All Chapters of Tenderness is a Dangerous Thing: Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

Zack crosses the kitchen to grab his car keys from the hook by the door. “I am going to drive around for a bit. Maybe clear my head before I say something stupid that makes things worse between us.” Before his father can say anything else, Zack opens the glass front door and closes it just as quickly, leaving his father standing in the kitchen. Mr. Riley loosened his dark blue tie further and removed it, placing it on the white quartz counter, before walking over to the glass front door and looking out at driveway. “Oh, Jen. What would you do?” he asks the empty room, a single tear rolling down his cheek. Then he opens the door and steps outside. Zack angrily marches across the driveway to his beat down car. The car door slams shut with more force than necessary, shaking the vehicle slightly. He jams the key into the ignition and revs the engine aggressively, his knuckles white as he grips the steering wheel. His green eyes catch movement in the rearview mirror– is father standing on

“Really?” Anna asks softly. “Are you trying to encourage me or discourage me?” Zack’s laugh comes out rougher this time, laced with genuine amusement at her directness. His competitive nature enjoys the verbal sparring match immensely. “Both,” he answers without hesitation, the smirk audible in his voice. “I am encouraging you to push my limits because I love seeing how far you will take it. But I am also warning you that if you show up looking too good, I will not be able to focus on driving safely.” He adjusted his position in the driver’s seat again, clearly struggling to maintain composure while imagining their encounter Saturday morning. The city lights below reflect in his dark green eyes as he gazes out the windshield. “You are playing a dangerous game, Anna. You know I lose all sense of self-control when you get like this.” His tone becomes more serious for a moment. “But honestly? Seeing you so confident and happy about our weekend together– that is better than any victory in

Zack stands frozen halfway out of his car; phone pressed to his ear as her soft thank you echoes through the receiver. The genuine gratitude in her voice hits him harder than any punch he has ever taken, making his chest swell with familiar warmth. “Yeah okay,” he manages, his voice unusually gruff. “Call me whenever. I will wait up.” He ends the call abruptly before he can say anything else stupidly sentimental and pockets his phone with trembling fingers. The cool night air does little to calm the racing heartbeat thrumming against his ribs. “Fucking hell,” he mutters to himself as he slams the car door shut and stalks toward the house. “She is turning me into a damn sap.” Zack looks around the dark garage. Along the left wall stands a large black metal shelving until filled with nearly arranged containers, spray bottles, oil bottles, cleaning supplies and various storage bins. Beside the shelving are several long-handled yard tools– including rakes, shovels and brooms– leaning uprig

“Dad is glad for the help,” Anna said casually. “Oh, and guess what. Kyle asked if he could get a ride on your motorcycle if he does well in his next test. I told him I would ask you.” The idea of Anna’s little brother begging for a ride on his prized motorcycle sends a surge of possessive pride through Zack. “No fucking way,” he says instantly, sitting up straight against his headboard. “That kid is barely taller than my tires. What part of ‘dangerous’ does he not understand?” His voice carries clear amusement despite the protest– the thought of showing off his bike to someone Anna cares about appeals to his protective instincts in a different way. “But fine,” he concedes with a smirk, picturing her hopeful face when she relayed the request. “If he aces that test and proves he is responsible enough not to fall off, I will take him for a short spin around the block.” He runs a hand through his bleached blond hair thoughtfully as other implications hit him.“Thank you,” Anna sang throug

“Fill you up?” Zack repeats roughly, his voice dropping to a gravelly whisper. “Fucking hell, Anna. You make it sound like I am marking my territory every time I am buried deep inside you.” His fists clench tightly, knuckles turning white. “That is what I do to you,” he continues possessively. “I make sure every inch of your pussy remembers exactly whose cock owns it. No fingers can replicate that feeling of being stretched wide open around me.”“I– I miss it,” Anna admits while her fingers continue moving inside her. Her thumb circles her clit as she closes her eyes and imagines it is Zack touching her instead. “It has only been one day, and it is like I am going through withdrawal.” Zack’s competitive nature practically purrs at her vulnerable admission, the knowledge that she is physically aching for him sending a surge of possessive satisfaction straight to his groin. One day of separation and she is already craving his cock– precisely the effect he intended when he marked her so t