AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She settled in tighter against my back and we rode through the night. I didn’t consider what either of us would say or how awkward it would be when we finally got to Bear’s place, and I didn’t care. I was living my dream, riding through the night with the woman I fell in love with years ago pressed against me, and I had no intention of ruining it with doubt or regret.
Tonight, for the few moments I had, I wanted to pretend.
Her breath fluttered across my neck when she exhaled with a sigh. Gripping her thigh a little tighter, I breathed deeply, attempting to calm down, but it was nearly impossible. My adrenaline was running on high after the shit that went down tonight and the jealousy I felt when that douche laid his eyes on Becs like he had the right.
Rounding the corner, I was both pissed and relieved when I pulled up to the townhouse and turned into the driveway. I parked the bike and looked around, making sure we didn’t have any unwelcome visitors before reluctantly moving my hand from her leg, but I couldn’t stop myself from squeezing it one more time. She shifted, and I waited until she got off the bike and handed me the helmet before I also got off. With one more look around, I put my hand against her lower back and walked beside her up the stairs. I was crossing the line and probably sending a lot of mixed signals, but now that I’d had my hands on her, I couldn’t stop touching her.
Stepping out around her, I unlocked the door and closed it after she walked inside, locking the deadbolt. Becs walked to the alarm and entered the code to shut it off before moving toward the kitchen. She faced the refrigerator, pulled the door open, rested her hand on top, and stared inside. For the first time, I noticed the small bump beneath her tank top and waited for the jealousy that always followed when I thought about Becs with any other man.
I wasn’t disappointed.
That was twice tonight that I felt jealous, meaning this thing between us was becoming harder and harder to ignore. At least it was for me.
Shifting my eyes, I made my way into the kitchen just as she leaned inside and pulled out a gallon of milk. She set it on the counter and reached into the cupboard beside the sink, pulling down a glass before filling it.
She lifted the glass to her mouth, but paused when she saw my eyes on her. “Want some?”
A grin flirted on my lips, all anger forgotten for the moment. “Do I want some milk?”
“It’s this or orange juice for me no matter how much I want something stronger.”
I let her admission wash over me and leaned my elbows on the counter, putting us eye to eye. “Quit it.”
She swallowed the drink she just took and pulled the glass from her mouth. “Quit what?”
“Blaming yourself.”
She quirked her eyebrow. “I’m not.”
Lifting the glass, she took another long drink. “You’re lying.”
She pulled the glass from her mouth and set it on the counter. “Don’t pretend to know what I’m thinking, Race.”
“I don’t have to pretend.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“I know you, Becs.”
She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Didn’t we already have this fight?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think you really understood what I was sayin’.” I stood straight and walked around the counter putting us face-to-face. “I spent my life stakin’ out places, watching and observing people so I knew their habits and could get in their head. I made it my fucking job to know that shit better than they did. And when they least expected it, I’d strike. They never saw it coming because I made sure I knew them well enough that I’d catch them in their weakest moment.” She swallowed hard when I put my hands on either side of the counter, caging her in. I wanted her close when I admitted what she needed to understand. “Still watch people that way. Can’t help it. It’s in my blood. It’s what I trained myself to do so I could be the best.” I dropped my head so my lips hovered above hers. “And I was the fucking best.”
Becs put the glass on the counter and pushed on my chest until I backed up to give her room. Once I took a step back, she crossed her arms over her chest, saying a hell of a lot without words, including she didn’t give a shit what I thought I knew. “Why don’t you tell me what you think you know?”
With my hip against the counter, I crossed my arms over my chest and stared into her dark eyes. “I know you act tough even though you’re scared a lot of the time, especially when it comes to something happening to your brother.” She returned my stare while I spoke. “I know you work your ass off to prove yourself even though you have nothing to prove to anyone. I know you’d do anything for every guy in the club, including the ones who piss you off, like me.” Her lips tipped at the corners, and as much as I liked that I made her almost smile, I wasn’t done yet. “I know you blame yourself for a woman you don’t know getting hurt.” When her face fell, I took a step closer and laid my hand against the side of her neck. “And I know you hold your feelings close, so damn afraid to let anyone know what’s goin’ on inside your head.”
“None of that is true,” she said quietly.
I grinned at her obvious lie and one she didn’t bother disguising. When her eyes dropped to my lips, I took a step closer and gently squeezed the side of her neck. She leaned farther into the counter and we both heard her glass fall, but we didn’t move away from each other.
Instead, we shifted closer.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” I said quietly.
Her body stiffened. “I’m not avoiding you. I’ve just been busy.”
“Why are you afraid to admit it?”
