“He’s pretty nice, you know?” Her smile is soft as she gazes past me, toward Trouble. “Despite how he looks, I mean. Like you, kind of. You should cut him some slack. He’s been through a lot.”
My snort makes her smile grow.
“He’s dangerous,” I say, the words a low rumble.
Leaning against the bar, she pins me with a look, her next laugh a secret meant just for me. “Aren’t you, too?”
I enjoy the warmth of her attention, the way it chases the shadows from the room. I have to bite back a groan. “Sure am.”
Just not as dangerous as she is. Penelope is lethal in ways Trouble could never comprehend. The moment she realizes the power she holds over me, I’m a goner.
6
Judge
As simple as the day is, the night changes everything.
“I don’t think all of us together is going to work out in one room,” she murmurs as we stand in the room she and Raven share, especially since their beds are small enough as it is.
“You’ll stay with me.” The words leave me before I can think to stop it. When she jerks to look at me, I rub the back of my neck. “Jinx has to stay somewhere for the time being, and we know Raven won’t leave the clubhouse to join him. I can’t leave the clubhouse until we’re ready to move. So…”
“You don’t mind?” Tilting her head, she clutches an outfit to her chest. “If you do—”
“I don’t.” Clearing my throat, I look away before I accidentally tell her that I’ve imagined sharing that kind of space with her too many times to count. “My concern is to make sure you’re comfortable.”
Trying hard to make sure a line is drawn, my words make it seem the line is thick. Unfortunately, it all feels like a lie. All this is my greed seeping through, making decisions based on what I want, more than what is right.
Despite the nerves on her face, she nods.
“Got what you need before we settle?” Taking the clothes in her arms, I know it won’t be enough to move everything into my room, but then again, she’s only meant to sleep over. Tomorrow, she can return and grab whatever she needs.
“I, um, usually shower before bed.” Looking down at herself, she grimaces. “I’m kind of gross.”
She’s not, but I nod. Couldn’t argue if I wanted to, not while my throat is dried up.
“Could use one, myself.” A lie, but I need something to make me feel less like a creep for following behind her to go to the stalls. “Need to make a pit stop myself, then.”
We stop at my room, and I feel her eyes on my personal space. Honestly, the room looks untouched, and for good reason. I only ever sleep in here, that’s about it. Once I get what rest I can, I’m on my feet. That’s how it always is.
Once I’m fisting a pair of shorts, I’m leading her toward the showers.
A few of them are already being used. Good. The steam is the excuse I need for why my skin is feeling warm.
“I’ll try to be fast.” Hugging her pajamas closer to her chest, I notice the flush on her cheeks when I tell her to take her time.
Watching her slip into one of the stalls, I don’t miss the way she sneaks one last glance in my direction before she’s shoving the curtain closed.
Cursing under my breath, I shove my fingers through my hair and tell myself to relax. Acting like I don’t feel a thing is always easy. What’s different this time?
Shaking my head, I slip into the stall next to hers. Needing to be close, even when I shouldn’t,
The hot water is a relief to my sore muscles, but it’s not as relieving as it needs to be. Not when I’ve got temptation next to me, separated by a brick wall.
Hearing her soft sighs next to me, my imagination betrays me. My head drops between my shoulders as the image is instant, vivid behind my closed lids. Penelope, just feet from where I stand. Her hands, slick with soap, gliding over her skin. The way her head would tilt back under the spray, water sluicing through her hair, down the elegant line of her throat. I imagine it’s my touch, not the soapy water, tracing the curve of her hip, the softness of her stomach. My thumb circling a nipple, her sigh echoing in the small space, meant for me.
Fuck, how many times have I fantasized just this scene alone while in here?
Cracking my eyes open, I frown at my cock. Swollen and flushed against my thigh, it’s the physical proof that it has a mind of its own.
