And damn it all, that made him take his hands away.
I scampered off his lap feeling a mixture of rejection, embarrassment, and disappointment with myself. I’d resolved not to let him kiss me, but I let him anyway. Then I let myself get carried away in the headiness of it all. I knew even kissing him could cost me the job, but here I was practically throwing myself at him.
Where was my self-control?
I straightened my shirt and bra, then moved to the foyer. “Okay, you got your taste, and I’m home safe, so…” I trailed off not having much more of a comeback at the ready.
The sound of Punc’s heavy sigh rocked me for some reason. I didn’t want him to be disappointed with me - I had that covered enough for both of us. Yet, I had no idea why he would sigh like that.
Then I decided I didn’t need or want to know. We had to keep this strictly professional. Or as professional as one can be while working in a gentleman’s club. No matter how right everything felt, between us being coworkers and the possibility he was doing illegal things with his MC, we were wrong for each other.
He came closer and I struggled to maintain a poker face. If I wasn’t mistaken, his eyes held pity for me.
The last thing I wanted from him, from anyone, was pity.
If I didn’t get him out of here soon, one of the worst things would happen. I’d start crying.
He lowered his head while sliding a hand alongside my cheek and farther until his thumb rested against my ear. “Savannah, I want everything you were offering to me just now. Believe that.”
My eyebrow arched reflexively.
He didn’t miss it from the way his lips twitched. “You asked who has to know? That means hiding this, hidingus.If I’m ever lucky enough to get that from you, have you the way I want you, and do everything I want to do with you, I’m gonna wanteveryoneto know you’re mine. There’s no way I can hide it. Not for your job, my job, or any damned thing else.”
Wow.
It sat on the tip of my tongue to say I’d quit tonight, but the reminder of Frank Darren came crashing though, and this gave me reason number one-hundred-eighty-seven to hate him.
Typical. In my life, when love finally comes to town, the timing couldn’t be any freaking worse.
5
Looking Out
Punc
Puncdriedhimselfafterhis shower and wrapped the towel around his waist. He wiped the steam off the mirror, loaded his toothbrush with toothpaste, and brushed his teeth. The shower didn’t wash away his shame at being so damned weak where Savannah was concerned and no matter how hard he brushed his teeth, he couldn’t brush away the taste of their kiss.
She deserved better than him. He couldn’t give her the life she deserved. Years ago he’d chosen to join the Riot MC, and his brothers came first. Sure, other members had old ladies, but Savannah wasn’t old lady material. She was a good girl through and through, and he wanted her to have a better life than what she’d had growing up. Being with him would only jeopardize any chances she had at improving her situation.
Maybe he was addicted to the risks that came with being with her. No that was another lie. It was a risk to pull her out of the line of the cameras in the parking lot, but he couldn’t keep his hands off her. At least five times while he followed her home, he thought of making a U-turn - but he didn’t. No matter how many reasons said it was wrong to be with her, everything inside him said they were exactly right. Stopping them from going farther was the hardest thing he’d done in a long time.
He didn’t want to be the reason she quit (or got fired from) Platinum’s, but he’d forgotten the biggest reason she didn’t belong there. Shit was swirling around the Riot MC, and it had extended to some of the dancers.
He’d hate for her to get robbed the way Lucy had two months ago.
Hell, Lucy had fought back using jiu-jitsu and still lost her cash.
Did Savannah know how to take care of herself?
Something told him she didn’t.
He grabbed his phone to call her, but saw it was a quarter to midnight. With anyone else, he’d keep it to a five-minute conversation, but he didn’t have that control with her.
Didn’twantto have that control with her.
Damn.
He’d call her in the morning.
