Chapter Twenty-One Spock
The city flashes around us in streaks of gold, red, and electric blue, but I barely notice any of it. All my attention is focused on the woman pressed against my back.
Her thighs hug my hips. Her breasts rest against my leather kutte, and every time I accelerate, she squeezes me. I can feel her warmth through our clothes, and the sensation sends a current through my body that has nothing to do with the engine's vibration.
I’ve had women on the back of my bike before, but none of them have ever felt like this.
Chloe doesn’t feel like a passenger. She feels like she belongs there, wrapped around me. She trusts me, which is a problem, because I don’t want to take her where she wants to go.
Her truck is parked at the Inferno Ridge site across the highway from the clubhouse. It’s late, but the site is secured and well-lit. I could drop her off, wait until she’s safely inside her truck, then follow her home. That was the plan. It’s also the last thing I want to do.
Tonight has been too damn good. We had an excellent meal at Cerberus. I loved listening to her talk about learning a trade from her father and then discovering her passion. Watching her eyes light up as she described construction like it’s the purest form of art instead of a down-and-dirty job.
I don’t want the night to end with a quick kiss beside her truck. So, by the time the desert engulfs us, I’ve made my decision. Instead of turning toward Inferno Ridge, I head for the clubhouse.
Chloe notices immediately. Her hands shift against my stomach, but she doesn’t pull away. She stays wrapped around me until I park near the clubhouse entrance and shut off the engine.
The sudden silence feels louder than the ride.
I climb off before helping her dismount. My hands settle at her waist, lingering after both her feet are on the ground. Her dress hugs every curve, and for a second, every word I planned disappears.
Chloe glances toward the clubhouse, then across the highway. “My truck is over there.”
“I know.”
Her gaze returns to mine, questioning.
I force myself to say it plainly. “I want you to spend the night with me.”
Her lips part, but no answer comes.
My heart pounds like I’m facing down an armed enemy instead of asking a woman to come upstairs with me. I’ve never been nervous about inviting a woman into my bed. Then again, I’ve never cared this much about her response.
Doubt flickers in Chloe’s eyes.
I immediately release her waist and step back. “You don’t have to. I’m not going to pressure you.” I nod toward Inferno Ridge. “I’ll take you to your truck.”
I reach for the helmet, but Chloe steps into me.
Her hand curls around the front of my kutte, and before I can ask what she’s doing, she rises onto her toes and presses her lips to mine.
The kiss is soft at first. Tentative. Then I cup the back of her neck, and she opens for me. The taste of her hits me like the first pull of top-shelf whiskey—warm, smooth, and instantly addictive.
When she draws back, her lips brush mine as she whispers, “Yes.”
One word.
That’s all it takes.
Triumph surges through me so fast and fierce, I feel like I’ve won the biggest prize of my life. Not because I’m getting her into my bed, but because she’s choosing to trust me.
I take her hand and lace our fingers together.
“You sure?” I ask, because I need her to know she can still change her mind.
Her smile is small but certain. “I’m sure.”
I lead her through the clubhouse, ignoring the curious glances from the brothers still gathered in the common room. Chloe stays close beside me as we climb the stairs.
When we reach my door, I unlock it and look at her one more time.
She squeezes my hand.
I open the door and lead her inside, closing it behind us. Then I watch Chloe take in my room.
Her gaze moves slowly over the neatly made bed, the dark wood furniture, and the framed Star Trek posters hanging on the wall beside a bookcase filled with novels, technical manuals, and memorabilia.
Her lips twitch when she notices the model of the Enterprise sitting on the top shelf, but she doesn’t tease me about it.
Not yet, anyway.
She steps farther into the room, her heels sinking into the thick gray carpet. Her hands slide over the sides of her dress before clasping together in front of her. The nervous gesture doesn’t escape me.
So, I stay where I am.
Every instinct in my body is screaming at me to cross the room, grab her, and strip that dress from her body. I’ve been imagining what she has on beneath it since she walked out of her bedroom tonight. Hell, I’ve been imagining what she looks like naked since long before tonight.
But wanting Chloe isn’t enough.
I need her to trust me.
A woman like Chloe has spent years taking care of herself and everyone around her.
She built a company in an industry filled with men who probably questioned her abilities before she ever opened her mouth.
She’s dealt with sabotage, threats, and a foreman who thinks he can bully her into submission.
She doesn’t need another man trying to wrench control away from her.
She needs to know that if she gives me control, I’ll take care of her. That I’ll pay attention. That what she wants matters more than how badly my cock is straining against my jeans.
So I give her time, and I give her space.
When she slowly turns around and our eyes meet, I watch with satisfaction as the uncertainty fades away. She glances down my body before lifting her gaze again. Heat replaces the nervousness, and my restraint begins to fray. But I still force myself to wait. This has to be her choice.
I open my arms.
Chloe releases a soft breath, then walks toward me. The second she steps into my embrace, my control snaps. I wrap one arm around her waist and lift my other hand to the back of her neck. Leaning down, I capture her mouth and devour the little gasp that escapes her.
She tastes like everything I’ve ever wanted.
Her hands grip my kutte as she opens for me. I deepen the kiss, sweeping my tongue against hers while drawing her closer. Her soft curves mold against the hard planes of my body, and a low growl rumbles from my chest. I let my hands roam over her.
I trace the curve of her spine, slide my palm down to her hip, then follow the flare of her body until my fingers settle against the smooth fabric covering her ass. I pull her firmly against me, making sure she feels exactly what she’s doing to me.
Chloe moans into my mouth.
The sound nearly brings me to my knees.
She releases my kutte and slides her hands over my chest before circling my neck. Her fingers push into my hair, holding me to her as she kisses me with the same hunger burning through my veins.
I’ve kissed plenty of women. I’ve never been consumed by one until now.
Chloe kisses like she does everything else—with determination, passion, and no half-measures. Whatever nervousness she felt when she entered my room disappears as she presses closer and meets every stroke of my tongue with one of her own.
My hand slides up her side, my thumb brushing the underside of her breast. She shudders against me, and the reaction feeds the fire raging inside me.
But I remember what I promised myself. Trust comes first. She comes first. So, I ease back before desire obliterates every rational thought in my head.
Chloe follows me for a second, her lips seeking mine, before her eyes flutter open. We stand locked together, both of us breathing hard. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen, and her eyes burn with a hunger that matches my own.
Neither of us speaks as we stare into each other’s eyes.
With determination, Chloe slides her hands under my kutte to slip it off my shoulders.
Instinctively, she keeps it from falling.
Instead, she carefully hangs it on the hook that exists for that very purpose.
How could I have gotten so lucky to find someone who respects what is important to me?
I’m desperate for her to trust me, but at the same time, she’s showing me that I can trust her. That’s a heady combination.
She continues to undress me. Her fingers move tentatively at first, but then with more urgency as she slips my shirt up and over my head. She gulps as she takes in my chest. I hide my smirk, even as I crow inside at the desire I see in her chocolate eyes.