Something had changed. Neal wanted her to run away. She had to remember he came to her. Not the other way around. He’d won round one but she knew he’d be back for more. Letting his words get to her is what he wanted. She dried her face on a few paper towels before brushing the wrinkles out of her skirt.
“Come on, Sandy. You’ve had worse than this from your parents and they’re supposed to accept you for who you are. Get your act together. Go out there and show him you mean business.”
The more she thought about his reaction, the more she became convinced he’d pushed her away on purpose. Rory had warned her there was more to Neal Haney than he let on. Did the dominant side possess more of him than she’d thought?
“I’ll show him. Before long he’ll be begging me for more.”
Straightening her back, she ran her fingers through her hair and left the restroom. Neal sat at the bar drinking a beer but facing the pool table. Luke glanced over at her with a funny look on his face.
She gave him a wave with a smile. Twirling the torn thong on her finger, she walked right up to Neal. His eyes widened.
That’s right big boy. You think I’ll bow down and take your shit? It’s time to fight fire with fire.
Everyone stopped what they were doing. “I think these are yours. I can’t wear them now.” She placed the ruined thong in his jeans pocket, making a display by rubbing against his cock. Her smile grew to a grin as she felt him stir at her touch.
She leaned over to whisper in his ear. “Let the games begin.” Turning away, she waved at the men before walking out.
Her dignity intact with her head held high.
Chapter Six
Sandy walked into the salon the next day. A Saturday was always busy. The women were whispering to themselves. She smiled as she passed the customers and walked all the way to the changing room.
“I heard she looked a little rough, as if Neal Haney had taken her in the restroom,” one of her stylists said.
She held the door, listening to what was being said about her. The events of the previous night were already doing the grapevine around town. Wonderful.#p#分页标题#e#
“Apparently she gave him a torn thong. Can you imagine giving Neal panties let alone torn ones?” another woman said with a dreamy tone.
“I bet she did it herself. After all, can you imagine Neal going for a woman like her?”
This is what annoyed her. The assumptions based around men finding her attractive. Tired of their catty comments, she turned the corner and placed her bag in her locker. The two women jumped, staring at her with fear in their eyes. They knew the power she held in this place. Many didn’t think a beauty salon could earn a good income. Not only did this salon earn a good income but Sandy and her partner paid their employees good money.
“Last time I checked we don’t pay employees to sit around and gossip. And just so you know, Neal Haney asked for everything he got last night, now get back to work.”
She stormed out of the changing room and went to her office. Sandy ignored the stares as she grabbed a coffee before settling down to do paperwork. The incident the night before had left her physically and emotionally drained.
She hadn’t been prepared for Neal’s outburst. Why couldn’t he see how much she wanted him?
Closing her eyes, she sipped her coffee. Everyone always saw the goodtime girl in her. Her dreams would shock the whole town. Luke knew what she wanted. No one would believe she loved spending time in her kitchen. She wanted to have children and a family of her own.
Most of her school friends wanted to move away from their hometown. Sandy loved where she lived and wouldn’t dream of moving away. Another bunch of women walked in and she knew a long day awaited her.
Picking up her pen, she signed her name on a couple of contracts. However, her mind often wandered to thoughts of Neal Haney and what she would do about him. Maybe leaving him to fester would be the best course of action.
* * * *
Back at the ranch, Neal had to deal with his brothers’ bad attitudes. Luke refused to work or speak to him. But constantly threw jabs at his behavior the night before. He was the oldest son in the Haney family and yet he was being treated like scum. Why did his brother feel the need to protect Sandy? She could look after herself. He knew he’d acted like a complete bastard. When he got home he really hated himself for the way he treated her.
Neal stopped working to take a long drink of the water his mom had brought him. He’d been banned from breakfast as well as lunch. His family was insane but he loved them. He knew why they were excluding him. If one of his sons had treated a woman like shit, he’d be slapping him silly or at least giving him a stern talking to. Speak of the devil. He saw his dad heading toward him. Luke would have filled him in on the details.