Chapter Five #2
When her shift finally ended, immense relief swept through Jade. She really made it through without any more conflicts or arguments.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Lana said, already turning away.
Jade nodded, barely hearing her. Her mind was already elsewhere, back to her small dimly lit apartment, and Jane. The thought of holding her again pulled at her chest, urgent and steady. Home sweet home.
She pushed through the clubhouse doors, the night air hitting her like a reset button. Jade inhaled deeply, then froze.
Wolf was leaning against one of the bikes, like he’d been waiting.
Her stomach tightened, something uneasy flickering to life again.
“What are you doing here?” Jade asked.
“I’ll take you back,” Wolf simply said.
“I can get home on my own,” she said .
Wolf straightened slowly, his gaze settling on her. “It’s late,” he said. “It’s a long walk.”
“I’ll take the bus,” Jade insisted.
Wolf’s expression didn’t change. “The last one left an hour ago,” he told her.
Jade stilled. Damn it. She hadn’t checked. Jade tightened her jaw as she glanced toward the road beyond the lot, already calculating. It was a long walk, and it would be dangerous out there.
She didn’t want to accept. Jade didn’t want to owe him anything more than she already did.
“I’ll be fine,” she said anyway.
Wolf stepped closer.
“You’re not walking back alone,” he said. It didn’t sound like a suggestion.
Her options lined up quickly in her head, and none of them were good. She could risk it, walk back to prove him wrong, but that was sheer foolishness. She had Jane to think of. What was a short ride with Wolf?
“Fine,” she said finally.
Wolf gave a short nod, like that was the only answer he’d expected.
Jade felt the weight of gazes behind her before she even turned.
They were watching—the bikers, club women, the staff.
Jade snuck a glance, unsurprised to see Cherry standing near the doorway.
She had crossed her arms over her generous bosom, a knowing smirk curling her lips as her gaze slid between them.
Jade ignored her and walked toward Wolf’s bike.
“I’ve never rode one before,” Jade admitted, cheeks slightly flushed.
Wolf reached into a compartment and pulled out a helmet and held it out. Before she could accept it, he stepped close. The world narrowed for a second, the scent of leather and something darker, something unmistakably him, wrapping around her senses.
“Hold still,” he said.
Jade stiffened. “I can do it myself.”
“I know,” he said, but the bastard didn’t step back. Instead, he lifted the helmet, his hands brushing lightly against her hair as he settled it over her head. The contact was brief, but unexpectedly gentle. Jade’s breath caught.
Her fingers twitched at her sides, unsure what to do with the moment.
He adjusted the strap under her chin. There was something deliberate about the action, like he was making sure she was safe. The thought hit her out of nowhere and unsettled her more than anything else tonight.
“There,” he said, stepping back.
Jade swallowed, suddenly aware of the way her pulse had picked up.
“Thanks,” she muttered.
Wolf didn’t respond. He swung onto the bike in one smooth motion. Then he glanced back at her.
“Get on,” he ordered.
Jade hesitated only a second before climbing on behind him. The seat dipped under her weight. She was closer than she expected. There was no space between them.
“Hold on,” Wolf said.
Jade paused, then slowly, carefully, she wrapped her arms around his waist. His back was solid under the leather jacket. Warm and lean muscle shifting subtly beneath her touch, alive and real in a way that made her breath hitch. Heat spread through her palms, then up her arms.
“Like that?” she asked, quieter now.
“Yeah, that’s good.”
The engine roared to life beneath them before she could respond, the vibration sending a jolt through her body. The world blurred as they pulled out of the lot. The ride hit her all at once.
Wind rushing past. The low, powerful hum of the engine beneath her. The way the road stretched out ahead, open and endless under the night sky.
Jade hadn’t expected the rush, the freedom, and for a moment, everything else fell away. She didn’t think about her bills, Derek’s debts. There was no suffocating weight pressing down on her chest—only this moment mattered.
Jade tightened her grip without thinking, her cheek brushing lightly against his back as the bike leaned into a turn. He felt solid and unmoving. It was as if nothing could shake him.
Jade closed her eyes briefly, letting the feeling settle. Then she opened them again.
When the bike finally slowed, the shift was almost jarring. They pulled up in front of her building, the familiar worn structure coming into view like a reminder she couldn’t escape.
Jade blinked, grounding herself again. She pulled her hands back quickly, the loss of contact sudden and strange.
“Thanks,” she said, sliding off the bike.
Wolf nodded once. Jade reached for the helmet, but before she could take it off, he was already there. Wolf moved his hands to the strap, unfastening it with the same quiet precision. Jade stood still and let him. The helmet lifted away, cool air brushing her skin.
“You good?” he asked.
Jade nodded. “Yeah.”
She turned toward the building and stopped. Wolf had gotten off the bike.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Walking you in.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she said.
“I know.”
Jade frowned slightly but didn’t argue for some reason. They walked in silence to the front steps. The building loomed, quiet and familiar and suddenly different. Jade turned to him. Confusion twisted in her chest. She hadn’t expected this from Wolf.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Wolf said.
“Fine. Thank you, for the ride.”
Jade didn’t let herself think too hard about it. She didn’t know what possessed her. Maybe it was the adrenaline still humming in her veins, or the way he was looking at her now, with undeniable interest. Before she could overthink it, Jade stepped forward and kissed him.
It was quick and impulsive. Wolf stilled.
For a fraction of a second, his eyes widened slightly. Then he cupped her cheek, his touch big, warm, full of old calluses. Then he kissed her back, taking his time, as if he wanted to fully taste her. A shiver of anticipation crawled down her spine.
Jade’s breath caught as Wolf deepened the kiss. Heat bloomed low in her chest, spreading outward. Wolf brushed his thumb lightly along her cheek, grounding and undoing her all at once.
The world narrowed again. Jade leaned into it before she could stop herself, curling her fingers lightly into his jacket as the kiss lingered, stretched, turned into something neither of them had planned.
When they finally pulled back, her pulse was racing. Her breath uneven. Wolf’s gaze held hers, darker now. There was almost a hunger that both terrified and electrified her.
Jade swallowed, feeling a little unsure and unsteady. This wasn’t part of the deal, and this wasn’t supposed to happen. And yet, a part of her didn’t regret her actions. She had kissed him first, that didn’t escape her.
Neither of them spoke. Then Jade stepped back.
“I...” she started, then stopped. Jade found herself at a loss for words.
Wolf just looked at her for one long second, then nodded once.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he repeated.
Jade nodded. She turned before she could do something else reckless.