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  Dios. “Please, Gage. I don’t want to wait.”

  He stops instantly, pulling my shirt down.

  “No, Raven.”

  “It’s just a few weeks. What difference does it make?”

  “I just can’t.”

  “I have something I want you to hear.”

  I sit astride him, reach for my phone, and play the song Toni sent me earlier – “Nobody Has To Know” by Kranium. He raises a brow at me, and I wonder if he’ll understand any of it. I lean in close to his lips and whisper, “No one has to know.”

  Toni’s been giving me a few pointers, so let’s see how they work. Moving to the beat of the music, I roll my hips and grind on his now rock-hard dick. He lowers his gaze, biting into his bottom lip as he watches. I reach up and cup my breasts, kneading them and pulling on my nipples. With a moan, I throw my head back and imagine doing this while he’s inside me. He grabs my hips, chest rising and falling rapidly as his breathing gets out of control. I smirk as I turn around, kicking things up a notch. He groans as I pull my T-shirt up to my waist.

  “Raven…”

  I lean forward, place my hands on the bed between his legs and slowly bounce on top of him. Let him see what he’s missing…what he could be getting right now. He growls and pulls me down onto the bed.

  “Fuck, Raven! Stop it.”

  “But –”

  “No. I…”

  He takes a deep breath and pulls me into his arms. I lay my head on his chest, waiting for him to continue.

  “Go to sleep, doll.”

  ***Gage***

  An ungodly sound rips me out of a deep sleep. What the fuck? Raven reaches over me and silences her phone then falls back on my chest. She groans, yawning and stretching. I pull her back into my arms when she tries to roll away.

  “I have to get up,” she mumbles.

  “What the fuck for?”

  “Work…and you have to take me by the house first so I can change.”

  “Stay.”

  “As much as I want to, I can’t.”

  She gets up and I growl in irritation. Two nights of having her in my bed and I don’t want her to leave. Shit. I don’t even recognize myself. The shower comes on and I look at my phone. Five-thirty. The ass-crack of dawn. Fuck. I hug her pillow and her scent washes over me, both lulling me back to sleep and arousing me at the same time. Fuck me, I’m referring to it as her pillow. Two nights. Two fucking nights. What is she doing to me? I don’t know, but I wish she’d just come back to bed. Damn it. I sit up and shake the sleep away then get dressed. She walks into the room wrapped in a towel, and I almost give in to the urge to take what’s mine.

  “Good. You’re up.”

  Shit…in more ways than one.

  “It’s probably cold outside. Can I borrow something to wear?”

  “Take whatever you need.”

  “Thanks.”

  By the time I brush my teeth, she’s dressed and waiting. I grab two hoodies from my closet and hand one to her. She takes it wordlessly and slips it on. I hold her chin between my fingers and raise her face to mine. “I hate this sneaking around.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Once we get past all this, the only place you’ll be sleeping is in my bed. Got it?”

  She sucks in a breath and her eyes widen. Then she nods.

  “Words, babe.”

  “Got it.”

  I grab her backpack and we head out to the Bimmer.

  “I meant to ask you, how did they repair the Mustang so fast?”

  “They didn’t.”

  “So…it’s a different one?”

  “Yeah. I got a few.” I tell her.

  “Wow.”

  “What?”

  “You make it sound like nothing…so mundane…like ‘yeah, I got a few lying around’.”

  “What can I say? Gotta be prepared.”

  She turns in her seat, and I just know she’s coming with something serious.

  “Those guys the other night –”

  “I’m taking care of it.”

  “But…why would they come after us?”

  “No, baby doll. They came after me. It has nothing to do with you.”

  “I don’t know why they came after you, but I know you do more than security and customize cars. Illegal things.”

  I remain quiet. She’ll learn more about me as time passes. Will she still want me when she finds out the kind of person I am? She takes a deep breath and continues.

  “That first night you took me to the clubhouse…what kind of shipment were you protecting for those Mexicans?”

  “That’s club business. I can’t tell you that.”

  “After getting shot at and shooting a man, you owe me more than that.”

  “Raven...” Fuck! I shake my head in frustration, tightening my grip on the steering wheel. She’s right. I owe it to her to make sure she knows what she’s getting into with me. That still doesn’t mean I can disclose club secrets though.

  “Please, Gage. I promise anything you tell me stays between us.”

  “You sure you wanna know?”

  “Yes.”

  Fuck me. I hope I don’t regret this. “You don’t repeat this to anybody. Got it?”

  “I won’t.”

  “Fine. The Mexicans have a guns-for-coke deal with the Columbians. A couple of their deliveries were jacked. They needed extra security and know I’m the best.”

  “So…you transported guns for them?”

  “No. I just made sure the shipment got where it was going.”

  “Were you attacked?”

  “Mexicans had a leak. I found it before we even loaded up the truck.”

  “How’d you do that?” She asks incredulously.

  “I suspected it was one of his drivers. I gave each of them a different route and had Tek tap their phones. We found the rat and sent him and a few guys with a fake shipment while we went the other way with the real one. Jefe found his leak and sent a message to the guys who were stealing from him.”

  “I see…and you do stuff like that for other people?”

  “I do.”

  She leans back into the seat and remains silent for the rest of the drive to her house. The journey to Millie’s is no different. I guess I’ve given her a lot to think about. She already had an idea, but now she has confirmation. I hope all this doesn’t scare her away. I don’t want to lose her. When I drop her off at work, she mumbles “thank you” and reaches for the door.

  “Raven.”

  “Hmm?” She turns to me expectantly.

  “Come here.”

  She leans toward me and I grab the back of her neck, pulling her in. I kiss her lips gently, needing to taste them. I need to know we’re okay. She moans and opens up, giving me free reign. I flick my tongue against hers, and her little whimper goes straight to my dick. Her response is the only affirmation I need. I break away reluctantly. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning,” she says with a smile.

  “I’ll send Ron to pick you up later.”

  “’Kay. Will I see you?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll call you.”

  “Okay.”

  I reach across and open her door then watch as she runs inside the diner. On the drive back, all I can think about is how good she feels in my arms and how these last two nights I’ve slept better than I have in a really long time. Again, what the fuck is she doing to me? To be honest, she hasn’t done anything but be herself. The more I see of her, the less it becomes about waiting for her birthday so I can fuck her. I can’t believe I’m actually developing feelings for this girl. The question is, what am I going to do about it? I can’t do the relationship thing, especially after what happened the other night. She could have been killed, and it would have been because of me. How long were they following me? Did they see me put her in the car? There could have been others or they could have been communicating with the rest of their crew. Shit. I need to find these motherfuckers fast.

 
; Tek approaches me when I arrive at the clubhouse. Good thing because I was just about to drag his ass out of bed.

  “Found ‘em, boss,” he says.

  “Who are they?”

  “Call themselves The Muscle. Just a group of guys who hire themselves out as security or muscle, as it would be, if needed.”

  He turns his laptop toward me and shows me a picture of the group of men. I spot the two from that night at the Kitty and the two from the other night. I count ten in all and we took out four, so I’ve got six motherfuckers gunning for me.

  “Word on the street is they’re on a manhunt.”

  “That means I have to get to them before they get to me.”

  “What are you thinking?”

  I’m thinking I need to take them out all at once. The only place I can get them together and know we can get it done without being seen or heard is the warehouse where I keep my other cars and bikes. “Call the number. Tell ‘em you got a job that will need the whole crew. Offer to triple their regular fee. Make up whatever backstory you need and get ‘em to the warehouse…unseen.”

  “Got it.”

  “Wake up the boys. Keep Rico and Motor with you. The rest of us are heading to the warehouse. We got a trap to set.”

  CHAPTER 6

  ***Raven***

  I’m listening to music and having my lunch in a booth at the back of the diner when I decide to make a playlist for Gage. He definitely deserves his own playlist. The first song I add is Saving Jane’s “Butterflies” because, well, he gives me butterflies. Or maybe Alicia Keys’ “Butterflyz”...What the hell. I’ll add both. Next, I add Maroon 5’s “It Was Always You”. I have to add Colbie Caillat’s “Bubbly” and definitely “’03 Bonnie and Clyde”. We’re totally like the new Bonnie and Clyde...minus the whole part with the dying. Oh, also Tamia and Fabolous’ “So Into You”.

  My heart leaps into my throat when someone slams their palms down on the table. I look up to see Chrissy grinning down at me. Chick scared the hell out of me. I remove my earbuds and smile back at her.

  “Hola, chica,” she greets me.

  I slide from the booth, put one arm around her and kiss her cheek.

  “Man…I still can’t get over this kiss thing.”

  “It’s a Miami thing. ¿Que pasa?” I ask as we take opposite sides of the booth.

  “Nothing much. Wanted to talk about my birthday plans.”

  She reaches over and snags a few fries from my plate as I ask, “You decide what you wanna do?”

  “My parents wanna have a party, to which you’re invited, of course.”

  “You sure that’s a good idea? I don’t want to make Chris uncomfortable. It’s his birthday, too.”

  I haven’t spoken to him since that night at Chiquita’s. I’ve tried contacting him a few times with no luck, so I’m leaving it up to him whether he wants to talk or not.

  “You’re my best friend. I need you there.”

  “And I want to be there. I just don’t want to ruin it for him.”

  “You may be right. I’ve never seen him this…withdrawn before.”

  “I hate myself for what I did. It wasn’t fair to him.”

  “Eventually, he’ll understand that you had to do what’s best for you.”

  “I hope so.”

  She reaches toward my plate again, and I push it to the center of the table so she’ll have better access.

  “Okay. I won’t push you on the party, but we’re going dancing after with a few of my other friends.”

  “No problem. Where do you wanna go?”

  “Scythe. It’s an eighteen-and-over club just outside of town.”

  “And how do you expect me to get in?”

  She leans back with a smirk. “Shouldn’t be a problem since your papi chulo owns it.”

  “He’s not –”

  “Yeah, yeah…says the girl who spent the night in his bed.”

  I bite my lip and look down at my plate sheepishly. I haven’t told her about last night.

  “What’s that look?”

  “I stayed with him again last night,” I whisper.

  “You bitch! Did you have hot, monkey sex?”

  “Hot what?” I giggle. “No, he won’t. Not until my birthday, even though it’s perfectly legal. The age of consent here is sixteen.”

  “It is? I didn’t know that. So, what happened?” She asks, leaning forward eagerly.

  “We talked and then we slept.”

  “What did you talk about?”

  “My life before I came here.”

  “Oh. So, are you going back tonight?” She asks.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Why not?”

  “He hasn’t asked. The other night…I was upset about Chris.” Without even saying a word, I know Gage expects me to keep quiet about what happened. I know it’s something I can only talk about with him. “And I was tired. I just fell asleep while he was having church or whatever with the other members.”

  “And last night?”

  “Last night, he asked me to stay.”

  “This guy’s really into you, Ray. The way he blew up when he walked in and saw you? Shit, I wish someone was that protective of me.”

  ‘Protective’ is not the word I’d use, but hearing from someone else that he cares makes me feel better. “What about you and Ron?”

  Her smile returns. “I think I just might get some birthday sex.”

  “Jesus. Already?”

  “You forget I’ve known him practically my whole life. And it’s been a while. I’m tired of my own fingers.”

  “And he’s the one to break the dry spell?”

  “Definitely. He’s just…fun…and I know exactly what I’m getting with him. Nothing like my boring, loser ex who cheated on me.”

  “Like me?”

  “Ray –”

  “It’s okay. I accept the ‘loser ex’ title. I deserve it.”

  “It’s not the same.”

  “It is. But don’t let me interrupt. Tell me about Ron,” I prod, trying to redirect the conversation.

  “You sure?”

  “Positive.”

  “Okay...well...hanging out with him and the other guys last night, it’s kinda changed my perspective on the club.”

  “How?”

  “I mean, I know they’re not saints, but I know now that they’re not as bad as everyone makes them out to be.”

  “Me, too.”

  “And Gage…I had my doubts, but you know him better than I do so if he’s okay in your book, then he’s okay in mine.”

  “Speaking of books, have you checked out my Kindle library?”

  We set up the Family Library so we could have free reign of each other’s books.

  “Yeah. Saw some new stuff. Why?”

  “So, Gage saw me browsing last night and just pops his credit card out and says ‘get whatever you want’.”

  “Shit. He keeps doing that, he’s definitely getting into your panties.”

  I try, but I can’t hold back my smile. “Whatever. It’s not like that.” Well, not exactly like that. I want him, but it’s so much more.

  “What’s it like?”

  I take a deep breath, trying to figure out how to explain it, explain what I feel when I’m with him.

  “He’s…complex. He’s smart…so smart, but I think he hides it from most people. It’s like he has two personalities. One minute, we could be having the most intelligent conversation and the next, he slips into ‘badass biker mode’ with a dirty mouth to match.”

  She places her elbow on the table and drops her cheek onto her palm, listening intently.

  “He’s kind and strong and protective. I feel safe with him. I feel –”

  “You’re falling for him.”

  Am I? Maybe. “Do you ever crave someone’s company? Just their presence? It doesn’t matter what you do. You could be sitting together in complete silence, staring into space, but you’re just…happy. Completely fucking happy.”
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  “No. But I’m happy for you. I hope this all works out.”

  “Me, too.” She squeezes my hand and gives me an encouraging smile. “My break is over. I have to get back to work.”

  “No prob. I’ll just go home and check out those books your sexy, biker daddy bought you.”

  “Chrissy –”

  “See ya!” She laughs and breezes out the door.

  Millie corners me before I start taking orders again and ushers me to her office. I follow her, curious as to what is going on. She closes the door and pulls out a poster from under her desk.

  “I put on a fair for the kids around here every year at Halloween. I was wondering if you’d like to help out.”

  The poster is from last year but it shows all the different rides and activities for the kids. It looks like fun and something I’d definitely want to get involved with.

  “Sure, I’d love to! What would you want me to do?”

  “Great! I know you draw. Do you paint? I was thinking you could do face painting.”

  “I can definitely do that. This is going to be so much fun!”

  “Thanks, sweetheart. I’ll get the new posters printed up and get you all the materials you’ll need.”

  “Awesome. Thanks for including me.”

  I leave her office and go through the rest of the day thinking about all the different faces I can paint. This fair is going to be off the chain!

  ***

  I’m about to go to bed, just after midnight, when my phone vibrates with a text from Gage.

  G: I’m outside.

  I quickly throw on a robe over my tank top and boy shorts and let him in. Lonnie’s working tonight, so I know she won’t be home until morning. He tips the hood of his jacket back and gives me a weak smile. He looks so tired. I wonder what he’s been up to. He hands me a paper bag, and I peek in to see the pills Dr. E prescribed.

  “Thanks. I’ll be right back.” I hide them in my room and return to see him leaning against the wall, head back, eyes closed. “Are you okay?”

  He turns to me with a weary sigh and pushes off the wall. His eyes wander over my face as he cups my cheek with one hand and slides the other through my hair.

  “I am now.”

  His lips brush mine tenderly and a moan emanates from the back of my throat. I curl my fingers around his wrists and move up onto my toes, trying to get closer. I breathe him in, his scent of leather, cologne, and him, going to my head. His tongue flicks out, licking at my bottom lip, and I open for him. He slides in with a groan and I catch his tongue between my lips, sucking gently. His hands move to my hips and I curl my arms around his neck, playing with the hair at his nape. Growling, he picks me up, wrapping my legs around his hips. The kiss changes. It becomes harder, more aggressive. It’s not a passionate frenzy like before, more like a punishment or a release of pent-up anger. My lips begin to throb from the force of it, and I can’t breathe. I fist my hand in his hair and pull back to catch my breath.