But I’m not jumping into a relationship or dating a bad boy. It’s fine with the books I read and even the ones I write. In real life? I want someone steady, dependable, and hardworking. The type of guy who’s not going to rush out the door, and I won’t have a clue what he’s doing, who he’s with, and whether or notit’s legal. I’m grateful for his help, but I don’t intend to see him after today.
Torque’s deep laugh makes me smile wider. “I work on custom bikes at Blade Auto Repair, and I’m also a tattoo artist for Summit Ink.” He gestures to his arms. “I’ve got an addiction too.”
“I can see that.”
Torque finishes the cookies and his cocoa, setting down his empty mug. “What do you do, beautiful?”
I blink. It’s like that one word just short-circuited my brain. No guy has ever called me beautiful the way he just did. Certainly not with the same deep timbre and gritty charm.
Before I can answer, his phone vibrates inside his leather vest.
“Sorry. I need to check this.”
I nod as he reaches for his cell, checks the screen, and frowns.
“I’ve got to go, darlin’. Duty calls.”
Duty? I must appear as confused as I feel.
“That’s the life I lead. When the pres calls us to church, we drop everything.”
Church? “I’m guessing it’s not an actual church.”
“No, babe. It’s not.” He doesn’t elaborate. “I wish I had more time,” he admits as he stands. “Come here.”
It’s softly spoken, but still an order. I hesitate.
“Sweetheart, I just want to kiss those lips before I walk out this door. If you’re not wanting anything more, tell me now. I won’t waste our time.”
I’m so surprised that he went there, this fast, that I push to my feet and nearly stumble toward him. I don’t want to get involved in anything serious, but I also hate the idea of never seeing him again. After all, he’s been nothing but a gentleman so far. He helped find my niece.
I can trust him. Right?
Torque’s hands lift and slide along my neck, parking against my skin with callouses that somehow make him feel more alive than anything I’ve experienced in a long time. His fingertips rest behind my ears as he tilts my head back, and his thumbs gently caress the skin from my chin to my mouth.
“You’re gonna become my obsession, beautiful,” he declares right before his lips meet mine.
Meetisn’t the right word. They crash and consume. I expected a soft kiss. Maybe exploratory.
This isn’t gentle or chaste or anything other than hungry and searching. His tongue pushes through the seam of my lips as he sweeps inside, tasting me, getting traces of hot cocoa like I am, and he groans. It’s a sound that reaches all the way to my toes, and I don’t know how I’m still standing because I feel like jelly. My bones and muscles stop functioning because my brain is wholly focused on the biker who is marking me with his lips, tongue, and even his teeth. A little nibble on my lips proves it.
When he finally drops his hands and steps back, I have to stretch out a palm against the wall to remain upright.
A smug grin proves he knows how his kiss affects me. “Give me your phone, baby.”
I don’t think my brain is working correctly as I pull it from my pocket.
“Unlock it so I can give you my number.”
I do as he says, still dazed as he enters his number.
“Call me so I can add you to my contacts.”
Once I’ve done that, he closes in. “Now that I’ve had a taste of you, my sweet Noelle, you should know I’m going to do everything in my power to claim you.”
Claim? What does that mean to a biker?
Clearly, I’m struggling because I blurt out a response. “No other women.”
