“Yes. We went to the same church.”

  Six frowned, then nodded and stepped back, but not very far. I turned back to Brent, who had a concerned look on his face. I could understand why—Six was intimidating to look at.

  “Well, anyway, sorry to hear about you and Patricia. It was good to see you,” I told him, deciding I needed to get away from him before he asked any questions I couldn’t answer.

  “Don’t be. I’m not. It’s a relief, really. She wasn’t the one for me.”

  “Oh. Well then, I’m glad y’all figured it out.”

  He licked his lips nervously. “Yeah, I have tried to call you, but your line has been disconnected. Did you get a new number?”

  I shook my head. Why would he want to call me? I didn’t like where this was going. “I just don’t have a phone anymore.”

  “Aspen,” Trinity’s voice called, and I glanced back to see her looking in the long mirror at the white dress she’d put on.

  “Be right there,” I replied, then looked back at Brent. “I’m sorry. I need to go. It was great to see you. I hope you like your new school.”

  I started to turn and leave when his hand came out and wrapped around my arm.

  “Wait,” was all he said before Six was between us, removing his hand from my arm.

  “What the hell?” Brent said in an annoyed tone. He wasn’t used to being treated this way. Back home, he’d been the quarterback, and everyone loved him.

  “Wait, Six,” I said, shaking my head at him. “It’s fine.”

  “Are you dating this guy?” Brent asked me, looking horrified.

  “No, he’s a friend.”

  He wasn’t a friend at all. I barely knew him, but what else could I say?

  Brent glared at Six, and I winced. This could get ugly. Brent was a bit too cocky and had no idea who he was messing with.

  I stepped between them. “Listen, Six, I got this,” I told him.

  His hard expression looked down at me, and then he nodded before stepping back.

  Turning back to Brent, I tried to smile like this wasn’t weird at all. “I need to go. Again, it was great to see you,” I told Brent.

  He was scowling when his eyes dropped from Six to me. “Are you okay, Aspen? You know I’d do anything for you. Anytime you need me, call. I … I chose to come to Gainesville because I knew it was close to you. I missed you.”

  What the actual heck was he saying?

  I shook my head and laughed because he could not be serious.

  “I’m confused here, Brent. You broke up with me—well, we weren’t even a couple really. You, however, cut things off with me and began seeing Patricia over a year ago. When I left Robertsdale, you were engaged. Why would you choose a college to be near me?”

  He sighed and shifted his feet. “I made a mistake. I felt pressure from my family, and your heart condition scared me. I just—hell, Aspen, I’d been in love with you for years. Then, I finally got your attention, and I fucked up.”

  I was sure my mouth was hanging open. He was claiming he’d loved me. Really?

  “Brent …” I began, trying to think of the best way to handle this. I didn’t think there was one. “My life … it’s difficult right now. I’m not sure what you want from me, but I don’t think I can give that to you. I’m trying to figure out my future, and I just, uh … this isn’t anything I can do right now.” Or ever. I did not love him. I never had.

  He sighed. “I didn’t expect you to throw yourself into my arms, and honestly, I’ve practiced what I would say to you a million times. I messed that up too. I just need you to know that I’m waiting. When you’re ready, call me.”

  I didn’t tell him I had no idea what his number was because I would never be calling him.

  “Okay,” I replied.

  He started to reach for me and stopped again, his eyes looking past me—at Six, I assumed. His hand went back to his pocket. “I’m willing to wait.”

  I hoped he didn’t wait long.

  “I’ve got to go,” I told him and turned.

  Trinity was watching me with a grin on her face as I made my way toward her. I didn’t glance at Six, who was entirely too close to us.

  “Old boyfriend?” she asked as I reached her.

  I closed my eyes and grimaced. “Not even that. We never made it to that level.”

  She looked back over my shoulder. “Well, he sure is watching you like he would move a mountain to get your attention.”

  I shook my head. “That was awkward. I can’t believe he said all that stuff. I hope he was lying. Why would he move to Florida to be near me?”

  Trinity raised her eyebrows. “Aspen, do you realize how gorgeous you are?”

  I laughed.

  She didn’t smile. “You don’t, do you?”

  “I like this dress on you,” I said, looking at what she was wearing and hoping to change the subject.

  “Uh-huh,” she replied, staring at me. “I know what you’re doing. And he’s still there, by the way. Six isn’t even scaring him off with all that snarling.”

  I covered my face with my hands. “Don’t look at him.”

  “Okay, I’ll let it drop. But seriously, check yourself out in a mirror.”

  It wasn’t that I thought I was unattractive. I just didn’t have the kind of appeal to make a guy follow me to another state.

  Trinity turned and headed for the dressing room. Six walked up beside me. Neither of us spoke, but he wasn’t here to chat. He was doing his bodyguard thing.

  Once we arrived home from shopping, Trinity suggested we go out to the pool. I changed into my white bikini, then took my book and a bottle of water and headed out there. She had things to put away first. I set my book and water on the table, then walked over to get in the pool just enough to get wet so I wouldn’t burn up. The cold made me shiver as I stepped down into it, but I knew it would be worth it when I was sitting out in the heat.

  Leaning back, I dipped my hair back until it was nice and soaked before getting back out of the pool. Just before I reached the lounger I’d chosen because of the umbrella over it, the door opened, and I looked up, expecting to see Trinity. Instead, it was Levi.

  “What the fuck are you wearing?” he asked, scowling at me.

  “My swimsuit?” It sounded more like a question than a response.

  Levi stalked over to me and scanned the area before looking back at me. “Where’s your goddamn towel?”

  I winced. “I forgot one. But I’ll be dry before I go back inside. It’s hot out here.”

  Levi’s eyes dropped to my chest, and his jaw flexed. “I can see your nipples through that top, Aspen. It’s fucking white.”

  I glanced down and only saw the outline of them because it was wet. “Not really.”

  “Yes,” he snapped. “And your ass isn’t covered.”

  I sighed. “This is the only swimsuit I have. Irish gave it to me. I didn’t pick it out. I look terrible in a white bikini. I’d never have bought this.”

  Levi let out a hard laugh. “No, sweetheart, you look incredible. All that creamy skin. Jesus Christ, cover up.”

  Oh. This was because he liked it? I tried not to smile, but it was hard. “I was going to just lie here and read.”

  His eyes went wide. “In that?”

  I nodded, feeling giddy.

  “Shit, Aspen. You’re not that naive.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He rubbed his beard. “Dammit. I mean, you …” he growled. “Fuck. I don’t want Kye seeing you like this.”

  Watching him struggle with this possessiveness was exciting and a complete turn-on. Not that he needed any help turning me on. Everything he did was sexy.

  “He’s not here,” I told him.

  “He will be. Just cover up. Please. Change.”

  He seemed almost frantic. I loved it.

  “Okay,” I replied. “I’ll need to stay out here and dry first since I don’t have a towel.”

  He muttered a curse, then pulled his shirt off. “Hands up,” he ordered me.

  I did as instructed, and he put his shirt on over my bikini. It smelled like him, and I smiled. I wasn’t going to complain about being wrapped up in his scent.

  “Who was the fucker who talked to you today?” His tone was still angry.

  I rolled my eyes. Six had a big mouth. “Brent McCumber. I know him from back home.”

  Levi continued to study me. “Is he an ex-boyfriend?”

  I shook my head because I couldn’t really call him that.

  “So, you often have guys chasing you from another state, claiming to love you?”

  Six was nosy and had a big mouth.

  “That was a first,” I said.

  “You sure he didn’t get a taste of that pussy and wants more?”

  It felt like he’d slapped me.

  “What?” I asked, not believing I had heard him correctly.

  “It sure was soaking wet when I touched it the first time. If he got his hands and mouth on it, then he might want more. Enough to follow you.” His voice sounded cruel. As if he was mocking me. Calling me a liar.

  “He never touched me.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

  Levi reached out and grabbed my chin. “Did you love him?” he snarled.

  “No.”

  “Why did you stop Six from making him leave you alone?” His words were close to a growl.

  “Because it was rude.”

  Levi narrowed his eyes. “It was rude?”

  I nodded.

  “You were walking away, and he grabbed you. That was fucking rude.”

  I laughed. “He was stopping me. Why does it matter?”

  Levi held my gaze for a moment, then dropped his hand and backed up. His heated expression simply shut down, and there was nothing there. As if he hadn’t been angry at all.

  “It doesn’t matter. But if you leave this house, let Six or whoever goes with you do their job,” he told me, then turned and walked back to the house.

  I stood there, stunned. Levi had never treated me like that before. He was mad at me, and I hadn’t done anything wrong. That was unfair.

  A lump formed in my throat as I sank down on the lounge chair. He thought I was lying about not knowing what an orgasm felt like. Did he think I had tricked him into doing it? God, this was awful.

  Twenty

  Levi

  The rest of the evening, my temper had been right there, ready to fucking snap. I couldn’t look at Aspen during dinner. She hadn’t said anything to me about the clothes I’d had Six buy for her because she wouldn’t. That pissed me off too.

  Leaving with Kye after dinner wasn’t what I’d wanted to do, but I needed to get away from her. The look in her eyes at the pool had felt too damn close to a line she didn’t need to cross. She’d been fucking happy about my reaction to her in that excuse for a bikini. It barely covered anything. I was protecting her from Kye, who I didn’t trust not to fuck her. Kye wouldn’t have been able to help himself. Those tits would have had him groveling. I didn’t want her thinking it was more than that. She’d get hurt.

  Then, there was that stupid fucker claiming he loved her and chasing her ass all the way down here. Six had said the guy acted possessive. Like he owned her or had a claim on her. I was pretty sure I’d felt her hymen last night, but maybe I hadn’t. Maybe I had been too worried about going deep enough to hurt it. No man came chasing a woman unless she had a pussy he was addicted to. Stupid fucker. There was pussy everywhere. Lots of hot pussy. No need to chase one.

  Except the pussy he was chasing might get him killed. If he’d been in there—fucking hell, I was livid. The idea of some other man touching her, taking her virginity—I couldn’t handle it. My body was strung so tight, and I needed to fuck. Remind my own fucking self that there was pussy everywhere. I didn’t want to own one. Just fuck them.

  I took another long drink while watching Stella suck Kye’s dick. Setting down my bottle, I picked my cigarette back up and stuck it between my lips before wrapping the leather belt around my hand. She had a nice red ass already, but I wasn’t done. Besides, Kye loved licking blistered asses as much as he did sucking tits.

  “That’s it, sugar. Suck it deep. Daddy’s got his belt out, ready to spank you again,” Kye said as he held her hair back in a ponytail.

  I took another swing and then inhaled, letting the smoke out through my nose while I watched the welt appear.

  “More, Daddy!” she cried out, shaking her ass at me.

  The loud slap as the leather connected with her ass made her moan loudly as Kye pumped into her mouth harder.

  “That’s it, baby. Take that dick. I’m gonna love on your sore ass when he’s done. You suck it like a good little slut, and I’ll eat that ass and pussy.”

  Her choking and moaning had Kye close to the edge. I could see it on his face. I gave her two more whacks before he slammed into her mouth and held her there while he jerked his release down her throat.

  “Swallow it. That’s it. Take it all.”

  I slid my belt back on and buckled it, then reached for my beer.

  “You not gonna fuck her?” Kye asked as he grinned down at her.

  “No,” I replied, taking the cigarette and putting it out in the ashtray.

  “That’s okay, darling. I can handle all of it,” he assured her as he grabbed her tits and brought one to his mouth.

  “Make sure the alarm is set when you leave,” I reminded him before leaving the shop’s conference room.

  I’d planned on fucking her. Stella was good with the daddy kink I enjoyed. But I hadn’t wanted it tonight. My cock had gotten hard, sure, but I just didn’t want to fuck her. My head was still on Aspen, and I couldn’t shake it. It shouldn’t matter to me, but the insane need to want her untouched, except by me, was there. I couldn’t make it go the hell away.

  The entire drive back to the house, I cursed myself for not having control over this shit. Aspen was in my head, and if I wasn’t careful, she’d get hurt. She didn’t need to know I was imagining her when I fucked other women. Spanking their asses, pretending it was her sweet round one stuck up for me. That shit would confuse her. Make her think we were something we weren’t. The females who claimed they loved me were always the younger ones. The ones who were jaded knew the score.

  It was after midnight when I got home, and I knew she would be in bed already. As I headed up the stairs, it felt like getting to my room and seeing her safely in my bed was all I needed. When I opened the door, her small body was curled up under the covers, not on my side of the bed. Silky auburn locks were splayed out on the pillow, and the moonlight made her appear angelic.

  The tightness in my chest eased, and I relaxed. She was fine.

  I began to undress, pulling my shirt off. I was ready to get in bed and sleep. This evening had been shit.

  Pulling back the covers, I climbed in and stared at Aspen on the other side of the bed. I didn’t want her there, and seeing her over there felt like she was fucking defying me. But this was Aspen. She didn’t do that kind of shit. I had to calm down.

  I moved over and pulled her to me. When she didn’t wake up, I buried my face in her hair and breathed her in. Stella hadn’t smelled like this. Fresh, clean, sweet, and mine. I winced. I had to stop thinking of her that way. She wasn’t mine. The stupid fucker who had professed his love today had caused this. He’d just reminded me that outside of this house, there were men who would take her from me. They’d claim to love her, then one day hurt her. And I’d have to go kill them.

  She didn’t see the inevitable future like I did. She’d want the love and romance. She would want the family and stupid bullshit that didn’t last. When that day came, I’d lose her.

  My arms tightened around her, and she stirred. Fuck, I was probably hurting her. I eased my hold and she rolled over to face me.

  Long lashes fluttered before those emerald eyes opened and stared up at me.

  “Are you still mad?” she asked in a sleepy voice.

  Yes, at myself.

  “Not at you.”

  Her expression immediately looked relieved. Dammit, she’d gone to bed, worrying about me being mad. She should have broken some of my shit and called me a bastard. This was Aspen though, and she wouldn’t do that.

  “I didn’t lie,” she whispered.

  I pressed a kiss to her forehead. Fuck, how I wanted that to be the truth.

  She turned back around snuggling her back against me. I moved the hair off her neck, then placed my palm on her bare stomach, just under my T-shirt she had on. I pressed a kiss below her ear and ran my nose along her neck, taking her in. Feeling her all warm against me, holding her in the dark, in my bed. God, I wanted to roll her back over and sink inside her tight pussy. It suddenly felt as if I couldn’t get close enough. She made a soft sound and ran her foot down the front of my leg. Just a little more of this. Then, I’d stop it. I needed to mark her. Rub my scent on her. Make sure she knew who touched her pussy now.

  My hand moved up until my palm was brushing over her taut nipple. Her soft cry from the touch went straight to my cock. Her round little ass pressed back against me as she wiggled to get closer.

  “You like how hard you’ve made my dick?” I asked, pulling her earlobe between my teeth.

  “Oh,” she breathed, arching her neck back toward me.

  This luscious body rubbing up against me was intoxicating. Gently, I caressed her tits, taking time with each one while she continued to squirm and pant.

  “Does this feel good, baby?” I asked, licking at the soft skin on her neck.

  “Yes,” she trembled.

  “You want me to make you feel good?” I asked her, taking small nips and licks of her skin as I moved down to her shoulder, bare from my shirt.

  I needed to rein it in some. She was driving me crazy though with the frenzy she seemed to be slowly losing herself in.