Page 32 of The Heartbreaker (Chandler Brothers 3)
“I’m with him,” Sloane said, pointing to Chase but speaking to Dice.
He folded his big arms over his chest and nodded. “We’re fair here.” He ignored Sloane, looking into Chase’s eyes and staring him down. “If she’s yours, I’ll back off, but seeing as how possession’s two-tenths of the law and I found her here alone, I’m gonna need some proof.”
Chase hadn’t thought the guy had any more room, but Dice stepped into their personal space. He reeked to high hell of beer and smoke, and heaven only knew what else.
“Is she your property or isn’t she?” Dice asked.
Sloane’s muscles tensed beneath his fingertips. “She has a mind of her own and can speak for herself.”
Shit.
Dice scowled. “Five minutes on her back with me and she won’t have the energy to talk back.” He still didn’t speak directly to Sloane, addressing Chase as if he had the decision-making rights over Sloane, mind and body.
From behind him, Dice’s friends laughed, a menacing sound that assured the biker of backup should he need it.
Chase dug his fingers into her shoulders and spoke. “She doesn’t usually have such a big mouth. Damn woman slipped out on me while I was taking a leak. Now that I found her, you can bet I’m going to teach her a lesson.” He wondered how that sounded for taking possession.
Dice nodded in approval, but beside him, Sloane squirmed, obviously eager to add her two cents. He leaned in close, catching the fragrant scent of shampoo in her hair. Arousal hit him hot and hard despite their circumstances.
His timing sucked, Chase thought, and swallowed a laugh. Still, he had to admit Sloane brought adventure to his life at a time when he’d been looking for a change. “Play nice,” he whispered so only she could hear. “Or else we’re not getting out of here without a brawl.” And he liked his body parts just fine where they were.
“Okay,” she hissed, and he knew he’d pay later. In the meantime, she was probably grateful enough for his intervention that she’d keep quiet.
“I hear a lot of yapping and excuses, but I ain’t seen no proof of possession.” Dice leaned a hand on the pool table. “And like I said, that’s our rule round here.” He nodded at Chase. “Prove she’s yours and me and my boys’ll make way for you.”
Chase glanced at Sloane, who stared at him wide-eyed, obviously uncertain of what came next. He might not make places like this his main hangout, but he knew what Dice expected. He slipped his hand from Sloane’s shoulder to grab her hand, then swung her around so her back was against the pool table.
He braced his hands on the scarred wooden edge, encircling her with his body. He smelled her scent and felt her heat. They had an audience, and damned if it didn’t arouse him even more. For the first time, she felt small and scared, backing away instead of huddling close. But he wasn’t going to hurt her, far from it. He was going to mark his territory, then get her to safety, if she considered being alone with him safe. At this point, he was so damned angry she’d put herself in this position, he barely trusted himself. But before he could worry about killing her, he had to make her his.
He met her gaze, and when she looked into his eyes, she obviously realized his intent because fear dissolved, replaced by trust. And damn it, a hint of excitement. Desire. Lust.
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do,” Chase muttered; then he sucked in a breath and lowered his mouth to hers.
Chapter Seven
Chase’s mouth felt slick and hot, and Sloane moaned at the intimate assault. She knew he was only trying to get them out of the bar without a fight, yet she’d seen the flicker of heat burning in the blue depths. He desired her and he was showing her now. He was showing the entire bar, but Sloane didn’t care.
How could she care about anything when he took charge with complete mastery? His lips slanted over hers, first one direction, then another, his tongue making broad sweeps inside her eager mouth.
Sloane was a woman who’d always dated men who were eager to do as she pleased and behaved with utmost decorum and respect. She was smart enough to know her father’s status had everything to do with their actions, but she’d grown used to being in charge. No man had ever dared to treat her as his property. Chase did. He took over, his movements greedy and possessive, and darned if she didn’t like this new attitude of his, enough for her to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him back, nearly to the point of losing control herself. So much so, she was taken off guard when he broke the hot connection.
