Tattered Love (Needle's Kiss)

I’ll help you down.”
    By the time I made it to the passenger side of my truck, she was stomping toward the house. I smirked to myself; she was trying to prove a point; however, all she’d served to do was turn me on again. Scarlett in a pissy mood was hot as fuck. With a sigh, I followed behind her watching that perfect curvy ass sway seductively with each step. I wanted to bend her over and take her from behind.
    Once at the door, I reached over and pushed it open, grabbed her hand and pulled her behind me. “Fuck, you’re cute when you’re pissy, babe”
    “I’m annoyed. Annoyed isn’t cute. It’s just annoyed. I don’t do cute,” she hissed, making me chuckle.
    Yep, cute as fuck.
     

     
    An hour later, watching from my spot at the grill with Trip, I was irritated and ready to lose my shit. My mood must have been rolling off me in waves because Trip was riding my ass. “Reel it in, brother; he’s harmless and Scar can take care of herself. I’ve seen what she can do. You make a girl like that mad and you’re gonna pay for it.”
    “That little prick puts his hand near her again, I’m gonna break it for him,” I growled which made Trip burst out laughing. “Not funny, asshole.” Without taking my eyes off the scene in front of me, I reached over and punched his arm.
    “Not really my place to say, but be fucking careful there. I love that girl’s attitude, but beneath it, she’s a little damaged.”
    Why hadn’t I thought to ask Trip ?
    Trip clearly cared for Scarlett, so he probably wouldn’t say much, but it was worth a try. I just had to be careful with how I approached.
    “What kind of damaged?”
    “Scar’s had some shit luck with douchebags takin’ her for a ride. Especially that last one Mick…Rick…Nick, whatever the hell his name was.” Trip sobered. “He screwed her around, screwed around on her, and generally was bad fucking news. You’re my blood and all, but you know, you hurt her and I’m gonna have to knock you around a bit, right?”
    “You know you haven’t been able to get a hit in since you were six, and then it was only because Ma would’ve kicked my ass if you didn’t win a few.” I would have laughed at the idea of my little brother knocking me around if the situation was any different, yet the guy in Scar’s face was bugging the shit outta me. My temper was flaring and I had the strong urge to break the dude’s face.
    I watched her from across the yard.
    There he was. Again. I scowled.
    Fucker better watch himself.
    Rage coiled in my gut as I watched the douchebag reach past Scar for a fresh drink. It looked accidental when he brushed past her tits, but I knew better. That was a move I would’ve used in my youth to let a girl know what’s up.
    When he moved back from her, he tipped his cup ever so slightly causing the contents to pour out onto Scar’s chest. She squeaked from the sudden cold no doubt. The front of her dress was saturated, and my stomach dipped when I realized I could see through it. If I could see through it from here, the fucking douche was getting a front row view of my girl’s tits.
    Not fucking happening
    The demon awoke in me, and before I could think, I was making my way over there in long strides.
    Halfway there, I saw the guy smirk and wipe the front of Scar’s transparent shirt. Scar’s shoulders tensed and her face became devoid of any expression. The fucker was making her uncomfortable.
    Fuck no. I don’t like it.
    He leaned forward and whispered something into her ear. Her shoulders stiffened even more.
    The pressure in my skull built till the blood roared in my ears. My jaw ticked.
    Go time.
    As soon as I reached them, I cocked my arm back and stopped mid punch.
    Holy shit.
    Scarlett had knocked him on his ass; blood was pissing down his face. My eyes didn’t leave Scarlett’s. I could hear him cursing. Teeny, who had been standing beside them, gave him an earful and punched into him while Trip was pulling her off, trying to calm her down. All that going on, and my rage was instantly taken over by lust. The blood that was raging in my head went south. I watched Scarlett shake her hand out; that was a hell of a punch. I blinked once, twice, grabbed her by the waist, and threw her over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold.
    I need her now, right fucking now.
    “Mace! What the fuck?” Scarlett asked. I walked inside, right through the kitchen and took the stairs two at a time. Turning into the bathroom, I closed