Page 6 of Fallen Flame

“You can keep someone safe and still spend time with them.”

“I know.”

“You can even keep someone safe while sitting next to them.”

“I know.”

He grinned wider. “You can probably even keep someone safe on a date.”

I shook my head. “I’m not having this conversation.”

He ignored me completely. “And,” he continued with entirely too much satisfaction, “I’m pretty sure you can keep someone safe in bed, too.”

Thorn barked out a laugh.

I stared at my brother for a long second before standing up and grabbing my mug. “You’re an asshole.”

Arlo just smiled. “Maybe.”

I started toward the hallway.

Behind me, he called out, “If you change your mind, let me know. I’ll even buy the flowers!”

Without turning around, I lifted one finger over my shoulder. That only made Thorn laugh harder.

Chapter Two

Lark

My eyes stayed firmly shut as I burrowed deeper beneath the comforter and rolled onto my side. The mattress was surprisingly comfortable—not as comfortable as my own bed, but definitely better than I would’ve expected from a motorcycle clubhouse.

I pulled the blanket up over my shoulder and sighed happily. Perfect.

If I ignored the fact that I was sleeping in a strange room with unfamiliar sounds drifting through the walls, I could almost convince myself I was back in my apartment. Almost.

A floorboard creaked somewhere down the hall. A toilet flushed. Someone laughed, the sound muffled through the walls.

Definitely not my apartment. I frowned into my pillow.

I cracked open one eye and saw the digital clock on the nightstand glow a cruel, offensive 7:17.

Seven.

In.

The.

Morning.

Who voluntarily woke up at seven in the morning? Psychopaths, that was who.

I buried my face deeper into the pillow. I was going back to sleep. My body had barely started relaxing when someone knocked on the bedroom door.

Three quick taps and I groaned loud enough that whoever stood on the other side probably heard me.

Seriously? Couldn’t a girl sleep? I squeezed my eyes tighter and considered pretending I wasn’t in here. Maybe whoever it was would go away.

Then my brain betrayed me. Oliver.