I’d already set the stage with my performance with Bryce.
I rehearsed my cover story on my way down the hallway.
Thick carpeting muffled my steps.
I stopped and put my ear to one of the closed doors.
Soft moans and whispered grunts caused my cheeks to burn.
Were the Steel Vipers running a sex club up here?
I almost reached for the doorknob but hesitated.
I needed concrete evidence.
Pushing deeper into the upper floor, I spotted a door at the end that looked promising.
Unlike all the others that bore discreet numbers etched into the dark wood, this one had an ornately Gothic design carved in thick black lines.
I twisted the knob, fully prepared for it to be locked.
The door swung open silently, and I stepped inside.
A shadow separated from the rest of the room and morphed into a tall man wearing black jeans, biker boots, and a black, long-sleeved Henley pulled tight over muscular arms.
Cold black eyes stood out from the depths of thick brows. “This room is off limits.”
Rafe.
I recognized him at once from the photos, and a chill swept down my spine.
2
NOELLE
Play it off, Noelle.
I had one chance to make this real.
I slammed a hand to my throat and let out a squeak. “Oh my gosh, you scared me to death.”
I’d played around with different potential roles for this, considering everything from the cliche ditzy blonde persona to a polite but controlled epitome of fastidiousness.
In the end, I knew I’d never be able to follow through for any amount of time unless I simply stayed true to myself.
A thick black eyebrow arched. “And yet you’re still standing there, staring.”
I dropped my hand and ducked my head with a genuine display of chagrin. “Sorry. I’m new in town. I heard about the party tonight from one of my coworkers.”
I stuck out my hand and grinned. “I’m Noelle. Reporter forRapid Evolution.”
He eyed my hand and tucked his into his pockets.
No curiosity or intrigue gave me an excuse to stick around, but I refused to give up.
My career was on the line, and it would take a damned sight more than one recalcitrant biker to make me turn tail and run.
I lowered my hand and took a slow look around the room, completely ignoring his declaration that the place was off limits.
