Chapter 4 #2
He pushes away from the doorframe and steps closer. Too close again, the smell of him overwhelms me, motor oil, smoke, and mint. “Let’s talk about the contract,” he says quietly.
I gulp, my body responding despite myself, and heat builds in my groin. “Yes.”
“You think you’re my old lady in name only.”
I take a step back, he steps even closer, so close I feel an electric pulse coming off him, drawing me to him like a magnet. This is the closest I’ve been to a man since my ex-husband left, long before that, in fact. “That was the implication.”
“And if I change my mind?” he purrs.
My stomach flips in a way I absolutely refuse to acknowledge.
“You were testing me earlier,” I say calmly, trying to convince myself as much as him.
His dark eyes search mine, and he speaks softly. I realize Cruz has made himself scarce; it’s only the two of us now. “Was I?”
“Yes.”
He studies me for a long moment, and a slow grin spreads across his face. “Lawyer.”
My voice comes out barely above a squeak, and I internally curse myself for it. “Yes?”
He gently places a finger on my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes once more. “You’re going to learn something about biker clubs.”
“And what’s that?”
He leans close, close enough to kiss me, his words a whisper, a tantalizing promise. “We don’t bluff.”
My pulse stutters. I bite my lip, allowing myself for a moment to imagine it.
I feel a flare of triumph when I see Rook’s eyes darken, pupils widening.
He’s not the one in charge here, I remind myself, if he wants me, that’s too bad.
I keep my voice steady, taking back control. “Well,” I say, “that’s unfortunate.”
He still thinks he’s winning here. “For who?” he purrs.
“For you.”
His eyebrow lifts.
“Because this…” I say, jabbing my finger into his infuriatingly hard chest and stepping back. “…Is never gonna happen, no matter what that document might call me.”
He chuckles. “We’ll see.” How is he so frustratingly confident?
The moment passes, and I feel like the air returns to the room.
My heart rate returns to normal. Rook glances toward the hallway where Jessy is explaining something earnestly to Boone.
I can’t hear what she’s saying, but Boone is sitting cross-legged on the floor while Jessy arranges dinosaurs into a circle like a prehistoric board meeting.
The big man listens with complete seriousness.
My chest tightens unexpectedly. Jessy hasn’t had someone pay that kind of attention to her in a long time.
Her dad, Connor, never really had time for her.
I notice that Rook is watching me closely, his eyes softer now, with an expression that borders on pity. “You’ll get your workspace,” he says finally.
“Thank you.” I smile at him, reminding myself that even if the club owed my dad a favor, they still didn’t need to help me out. This arrangement isn’t ideal, but if it keeps my daughter safe then I have to do it.
“But there are rules if you’re going to be staying here.”
My friendly smile falters. “Of course there are.”
He holds up a finger, ticking them off. “You don’t leave the compound without an escort.”
I turn to face him, business mode reactivated. “I expected that.”
Second finger. “You don’t hide things from me.”
I frown. I’m a lawyer, I’m sure as shit not going to agree to something so vague. “That depends.”
His expression darkens slightly. Clearly, he’s not used to being told no. “On?”
“Whether it’s relevant. A woman has to have her secrets,” I add mockingly, batting my eyelashes.
The tension between us hums like a live wire. Then Cruz breaks it, ambling back into view as he munches on an apple. “Well,” he says cheerfully, throwing the apple up into the air and catching it again. “This marriage is off to a fantastic start.”
I close my eyes briefly, rubbing my temple. “This is not a marriage.”
“Sure,” he says with a grin, rolling his eyes.
Panic flutters through me. Is there more to being a biker’s old lady than I thought? What the hell have I signed up for? I make a mental note to research it as soon as I can.
Jessy runs into the room suddenly and grabs my hand. “Mommy!”
“Yes?” I say, grateful for the interruption. I’m not sure I like the way Rook is looking at me.
“Boone says he can make dinosaurs out of motorcycle parts!”
I blink. Of all the things I expected, this wasn’t it. “What?”
Boone appears behind her, looking mildly embarrassed. “I weld sometimes,” he admits.
Jessy beams. “He’s going to make me a T. rex.”
I look up at Boone, feeling a rush of gratitude. This whole situation is difficult enough, but knowing Jessy is happy makes it so much easier. “That’s very kind of you.”
Boone shrugs. “Not a problem.”
I feel the need to offer him something in exchange, a token of my appreciation. To my surprise, I find myself offering to cook dinner for everyone. “It’s the least I can do.”
Boone smiles bashfully. “Well, that would be awesome. I can’t remember the last time I had a decent, home-cooked meal.”
Rook watches the interaction quietly. Cruz watches me with that knowing look. “You’ll fit here,” he says confidently.
“I’m not planning to stay long.”
He smiles slightly. “We’ll see.”
The unsettling part is—I’m not entirely sure he’s wrong.