Chapter 2
two
This isn’t how I planned to start my morning.
Kelsea’s delicate arms wrap around my waist as she climbs on my bike behind me.
Just the slightest touch from her and my skin is already on fire.
Kelsea fucking Sawyer, the raven-haired goddess that haunts my dreams. The first time I saw her, her delicate feminine features and icy blue eyes knocked me flat on my ass.
I’ve seen plenty of beautiful women in my life.
Hell, it’s not a secret that I’m no virgin.
But there has never been another woman on this earth as exquisite as Kelsea.
That’s why I can never touch her. Hands like mine, stained with blood and ink, aren’t worthy of someone like her.
I’d only drag her down into the darkness that plagues my soul.
I rev the engine and pull out of the driveway slowly, feeling her grip around my waist tighten slightly.
For a second, I almost let myself indulge in the fantasy that this could be my life.
Kelsea could really be mine. But that’s just what it is, a fantasy.
After her attack, I knew she needed someone to help her, both emotionally and physically.
I was more than willing to step up to the plate because I’ll be damned if anyone else was going to.
I knew it was a disaster waiting to happen, but I couldn’t help it.
Seeing this beautiful siren of a woman so broken was soul crushing.
I had to help her reignite that spark, no matter what it took.
Even though I know she still feels the physical consequences of that night, the emotional damage has been far worse.
She tries to muffle her sobs when she wakes up screaming in the night, but I hear her.
It takes everything I have in me not to run to her every single time.
If I wasn’t such a selfish bastard, I would.
But I silence my urges and pretend her fake smile is fooling me every morning.
I know we’ve gotten closer over the past few months, and I know she feels the same heat between us as I do.
The jealousy that flared across her face every time the nurse came in to change her bandages while we were still in the hospital was a dead giveaway.
What she doesn’t understand is there isn’t a woman alive that could compare to her.
She is Aphrodite, and she deserves a man who worships at her feet. But I’m not that man, I can’t be.
I’ve never been a one-woman man, never even tried to commit my time and energy to one relationship.
When I was a teenager, I was the poster boy for young and fucking dumb.
I had a different girl on my arm every week and I thought I was hot shit.
I knew my future was in the Marines, so I never felt the need to have a steady girlfriend back home.
Why bother when I knew my intention was to get the fuck out of there as soon as I could?
The only person I ever felt guilt for leaving behind was my sister, Ember.
Being twins, we were more attuned to each other’s emotions and thoughts than most siblings.
I knew it crushed her when I told her I intended to enlist, but it was my calling.
Four years and a lot of miles later, I’m a different man than I was then.
Harder and colder, more understanding of the fact that this world is a dark and dangerous place.
That understanding is the reason I won’t drag Kelsea into my shit.
She's all sunshine and perfection. I won’t tarnish that glow.
Her delicate fingers grip my t-shirt and my fists tighten around the handlebars at the contact.
The fact that I can barely stand her touch without wanting to devour her is reason enough for me to keep my distance.
I’ve got more blood on my hands than anyone in this town and she deserves better.
I don’t regret anything I’ve done. Hell, I’m even proud of ending some of those lives.
My sister’s ex? I’d gladly put a bullet in his head again and again with a smile on my face.
I glide easily through the familiar streets of Grovewood.
This place has felt more like home to me than anywhere I’ve ever been.
I never regret building a home and a business here with my best friend, Elijah.
We ride past the tattoo shop he and I opened together and pride swells in my chest when I see the for sale sign on the space we plan on buying to expand next door.
We’ve really built something great and I’m thankful for it.
Sometimes, I’m not grateful to have introduced Elijah to Ember, but that’s mostly because watching them try to suck each other’s faces off every time they’re near each other is enough to make me want to gag.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy they found each other.
I can tell they make each other happy and I’m stoked that I’m going to be an uncle soon.
I guess a part of me just feels a sense of jealousy I don’t want to admit to when I see them together.
Ember looks at Eli like he hung the fucking moon, and I don’t think I’ll never have that.
Kelsea taps her hand against my abs, pulling me from my thoughts and making my skin heat under her touch.
I pull up along the curb next to Revamp and put the kickstand down, shutting off the engine.
I wonder for a moment what it would feel like to have Kelsea’s hands wrapped around me all day and night.
This ride was just too short. She braces her hands on my shoulders to climb off, and my muscles tense under her touch.
I take a deep breath, hoping she didn’t feel it.
She pulls her helmet off and her silky, dark hair spills out all around her face.
God, she's so fucking beautiful it damn near kills me.
“Told you I’d get you here in time, Kels.
” I take the helmet from her and strap it in place on the back.
“You ready for your first day?” I know I’m just making small talk to stay near her for a few more moments, but I don’t care.
I’d do some shameless shit for this woman and she doesn’t even know it.
“I guess,” she says, looking over her shoulder with a worried look on her face. “I’m just nervous. I really need this job, and I don’t wanna fuck it up.” She heaves out a sigh, and I reach out to snag her wrist. I hear a small gasp escape her lips the second I touch her.
Even though I know I need to keep my distance from her, I hate the uncertainty on her face.
I pull her into me and place a soft kiss on her forehead, breathing in the sweet almond scent of her shampoo.
“You’re gonna do great,” I mumble against her skin.
I feel her arms snake around my waist and slide up my back, latching on like she can leech her strength and confidence from me.
If I could give it to her, I would. I reluctantly release her and instantly feel the urge to pull her back, but I don’t.
This can’t happen, and we both know it. She deserves better, regardless of what she believes.
She steps back out of my arms, quickly schooling her emotions.
She tries hiding the conflicted look on her face, but I already caught it.
“Well, thanks.” Her tone is tense and clipped.
“I really appreciate you getting up to give me a ride and for the vote of confidence. I have a feeling I’m gonna need it,” she plasters on the tight, fake smile she gives everyone else, and I hate it.
I want the real Kelsea, all the emotions and pain that come with her. But I don’t push it.
She turns to walk into the store, her long dark hair a stark contrast to the white crop top she's wearing. “Hey, Kels,” I yell to her just before she reaches the door, “what time do you get off today?”
“I think 4. Why?” She knows I won’t let her fucking hitchhike her way back home. She just wants to hear me say it.
“I’ll be right here when you’re done. I have to run by the shop around 3 to meet with Eli and Helo, but I’ll be here. Don’t leave without me, okay?” My tone holds authority. Most people find me demanding, but I don’t give a fuck.
“Thats really unnecessary, Ev. I’m sure I can find my way back home.
I don’t want to put you out more than I already have,” she says, her hands sliding into her back pockets.
Standing that way, her perfect tits are pushed up and on display, just begging for me to run my hands and tongue over them.
I push down the lust racing through my veins and shake my head to clear the thoughts.
“I said I’ll be here. Just wait,” I don’t leave any room for argument as I slip my helmet back on and start my bike.
I can tell she wants to argue, but the loud rumble of the pipes makes it impossible to hear her.
She turns on her heel to walk into the shop, rolling her eyes as she goes.
That woman has a fire that can’t be contained, and I’d let it burn me alive if I could.