“Brian, back me up on this?” Gary says, but Brian is scowling out the window and not listening.
“What?” he says a second later when he realizes that we’re all looking at him.
Sage rolls her eyes and sighs. “Here we go.”
“Why don’t you show me around?” I offer as I stand from the table and hold out my hand to Sage. “We’ve already cleared the dishes, but I need to walk after that big meal.”
She puts her hand in mine so fast it surprises me, but I can tell she’s looking for an escape. I’ll be her excuse if she needs one, but I’m not about to give her a reprieve. I agree with Gary that she shouldn’t be alone. I just know better than to do it at the dinner table with her family watching.
“Thank you,” she mumbles as we walk out of the dining room and to the foyer. It’s a little cool outside, so I grab my jacket by the door.
“You looked like you could use some fresh air.” I put my coat on her shoulders as we walk into the cool afternoon and I take her hand in mine again.
“My family is a little on the overprotective side,” she says when we turn to the gardens that expand around the property.
This place is like something out of a movie and nicer than anywhere I’ve ever lived. The house is in a historic Georgian-style made of stone with ivy growing on it. The gardens that surround it are perfectly manicured and made for walking. Trees line one side and Brian told me earlier that there’s a lake out there they used to play in as kids. It’s incredible and I’m feeling envious. I’ve got the money to buy something like this, but why would I need a mansion with all this land if it’s just me? Especially when I travel so much. The thought of Sage filling our home with children and love burns the middle of my chest. I’ve never wanted anything like this before, but suddenly I’m craving a life that I’ve conjured out of thin air.
“I agree with your father,” I say, and she stops abruptly to glare at me.
“I’ve got enough people in my life telling me what to do. I don’t need you to do the same, Jensen.”
The way she says my name makes my cock swell. She jerks her hand out of mine and stomps ahead. She’s good and pissed right now, but I don’t plan on backing down.
I follow after her and snatch her wrist as I pull her into the trees. Once we are out of sight of the house, I push her up against a large oak and press my body to hers.
“The next time my name crosses your lips, my cock is going to be inside you.” I lean in so close that the heat of her breath is on my face. “I won’t ever back down when it comes to keeping you safe. You’re too fucking special to risk anything happening to you.”
“I managed just fine before you showed up here.” She raises her chin, but it only puts her lips closer to mine.
“But now I’m here and you’ll never have to know what that’s like again.” I lick my lips and smile at her.
“You’re so cocky.” There’s heat to her words, but I don’t deny it. “And you’re a liar. You’ll be out of here come Monday and I’ll be the one left behind to figure things out. You have to travel, remember?”
“You think I’d run out of here so easily?” I challenge as I kick her feet apart and wedge myself between her legs.
“I do,” she says, giving it right back to me.
Her breath catches in her throat when I reach down and yank her dress up and rub her panty-covered pussy. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be, bombshell,” I say as I stroke her heat slowly. “There’s no one else I’d rather be with.”
I press my lips to hers and all of her frustration and anger melts away. I feel her soften in my arms, her hips moving back and forth as she tries to move my fingers against her pussy.
“Jensen,” she whispers, but I bite her bottom lip.
“Tonight,” I say before I kiss her neck. “You’ll get it tonight.” My fingers push past her panties and right into her wet silk. “I’ll take care of you right now, but I want you to be a good girl when we go back inside.”
I thrust two fingers inside her as my thumb moves to her clit.
“I need you,” she whines, wiggling on me.
“I need you to stop talking before I fuck you against this tree.” I grit my teeth and rub her G-spot as I feel her tighten on my fingers. “Goddammit, why do you have to tempt me like this? It’s not right; a man can only take so much.”