Page 17 of Savage Bond

I frown as we pass the street that would take us to the clubhouse and continue going. I don’t bother asking him where he’s taking me, I know he’s not going to tell me. I'm safe with him and that’s all that matters right now.

Twenty minutes later, we pull into a gravel parking lot and Chopper cuts the engine. He waits for me to climb off the back of the motorcycle before he follows suit.

“What are we doing here?” I ask as I stare at the trees surrounding us.

“I want to show you something.” He grabs a bag out of his saddle bag and holds his hand out to me. When I don’t take it right away, his expression softens. “Do you trust me, Rox?”

“With my life,” I whisper, knowing he’d never hurt me.

“Then take my hand and let me show you something magnificent.”

As soon as my hand is in his, he lifts it to his mouth and presses a soft kiss to my skin. He leads me through the trees and we’re surrounded by darkness with only his phone for light. We walk for about five minutes before there’s a clearing.

Chopper leads me over to a lone tree standing in the middle of the clearing near the edge of a cliff. He lowers himself down so his back is against the trunk and guides me to sit between his legs. He tugs a blanket out of the bag he grabbed and spreads it over our legs before pulling my back against his chest.

“What are we doing here?” I ask softly. Speaking too loudly somehow makes it feel like I’ll ruin something special.

“I found this place a few weeks ago. I wanted to show you how awesome it is at night. You can see the entire town and all the stars.”

He rests his chin on my shoulder and wraps his arms tighter around me when I shiver against the cool breeze.

“Are you still cold?”

“A little.”

He leans forward and a moment later, he’s helping me slip my arms into his leather jacket. It’s still hot from his body and the scent of him washes over me. He always smells like leather and sandalwood. Like home.

“Now you’ll be cold,” I murmur.

“Nah, your body is keeping me warm.” He presses a soft kiss to my neck before resting his chin on my shoulder again.

“It’s really pretty out here. I love how calm and peaceful the night air is.”

“I knew you’d love it. I couldn’t wait to share this with you.” He sneaks his hands under my shirt and splays them across my stomach.

I could yell at him and make him stop touching me. I know he’d respect my wishes, even if he didn’t want to, but I don’t. Something about Chopper has always had a calming effect on me. He knows how to defuse any situation and make me putty in his hands.

That’s why I need to keep my distance from him. I know without a doubt if he tries hard enough, I’ll fall at his feet and beg him to love me forever. And that can't happen. Ever.

Chapter 11

Chopper

She thinks I don’t know what she’s doing. She’s thinking about how she needs to build her walls higher and thicker as we sit beneath this tree and stare out at the stars and the city below them. She feels vulnerable so she’s going to make sure she’s even more unreachable than ever. She just needs to decide how long she’ll let herself be raw with me this time.

She’s going to be the death of me.

“What are you thinking about, babe?” I continue using the term of endearment I’ve used since we were in high school.

She used to glare at me every time I called her babe or baby. Now, I think she’s just accepted I'm not going to stop. I just need her to accept I won't stop chasing her either, then maybe she’ll give me a shot with her.

I don’t care about Porter’s rule anymore. I’m certain I could convince him I'm perfect for Roxy. And if I can’t… I don’t know what I’ll do.

“I wonder what life would be like outside of the club…” she trails off.

My heart hammers a little harder in my chest. I can't imagine Roxy not being part of the Savage Wolves. Not being part of my everyday life.

“You can't leave the club, Rox,” I murmur, tightening my hold on her. “You can't leave me.”