Addicted to the Rebel

Chapter 4

Phoenix

Itake Nova back to the apartment but can”t bring myself to get off my bike. I offer her a hand. She takes it, her fingers lingering against my calloused palm before dismounting.

I”m torn between my desire for her and my need to protect her, to be the friend she needs.

Her tousled hair and swollen lips make her look sinful.

It takes all my willpower not to pull her into my arms and kiss her again, but I can”t let things escalate tonight.

I don”t want to rush this and risk ruining things. Her world has been turned upside down.

I rev the engine to distract myself from the burning desire. I can”t risk another kiss; it would be my undoing.

Nova’s gaze lingers, her voice hesitant. “Thanks again.”

I try not to read into it, but she fiddles with her shirt hem. It’s a nervous gesture she’s had since we were kids.

Nova is standing close, her body angled toward mine in a way that can”t be accidental. I want to pull her close and ask what”s on her mind, but the tension between us makes me hold back.

I’m torn between hope and self-preservation, warning me against reading too much into this.

Nova and I have been friends for so long—I can”t risk losing her if I”m wrong about the vibe.

“Get inside, darlin”,” I say, my voice rough. “Call me if you need anything.”

She bites her lip, and I look away. “Night, Phoenix.”

I wait as she disappears into the building, my gaze lingering on the door after she closes it.

With a heavy heart, I kick the bike into gear and peel away from the curb. The crisp night air bites but doesn’t clear my head.

As I navigate the empty streets, I reflect on the kiss and the emotions it stirred up.

Wanting Nova is like riding on a razor’s edge, thrilling and dangerous.Her lips are sweet poison—my salvation and damnation.

I grip the throttle tight as I navigate the winding road, my mind as twisted as the asphalt. Desire and duty are at war inside me.

She”s an inferno, a raging wildfire, and I”m desperate for her flames.

The harder I try to smother the longing, the hotter my feelings burn. How the hell did I end up like this–aching for Nova so damn badly it’s like my chest might explode?

I pull into the clubhouse lot, cutting the engine but not moving from my bike right away. My head is still spinning from that kiss with Nova.

The taste of her lips lingers, making it hard to focus.

Jagger emerges from the clubhouse with a beer, his eyes narrowing as he looks at me.

“You all right, brother?” he asks, concern in his voice.

I grab a beer and join him. “Had something to take care of.”

“Does this have to do with the woman and kid I saw you with earlier?”

I take a long pull from my beer. Jagger”s a good man, loyal to the club, and I trust him.

“Nova”s ex is an ass. She’s going through a tough time and needs a place to stay,” I say, my voice rough.

Jagger takes a swig of his beer. “Shit, man. That”s rough. Good people always get the short end of the stick, you know?”

His words hit me hard. Nova is one of the kindest, most caring people I know. She doesn”t deserve the crap Derek has put her through. It”s not fucking fair.

“You got that right,” I mutter, stuffing my hands into the pockets of my cut. “Life can be a real bitch sometimes.”

“She”s special,” I say, the words feeling woefully inadequate. “I”ve known her since we were kids. She”s always been there for me. I owe her, and I won’t turn my back on her now.”

Jagger”s expression turns serious. “Is her ex still harassing her?”

“He got another woman pregnant,” I say, gripping the beer bottle. “But I don’t think he”s done with Nova yet.”

Jagger claps my shoulder. “C”mon, let”s get a real drink. Looks like you need it.”

A couple of shots of whiskey will dull the ache in my chest from walking away from Nova tonight. I follow Jagger inside and settle onto a barstool.

I can”t shake the image of her standing there in the moonlight, lips swollen from our kiss. She looked so damn beautiful, and the trust in her eyes.

I”d do anything to protect her and Maya and keep them safe. I”ve never wanted anyone the way I want Nova.

What”s stopping you?

Years of loving her from afar, watching her suffer, and now the chance to be something more. But am I ready to offer her the stability she needs, or am I another storm in her turbulent life?

But things are different now. Derek”s out of the picture, and Nova”s single again. There”s a chance for us for the first time in a long time—a chance for something real.

I think back to the kiss we shared earlier, how her lips felt against mine, the soft curves of her body pressed against me.

It felt so right, like coming home. Like everything I”ve ever wanted.

But is now the right time? Nova”s world has just been turned upside down. She”s dealing with so much—losing her husband, trying to rebuild her life, and taking care of Maya.

The last thing I want is to take advantage or push for something she”s not ready for.

We”re not kids anymore. We”ve changed. Our connection has only gotten stronger, even if it”s been unspoken.

I can”t deny the way I feel about her anymore. I”ve always felt this way. My feelings scare me shitless.

And I have no fucking clue what I”m going to do about it.