Chapter Twelve
Pike
“Ready?” It was a question I should’ve been asking myself because if I thought Chloe needed to put on a few pounds, I was wrong.
Really fucking wrong and learning it now, as she stepped out of the cabin in a pair of green shorts and a white tank top that showed off every dip and every curve of her body, was a mistake.
She had curves for days, despite her slight frame.
Her tits were full, and her waist was so fucking tiny I could probably circle it easily with both hands.
But it was the way those hips flared out and led to shapely legs that made my cock stand up and take notice.
Down boy.
Those big green eyes watched me, hesitant and scared. Her hands clasped in front of her and every step forward was slow and wary. “No, I don’t think I am ready.”
I flashed a smile that I hoped would relax her, but I felt like a fucking creeper with wide eyes trying to focus on her face. On nothing but her face. “You can do this.”
“Yeah Mommy, you can do this.” Gemma’s cheerful encouragement seemed to help.
Chloe stepped forward until she was on the grass between the house and the dock. “I’m scared,” she finally admitted when less than a foot separated us.
I tried to focus on her words but her scent, shower fresh with a hint of something flowery, was distracting as fuck. “Don’t be, I’m not going to hurt you.”
She took another step forward and then looked over her shoulder to where Gemma sat with her attention already back on a book.
“It’s not that. I mean it’s not only that.
” She sighed and shook her head. “This is why I didn’t want to do this Will.
I can’t burden you with the specifics, but I can’t get around it if we’re going to be this close. ”
When she said those words, this close, it felt like something else, the kind of something else that sent all the blood in my body rushing to my cock. “If I need to know you should tell me.” T-Bone and Faith had given me a small glimpse into what she was hiding.
“My marriage wasn’t easy,” she began, the words rushed out of her as if she was afraid she might lose her nerve.
“He was abusive. Really abusive that sometimes moved into torture. And it was constant.” She shook out her arms as if that would erase the memories.
“I might be jumpy when you touch me, and I can’t guarantee I won’t freak out. ”
“I’ll be gentle,” I promised.
She shivered and her whole body flushed.
It was adorable, and sexy as fuck.
“I took a few classes before I had Gemma, not that it helped considering what happened later.”
I laid both of my hands on her shoulders. “Sometimes the best thing you can do in a fight is survive it. Knowing when you’re beat and retreating is just as effective as beating the fuck out of someone if you can.”
“Yeah,” she nodded quickly. “Okay. Let’s do this.” She pointed a finger at me. “But you’ve been warned.”
“I have.” I’d already taught her some of the basics, including projecting confidence and using a firm voice. But today was about the physical methods. “But what you really want is to quickly disable someone bigger just enough to give you time to get away.”
Fear flashed in her eyes, but she nodded. “Yeah. Right.”
“Seriously.” I stood in her personal space. “Eyes. Nose. Throat. Those are weak points you should target. “Solar plexus, knees and groin. More weak points.”
“So poke ‘em in the eye and kick ‘em in the nuts?”
“Exactly. Don’t try to go hand to hand with a guy my size. A throat punch and a kick to the knee will give you the time you need.”
Chloe stood taller with her shoulders squared and a determined look in her eyes. “So, what?”
“I’m going to attempt to grab you, and you aim for those spots.”
I darted forward a few times, and she targeted my weak spots. I came at her from the side and she smiled when she effectively protected herself. “Good job.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure.”
“I haven’t been able to get close. Yet.” I circled her body, letting my gaze linger on the roundness of her plump ass and the space between her thighs that I was suddenly hungry to fill. “Just remember the weak spots.”
“Right,” she whispered and repeated them under her breath.
I lunged forward and grabbed Chloe around the waist from behind.
She froze and her breathing changed, quickened. “No.” She tried to shout but it came out raw and gritty, barely above a whisper. Her breathing grew shallow, and I almost let her go.
But I didn’t. I couldn’t. “It’s okay, Chloe, it’s just me. It’s Pike… Will.” I whispered in her ear, tightening my grip so that my warmth and my voice pulled her from wherever she’d disappeared to. “You’re okay, Chloe.”
She squirmed in my hold, still fighting to free herself but with none of the techniques I just taught her. “I’m good,” she whispered.
She felt good. Too good. I should’ve let her go the moment the tension fled her body, but her skin was soft and she smelled good, and the way her ass pressed against my cock was addictive. “Are you?”
She nodded. “I am. I promise.”
I loosened my grip and jumped back when I realized how my body was responding to hers. What a mind fuck it was to be attracted to this woman who I should hate. Who I was pretty sure I still hated. Why was it her who made me forget? “Sorry.”
Chloe shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I told you I might freak out. I just didn’t expect to do it so spectacularly.” She tried for a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
I nodded and walked away, needing a moment to myself to figure out what the fuck just happened.
Sure Chloe was a pretty woman with a banging body, but those were a dime a dozen.
Why was she the one to make my cock feel anything since I got the news of Ashley’s death?
“I need to check the perimeter,” I mumbled absently and walked away.
I didn’t look back, I couldn’t. Couldn’t bear to see the look of hurt or confusion in her eyes because the damn woman wore her emotions on her sleeve.
***
I needed distance from Chloe and the inconvenient things she made me feel, so I kept my distance for the rest of the day, taking my time checking the perimeter and reviewing the overnight footage even though I’d been awake with the frustrating woman. Again.
Her safety was my concern. My only concern. Not her feelings or emotions, not her past or her trauma, and certainly not her body.
“Fuck!” This couldn’t be fucking happening. I refused to let it happen. I’d seen brother after brother get mixed up in love when some woman they couldn’t resist needed help.
I wasn’t that guy.
I got drunk. I got off. And then I got gone.
That was how I liked it. Easy and carefree.
Chloe wasn’t either of those things. And even if she was, I had a job to do which I could do if I let some shit like emotions get in the way. I was still grieving my sister, still blaming Chloe for it—some—and being hypervigilant about the goddamn Ghost Riders sneaking up on us.
I had enough on my plate.
And it was getting late. I’d avoided Chloe and the cabin for hours, but it was time to head back, so of course that’s when my phone decided to ring. “Yeah?”
“Everything good?” Diesel’s serious, deep voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Yep. What’s up?”
“Nothing much,” he began in a tone that said there was something. “A few of the Ghost Riders have gone off the map. Don’t know for sure but we’re assuming they’re hunting for Chloe and Gemma.”
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “I’m on it. Just finished doing another property check. So far, it’s been quiet here.” Sometimes too fucking quiet.
“Good. Keep it up. Slate is hacking into phones to see if he can figure out where the missing Ghost Riders are now.”
“Let me know when he finds something.”
“Of course.” There was a long silence before he spoke again. “How are things with Chloe?”
“Fine,” I answered. “Showed her some self-defense moves today so that’s progress, right?”
“Yeah. Good.” He grumbled some incoherent words under his breath. “How are you holdin’ up?”
“Good as long as I don’t let myself think of Ash too much.” Which was fucking impossible.
“Well, you’re up there with two people who love and miss her too. I hope that helps.” He said nothing else before abruptly ending the call.
I knew what he was getting at but there was no goddamn way I could talk about Ash with Chloe.
Gemma? Maybe. It was hard as fuck to turn the little girl away.
She was so eager and sweet, and it was clear how much she loved my sister.
But Chloe? I wasn’t ready for that now and I didn’t think I ever would be.
By the time I stepped inside the cabin, it was filled with the smell of dinner.
“There you are,” Gemma called out. “Mommy said you must’ve gotten lost.”
I smirked before I came into view, my gaze lasered in on Chloe who was doing her best to avoid my gaze. “Here I am. Not lost.”
Still she didn’t look up, not even when she stood to gather another plate, setting it on the third place setting along with silverware and a cup.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, my tone harsher than I intended, making Chloe jump.
“It’s already done,” she replied in a small voice that was barely audible.
“Thanks,” I muttered, skirting around her to wash my hands before I settled in the chair between mother and daughter at the small circular table.
Chloe kept quiet and my jaw clenched at the scared mouse that had returned.
“Hot dogs and fries?” I asked in surprise as I took in Gemma’s plate.
“I can make something else,” Chloe offered.
“It’s my favorite,” Gemma said even louder, completely oblivious to the sudden fear that gripped her mother.
“No need,” I assured Chloe. “I love hot dogs and fries, especially with all the toppings.” I made a big show of adding ketchup and mustard and relish on top of the dog. “I haven’t had one of these since I was your age, Gemma.”
“A million years ago,” she asked around a giggle that turned to full-blown laughter when I glared at her.
“A million? How old do you think I am?” I leaned forward with a mock frown. “Well?”
The little girl laughed harder until she was doubled over with ketchup smeared on her cheek. “You look mean, Mr. Pike but you’re really nice.”
My frown turned genuine. “I look mean?” I asked sincerely.
Gemma nodded enthusiastically, the way young kids tended to before they dropped a big ass honesty bomb on some unsuspecting adult. “You always look like this,” she said and scrunched her face up until her brows tugged down, her gaze narrowed, and her lips pulled into a tight line.
I laughed at the show she made. “That’s not how I look. Is it?”
She gave another exaggerated nod. “Right, Mommy?”
Chloe shrugged, nodding slowly. “It is pretty accurate.” She looked away as if she thought I might be angry.
Or worse. “That’s just my face,” I said to ease her worry.
“It’s okay to look mean if you’re nice, Mr. Pike. And you are nice.”
“Thanks Gem, you’re nice too. Mostly.”
That caused another round of laughter which put a smile on my face. I didn’t know what kind of magic this little girl was working with, but I liked her. A lot. “Miss Ash said it was easier to be nice than mean ‘cause you gotta work harder at being mean.”
Chloe gasped, bracing herself as if she thought I’d be upset at the mention of my sister.
I nodded for Gemma’s sake. “That sounds like something she would say. She always had these little sayings. I told her she could’ve made a good living selling that crap.”
Gemma’s eyes widened. “Is crap a bad word?”
I shrugged and turned to Chloe. “I don’t know. Is it?”
She looked at me and then Gemma with a blank expression on her face. Then she sighed heavily, pointing at Gemma and then me. “Eat your food before it gets cold.”
Gemma giggled. “Okay, Mommy.”
I watched her as she watched me, her gaze unshakable for the first time all evening. I arched a brow and reached for a fry, popping it in my mouth with a smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
Her lips twitched as if she might smile and my eyes remained glued to her full lips, waiting for one of those real smiles that lit up her whole face. But she froze as if remembering something and the twitch stopped, her smile went back into hiding.
Maybe next time.