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I give him a hard kiss. “I hope you like payback, lover,” I whisper, then we head to Lullaby’s paddock.
My darling is saddled up and seems to be impatient to get started. It’s after one in the morning and given the distance to the clubhouse, it’s going to take a while.
Rider echoes my thought as he tickles Lullaby’s forelock. “She’s out of shape so I can’t push her. We’ve got five miles to cover, but we’ll get out of town fairly quickly, won’t we sweetheart?” He blows on her snout, and she whinnies softly.
My heart thumps in panic. “You can’t run her.”
He narrows his eyes. “Don’t be a nag.” Lullaby snorts as if to say,good one, Rider. “We’ll have to canter at least until we’re past the city limits. Then I’ll get down and walk her for a mile. Then we’ll canter again.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Trigger gives me a little shake. “He knows what he’s doing, baby.”
How do you know, I almost ask, but then let it go as I watch Lullaby gaze at Rider with trust. “Okay,” I nod. “Okay.”
“Trigger, you’ll follow me, and Evanee, you head to the clubhouse and wait for us there.”
There are so many problems with this scenario. “I should follow you. She knows me, not Trigger. And Trigger’s bike will spook her.”
Trigger starts to agree with me, but then stops as Rider shakes his head, the lines around his mouth tight. “Trig says you can drive a bike, so do it. Trig, you take her cage. If there’s trouble, I need you there to handle it for me.”
“I can handle trouble.” I don’t’ know why I’m being so difficult. After all, these men are helping me. Still, it’s Lullaby.
“No, babe. Not the trouble we might encounter.” Trigger swats me. “Get your ass on my bike and get to the clubhouse. Wait there.”
“Fine,” I say petulantly as I grab the keys out of his hand.
He follows me into the clinic, then takes the keys for my Beamer. He tugs me in for a long, sensuous kiss. “It’s gonna be fine. You worry too much.”
“You would worry too, if she were your horse.”
He raises his eyebrows. “She is my horse, ain’t she? I may not be her dad, but I love her mom and that’s good enough for me.”
I almost melt at his words. “You’re an asshole,” I say softly as I slap his chest.
He returns my affection with a hard kiss, then opens the front door. “Out. I’ll lock up.”
I have no choice, but to agree, so I step out onto the pavement and watch as he closes and locks the door behind me. He jabs a finger towards his bike. “Go,” he mouths.
I turn to the bike. It’s been so long since I’ve driven one that I almost forget about Lullaby in my excitement. I don his helmet and throw my leg over the seat. This is Trigger’s bike. I grind my pelvis into the leather as I think of him straddling the bike while I ride him. It almost tips me over the edge and also off the bike.
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOUR
Evanee
Stark raises his eyebrows when I pull up to the gates on Trigger’s bike. He’s tall, handsome enough, though nothing compared to my man. His face is hard, his eyes stripping me down. He doesn’t smile, nothing charming, and I feel naked under his scrutiny. Usually, that doesn’t bother me, but this man seems like a lion ready to pounce.
“Girl who rides a sled,” he comments without inflection as he opens the gates, then watches me wheel the bike through, not offering to help.
I like most people, but him, I’ve just dropped into my ‘maybe’ category. “Lots of girls ride bikes. Welcome to the 21st century.” I’m surprised at my sarcasm because I don’t often use anger to deal with hostile men. I decide it’s because I’m worried about Lullaby.
My reply doesn’t phase him. “Not the pretty ones.”
I drop Trigger’s helmet as I turn to stare at him. Where’s a gun when I need one? I take a deep breath and blow it out. This situation is impossible. Use my charm, don’t use my charm? I think of Trigger. Don’t use my charm. Let it go, Evanee. No point debating my finer points with a cranky asshole.
“Excuse me,” I say with dignity as I turn my back on him.
I bang the door on his chuckle.
The clubhouse is deserted when I get inside. Of course it is. It’s a Monday, or rather, Tuesday morning, almost 2 AM. The main room is dimly lit – just the pot lights over the bar are on. I’m relieved to be honest. It’s been a long day and my encounter with the new prospect has left me rattled. I want Lullaby here, then I want Trigger to take me home and help me forget everything about the last 24-hours.
