Free Rosemary's Double Delight by Heather Rainier

her ass and squeezing hard would’ve been a happy memory under different circumstances. He was seriously messing up her spanking fantasies by going there.

    64

    “He was worried about you, baby.”
    “If that’s how Evan shows me that he cares, I’m going to have to take out extra disability insurance. I was perfectly fine doing my job, and he had no business interfering. I climb that ladder all the time. It’s a part of what I do at the store. He can’t go sneaking up on me like that.”
    Wes didn’t sound angry at her, but she could tell he was becoming frustrated. “You scared the hell out of him.”
    “I? I scared the hell out of him? You were there, Wes. I was perfectly safe. He embarrassed me in front of the whole store. I’ll never live this afternoon down. And you’re defending him, aren’t you? Tell you what, both of you can bite my ass!” She spun on her high cowgirl boot heel and sashayed away from him.
    Rosemary heard Wes mutter, “Damn it.” He pulled her back to him, causing her to collide with his chest, the impact clouding her senses with his clean, slightly spicy scent. Her lips pressed together in a firm, thin line to keep them from trembling. She was angry, but she still wanted him, if the moist ache between her legs was a good indicator. She glanced up and was held captive by the pleading in his green eyes.
    “Baby, all three of us have been in love since kindergarten. I’ve loved you practically my whole life.” Her heart wrenched at his earnest tone and her tears finally overflowed. “Evan never meant to embarrass you. Yeah, his mouth got away from him, but let him explain and apologize. Things were looking so good. Don’t let it all go down the drain over a misunderstanding, baby. Please come home with us for a little while so we can talk it out. It’s killing us seeing you dancing with another man.”
    That was what set all this off? Rosemary wanted to scoff but didn’t think Wes would appreciate it. Back at the table, Kathleen had mentioned to Ace that Rosemary loved to waltz when a good waltz number played. Ace was being a gentleman by asking her to dance.

    65
    “It was just a dance. It didn’t mean anything,” she whispered. It weighed on her heart that jealousy had prompted them to action rather than guilt. As usual, Wes was the peacekeeper.
    Wes stroked her upper arms, still holding her to him. “Come with me so we can talk. Then I’ll take you home if that’s what you want.”
    “One of these days, we’re gonna break each other’s hearts, and it’s not going to be fixable with a little talk.”
    Wes nodded in understanding, evidently sensing she was near capitulation. “You and I are doing our best to not let that happen. Talk to him, and maybe you’ll be able to understand why Evan did what he did.”
    “He insulted me and threatened to spank me in front of the whole store, Wes. There is no way to misinterpret that.”
    “Evan just wants you to be safe, baby.”
    “He wants to control me—”
    Wes shook his head. “Baby, he loves you. His temper got the better of him, and he knows he made a mistake. Please come with me.
    Everyone is watching us now.” Rosemary looked around and saw that he was right. From the security of Eli Wolf’s arms, Rachel Lopez even watched, sympathy in her eyes. Ooh! If Rachel knew what these men were putting her through, she’d—
    Rachel would tell her in no uncertain terms to get over it and look at the big picture, damn it. She’d probably also tell Rosemary to grow up. That was the cool thing about Rachel. Over the years, Rosemary could rely on her to be honest with her, even when it hurt.
    Rosemary’s shoulders slumped, knowing for better or worse they needed to clear the air about a lot more than whether or not she climbed a wooden ladder at work. This might be the other shoe dropping, and that thought made her dread their talk.
    Looking up at Wes, Rosemary nodded. “Let me get my purse and say goodnight. I’ll be