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I pressed my lips to his forehead. His warm skin was damp with sweat. The room smelled like sex and the faint sweetness of the lube. Outside, the clubhouse was quiet.

“We should clean up,” I said, still working out how to tell him what I’d done, that I’d bound him to me without asking.

You didn’t survive a decade of runs and rosters and blood oaths by opening your mouth before you knew what you were swearing to. Every patch on my cut had been earned in silence first—the thinking kind, the kind that kept brothers breathing.

You learned fast on a bike that hesitation was the thing that killed you. Lean into it or lay it down.

I wouldn’t hesitate for Niles. He’d hooked me from that first hypothetical.

“Absolutely not.” Niles yawned. “I’m not moving.”

“Then I’ll do it.” I slipped from under him and walked to my bathroom to wet a washcloth. Returning, I wiped us both down. He made a sound of protest when the cloth touched his stomach but didn’t stop me. When I was done, I tossed the washcloth toward the hamper and pulled the blanket up over us.

Niles shifted, fitting himself against my side like he’d been doing it for years. His head found my shoulder. His hand settled over my heart.

“You’re staying,” I said. Not a question.

“Obviously.” His fingers tapped against my sternum. “Someone has to make sure you don’t sleep in that shirt.”

“I’m not wearing a shirt.”

“Exactly. I’m a hero.”

The male made no sense, but I laughed, the sound rumbling through my chest. His hair tickled my chin when he tilted his head to look up at me.

“Thank you,” he said quietly. “For your hypothetical help, and everything else.”

My hand found the back of his neck, my thumb tracing the line of his jaw. “No thanks needed, sparkles.”

Especially after what I just did.

“I want to.”

“Then you’re welcome.”

His eyes searched mine. Whatever he found there made his expression soften. He pressed a quick kiss to my collarbone, then settled back against me.

I waited, letting the silence settle. “Niles, I need to tell you something.”

When he didn’t answer, I glanced down to find him asleep. I was going to have to tell him how badly I screwed up, but for now, I curled around him and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Six

Niles

The morning sun was like a laser beam zapping me right in the eyes. I threw the cover over my head and groaned.

Then noticed I was alone in bed. Where was Deadeye? Had I really thrown myself at him last night? A groan slipped free. Great. He’d gotten what he’d wanted and was probably hiding somewhere until I left.

“Way to kill a budding relationship. Never give up your cookies too soon, idiot.” But it was too late. Deadeye had been too irresistible last night, and I’d jumped the gun.

Might as well slink out of here before everyone else realizes you have no self-control.

I frowned when I heard the sounds of the garage. What time was it? Fantastic. I couldn’t even sneak out. Everyone, or at least one person, would see me tiptoeing to my car.

The bedroom door opened, but I was too chicken to lower the blanket. I didn’t want to see the annoyance on Deadeye’s face when he realized I was still in his bed.

Something clinked, then the blanket was being tugged.