“Okay.” She isn’t trembling anymore. Her voice is a bit stronger, too.
“One more thing before we go,” I say as I stand. “You’re not staying at the Hanging Tree until whoever killed Madam Serena is caught.”
She blinks at me and then narrows her eyes. “That’s not your choice to make, Hayride.”
“Well, actually, it is. This is my town, but it’s not me being some controlling prick, babe. It’s dangerous for you to be alone right now. That B&B isn’t safe compared to The Barn. At my clubhouse, I can protect you. And there’s a lot of club brothers there if shit goes down.”
She opens her mouth to argue and then snaps it shut.
Good girl.
“What if Thad tries to find me and I’m not there?”
“I’ve got a prospect watching the Hanging Tree and a friend working the receptionist desk. If your brother shows up or makes contact, we’ll know right away.”
“You’ve thought this through,” she murmurs.
“Took care of business while you were sleeping, gorgeous. Had to stay useful.”
“Thank you.” Nat rises to her feet and moves closer to me than I anticipate. I can smell the clean scent of soap and something floral. It’s not overwhelming, but nice. Simple.
“I got you,” I promise, meaning it in multiple ways. Not just protection. Or help with finding her brother. I’m getting tired of fighting the need that keeps flaring to life inside me when she’s nearby. She’s lit a spark in me, and I’m just standing here in the smoldering fire, waiting for a chance to fuck Nat the way I can’t stop thinking about.
Her palm rests against my whiskered jaw. “You’re a good man, Hayden. The best. I know I can count on you, and with everything happening, it means more than I can ever express.”
She lifts on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek, but I turn my head, devious fucker that I am, and fuse my mouth to hers. In an instant, I’m fucking hard, needing to taste her and know what her moans sound like, how she gasps when I slide inside her. I’mso fucked because the second she said my real name instead of my road name, I fucking claimed her in my head.
Now, I just have to claim her with my body. Natalya Scott is gonna be my ol’ lady.
She’s mine.
Chapter 6 Natalya
Hayride kissed me.
I’m still reeling from it, trying not to think about how he captured my lips and thoroughly made me forget about any other guy before him as his tongue entered my mouth. Just one kiss. It’s enough for me to know how talented he is with that tongue and how I want to experience more of it.
I let down my guard for a few seconds, and this sexy biker jumped those metaphorical walls I’ve built up and firmly planted his feet on the other side. He’s wicked. A bit reckless. Wild. Sensual.
I’m craving him already. This is such bad timing.
“How is the food? You’re not saying much.”
I glance up from my plate of barbecue brisket, cornbread, green beans with bacon, fried potatoes, and baked beans. It’s a hearty meal and calorie-dense. I’ll never finish the plate. “It’s delicious.” I’m not lying. “Every bite is perfection.”
“Yeah. Best place to eat in the whole state.” Hayride is almost done with his food, and he watches me, drinking a glass of sweet tea.
“If you’re full, I won’t be offended. Don’t feel like you have to finish it all. We’ve still got dessert.”
I almost forgot he bought two chocolate pies and a banana pudding. “I’ll get fat eating all this,” I laugh. “It’s enough calories for three days.”
Hayride shrugs. “I’ve never been opposed to seeing a little weight on a woman. Haven’t you ever noticed it tends to gather on the best parts?”
Oh, he’s bold. “Like?” I ask, calling him out on it.
“Ass, hips, and tits. All my favorites,” he replies scandalously with a wink.
“I bet you were a handful growing up.”
