Chapter 5
Something woke me from a sound sleep, and my heart thrashed against my rib cage in fear.
The sounds were coming from the floor—Savage was in the throes of a nightmare. Without thought, I flung off the covers and climbed out of bed.
Guided by moonlight, I saw the outline of him. He was laying on his back, his head turned away from me. I got down on my knees and placed my hand on his chest.
He wasn’t wearing a shirt.
His skin was warm, and my fingers itched to explore.
Savage instantly quieted.
Whatever nightmare plagued him seemed to leave at my touch.
Savage had protected me from actual threats in real life, and I wanted to protect him from whatever demons haunted him in his nightmares.
I scooted down next to him on the pallet, kept my hand on his chest and fell back asleep to the sound of his rhythmic breathing.
The next time I awoke, early morning rays were peeking through the blinds. My cheek was pressed to a warm chest and a muscular arm was curled around me. I blinked a few times and then tilted my head back to see if Savage was still asleep.
Blue eyes met mine.
His free hand came up to cradle the back of my head and his fingers sifted through my hair.
Savage kissed me.
I gasped in shock and Savage took full opportunity. His tongue swept into my mouth to mate with mine and a soft whimper escaped my throat.
My insides fluttered and my body melted into his.
Savage pulled back and I opened my eyes to stare at him.
I licked my lips which dragged his gaze to my mouth.
He looked like he wanted to kiss me again.
I wanted him to kiss me again.
“Why are you on the floor with me?” he rasped.
I debated on what to say and then settled for the truth. “You were having a nightmare. You calmed down when I touched you.”
His eyes shuttered, all emotion locking down, far away from me.
But his fingers gripped my snarled hair, and he dipped his head close to mine.
I put a hand to his chest to stop him. “Savage.”
“Yeah?”
I took a deep breath. “I refuse to be one of many.”
His brow furrowed and he nodded slowly. “All right.”
“All right,” I repeated.
He gently untangled himself from me and I mourned the loss of his heat.
“Let’s get breakfast. You hungry?” he asked as he sat up. He scratched his chest, drawing my attention once again to his rippling muscles and ink. “Evie?”
“Hm?”
“Breakfast,” he repeated. “You like pancakes?”
“I like waffles better.”
He grinned. “Get dressed. I’ll take you to breakfast.”
“I don’t have clean clothes,” I said, pointing to my soiled pleather vest. “And it’s cold on the back of your bike without a jacket.”
“I’ll find you a jacket. You can wear my shirt.” His eyes dipped. “I like you in my shirt.”
Before I could reply, he was up off the floor and reaching for his jeans.
He was beautiful, like a sleek predator. Wild and untamed. His name was Savage, and his body reflected it.
“Is that—what is that?” I asked with a gasp, pointing at a scar on his abdomen.
He looked down. “Oh. Bullet wound.”
“Bullet—wound?”
“I was shot. Had to get my spleen out.”
He said it so casually.
“And you’re tempting fate again by fighting the way you do?”
“We all tempt fate all the time, whether we realize it or not.” He shrugged. “Might as well enjoy life while we’re at it. Get dressed, Evie. I’m hungry.”
I didn’t ask where the woman’s jacket came from, but Savage assured me it didn’t belong to a random club groupie. The clubhouse was quiet, and I had no doubt that people were sleeping off last night’s party. Savage grasped my hand and led me through the kitchen and living room which were a complete and utter mess.
The morning was bright and cool, and Savage turned up the collar of my jacket and then placed the helmet on my head. He clipped it and made sure it was tight enough.
I loved being on the back of his bike. A few days ago, I’d never even been on a motorcycle, but now I couldn’t fathom life without the exhilaration. It was exciting and fun, and even though it was dangerous, I trusted Savage to keep me safe.
I trusted a man I hardly knew and yet . . .
His lips had been soft against mine. Gentle, and then hungry.
He was going to consume me.
I shivered.
“You cold?” Savage asked, looking at me over his shoulder at my movement.
“Just a little,” I lied. “I’ll be fine, let’s go.”
“Hang on, babe.”
Fifteen minutes later, Savage came to a stop outside of a diner called Boots. It wasn’t much to look at and my expression must’ve said as much.
“Trust me.” He winked and then took my hand. He held open the door for me and I stepped inside. The aroma of bacon and fried things hit me instantly and my mouth watered.
A waitress told us to sit anywhere, and Savage let me have my pick.
I headed toward the back where there was a free booth.
Savage groaned.
I looked at him over my shoulder. “What?”
“I’m sorry, Evie.”
“Sorry for what?”
“Well, well, well,” a young woman said as she sauntered toward us with a tall, dark-haired young man right behind her. He looped his arm over her shoulder and grinned.
“Hey, Little Punk,” Savage greeted. “You’ve got paint on your cheek.”
The young woman with bright red hair scrubbed her face.
“Gotcha,” Savage teased.
“You think I would’ve let you leave the house with paint on your cheek?” the young man asked her, looking at her fondly.
“You let me leave the house with paint on my cheek just last week,” she stated.
“It was cute.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
She turned her attention back to Savage. “Nice shiner. Did she give it to you?”
Savage reached out a tweaked her nose. “Fighting at The Ring.”
“Ah, that makes more sense.” The young woman glanced at me. “I’ve been looking for that jacket.”
“Oh.” I blushed. “Savage said I could?—”
She reached out and unzipped the breast pocket and extracted something. “My favorite lip gloss. Thanks.”
I blinked stupidly.
“Now’s the time to introduce us, you heathen,” the young woman drawled.
“Evie, this is Waverly and her boyfriend Dylan.”
“Willa’s sister,” Waverly added.
I frowned. “Willa?”
Waverly’s gaze darted back to Savage. “She hasn’t met Willa yet?”
“No. Not yet.” His gaze was pointed.
“Realllllly.” Waverly beamed. “Evie, it was nice to meet you. I’d love to stay and chat, but?—”
“But you’ve got somewhere else to be, right?” Savage drawled. “Instead of up in my shit?”
Waverly laughed. “I’ll see you guys later.”
“Later, man,” Dylan said to Savage. To me, he said with a smile, “Hang on tight, Evie. It’s going to be a wild ride.”
Waverly clasped Dylan’s hand and the two of them left the diner.
Savage placed his palm on my lower back and urged me to the table. My head was spinning.
“What’s The Ring?” I asked.
“The club owns a gym. It’s a good cover for that thing I’m not supposed to be doing,” he explained. “That thing you aren’t going to tell anyone about . . .”
I bit my lip and nodded. It wasn’t my business, but Waverly inspired my curiosity.
“How do you know Waverly?” I slid into the booth.
Savage took the other side. He reached out for the laminated menus and handed me one. “I’ve known her since she was born. She’s like my younger sister. Almost sixteen, and a terror.”
“I see.” My brow furrowed. “And Willa is . . .”
“Waverly’s older sister. More like a mother to her though. Willa and I have been friends since we were kids. She’s married to my other childhood best friend, Duke. And Duke is also my club brother.”
“Ah,” I said, putting the puzzle pieces together. “Now her teasing you makes sense.”
“She’s going to run back to Willa and tell her she saw me with you.” He glanced at the menu. “I don’t know why I’m even looking; I know what I’m getting.”
“You don’t seem concerned about Waverly gossiping about your business.”
“I’m not.” He set the menu aside. “What are you having?”
“I don’t know yet.” I frowned.
“Hey,” he said, reaching across the table and setting his hand on mine. “What’s really going on here?”
I bit my lip. “How many of your women have you brought here?”
“Truthfully?”
I nodded.
“Zero.”
I blinked. “Zero. Really?”
“Zero,” he repeated. “I haven’t brought anyone here. Just you.”
“Just me.” I sighed. “I want a waffle. A whole stack of them, with strawberries.”
He grinned. “You got it. And after breakfast, I’ll drive you back to the motel and we’ll grab your shit.”
“Why would we do that?”
“Because you can’t stay there. The club owns a half-way house. There’s a vacant apartment. You’ll be safe there.”