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“S-s-sorry,” I say pathetically.
“No, I didn’t mean… Fuck,” he mutters, running a hand through his short black hair. “I’m sure I have something else you can use.”
The man looks around frantically, then whips off his leather vest with patches covering it, followed by his black T-shirt. I’m so shocked, I stop crying. My mouth drops open as my eyes glide over the dips and curves of his packed abs and sculpted chest. Yup, it appears that every square inch of him has intricate tattoos.
“Here.” He tosses me his shirt, but I’m too distracted to catch it. The shirt lands on my head, and I grab it, wiping my face on the cotton.
Oh, gosh, it smells amazing.Pine trees and mint and the ocean.
When I’m done subtly huffing the biker’s T-shirt, I busy myself with folding it up nice and neat.
“Thank you, mister…?”
“Blade.”
“Thanks, Mr. Blade.”
“Just Blade.”
“Oh.” I sniffle, holding the shirt out for him to take. I try not to gawk at his glorious body on display, but I’m fascinated. “I’m Sonya.”
“Sonya,” he repeats, finally taking the shirt. He stares at the neat and tidy folded edges, then unfolds it and puts the shirt back on. Shame. “Look, my club owns a repair shop. We can tow your car there, but I don’t know if there’s much we can do to save it.”
My eyes fill with tears once more at the mention of my stupid car.
“But we’ll try,” he says, holding his hands out in front of him. “Just… no more tears. It makes my chest hurt for some reason.”
I don’t think he meant to say that last part out loud, and I’m not sure what it means. From the look on his face, he’s confused as well.
“I don’t have any money to pay you. I don’t have… anything. Do you like Alanis Morissette?”
He tilts his head to the side, those dark eyes narrowing at me.
I sigh. “Never mind.”
“We’ll work out the details later. Let me make a call and get the tow truck out here. I’ll give you a ride into town.”
“That’s very generous of you, but like I said, I don’t have much money. Not for a car repair, not for a hotel. I was going to get a job wherever I ended up, but…” I shrug, letting the rest of the thought hang in the air.
Blade crosses his arms over his chest and looks at the sky as if searching for a solution among the clouds. After a few moments, he lowers his head and looks directly at me. “It seems as though you ended up here. You can stay in one of the spare rooms at the clubhouse while you get back on your feet.”
Something strange washes over me, and I feel like a hot piece of coal is stuck in my gut. All the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I square my shoulders as I cross my arms over my chest, matching his stance. “I don’t need a man to take care of me,” I inform him.
“Clearly,” he deadpans.
“I’m capable of doing stuff all on my own.”
“I’m sure you are.”
“I can make my own decisions,” I tell him through clenched teeth. I’m unsure who I’m trying to convince, myself or Blade.
The mysterious man uncrosses his arms, letting them rest at his sides. His shoulders relax slightly, and this time, when his eyes rest on mine, they’re a little softer. Blade furrows his brow, though not in annoyance like before. It’s more like he’s studying me the same way I’ve been studying him this whole time. Like he’s trying to figure out what my story is.
Finally, he breaks the silence. “And what is your decision, Sonya?”
Oh, wow. Why do I like hearing him say my name?
“I…” Taking a deep breath, I straighten my spine and attempt to project confidence. “I’m deciding to accept your job offer, but only until I pay off the car. Then I’ll be on my way.”
