Irritation bubbled in my guts as I put all my energy into getting the rusted bolt loose, my insides a stir of mayhem that promised I was one minute from snapping.
I leaned my full weight into it.
The wrench slipped off the bolt.
Of course it did.
And, of course, it sent my knuckles bashing into the undercarriage of the car.
“Ah, fuck!” I shouted as I dropped the wrench. Metal clattered to the cement floor, and I grabbed my wrist and flapped my injured hand all over the place.
Dancing around like an idiot as I swore a hundred curses under my breath.
All of them directed at myself.
It was my fault, asking for this. Inviting more trouble than I already had onto my property.
Forty-eight hours and I’d already allowed myself to get fucked in the head by the woman in the office who had somehow managed to wedge herself right under my skin.
She might as well have taken a blade to it and carved me open wide.
My guts in fuckin’ knots and my mind devolving into the indecency I kept threatening her with.
Couldn’t believe I let those words fall from my mouth.
All but confessing every depraved way I wanted to tear her apart when she was the last woman on earth I could get dirty with.
Hate sex was my favorite, which I rarely had the privilege of, considering the patch bunnies were all too eager to get on their knees or on top of my dick.
Every single one of them had the unfortunate delusion that one day it was going to land them the coveted spot on the back of my bike.
It was never going to happen, but it didn’t stop them from trying.
I didn’t fault them for it.
Didn’t judge them for it.
We all had our needs and desires.
But I also never led them to believe there would be a different result.
“Someone is awful surly today.” Trevan drew it out with that low amusement that told me he thought he had me pegged from where he stood beneath a late-model BMW that was hoisted on a lift.
Problem was, the asshole always did.
“Just fucking peachy,” I rumbled, giving another shake to my hand, fisting it once to make sure nothing was broken.
He laughed, pushing on like I’d responded in the affirmative. “Wouldn’t have anything to do with the fiery brunette who’s been glaring daggers at you through the window the whole day, would it?”
“She’s never even crossed my mind.”
What bullshit.
She was the only thing I could think about. Wondering exactly how I was supposed to keep her safe when she had hazard stamped all over her.
Far too eager to put her nose where it didn’t belong.
Knew she wasn’t about to settle for the vague warnings I’d given her, and I figured it was no less than a miracle that she hadn’t tried to escape again in the middle of the night.
