Despite having known him for only a few hours, I believed Spade. He’d protected and taken care of me, even confronting my building manager to make sure I stayed safe. He could have taken advantage of me multiple times, but instead he’d walked away and let me come to him. Not only had he required my consent, he’d allowed me to make the first move. “I know you wouldn’t,” I replied.
“It’s your play, babe. Any time you want, you can fold and walk away. I won’t pressure you into doing anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
He’d shown me pleasure I never knew existed. I’d felt alive and sexy in Spade’s bed, and I wanted more of that. I wanted him. Was I uncomfortable? Yes. Absolutely. I was so far out of my comfort zone, I couldn’t even remember where the line was anymore. But comfortable was boring and I was tired of the same ole’ thing. Wanting to continue with his card game metaphor, I replied, “Hit me.”
His eyebrows rose in question.
Realizing how my response could be taken, I snorted. “I mean… not physically. Although, spanking is okay…” My cheeks burned. “I mean, that was nice. And, no, I don’t want to fold and walk away. I want to keep going… with you. With this. It’s been a long time since I’ve played cards, but isn’t ‘hit me’ what people say when they want another card?” I was rambling and felt like a total idiot, so I snapped my mouth shut to cut myself off.
He chuckled. “Yeah. I’m pickin’ up what you’re puttin’ down. And you’re fuckin’ adorable when you’re nervous.”
“I’m not nervous. I’m… apprehensive but curious.”
The hand that wasn’t on my ass snaked up to my chin, holding my face as the pad of his thumb drifted across my lower lip. “I can work with curious.”
He was so naughty, so deliciously sinful, that my nerves melted away as excitement and lust surged through my veins. I wanted to be naughty, too.
Spade dropped his lips to mine and kissed me soundly before releasing me so we could both get ready. I slipped my coat on and headed across the hall to dress. When I finished, he was waiting outside my door, giving me space and privacy. As I emerged, he linked his fingers in mine and held my hand. The gesture seemed strange for a one-night stand, but I liked it. Our connection felt comforting, and after the trying, dangerous day I’d had, I felt I deserved a little comfort. I walked beside him down the stairs to the entrance of the dining room. He turned me to face him and his heated gaze scanned my body again.
“I’ll be quick,” he promised. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he added, “Miss me.”
He was so good looking and sure of himself I couldn’t help but throw back a little sass to keep him humble. “No promises.”
Before I could react, he attacked me. His lips landed on mine as our bodies collided. Backing me up until I hit the wall, he trapped me there with hands on either side of my head and deepened the kiss. By the time he released me, there was no air left in my lungs, my head felt floaty, and my panties were soaked again.
“Bet your sweet ass you’ll miss me now,” he said, pushing off the wall. He gave me a confident smirk before sauntering out the front door. The second he was out of sight, I gulped down a deep breath and fanned my overheated face. Without Spade, the world around me seemed to change. Colors weren’t nearly as vibrant, and the air was thinner and not as sweet smelling. Everything felt muted. The way his presence altered my view was strange.
Puzzling over my mind and body’s response to him, I tried to step away from the wall, but my legs wobbled. Spade had turned me into a boneless pile of goo. The man was probably going to kill me, but I couldn’t think of a better way to die. I took a couple of deep breaths to get myself together, shook off the lingering effects of my “Latino Lover,” and followed the sounds of laughter and chatter to find a large group of bikers seated on benches around a couple of long wooden tables.
“Jess!” Carly cheered when she saw me. With long brown hair, green eyes, a love for cowboy boots, and small-town charm to spare, she was a typical girl-next-door beauty. Strong, sweet, independent, yet vulnerable, we hadn’t known each other all that long, but she was easily my closest friend. “I’ve been so worried. Are you okay?”
Oops. While she was down here worrying, I was upstairs experiencing the greatest orgasm of my life. I probably should have checked in before I got my freak on. I nodded, hoping I didn’t look as guilty as I felt. “I’m good, why?”
She gave me an odd look. “The shooting?”
“Oh. Right.” How could I forget about the shooting? Holy cow, Spade had wiped that whole ordeal right from my brain. He’d been the perfect distraction, exactly what I needed. “Yeah, I’m honestly just trying not to think about it.”
Carly continued to watch me like I’d sprouted a second head, but at least she let the matter drop and patted the open seat beside her. “Come. Sit. We finished dinner a while ago and have been hanging around talking. I’ll go warm you up some of Margo’s fried chicken. It’s the best. Seriously, you’re going to love the breading. It’s even better than that little dive you took me to.”
Carly didn’t have a pretentious bone in her body, and since we both struggled from paycheck to paycheck, we didn’t shy away from the questionable delicacies of gas station or roach coach food. We didn’t eat out often, but we’d found some of the best food in cheap little dives. I loved that I didn’t have to put on airs for her like I did with the friends I’d grown up with.
“You’re so sweet, dear.” A silver-haired woman flashed Carly a warm smile. “I’ll make your friend a plate, though. You stay here and make sure she’s comfortable. This is a good group, but they can be a little… overwhelming.”
Overwhelming didn’t even begin to describe it. Anxiety churned my gut as I glanced around the room, looking from one big, tough-looking biker to the next. The few women in the group were either dressed classy or sexy, and I didn’t belong in either group.
“Thank you, Margo,” Carly said.
The woman waved her off and headed toward two swinging doors.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Carly asked as I sat. “I wanted to wait for you at the police station, but I had to get Trent.”
“I’m fine. Really.” A little sore between the legs, but that little detail didn’t need to be mentioned. “Spade took me by the apartment so I could grab some clothes. I’m staying here until everything’s cleaned up and the door is fixed.” My gaze sought out Link, recognizing the club president immediately. “Thanks for letting me crash, by the way.”
He gave me a chin raise. “Not a problem. You’re welcome here. Stay as long as you need to.”
“You should have seen your girl, Carly,” Wasp said, grinning at me as he nudged her with his shoulder. “Jess did great. She has balls of steel, this one.”
Trent was coloring on the other side of Wasp. I didn’t think he was paying attention, but his little head shot right up. “Girls don’t have balls, Wasp. They don’t have penises either.”
