He laughs. "Go ahead. My bike's worth something, but the rest?" He gestures around the apartment. "Knock yourself out."
"Such faith in humanity."
"Not humanity." His eyes meet mine. "Just you."
Chapter 4 - Dice
"Not humanity." I hold her gaze steadily. "Just you."
I didn't mean to say it out loud, but there's something about Maddie that bypasses my usual filters.
She looks away first, focusing on her coffee. "You don't know me well enough for that kind of faith."
"Maybe not." I stand and clear our plates. "But James does, and that's good enough for me."
She makes a noncommittal sound and changes the subject. "What time will you be back?"
"Around six, unless something comes up at the clubhouse." I rinse the dishes, conscious of her watching me. "Feel free to use whatever while I'm gone. TV, shower, whatever."
"Thanks." She sips her coffee, looking annoyingly gorgeous in her sleep shorts and hoodie, hair tousled from sleep. It's entirely unfair.
I force my gaze away, reminding myself firmly: brother's best friend. Off-limits. Forbidden territory. James would kick my ass six ways to Sunday if he even knew I was noticing how her sleep shorts ride up her thighs or how her hair falls across her shoulders.
I head to my bedroom to change, grateful for the moment alone to get my head straight. What the hell am I doing? Twenty-four hours ago, I'd never met Maddie Brooks. Now she's in my apartment, wearing practically nothing, and I'm cooking her breakfast like we're playing house.
Ghost would have a field day with this.
When I emerge in my work clothes—jeans, boots, and my prospect cut—she's still at the kitchen table, scrolling through her phone.
"Here," I say, placing a spare key on the table. "In case you want to come back. No pressure either way."
She picks it up, turning it over in her fingers. "Thanks."
"Just don't make copies and sell them to my enemies," I joke.
"That would be more lucrative than stealing your stuff," she counters with that wicked smile.
I grab my helmet from the hook by the door. "I've gotta run. Lock up if you leave?"
"Sure." She stands and follows me to the door. "Dice?"
"Yeah?"
She hesitates, something unreadable flickering across her face. "Thanks. For letting me stay. For breakfast."
"Anytime." I mean it more than I should.
The ride to the clubhouse clears my head somewhat. The morning is crisp, the roads empty, and I push the Dyna faster than necessary, letting the wind blast away thoughts of Maddie's legs and that damn smile. She's James's friend. Off-limits. Forbidden. I repeat it like a mantra.
By the time I pull into the clubhouse parking lot, I've almost convinced myself I can keep things strictly platonic. She's James's best friend. She might be sticking around Pine Haven. We can be friends. Just friends.
Wilder's already at the bar, setting up for the day. He nods when I walk in.
"Morning, prospect," he says, stocking glasses behind the bar. "Thought Knight was on today."
"Switched shifts. He's helping Reaper with some supply run or some shit."
Wilder nods, then gives me a once-over. "You look like hell. Late night?"
