Take It On The Run

Chapter 24

POV: Deacon

Sloan was a force of nature as she fought me, as though she could beat back her raw desire with her bare fists alone.

"Lucky shot," she spat with so much insolence, it was a wonder I didn't take her to the mat then and fuck her into submission.

"Whatever you say, sweetness." I smiled brightly, knowing it would provoke her out of her defensive position.

She released a cry of frustration as she lunged at me. Her fist landed dangerously close to my balls, bouncing off my thigh.

"Someone has anger issues," I jeered as I circled her. She looked like a rabbit caught in a snare, her eyes wild and fierce and determined. "If you were as good at fighting as you are at using that smart mouth of yours, you'd have already won this round. It's sloppy, really."

My cock stiffened as she retorted, "Is that what gets your rocks off, D? The thought of me being sloppy with you?"

She was baiting me now just as much as I was baiting her.

I took a sizable step toward her, "A lot of thoughts get my rocks off when it comes to you, beautiful. As soon as I get my hands on you, I'll demonstrate some of them too."

She ducked beneath my arm just in time to avoid getting clotheslined. "And that's my problem, how?"

She had to be aware of what a sexy little brat she was being and what it did to me.

"Because it's all your fault."

"You're a grown man, Deacon." She landed a blow to my kidneys then moved out of my reach. "I'm not responsible for your perversions."

I prowled toward her. "You see, that's where you're wrong. You're the only one who does this to me, Sloan. You make me feral. All I can think about now is taming that disrespectful tongue of yours while sinking myself between your perfect thighs."

"You'll have to catch me first, slowpoke."

I growled. Most would've been scared by that, most were already inherently fearful of my size. But Sloan remained in control of herself now, countering every move I made.

Finally, I halted my offensive attacks and waited for her to come to me. Her nostrils flared in anger when she realized what I'd done.

"You're a real bastard, you know that?"

"What's the problem, Sloan? You said you weren't afraid of me earlier, so why don't you come here and prove it to me?"

If looks could kill, I'd be dead right now. "Not sure there's enough room in here for me and your colossal ego, Deacon."

"That's not the only part of me that's colossal. Want to see?"

I was already prepared for her to launch herself at me and stepped out of the way. She stumbled and managed to catch herself. "You've got to stop being so predictable, Sloan. Sumner was right earlier. You're letting your emotions guide you, and it'll get you killed."

"Thanks for the unsolicited advice, Dr. Phil." Her eyes narrowed on me, and I could practically see the gears of her mind turning. "Are you just saying that because I'm a woman?"

"Oh, please." I chuckled, shaking my head. "I've fought countless women since I started martial arts in middle school and had my ass handed to me plenty. This has nothing to do with gender. It has to do with you getting yourself killed when The Collectors push the right buttons and you play right into their hands."

"You're annoying." Her expression soured further, like she was sucking on a lemon.

Even though I still wanted her desperately, I reminded myself that there was a point to all of this, and that was to keep Sloan alive. She fought well enough most of the time that I forgot she had no formal training. It was up to me to dole out constructive criticism so she could learn to correct herself.