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"Every pipe is the wrong one,” I wheeze before clearing my throat. God, that hurt.
His eyes widen as he stares at me. “You’ve never smoked before?”
“Never,” I admit, embarrassed that my inexperience with drugs seems to be so baffling.
“You really are a good girl, aren’t you?” he asks after a long silence passes between us. The tone he uses is level, his intention curious.
“My sister is the one of us into experimentation. I’m much simpler. Like my ex-boyfriend said, I lack personality.” Yeah, that sting is going to last for a long time.
Xander’s eyes darken and his jaw tightens with anger. “Youdon’tlack personality. Your ex is a fucking idiot. You’ve been here for a week and I’ve seen more personality from you in that time than most people I’ve met in my life. Laura, you’re so sassy you give me whiplash most days.”
I laugh, clutching my stomach.
A smile grows on his lips and the metal rod in his tongue casts a shadow across his teeth.
“I am not,” I deny.
“Yeah, actually, you are. Ridiculously sassy, but it’s very entertaining. Keeps things interesting, for sure.” He reaches out to me and tucks a stray lock of my hair behind my ear, gaining every last ounce of my attention. His fingers are so rough, calloused, and comfortingly warm.
His gaze intensifies as he watches me closely, stealing the air from my lungs like some sort of oxygen demon sent to suffocate me. The air thickens and all I can think about is his moist lips and how badly I want to kiss them.
Xander is usually such a big grouch, so moody and quiet, and yet he’s reached something inside me I’ve been desperately trying to keep away from him. My heart that was hurt by Dell. I’ve been using Dell as a crutch to convince myself this is a terrible idea. Seriously, me and Xander? He’s the Black Stallions leader’s son and my dad drilled it into my head to stay as far away from the Black Stallions as possible. I am the daughter of Clarice and Lars Murdoch. I know better than this and yet I want it. I want this—him. He looks like a bad decision and smells like temptation, like the olive presented to Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Before I can do something so freaking stupid like kiss him, he stands up, breaking the moment we shared. “Let’s go.”
* * *
As soon aswe step through the front door, loud rock music blares across every orifice of the structure. Every man in the vicinity greets Xander like he’s their best friend, even some of the girls. The women that acknowledge him either give him a friendly smile or a sultry look.
That’s ballsy.
“Hey, Gunner,” one ginger woman greets him, practically purring at his mere presence, and her skinny fingers slither up his arm opposite of me.
God, could she be any more desperate?
“Roxy,” he mutters before moving on from her, not seeming affected at all by her display.
“Well, you’re popular tonight, Sunshine,” I quip dryly.
He flashes me one of those rare smiles. “You jealous, darling?”
I don’t respond because I know he’s right. Deep down my green-eyed monster is seething over the way she touched him, like she’s spent most of her adult life occupying his bed. Maybe I’m being a little judgy ofRoxy, but I don’t know her and she clearly saw Xander’s arm protectively around my waist.
Maybe I’m just a bit possessive. Xander has been really good to me and protects me. Maybe that’s all it is.
Yeah, and dogs speak in tongues.
“I’ve got it from here, son.” Davina suddenly appears and links her arm through my other one, a big smile on her face.
“I’m not leaving her side,” Xander deflects quickly, but Davina isn’t having any of it.
“You have a meeting to attend and she’s not allowed in there. All the men will be in the meeting, except Crack and he’s been impotent sincethe incident. She’ll be perfectly safe in your absence.”
I flick my gaze between the feuding mother and son and patiently wait to see what the decision is. I don’t mind staying with Davina or going with Xander. If I’m with Xander or in a room without any rapist bikers, I’m safe. He doesn’t need to worry right now. He can save that for whatever his father has planned. He can worry for both of us because that weed took away all my anxiety. Maybe new ones will develop soon, but for now, I’m enjoying the stress-free haze.
“Fine,” he grumbles and releases my arm before turning to me, taking my face in his hands. “Be careful.” His husky voice sends a shiver through my whole body.
“Your mother issogoing to get me drunk and take advantage of me,” I joke. “I’m such a hot commodity, Sunshine.”
