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He returned in only a pair of boxers, and the rest of his things were crumpled in his arms. I sucked in a breath when desire sparked in my pussy. My gaze raked over his muscular body, from his broad shoulders to his rippled abs and inked arms. He was a magnificent specimen. Sexy. Rugged. Not like the other Hell’s Bells bikers. Cade owned hundreds of acres and cattle in South Dakota. When he wasn’t at the club or riding his Harley, he was working at his ranch, drove an old pickup, and wore a black Stetson.
Once during sex, Cade had called out the nameShelby. He’d been so drunk off his ass that I’d asked who she was, hoping he’d answer. And he had. He’d saidmy one and only. Through his ramblings and slurred speech, I’d discovered that Shelby had been his childhood sweetheart, the girl he’d planned to marry and have babies with when they were older.
But Shelby had desired more than the country lifestyle. Her heart yearned for California’s beaches and sun. She’d wanted Cade to go with her when she’d been accepted into college. He wouldn’t leave his family’s ranch though. His folks relied on him. He was an only child and couldn’t abandon them.
Cade was now thirty-three, so it’d been a long time since Shelby had left him, yet she still haunted him.
His words from earlier rushed back.Don’t try to box me in.How had I not put two and two together? Cade would never give his heart to another or claim a woman who wasn’t Shelby. Jeez, how could I have been so insensitive? In a lot of ways, Cade was like me. We’d both had our hearts ripped from our chests by the ones we’d loved most.
“This is a bad idea,” I told him.
“You need me.” He threw his stuff on the floor and stalked toward me like he was about to jump me.
“Doesn’t matter. I don’t have the strength to fight you off. You’re too tempting, and I’m weak.” So weak I could cry. Sex would transport me out of my shitty life for a while. It would feel good, and I could imagine I was free to do whatever I wanted.
“I’m not leaving, so forget about it.” He made me get into bed, and he tucked me in.
“If I say leave, you better respect my wishes.”
“Are you telling me to go?” He crossed his arms over his chest. The stance made my attention lower to the semi-erection in his boxers.
“Seriously?” I pointed at his dick. “That’s why this is a bad idea.”
“I can’t help it if you turn me on. But I promise to keep my distance. Despite your denial, I know you still love him and probably always will.”
“I don’t,” I snapped.Deny, deny, deny. But of course, Cade saw right through me because he was like me, still pining over the one who would never be his.
“Liar.” He smirked, slipped into bed beside me, and pecked my cheek. “Good night.”
“We’re only sleeping, Tomcat.” I turned the lamp off on the nightstand next to me.
“Only sleeping.” He stretched out on his back.
“Promise you won’t do anything to arouse me.”
“I promise. I’m not here to fuck with you, Ella. I care about you. This is me being your friend.”
“Thank you. You’re the only friend I have.” I rolled toward him and cuddled against him. Exhaling, I closed my eyes. “Good night.”
23
Rocky (RJ)
Slowly I drove my truck down the dirt road near Ella’s trailer house. It was six in the goddamn morning, and Tomcat’s hog was still out front.
“Fuck!” I slammed my hand on the steering wheel. He’d been there all night. I’d come by after ten o’clock to talk to her but I’d seen his bike, so I waited a couple of hours for him to leave and gave up when he hadn’t.
I will kill you, you motherfucker.
I continued down the road, made my way to town, and stopped at Apple Andy’s for breakfast. The place looked the same, with black-and-white checkered tile floors, red tablecloths, and apple decor everywhere. But the waitresses were different, a couple of white-haired old ladies.
“Coffee?” the plump one asked, with a pot and mug in her hand.
“Yeah. I’ll also have the biscuits and gravy, eggs scrambled, and bacon on the side.”
“You got it.” She filled the cup, then turned to leave.
“Hey,” I called to her. “And a slice of apple pie.”
