Free Rage by Kaylee Song Page B

challenge.
    I wasn’t about to let it drop.  I was just like my father, and my brother, in that way. 
    “You assume you know how to run things better than anyone else.  You throw some women out on their ass and boss everyone around like you own the place.  When did you become such an ass?”
    He growled.  “I’m in charge now, Lala.  That means I have to take responsibility.  I have to be the boss.  I call the shots.  I make the decisions.  I’m second in command, and I have to remind everyone of that.  Even you.”
    He was so close to me as he said those words, his breath hot on my face.  The two of us were ready to throw down in that hot little room. 
    “Well,” I managed, shaking but defiant.  “This is my office now.” They were good words, but I don’t think either of us really heard them.
    I shouldn’t have been surprised when he reached down and pulled me into him.  Or when he swooped down and met my lips with his.
    But I was.
    I pushed against him, resisting his touch, but I didn’t break the kiss.  I wanted it.  I craved it.  Hell, I’d been asking for it and more for years, and being away hadn’t changed that.  I knew what starting this up again would do to me, but I couldn’t stand it.  My tongue ached to taste him.  I needed to feel him against me. 
    All those years of want, all those years that I thought about him.  Tried not to think about him.  Tried to forget him.  None of that mattered now, not in that moment.  What mattered was the touch of his lips against mine.  His strong, calloused hands wrapped around my back, holding me against his body.  The firmness of his grip, his body...
    Suddenly, I bucked, rearing back but not quite away.  Fuck .  This wasn’t happening! This couldn’t be happening.  He was walking death, the embodiment of danger, and I needed to stay clear of him.
    But it was Cullen.  I’d loved him once.  Maybe I’d never stopped.  I didn’t know.
    To my shock, he push me away completely.  “No,” he said, putting his hands up as he looked me over.
    “No?” I sputtered, confused.
    “This can’t happen.  Not now.  Not yet.”
    “What do you mean?” I was confused.  Angry.  Who was he to come in here, stomp around, and then kiss me? And then tell me no.  What the hell?
    “Just… not now, Layla.  Not now.” He looked around the papers for a split second and then grabbed one, turning to head out of the office.  I didn’t want him to leave me on my own, completely confused, so I thought of anything I could say to hold him there with me.
    “Why?” I shouted after him.
    “Because I have a killer to find,” he yelled back.  And just like that, he was gone.
    I wasn’t sure if I wanted to even be with him.  I mean, hell, he was the Vice President of the MCthat caused the death of my father.  Of my brother.
    But I wanted to know exactly why he didn’t want me.  “Not yet.”

Cullen
    Five o’clock didn’t come soon enough. 
    After I argued with Mrs.  O’Leary, I sent her on her way with nothing but an extra bill for work that we’d done and she’d refused to pay for.  It was annoying, but we had gone through this drill before.  In a few days she’d come back and apologize.  Then she’d pay.  She’d even leave a little tip.
    I wasn’t too worried.  It was just irritating.
    I had a full roster of cars to work on, but that didn’t keep me from thinking about that kiss.  Layla was confusing as hell right now.  She would complicate everything if I gave into my want for her now.  She’d cloud my judgment. 
    But really, that was what I liked about her.  From those gorgeous blue eyes to the way her lip quirked when she was pissed at me.  She made it hard to think clearly, made me want her instead.  She came around and I had to kiss her.  Needed to feel the warmth of her skin against my palms.  To touch and taste her.  Bend her body back and remind her why she was mine.
    It was so much better than I’d