But that was before he kissed me. Before he made little sparks flash behind my eyes and my always-active brain stop thinking. It took a second, maybe more than that, but then it all clicked. I stopped fighting and started feeling. And fuck if I didn’t feel everything.
He made me wet. And not just with his mouth. Him being pressed against me like that? His hands holding me possessively? It’s how every girl dreams of being kissed.
I did.
Just never thought it would be with him.
Which is why I came to the club after my appointments. I should be home studying. Got a test in two days. But I’m here. I need to clear the air. Need him to explain it to me, that he was just horny, and he’d do it with anyone. That I’m not special. That he didn’t think and just reacted. Anything that I can actually handle. Because if Kooper likes me? Wants me?
I just don’t know. But I don’t think I can handle it. Hell, it’s been five hours since then, and I’ve done nothing but think of him. I can’t have that. I have to focus on school. To make Mom and Dad proud as they watch over me.
I might not know what direction my life is going, but I know I want to finish school. It’s paid for, after all. Part of Dad’s will. Domino has it. I told him not to tell me all of it, just what I needed to know right now, which is that the house is paid for and so is school. Once I’m done with that, I can figureeverything else out. One step at a time. Or in my case, one deep breath at a time, and minimize the issues.
Like Kooper kissing me.
It can’t happen again.
With new resolve, I get out of the car and head inside the club. I don’t see my girls here, but that doesn’t stop me from making myself known. The boys have kept to themselves these past few weeks. I get it. I’m a reminder of the man who used to lead them. I don’t begrudge them for keeping me at arm’s length.
Well, everyone but Kooper. There was nothing arm’s length about this morning.
I clear my throat, push the thoughts away, and smile wide. “Hey, losers, what’d I miss?”
I don’t miss the boys looking at everyone but me. Except for Kooper. He has eyes on me, but I refuse to be held captive by him. At least not till I get him alone to talk.
“Don’t.”
My head turns at Bulldog’s voice. He isn’t looking at me, but at Casper.
It’s Kooper who looks between the two and asks, “What? Don’t what?” But then he looks at me again and shakes his head. There’s a plea in his voice as he looks down at the table he’s sitting at. “No. Don’t do this. Casper… shit, man, don’t.”
“Don’t what?” I ask, clueless, but not one to be left out. If it was secret club stuff, it would be done in Church. With it out in the open like this, that means it’s fair game to ask.
“Don’t tell me what to do, Koop,” Casper grits out. “I’m in charge of this club.”
“Come on, man,” Kooper begs as his eyes shift to me and then back to the new president. He almost seems desperate to keep whatever the hell it is from my ears. “You’re hung up on your old lady walking out. This has nothing to do with her.”
“Whoa, big man got hitched? So soon? Who’s the lucky bitch?” I grin as I pull out the seat between them and sit. I even make myself comfortable by grabbing the whiskey and taking a deep pull. I need a hard burn after this morning. Being close to Kooper is doing weird things to my libido.
“No one,” Casper barks before taking the bottle away. “I ain’t chained up. Not now, not going to be.”
“Well, with that attitude, you won’t. Might try loosening up a bit. Maybe you should call that vet girly, the badass one, and see if she’s still interested.”
“Billy’s dead to me.” He seems lost in his head, and his words are a complete lie based on the heartbreak written clearly on his face.
And instead of giving him the easy way out, I push. It’s what I’m good at.
“Why? Y’all seemed good together. Even when I saw she pulled that gun on you. Pretty hot.”
“She left.”
“Oh, was it something you said?” I lean back in the chair, kicking my feet up on the table, undeterred by Casper’s foul mood. I’m used to bikers being grumpy. It’s when they’re sweet and kissing me that I get flustered and can’t think straight. “You guys sure know how to fuck up a good thing.”
“It was what she did.”
“Can’t be that bad.”
“She lied,” Casper spits out.
