Burning jealousy shot through me. It didn’t matter, though. Hatchet and I weren’t together. I tossed back what was left of my drink, and I set the glass down hard.
Kenna jumped and then tilted her head at me in question.
“I need to grab something from the house,” I said, forcing a tight smile and walking out before she could press.
I sucked in air as I stomped toward the trail back to Merrick’s place. The party would press on for another couple of hours, and Icouldn’t handle the idea of watching a sweetbutt with her hands all over Hatchet.
“Merci!”
Hatchet’s voice sliced through the night, but I didn’t break my stride. His steps closed in fast behind me.
“Hope you enjoy your birthday,” I spat over my shoulder.
He lunged, grabbing my arm and spinning me around to face him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I yanked free. “It means you can flirt with whoever you want. You can fuck whoever you want,” I snapped. “We’re just friends, remember?”
His jaw clenched. “That’s whatyouwanted.”
“Whatever.” I turned to bolt, but he was faster and stronger. His hand clamped my bicep, jerking us chest to chest.
We faced off, our eyes locked in a glare that mirrored the jagged edges of the tension simmering between us—irritation, hunger, and the lies I kept telling myself. That we were just friends. That I was OK with him moving on with someone else.
He tipped my chin up. The rough calluses on his fingertips scraped my skin, and his mouth crashed down on mine. My hands fisted in his cut, yanking him closer. He shoved me back against the massive trunk of an ancient oak. His body pinned me there, every inch of him radiating barely-leashed fury.
Hatchet broke the kiss. His beard scraped against my sensitive skin as he growled into my ear. “So, let me get this straight. You claim we’rejust friends. You insist we’re done. You tell me to move on. And the second some woman—who I wasn't even fucking interested in—touches me, you lose your shit?”
“I can’t watch you with someone else,” I admitted.
It didn’t make sense. Everything he’d said was true. But telling him to be with someone else and seeing it play out before my eyes were worlds apart.
“If you’d stuck around five goddamn seconds, you’d have seen me shove her off.” His breath was hoton my neck. “You know why?”
“Why?” My question came out in a breathless whisper as I slid my hands under his shirt.
“Because I can’t get you out of my head. I can’t imagine being with anyone but you, Hellcat. And that’s a fucking problem.”
Because he was a Maverick. Because of his best friend. Because of the stupid fucking code that my dad created to protect the daughters and sisters of the club. But, as the heat built between us, I didn’t care. And from the way he caged me with his arms, neither did he.
“I only agreed to end things because that’s whatyouwanted,” he murmured. “But are you ready to hear whatIfucking want?”
I bit my lip and nodded.
“You, Hellcat. I want you. Like I’ve never wanted anything before. Because from the moment we crossed that line, I fell for you.” His hands gripped my hips so hard I’d have bruises the next morning.
“But—” I started.
He interrupted me before I could continue. “I don’t give a fuck about what anyone thinks about us. We’ll keep it under wraps for as long as you want.”
He peppered kisses down the column of my neck as he continued. “Because, one day, you’re going to be my old lady. One day you’re going to be my goddamn wife.”
My jaw dropped. Hatchet crushed his lips to mine again, swallowing the words I’d tried—and failed—to form. His cock strained against his jeans as he rocked into me. The friction pulled a desperate moan from my throat.
“You’re fucking mine,” I said, gripping his cut. “I don’t want any of those bitches in the clubhouse to touch you ever again.”
Hatchet chuckled roughly against my neck, his beard scratching my sensitive skin. He pulled back and smirked. “OK, doll.”
Something snapped in me. I don’t know if it was the heat of the moment or my dissipating rage, but I hauled back and punched Hatchet in the face. Pain flared in my knuckles on the impact. “Call me doll again, and I’ll break your fucking nose.” I shook my hand, trying to release the radiating ache.
