Page 24 of Renegade
Chapter Seven
Gemma
Smuggler’s Cove isn’t like any bar I’ve ever been to before. It’s like being on a movie set, complete with a ship’s bow, huge anchors, mermaid carvings, and even a waterfall in the darkened three-tiered space that has a definite party atmosphere. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen anything that seems like it could be remotely related to Liam, guns, or drug cartels, so we’ve found a table near the bar and we’re working our way through as many of the rum concoctions as we can, making a toast to Liam with each one.
“So when’s my next power play lesson?” Four drinks have made me bold enough to ask the question that’s been dominating my thoughts for the last twenty-four hours. I’ve been telling myself I’m eager for the next lesson because I want to learn as much as I can before Declan comes back, but drunk me acknowledges the real reason. It was hot as hell when Walker pulled me over his lap and alternately spanked me and worshipped my ass with his mouth and hands. And dammit, I want more. It’s all I’ve been able to think about. Drunk me isn’t worried about the fact that he’s my best friend and I shouldn’t feel the way I do when I’m with him. Drunk me just wants to feel his hands and lips on me one more time.
“Why are you so intent on doing this?” His question isn’t judgmental, just curious. He orders us another round, this time requesting some kind of drink that’s big enough for us to share. The bartender sets it on fire as he places it in front of us.
“I told you. My whole life, I’ve looked for a guy who’s man enough to handle me. Or manhandle me.” I giggle at my joke. “I’m not like most girls.”
“Thank God.” Walker lifts the glass in a toast to me with the enthusiasm of a man who’s downed two drinks for every one of mine, and I smile at him fondly.
“You know what I mean. I want a guy who can take charge. A guy who knows what he wants and knows how to go after it, not wait for me to do it all. I’m smart and strong because I’ve had to be. I’m used to handling my own shit, but sometimes I don’t want to. I want a guy who not only isn’t threatened by the fact that I’m intelligentandbadass, but who’s strong enough to make me feel weak sometimes, so I know that I can rely on him. It’s biological.” I point my straw at him. “At heart, all girls just want a guy who can make us feel safe by his side, who we know will slay dragons for us. A man like that can give me butterflies. And Declan did.” I don’t add that Walker did, too. I’m sure it was only by association, anyway. It’s the dynamic, not the man. Lowering my voice, I confess, “My favorite fantasy involves this commanding, assertive, faceless guy with killer abs who talks dirty to me and just takes what he wants.”
“You don’t have to have the kind of relationship Declan’s proposing to experience that,” Walker counters. “You just need to find the right man.”
I sigh. “At this point, I’d just settle for an orgasm I didn’t give myself.” Walker is staring at me. I take a long sip of the cold, fruity drink. “What?”
“What do you mean, an orgasm you didn’t give yourself? Surely a guy has given you an orgasm before.”
“Nope. Never.”
“C’mon! Get out. Never?”
“Ever!” I say emphatically. “Well, except for my faceless fantasy guy. He gives me orgasms all the time. But a real guy? Nope. I’m not sure it can happen. Many have tried…” I make my voice deep and serious, like I’m narrating a movie. But I can’t help but sound wistful when I add, “It’s probably a lost cause, but when I met Declan, it was the first time I thought it might be possible. If anyone can do it, I think it might be him. So now you see why it’s so important.”
“Bullshit. It has nothing to do with Declan. You’ve just never been with a guy who knows his way around a woman. Hell, I could give you an orgasm.”
“I doubt that. No one can,” I say dolefully.
“Guaranteed. Absolutely, positively, 100 percent. I’d bet anything on it.”
Damn, he’s cocky. “Whatever.” I roll my eyes.
“Seriously. Name it.”
“Anything?”
“Yep. Anything.”
“Even your original Nirvana Teen Spirit tour T-shirt?” It’s his most prized possession, and one of the only things he has that belonged to his dad. I cross my arms with satisfaction, sure I’ve got the best of him.
“It’s yours if I can’t.”
“You’re so full of shit.” I’d never take his T-shirt, but I feel a tiny thrill at the thought of him trying.
Walker gestures to the bartender and then turns back to me. “I’m going to close my tab, and then we’re going back to the hotel and I’m going to give you the biggest, best, most earth-shaking orgasm of your life.”
“But we agreed no sex.”
“We don’t have to have sex for me to make you come.”He throws down a wad of bills and pulls me to my feet. “Let’s go.”
Damn. Talk about a man who can take charge and put a plan into action. How does a girl say no to that? Especially when he’s looking at her like she’s the first and last piece of chocolate he’s ever going to taste.
We’re both caught up in the moment, bold and reckless on too much rum, and this suddenly seems like the best idea in the world. We take an Uber back to the hotel, and when the person on duty at the front desk greets us with, “Have a good evening,” we look at each other and giggle like teenagers.
Up in our room, Walker doesn’t bother turning on a lamp. The city lights twinkling outside the windows provide enough light for us to see by. He doesn’t hesitate. He closes the distance between us and takes my face between his palms, his thumbs gently tracing my cheekbones.
