Page 22 of The Price of Love

“I wasn’t trying to offend you,” I say.

“Then what was you tryin’ to do?”

“Get this under control.”

“Why’s it need controlled?” She flashes her crooked grin and then brushes her thumb over the back of my hand, making it hard for me to concentrate.

“I’m a full patch. You’re a prospect.”

“Yeah, so?” She stands and pulls me to my feet.

I’m losing control of the situation. Butterflies replace the worms crawling under my skin. It’s cliché but true.

I need to stop this. She steps toward me, and we’re only inches apart. With the back of her hand, she brushes a strand of hair from my cheek.

“You’re beautiful.” Her thumb traces down my cheek and stops where my dimple would be if I were smiling. “I haven’t been able to get you outta my mind since I first laid eyes on you.”

I should back away. Stop it from going any further.

“I wanna kiss you,” she says.

Without thinking, I glance at her lips.

She chuckles. “Checking out my lips?” Then she licks them, and her full lips glisten.

“We shouldn’t.” My voice comes out hoarse and uncertain.

She backs me up against my bike, and I fall onto the seat. I’m a couple of inches taller than her, but we’re now at eye level. She moves between my legs.

When her lips touch mine, electricity courses through my body. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. I can’t remember the last time I allowed myself to be kissed like this. Her strength is comforting. I’m jolted out of my poor decision, and I pull away.

Jazmin’s eyes are full of hunger, but she steps back instead of pressing forward.

“I can’t,” I say.

“Why?”

“You’ve memorized the bylaws.” But it’s more than rules.

“Article nine?”

I struggle to stand since sometime during our kiss, I ended up sideways on the seat. She takes my hand and helps me up.

The gesture touches me, but I can’t let it cloud my judgment. I move to the other side of my bike, putting distance between us.

“Article nine,” she says again. “Relationships and conduct between members and prospects.”

I nod. “That’s the one. Prospecting isn’t about making friends or chasing tail. It’s about the club.”

She grins. “Not quite worded that way.” She holds out her hand and studies her empty palm like she’s reading from a book. “Number one. The prospecting period exists for one purpose—to prove loyalty, dependability, and worth to the club. Personal entanglements distract from that purpose and will not be tolerated.”

She still doesn’t look up. “Number two. The club comes before personal desires. Drama, division, or romantic relationships with a club member, their family, or close personal friends violates this principle. It will not be tolerated.”

She stops and meets my gaze.

“You forgot to mention the consequences,” I say.

“Expulsion from the club.”