CHAPTER 26
SHADOW
I check myself in the mirror again. I’ve given up pretending I don’t know why. I want to look good for Storm. Despite my vow to keep my distance, I failed. It’s been three weeks since the poker run, and we talk and text every day.
In one text, she’d mentioned how much she likes my cheekbones, so I want to get it right. I pull a brush out of my makeup bag, dip it into the blush, and sweep it up my cheek. Perfect. I repeat the motion on the other cheek. I drop the brush before I overdo it and make myself look like a clown.
At the poker run, I was surprised how much I enjoyed Storm’s company, but I’m no longer surprised by how much I look forward to her nightly calls. With my work schedule, I usually don’t get home until after ten, so we end up talking well into the morning hours.
I was disappointed when she broke the news that she had to do club work tonight. Had I misunderstood her intentions?
I’d been tossing it around in my head since I’d talked to her last night. But there was no mistaking the disappointment in her voice or the number of times she apologized. Still, she’s the president, couldn’t she have gotten someone else to do the work?
Breathe. This can’t lead anywhere, so why do this to myself? Once I get my bike back, there’s no guarantee I’ll hear from her again. If I’m smart, I should hope I don’t. Margot would make my life hell if she found out.
Margot lost her shit when she discovered I’d joined the Steel Graces, but with their reputation being stellar, she didn’t have any ammunition against me. Though, even with the Graces, she’s tried to paint me as straight out of the Sons of Anarchy.
I pull my jacket from its hanger, but I leave my vest in the closet. I doubt Storm would care if I wore my colors, but going into the Thorns’ territory, I think it’s best not to. After dropping my jacket onto the kitchen table, I’m uncertain what to do with myself while I wait.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so nervous. At least I think it’s nerves since I have butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I consider sitting but know I’ll be up as soon as my ass hits the chair.
I pace into the living room and straighten the cushions on the love seat that I’ve straightened at least a dozen times this morning. With such a tiny apartment and limited possessions, there isn’t much to keeping it clean.
My sneakers catch my eye. I snatch them off the mat a few feet from the door and slide one onto my foot. As I’m lacing it up, a knock sounds, and I let out a yelp.
Shit. The walls are so thin, so Storm had to have heard. With one shoe on, I hobble to the door and take a deep breath before I open it.
Storm is standing there with a crooked grin. “Happy to see me, or do you always squeal when someone comes to your door?”
I narrow my eyes, attempting to give her a stern look, but my smile gives me away. “I didn’t squeal.”
“Then what would you call it?”
“A yelp.”
She laughs. “Okay. I stand corrected. Do you always yelp when someone comes to your door?”
“Maybe.” I turn away. “Come in.” I do my best to walk away gracefully, but it’s hard when I’m clomping across the room with only one shoe on.
I reach the opposite side of the living room and haven’t heard the door close, so I turn. Storm is staring at me with a smile on her face.
“Why are you just standing there?” I ask.
Storm puts her hand under her chin as if she’s thinking and then tilts her head. “Who needs high heels?”
“Huh?”
“Women around the world would give up high heels if they realized how nice their asses look doing the peg-legged pirate walk.”
“Jerk,” I say and pretend I’m going to throw my other shoe at her.
She laughs. “Sorry. I couldn’t help it.”
It was something else I hadn’t expected from the brooding president of the Iron Thorns. She makes me laugh—a lot—and I’ve not had much reason to laugh. Somehow, I think she knows that.
“Are you excited to get your bike back?” she asks.
“I am. But I still wish you’d let me pay you for it.”
“Ain’t gonna happen. Nora and Leah need you to save up your money.”
Warmth fills my chest. “Thank you. When they’re back with me, we’re going to take you out for a thank-you dinner.”
Storm smiles. “Deal.” Then her expression grows serious. “I’d like to help.”
I shake my head. As tempting as her offer is, I can’t take her up on it. Once money is involved, it changes everything. I don’t know where whatever we’re doing is going, but I won’t complicate it. “I appreciate the offer, but you know I can’t accept it.”
Storm sighs. “I thought maybe if I tried in person, I’d get a different answer. I swear, no strings attached. No-interest loans with generous repayment plans.”
I step toward her, forgetting I’m still holding one shoe, so I clunk, causing us both to laugh. I slip on my sneaker before I continue walking. Our gazes lock, and I feel heat radiating between us. Her dark brown eyes are the most intense I’ve ever seen.
“Money changes things,” I say. When she doesn’t respond, I continue. “And I don’t want any weirdness between us.”
She smirks. “Why does it feel like there’s already weirdness between us?”
I return her smirk and see by the look in her eyes she likes it. “Care to define weirdness?” I say in my huskiest voice.
“Fuck,” she says, drawing the word out. “You can’t use that voice with me.”
“What voice would you like me to use?” I say with a high-pitched nasal tone.
She laughs. “Just when your sexiness level goes off the charts, you do something like that.”
I raise an eyebrow. “So you’re saying I’m not sexy anymore?” I’m not certain where this boldness is coming from, but she’s so easy to flirt with.
By the widening of her eyes, I think I’ve taken her by surprise, but then a twinkle fills them. “What if I told you that you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever met? Would you hold it against me?”
Her compliment lands and feels unfamiliar, so I chuckle. “You know that’s not how that expression goes, don’t you?”
“How does it go then?” The mischief still dances in her eyes.
I shouldn’t play into her hands, but I can’t resist. “If I said you have a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?”
She covers the distance between us in one step and says, “I thought you’d never ask.”
I laugh as she wraps me in a hug. Her body is solid against mine. The muscles in her shoulders and back are hard, showcasing her strength, which makes me feel safe and protected. Something else I’m not used to. I melt into her, letting my worries fall away.
Neither of us lets go, and soon I find myself pressing my chest against hers.
Storm takes a sharp intake of breath. Encouraged, I turn my torso, so my breasts rub against her much smaller ones.
Her powerful arms pull me closer, and her hand trails down my back.
She puts pressure on my lower back, so my pelvis pushes into hers.
It’s my turn to let out a surprised gasp.
We haven’t even kissed yet, but every nerve ending in my body is on alert. It’s been too long since I’ve been with a woman. Not since Margot left. Though I wouldn’t consider that being with a woman, either. More like pleasing one.
I push Margot out of my mind. That’s the last person I want to be thinking of when I’m in Storm’s arms.
Storm’s breath is warm against my neck, and I shiver. When her lips brush against the soft skin right below my jawline, electricity shoots through my body. I tilt my head to give her better access, and she takes the invitation. Her mouth is warm and soft on the sensitive skin of my neck.
The gentle kisses are another welcome surprise.
One of many I’ve found with this dangerous biker.
If I let her keep kissing my neck, I’m not sure I can stop the runaway train raging inside my body, so I pull away and put my hand against her cheek.
The desire in her eyes sends another shockwave through me.
I do the only thing I know to stop the flood of emotions rushing through me.
I close my eyes. She takes it as an invitation.
Was it? I don’t resist as her tongue gently parts my lips.
I didn’t think her kisses could get any gentler than the ones she’d planted on my neck.
I was wrong. Her lips are like feathers against mine, teasing me in ways I’ve never been teased.
I want to devour her lips, but I hold back, letting her take the lead.
I didn’t realize that I’d thrust my pelvis against hers until she lets out a moan.
Jesus. What am I doing? There are so many reasons this is a mistake.
One of the biggest is that she’s the president of the Iron Thorns.
As much as I want to continue, I close my lips, pull back my head, and open my eyes.
Initially, her eyes are unfocused, but they clear. We gaze into each other’s eyes, but neither of us speaks. She reaches up and brushes my hair off my forehead. Her fingertips are as gentle as her lips.
Storm smiles. “Should we go pick up your bike?”
I nod, not trusting my voice.