She watched as Kayleigh showed him how to make cocktails and change a barrel over. Ben was eager to learn, watching Kayleigh with rapt attention. The evening went by with Taylor anxiously watching the clock, waiting for the night to be over so she could be with Beau. She had always loved her job but right now it was the thing keeping her from him, so she hated every minute of it. She decided to close up ten minutes early, unable to wait a moment longer.
She said goodbye to Ben and Kayleigh, almost shoving them out the door. Beau would be here in a minute anyway. She cashed up the register, counted and bagged in record time and headed for the door, excitement driving her steps forward.
She opened the door to the bar and reached behind her to flick off the lights but from the corner of her eye she saw a shadow outside. She froze. Beau wasn’t here yet, she’d just looked out her office window and seen him moving around the cabin.
Her instincts went on high alert and fear trickled down her spine. Her heart pounded as she tried to slam the door shut but a foot blocked it. Then the door flew open and Dale was barging inside, all menace and erratic energy. He slammed the door shut behind him and her pulse skipped as he headed towards her.
Taylor didn’t wait, she spun and ran for her office. He came up behind her, hot on her heels but she was so damn close to safety. He grabbed her hair, yanking her backwards and she cried out as strands were ripped from her scalp. She stumbled and fell, landing hard on her ass, pain rocketing up her spine. She pushed the pain away and rolled over, crawling towards the door.
“You can try as much as you like but you’re not going anywhere,” Dale sneered. His tone empty and cold. He waited until she had nearly reached the door then he stepped in front of her, blocking her path. He peered down at her.
“What do you want?” she spat, her voice wobbling slightly because she was scared and just wanted Beau. Dale ran his eyes over her, lingering on her body in a way that made her stomach drop. Did he want to hurt her? Rape her? She had no idea. Until now she had thought he just wanted her back but no, this—this was different.
“I just want to talk.” He shrugged like it was no biggie. She made a move to stand but he put his boot on her hand and pressed down. Her knuckles cracked under the pressure and she cried out.
“You need to stop trying to run from me, baby and accept that we’re meant to be together,” he said.
“I couldn’t think of anything worse,” Taylor grunted through the pain.
“Are you sure about that?” he asked. The glinting of metal in the light caught her eye and her fear hit a whole new level as she realized it was a knife.
