She doesn’t say anything, but she doesn’t cut the call, either, and I pace the sidewalk outside the double gates to the property, where some prick on the other end of the video intercom refused me access. I can see the curved white mansion from the road. It probably has million-dollar views of the ocean and it’s definitely a monumental symbol of the massive gulf between us. There’s a tropical forest surrounding it, as though it’s in the center of its own universe, and all the security cameras in the street are zooming in on me.
“One moment.” Her voice is cool as though she’s speaking to a stranger but it still twists me up inside. When she hangs up I shove my cell back into my pocket and let out a long breath.
I’ve done a lot of crazy shit in my time, but this beats all. I don’t even know what I’m doing here.
The hell I do.
I want to see her again. After Gage left me wallowing in a pit of black coffee, it came down to a choice of getting hammered at the club with the usual diet of porn and pussy, or getting on my bike and riding here.
Pussy-whipped.It’s a hell of an insult, but the truth is, right down at the core, my dad was. And so is Jett. Not that anyone would ever accuse them of it, unless they wanted to lose their balls.
Doesn’t change the truth, though. They both found old ladies they’d do anything for, and if that’s not pussy-whipped I don’t know what is.
If it means I get to keep Grace in my life, then count me in. It doesn’t have anything to do with my club or my brothers. It’s between me and my girl, except first I need to get her back.
You really are the biggest jerk I’ve ever met. The last thing she said has haunted me since the moment she walked out. I’ve been called a lot worse, but none of it tore me up inside the way those few words did.
She always made me feel like I was something special. Yeah, I’m a bastard, and not just by virtue of my club. Nothing’s going to change that. But she saw there was more to me than my colors, and didn’t know anything about my rep. She sawme,and like a fucking dick I let my pride drive her away.
I’ve never regretted anything I’ve said to a girl before. And I’ve never chased a chick with the hope of a second chance. But ever since Grace left the other afternoon, the words I threw at her have eaten me alive.
I don’t compromise.Except I’m here, taking up her offer to meet her whole damn family, and I won’t react to any of their comments.
I sure as hell don’t do relationships.Because I don’t know how, and the mess I’m in right now is proof of that.
Yet here I am.
The gates open and she’s standing there in a long-sleeved, short green dress that shows off her perfect curves and gorgeous legs. Her hair tumbles down her back, and she’s so untouchable and out of my league it’s insane.
Before leaving the club I had a skin scalding shower and used half a bottle of mouthwash but I still feel like shit when I look at her. For a few seconds, I can’t move. I’ve faced down rival club members, broken more bones than I can count in defense of my brothers, and locked horns with the law on more than a few occasions. But I’ve never had this sick churning in my gut before, and I sure as hell have never suffered from sweaty palms in the past.
I can think up a hundred reasons for the way I’m feeling, but the truth is worse than any of them.
I’m afraid she won’t give me a second chance.
She doesn’t come toward me or invite me onto the property, so I brace myself and swagger toward her. If she didn’t want to see me again she wouldn’t have come out here. I’m halfway to victory already.
“Hey.” I offer her a thong-melting smile, but I don’t grab her and kiss her the way I want to, because instead of welcoming me with open arms, she’s as warm as an ice sculpture.
“Why are you here?”
Because I can’t stay away.I’ll die before saying anything like that. “You invited me, remember?”
“And you declined.”
“Guy can’t change his mind?”I never change my mind.She doesn’t need to know that.
She folds her arms and glances over her shoulder. Only then do I see a security guard lurking halfway down the driveway to the mansion. I give the guy the evil eye and then ignore him. He’s not important.
“I got the impression you never wanted to see me again.”
She’s so coolly polite I don’t know how to handle it. Then again, I already know from the other day that she doesn’t scream abuse or throw things when she gets mad.
No, all she has to do is say a few words and it’s enough to crack open my world.
“You got the wrong impression.” I hope those security cameras aren’t recording this. If it ever got into the hands of my brothers—
“No, I didn’t, Zach. You were very clear.”
