“What did you do? Sorry, that’s rude. You don’t owe me your story.”
“Got picked up for dealing when I was a teenager and slapped with a bullshit sentence.”
“You were innocent?”
His chuckle is deep and gritty. “Nah. Just not guilty of the shit they pinned on me. Mila was the only one that never gave up. She became a reporter just to take down the assholes that put me away. Every morning I wake up and realize I’m the only one with a key to my own fucking door is a beautiful one, but I fucking hate that she risked herself for my sorry ass.”
“Of course she did. You’re her brother.” I would’ve done anything to save Axel if I could’ve. “She sounds pretty amazing, if you ask me.
“She is.” His grin is back and he turns it on me. “Even if she married into the wrong MC. She got claimed by a few of the boys in the Screaming Eagles. I almost stuck around and ended up there, but there was too much history. I needed to get out of that city and start over. Her men put in a good word for me here and the Sons are a better fit anyway. Plus I’d be fucking lost without Priest and Colt to keep me level. You should’ve fucking seen me that first year or so. I was like a feral raccoon on wheels.”
I’mveryaware of how close we’ve drifted together. Physically, I understand my attraction. They’re all good looking men who draw attention just by being in the same room. With Sinner and Colt, I felt a spark right from the start when I met them at the club and still thought they were actors. I have a shared history with Priest that makes it more complicated, but it’s still there.
But none of them have reacted to the others flirting with me, so I’m not sure how much to read into what I’m sensing.
“Can I ask you—” My alarm goes off, reminding me that I only have fifteen minutes to meet Erika. “Crap, I have to get going.”
My questions are going to have to wait. Clarke waves as we leave, like it’s totally normal for me to be coming and going at all hours with bikers. He’s been working here for a while so I bet he’s seen stranger things. Me riding off on the back of a motorcycle isn’t even a blip on his radar.
Riding behind Sinner is similar to riding behind Priest but different. He’s built broader, but not so much that I can’t wrap my arms just as tightly around his chest, and the body underneath is just as firm. I’m ready for the roar and kick of the engine this time, but it still makes my heart race when we pull away from my building.
It’s early in the day, so traffic is heavy, but Sinner weaves through it all like it’s second nature. His muscles shift as he takes the turns, my body leaning with his as the road rumbles away beneath us. We draw a lot of attention, especially on this side of town. Brentport Commons is an upscale little strip of restaurants and stores along the river. A hundred years ago it was some sort of mill or factory, but now all the old workshop spaces have been converted and it’s a popular spot to shop, have lunch, or rent a bike to ride on the river trail.
We get there with two minutes to spare before I’m supposed to meet Erika. On impulse, right as I swing my leg over the bike and find my footing, I lean in and put a little kiss on Sinner’s cheek, right above the beard line. “Thanks.”
Before I have time to react, he cups the back of my head with his big hand, keeping me from pulling away. We’re so close our noses brush. “Didn’t you learn anything from last time?” he asks with a grin.
I was right. From this close, I can see where his beard dips ever so slightly over a deep dimple. “What was the lesson?” I wet my lips.
His eyes drop to watch, before they come back to mine.
This is such a bad idea. We’re still tucked away from the main strip, but there are people with telephoto lenses literally scheduled to look for me right now.
He makes the decision for me, hooking his finger into my belt loop and yanking me right up against him. I let out a tiny gasp and he takes the opportunity to tease his tongue between my lips.
I lean into it, opening to him as my hands slide under his vest, his heartbeat thundering under my fingers. Sinner makes a deep, satisfied noise and adjusts his grip so he can palm my butt, digging in. Sparks sizzle everywhere we’re connected, sending a current tickling its way across my skin.
Heat washes over my core as we kiss like it might be our first and last chance.
When I finally push away with a gasp, it’s not because I don’t want to continue, but simply because I’m afraid I’ll drown in the feeling. He keeps me a moment longer, then lets me go. His masculine smirk is irritatingly tempting. I want to kiss it off him, and stupidly lean in again.
“Quinn?” a hesitant but amused voice asks.
I whirl to find Erika there, her eyes flitting between Sinner and me. “Uh, hi. I just—I mean, he just gave me a ride.” The flush that heats my face feels like it goes all the way down to my feet.
“I bet.” She gives Sinner another look, and I can’t tell if she’s scared, intrigued, or both.
I pat Sinner’s shoulder. “Listen, I have to go. Thanks for the ride. I appreciate it.”
He rocks his bike up on the pegs, and climbs off. “Sure. It’s a nice day. I’ll just hang out here and enjoy the sun. When you’re done, I’ll bring you home. Or did you have other plans?”
“No, that would be great.”
Erika and I watch, spellbound as he slips off his vest and pulls off his T-shirt, tucking it into his waistband. His chest is… Oh God. I want to catalogue every little scar, dip and tattoo. Short goldenhairs trail down his abs and into his jeans. We are far from the only ones watching.
“Have a nice walk, ladies,” he says with a wink before wandering over to a sunny spot on the grass and stretching out.
As Erika and I walk away from him, she glances quickly over her shoulder. “And here I was worried we wouldn’t have much to talk about.”
