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She could ignore the pull to him. The pheromones. The chemistry. The need. Hell, she’d been ignoring those things for years. This was no different.
Except it was. Everything about this was different because he wasn’t trying to get in her pants. He wasn’t flirting, joking, flashing her that panty-melting grin. He was just himself. Completely open and at her mercy.
Straightening her spine, she did her best to pretend she wasn’t more turned on in that moment than she’d ever been with Chris or even her boyfriend before him. She lifted one of Zach’s ragged hands and inspected it from all angles. Geez, it was a mess. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
He shrugged. “It’s inevitable. And it needs to be cleaned. Don’t worry about it.”
She turned the hand over until the palm was facing up and began to scrub the dried blood off the intact skin. With just a few swipes, the wash cloth was red and needing to be rinsed. She submerged it and couldn’t help but shudder as the water in the basin grew pink.
Despite the mangled knuckles, his hands felt as strong as they ever did. Once his palm was clean, Toni had the insane urge to lift the hand and hold his palm to her aching breast. Instead, she bent forward and pressed a kiss to the clean skin.
Zach’s sharp inhale had her lifting her head until their gazes me. They stared at each other, the connection so strong she couldn’t break it.
Finally, Zach cleared his throat, popping the bubble of intimacy. “Thanks for this,” he said.
“It’s nothing.” She blinked, then resumed her task. When all of the unmarred skin on both hands was free of dried blood, she had no choice but to move to the wounds.
As gently as she possibly could, she pressed the wet cloth to the torn knuckles. A sharp hiss shot out of Zach’s mouth and made her jump. “I’m sorry,” she said pulling back. The thought of causing him further pain made her want to weep.
“It’s fine. Just finish it.” No longer detached, his voice held the pain he couldn’t mask.
She got back to work and washed the cuts quickly. When she was satisfied both hands were clean, she dabbed on the antibiotic cream then wrapped the bandages around his battered knuckles. Thankfully, it was just the knuckles, the rest of his hands and fingers were intact.
“There,” she said tossing an extra bandage in the sink. “I think that will hold.”
“Thanks.”
That would have been the perfect time to step back. To put some space between them and remind herself of the reasons she didn’t jump into bed with bad boy bikers. Instead, she said, “If you want to talk abo—”
He gripped her hips in each of his wrapped hands, hauling her even closer as he dropped his head to her stomach.
For about thirty seconds, she stood statue still, frozen with shock. Toni’s mouth opened and closed as she fought for words and her arms hovered in the air. Slowly, she lowered her arms until one hand was on Zach’s head and the other dangled limply at her side. The golden strands of his hair were so soft, she couldn’t help but sift her fingers through them.
He groaned and slid his hands from her hips, around back until he gripped her upper thighs. Or really, the lower curve of her ass. Under her shorts. Skin on skin.
And even though the bulky bandages prevented her from feeling the full effect of his hands on her, it was no less potent. No less stimulating.
Heat shot to her core, dampening her panties and making her knees wobble.
This was not good. Well it felt really good. But it was bad. So, so bad. Because she was about five seconds away from begging him to rip off her shorts and put an end to years of unsatisfying sex.
Then, it happened again. The flash of remembrance. Humiliation, loss of control, panic. All because she fell for the wrong man. Just as she was coming to her senses and was about to step out of his hold, Zach spoke.
“Maverick is missing.”
It was as though someone slammed on the brake while going eighty miles an hour. The screech of skidding tires sounded in her brain, bringing all other thoughts to a halt. “Missing? What do you mean, missing?”
“They took him.” His voice was tortured.
“Who took him?” Who in the world would be stupid enough to take an outlaw biker? How was that even possible? It wasn’t like they could lure Maverick into the back of a van with the promise of candy.
Zach shook his head, rocking it back and forth across her stomach. He tightened his grip on her ass as though afraid she’d leave. While she waited for him to continue, she stroked through his hair, hopefully bringing some sort of comfort with her touch.
