Page 37 of Possessing Paisley
Chloe leans over, reads it, and then starts giggling. “Oh, he’s got it bad. Giving you rules and everything.”
Heat blooms over my cheeks and spreads through my entire body. Part of me loves the text he just sent, and part of me wants to be sassy back to him.
“You can’t let him walk all over you, though,” Chloe adds. “He’s an amazing guy, but he’s so damn hard-headed sometimes. Has a temper on him, too.”
“Ya think?” Cali asks. “The guy is a total control freak, and if something doesn’t go his way, he stomps around the estate like a pissed-off animal until one of us tells him to get over himself. He’s also one of the most thoughtful, kindest, loving men I’ve ever known.
“When Scarlet and I had to go to separate safe houses, Declan was trying to manage the threat, so he was gone a lot. I missed Scarlet so much, and I was scared, so Kieran would sit by my bed and watchBeauty and the Beastwith me until I fell asleep. He never complained. He’d just show up at my bedroom door because he knew I needed him.”
I sniff and blink back the tears welling in my eyes. That is something I could totally see Kieran doing.
Scarlet grins and leans her head back. “He’s just like Beast. Big and scary on the outside, has no manners or social skills, but deep down, he’s good.”
“He does, too, have social skills,” I reply with a smile. “They’re just a bit rough. He saved my ass last night at that party and was a total gentleman.”
Chloe’s eyes widen. “Okay, we need all the deets, minus anything kinky you did because, ew, that’s my brother.”
We burst out giggling, but I spend the rest of the drive to the nail salon telling them all about my run-in with Jeremy and Mercedes while Cali, Scarlet, and Chloe listen intently with sparkling eyes.
“Well, I’d say Kieran is a huge step up from your asshole ex. He sounds like a real douche canoe,” Scarlet says.
I bob my head because, yeah, Jeremy is a douche canoe.
Chloe smiles at the driver when he opens the back door for her. “Come on. Fuck our exes. Let’s go get pampered.”
“And drink some more,” Cali adds.
Sounds like a great plan to me.
Ican’t stop smiling whenever I look at my nails. They’re long and pointy and something I probably won’t have for long, but they’ll be fun for the party. Hopefully, I can still function with them. I didn’t really think of that. Oh, well. I’ll figure it out.
“A nap sounds divine right now,” I tell the girls as we ride back to the estate.
We had more alcohol while we were at the salon, and I think we’re all feeling pretty dang good at the moment.
“Oh my gosh, it does,” Cali squeals. “Who knew the things I would love most about being an adult are getting spanked and taking naps?”
We giggle hysterically and agree while the driver sends us a look of exasperation in the rear-view mirror. It’s possible we’ve been a bit loud and obnoxious back here, laughing at stuff that probably isn’t all that funny.
As soon as the SUV approaches the thick metal gates of the estate, they open, and a guard waves us through. Every time I come through the entrance, I feel like a princess. The stone walls around the property and the high-level security with huge, intricately designed wrought iron gates make it feel like a castle.
“You didn’t ever text Kieran back, did you?” Chloe says quietly.
I glance up from my nails to look at her. “No. I didn’t. You told me not to let him walk all over me. Why?”
Scarlet’s eyes widen as she stares through the windshield. “Probably because Kieran is standing at the bottom of the steps with his arms crossed over his chest, looking like he sucked on a lime.”
What?
My gaze swings around. Sure enough, the man who fucked me roughly and then took care of me tenderly last night is right there. And he doesn’t look happy.
Uh-oh.
Of course, the driver pulls right up and stops, so the back door is directly in front of Kieran. I swear, when I glare up at him, he smirks back at me. Rude.
The door swings open, and Cali quickly scoots out, giving Kieran a wide berth. Without giving the other women a chance to exit, he reaches in and undoes my seatbelt, then yanks me out of the car.
“Hey!” I squeal. But before I can say or do anything else, he picks me up and tosses me over his shoulder, then makes his way toward his house.