“How would that even work?” I asked.
“I dunno, I would hire engineers or computer scientists to figure it out,” she said.
Sometimes we would kiss a bit, sometimes just watch. It went on like that for a while, and eventually the combination of kissing, wine, and Chinese food lulled me into a drowsy state of peace.
Before I knew it, I was on my back and drifting off to sleep, Claire dozing against my chest.
Fourteen
Claire
I was surprised by how the night with Pin went, but I was happy with it all. It felt right. Right for me and right for the case. It was bad that I was conflating my interests with an investigation, but I could worry about that later after I had tracked down the missing kids.
When I woke up in his arms on the couch, sunlight trickling through the shades, I didn’t get up right away. I was so comfortable, and his chest was so warm as if there was a compact furnace beneath his skin.
Then I pushed myself up and padded towards the bathroom. I touched my neck and massaged a crick from the awkward sleeping position. Next time, we were totally getting to the bed.
I stared at myself in the mirror. I was so sure there would be a next time. I was looking forward to the next time. And it wasn’t just because of the case.
Pin and I got along. Yes, we already had chemistry as demonstrated by the night out with Kim, but last night had been more than just physical attraction. He was easy to talk to, but also interesting. I couldn’t quite figure him out.
I peeked out of the bathroom to study his sleeping form. He didn’t snore, I noted with glee. He just breathed heavily, his chest rising with each inhale. I shook my head and ducked into my bedroom. Watching a sleeping male was a particular brand of obsessive that I did not want to be a part of.
I reminded myself to focus. After all, what had I learned last night? The club was like family for Pin. That kind of thing sounds cute on the surface, but not when you think about all the twisted contracts involved in a family. People committed all manner of sins for family. And they’ll do anything to hide the sins of their family too.
I had also learned that Moves was the enforcer. A fighter. Violence seethed beneath his charming smiles. That had shocked me, and I’m not easily surprised.
The bikers had freedom. That’s what Pin had meant, I thought, when he spoke about being able to just get on his bike and ride somewhere with his brothers. That part had sounded nice honestly. But not nice enough to make me forget that teenagers were missing and someone was responsible.
I hadn’t learned much else about the club. I had gained a lot more intel on Pin. Like he was raised by a single mother, but there was some tension there. I had seen it in his eyes. He liked Shark Tank and was funny too. And a good kisser, but then I had known that before. The other bikers were like his blood.
I sighed and started to change my clothes. There was really only one thing to be done. I had to spend more time with Pin and gain his trust. That was the only way I was going to learn more about Outlaw Souls. I couldn’t complain. I was going to enjoy spending time with Pin. In fact, it was possible that I was going to have too much fun.
When I emerged from my bedroom, he was sitting up on the couch, blinking the sleep from his eyes. He ran one hand through his rumpled hair, and my stomach somersaulted. God, he was cute in the morning.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hey,” he said. “Sorry I stayed the night.”
“It’s ok,” I said. “It was nice even.”
“I know, but I didn’t mean to.” His mouth had pressed into a stern line as if he was mad at himself. I didn’t want him to beat himself up. I had wanted him to stay.
I flashed a sunny smile as I walked over. “Then let’s pretend that you left and then just came back really early.”
That made him chuckle. I was getting good at cheering him up. He had trust issues, that was clear. He didn’t like getting close to anyone, especially in a romantic way. I was going to have to get him to let down his walls just a little bit if I was ever going to gain useful information about the club. Being able to make him smile was a good start. We had a ways to go, but I did love a challenge.
“Alright,” Pin said. “I came back early to make you breakfast.”
“Really?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said. “Where’s your frying pan? I’ll make eggs.”
He stood up and headed towards my kitchen with a downright sexy confidence. I was a terrible cook. I lived off of microwave meals and takeout leftovers. I showed Pin the frying pan and told him he could have free reign of my fridge. He pulled out the eggs, grabbed some onions, tomatoes, and cheese and then set to work.
I decided I would make coffee since that was the one culinary thing that I could do quite well. I watched Pin while I scooped the grinds into my machine. He was so tall and muscled, but he looked comfortable over a stovetop. The amount of focus he gave to dicing onions was endearing.
“So when did you pick up your cooking skills?” I asked.
