What He Wants, He Will Not Get

SHAY

I watched Zane and Conner exchange glances, their faces tight with worry. I was dying to know what was written on that note that had them so on edge.

They both turned back to their monitors, and I quietly slid my chair over to the trash can. I picked up the note and read it.

~Dear Zane,~

~I’ve proven that I can infiltrate your compound undetected. You have something I want: Shay. You watched her for a week and somehow convinced her to move in with you.~

~I’ve been pursuing her for months. She’s rightfully mine.~

~You have two choices: hand her over to me in two days at your club, or I’ll take her by force.~

~We’re both powerful leaders, feared by many. I’d rather not resort to violence.~

~You’re as powerful as I am. My men were careless and got caught. I know they’re gone, because you handle problems the same way I do.~

~I’ll be waiting at the club for my love. If you don’t hand her over, you’ll have a war on your hands. I’ll come out on top.~

~Choose wisely; I’ll know your decision in two days. Tell Shay I can’t wait to hold her in my arms.~

I sat there, frozen, the note slipping from my hands. Zane snatched it up, his eyes blazing.

“Shay, why did you read this?” His voice was a low growl.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I buried my face in my hands.

“I wanted to know what it was. Now I know there’s someone ready to start a war over me. Zane, I can’t handle this. I’m so sorry.”

I tried to bolt from the room, but Zane was right behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Love, you’re not safe outside these walls. Whoever this is won’t stop if you’re out of my reach. The moment you’re free, he’ll snatch you up and do God knows what.”

He spun me around and pulled me against his chest.

“Zane, he sounds just like you. He won’t hurt me, he wants me for himself.”

He stepped back and kissed me, slow and sweet. When we broke apart, he kept his finger under my chin.

“How do you think I’d feel knowing you’re in another man’s arms? I’d go crazy wondering if you’re okay, if you’re being treated like the queen you are to me.

“You’re not going anywhere. We’ll handle this.”

I stepped back, looking into his eyes. He was telling the truth. I shook my head.

“Zane, I can’t let you get hurt because of me. I don’t—” Suddenly, I was over his shoulder, his hand smacking my ass.

“Excuse us, guys. This one needs to learn that when I say something, it’s final.”

“Zane! Put me down; I’m not an object to be—”

~SMACK!~

“Ouch, you jerk! That hurts!”

~SMACK!~

“I’ll keep smacking you until you shut up, love. Ready to try again?”

“No, I want down now. This is ridiculous!” I cried as another smack landed on my ass.

I balled up my fist and punched him in the side. His arms tightened around my waist, and I knew I’d just made him angrier. He stormed to the door and punched the pad.

“Boys, I’ll be back. See what you can find out while I teach this girl some manners.”

They chuckled and laughed at me.

“Sunshine, you never learn, do you? Maybe after your ass is red and sore, you’ll learn not to defy the boss.” Conner shook his head.

We left the room, and he jostled me as we headed down the stairs.

“I can walk, you know,” I said, tapping his back.

“Nice try, but you’re going to learn your lesson. When I say something, it’s final. No talking back, no defiance.”

The elevator doors opened, and he stepped in. I wondered if he was ticklish, so I started running my hands up and down his sides.

He flinched when I hit a certain spot, so I tickled him harder. He started to squirm, trying to hold back laughter. I tickled him even harder. He was grunting now, and finally set me down.

“Thank you! That’s all I wanted. I know you’re strong, but I don’t always want to be over your shoulder.”

I tickled him again, and he started to laugh, pushing me away. I smiled, knowing I’d found his weak spot. “Wait till I tell the boys about this; they’ll love it.”

He stopped laughing and glared at me.

“One, they’ll never find out about this. You’re the only one who knows. Two, I’ll put you over my shoulder whenever I want.

“It’s nice having you close to me, at my mercy. You’re light as a feather, and I don’t mind carrying you around.”

Suddenly, he pinned me against the cold steel of the elevator, my hands above my head.

“What did I say would happen if you hit me again? That punch hurt, and I didn’t like it.”

“I was trying to get you to stop smacking my ass. It hurts when you do that.”

His eyes met mine, their usual intensity replaced with a softness that reminded me of the calm after a storm. He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a gentle kiss that sent sparks of electricity coursing through my body. I couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped my lips, and I felt him smirk against mine, his movements slow and deliberate.

The elevator dinged, its doors sliding open. He scooped me up into his arms, carrying me down the hallway and into the bedroom, his lips never leaving mine. He kicked the door shut behind us, and in no time at all, our clothes were discarded.

He laid me down on the bed, making love to me with a slow, steady rhythm that coaxed orgasm after orgasm from me. After what felt like hours, he let out a roar of release and collapsed beside me on the bed.

Rolling onto his side, he propped himself up on one elbow and began to twirl a strand of my hair around his finger. “That’s what I’m talking about,” he said, his voice low and satisfied. “Having a woman who can keep up with me, who enjoys it as much as I do... it’s the best feeling in the world. I’m never letting you go, Shay.

“You’re mine now, and you’d better get used to it. I’ll protect you with everything I have, and then some.”

With that, he pulled me into his arms and we drifted off into an afternoon nap.