Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
I don’t know how it happened, but one minute I’m single and barely leaving my house and the next I’m being kissed by a monstrous biker in a public park.
And he’s a really, really good kisser.
The man’s got a wicked tongue. And the way he’s holding the back of my head in his huge hand, putting me right where he wants me, makes me melty all over.
“Fuck,” he murmurs against my lips. “You taste like summer too.”
He drags me against him, crushing the flowers between us.
A puff of warm, sweet fragrance blooms around us. It’s a funny contrast between his musk and leather scent.
I giggle into the kiss and he growls.
“That little laugh is going to get you into so much trouble.”
He looks down at me. No, looks isn’t the word. He smolders. “Ever gone for a ride before?”
I’m suddenly very hoarse. “I haven’t ridden anything.”
His Adam’s apple clunks up and down and he breathes at me for a second. “That’s about to change.”
I glance at the big menacing bike. “Now?”
“As soon as we drop your car off at your place.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea.”
Namely because I need to work up some serious nerve. Riding on a motorcycle with Skull feels like playing a very dangerous game. I’ve always been an Uno kind of girl. Keep it safe. Not too much excitement.
But with those sips of beer in my bloodstream, I’m feeling a little more bold than usual.
And of course this wave of needy feminine energy he’s caused isn’t helping.
So this is what they call horny?
I’m it. I think.
I’m something and it involves a lot of tingles.
Skull folds my hand in his and walks me to my car. When he opens the driver’s door it nearly falls off in his hand.
Embarrassment makes me want to bury my face in the flowers again.
“Angel,” he rumbles, scowling. “This car isn’t safe.”
I scrunch my nose looking at poor Pebbles. “This thing is all I’ve got right now. I’ve been… having a tough time. I’ll get something different later.”
He reaches in and pops the lever for the hood. A second later he’s leaning over the engine muttering profanities.
“Never mind taking this to your house. I’m getting it towed to the club compound where I can work on it.”
I stare at him as my heart flutters and my fingers wrap tightly around the bouquet. “That would be really nice, but I can’t pay you much. Well, not really anything at the moment. But I could pay you a little when I find another job.”
He looks offended. “Pay? Who said anything about you paying me? This is about me taking care of you.”
Jeepers. My heart doesn’t know what to do. It’s jumping around. “But I’m just a stranger.”
“You’re under my protection now.”
Skull slams the hood closed. “Get your things, sweetheart. You’re riding with me. I can at least get this thing road-safe until I get you a new ride.”
Wait. What did he just say?
My mouth is hanging open. “Are you crazy?”
“That’s my middle name.” He leans in the car and gathers up my personal belongings.
But something in his expression isn’t quite right when he exits the car and closes the door.
“Are you sure?” I ask.
He tucks a curl behind my ear, looking me right in the eyes. “This is something you’ll learn about me. I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
Wow.
Who is this guy?
I smile and find my voice a little breathy when I say, “That’s so refreshing.”
A weight lifts off my shoulders I didn’t know I was carrying. But Skull’s attention snaps toward the park entrance.
We watch a line of black cars roll in. Beside me, he’s puffing up like a dog who sees another dog enter his territory. Gone is whatever gentle expression he gave me. In place of it is a cold-blooded killer.
I think.
Not that I’ve seen a cold-blooded killer before.
Without hesitation, Skull grabs me around the thighs and tosses me over his shoulder. The man moves like a machine, fast and efficient. A moment later we’re inside one of the cinderblock park buildings, in a restroom and he’s locked the door.
There’s a gun in one of his hands and a phone in the other.
“Rooster,” he snaps. “Me and a girl are pinned down in a bathroom at Riverside Park.”
He searches my eyes as he listens to someone on the other end. Skull replies to whatever they said with, “Copy. I’m bringing her back with me.”
When he hangs up, he presses himself against the wall so he can see out one of the narrow slot-like windows.
I’m still in shock, but things are coming into focus. “Pinned down, what do you mean?”
“The mafia spotted us. Our enemies are out there. If I were alone, I would have led them on a chase, but there’s no way I’m putting you in danger.”
His eyes narrow as he watches whatever’s happening outside the building.
“Are we safe?” I ask with a crack in my voice.
“Yeah, they won’t shoot up this building with so many witnesses.”
Shoot. Up. This. Building.
With my pulse zooming, I slide down to the floor. He rests his hand on top of my head. “Try to relax, Angel. No one’s getting in here.”
“I hope not.”
“Trust me, I know this drill.”
I worry at my fingernail cuticle while he watches until he curses. “Fucking hell.”
“That’s not a good thing to say when you just told me we were surrounded by enemies.”
His fingers massage my scalp as he continues to look out the window while staying hidden.
“They got into your car. Which means they have your registration. Which means now they fucking know where you live.”
I shudder, hugging my knees up to my chest, tucking my dress around me. “That doesn’t sound good.”
He curses for a solid minute using words I’ve never heard before.
If you struck a match in this building right now, the tension might explode.
“What now?” I ask.
Skull’s blue-eyed gaze drops to me, and it’s hard this time. So is his voice. “You’re not going home again.”