“You going to be okay with Danger and other women? I know it’s got to be bringing up wounds with Steel passing you over for Willow.”
I shrug. “Well, it’s not like Danger’s fucking them in front of me. And hell, we’re not even a couple, so I have no right to even be scowling… right?”
Techie nods. “I’m glad you’re scowling over another man who isn’t Steel. I’m also happy to see you’re finally moving on. But Danger isn’t Steel. He clearly adores you, and I can’t see Danger putting any other woman in front of you. The way he looks at you, Lunar, Steelneverlooked at you that way.”
I glance over at Danger, and a girl grabs his ass playfully. He smirks but carefully removes her hand. A rush of something runs through me when he denies her. “Yeah… I think I’m finally moving on.”
Techie wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me to him. “Good, because seeing you mope after Steel was depressing. Depression can lead to feelings of guilt, being overwhelmed, irritability, frustration, not wanting to go out anymore, and significant weight loss or gain. But most importantly… loss of sexual drive. And you wouldn’t want me to lose my healthy appetite for sex now, would you, Lunar?”
I throw my head back in laughter. Fucking Techie and his fact-talking bullshit.
“No, of course not. I’dneverwant that. But seriously, youwillfind a girl one day whowilltame you, too, Techie.”
He scoffs. “Not fucking likely. I’m too much man for one woman to handle.”
“Oh my God, more like you’re too much of a tool for anyone to handle.”
“You love my tool.” He waggles his eyebrows up and down insinuatingly.
“Mm… do I, though?” I tease.
He grins. “Let’s be honest, a geeky biker like me… I canbarelykeep the ladies away. I have to try to limit myself, you know? Control the flow.”
I snort out a laugh. “Of course, I understand completely. A guy’s gotta rest his goods,” I mock.
He grins. “See, you know me so fucking well.”
I smirk at him. “That’s because we’re practically family.”
A genuine smile crosses his face. “Yeah… we are. That’s why I’m so fucking happy to see you finally making something of yourself and stepping out of Steel’s damn shadow. Don’t get me wrong. I love the guy, he’s my VP and I respect the hell out of him, but I hated what was going on between you two. Because you’re my friend, too, Lunar… you’re my friend too.”
My eyes begin to well as I lift up on my toes and wrap my arms around Techie’s neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. He’s tense. He doesn’t always like being touched, but he finally gives into my hug. “Thank you… for always being here for me. I kind of love you, you know that?”
He snorts, pulling back from me. “Shut up. This is getting too emotional and is clearly releasing oxytocin, which is often referred to as thehugging drugbecause the brain releases it during physical contact with others. Which we just did. It’s also the feeling behind love, friendship, or deep trust. I guess this is a good thing because oxytocin boosts your immune system, makes you better at problem-solving, and makes you more resistant to the addictive qualities of dopamine. Which is nice, but it is more about instant gratification, whereas oxytocin gives you lasting feelings of calm and safety. Which is what the hug was all about,right?”he says, looking into my eyes.
Smiling at his fact-talk, I giggle. “Is that your way of saying you love me too?”
He grins, shifting his glasses up his nose, and clears his throat. “Isn’t that what I just said?”
I bump my shoulder into him as I shake my head. “You really are something else, aren’t you?”
He rolls his eyes, his arm still wrapped around my shoulders as he pulls me with him toward the bar. We stand in line as the sound of a gentler, more subdued kind of music drifts through the room from the sound system. Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me from behind, and I can’t help but melt into them. Warmth floods my veins at his touch, surrounded by his scent—sweat, leather, and the faint hint of cigarette smoke —the unmistakable essence of Danger, and I find myself utterly lost in the moment. I turn my head to the side to meet him, and he smiles widely, leaning in to kiss my cheek. A spark tingles across my skin and down my side, straight to my clit, making it throb when he grins his enigmatic Playboy smile at me.
“I didn’t see you run off. I was worried you’d gone,” he whispers against my ear.
“No way, just getting a drink. You really rocked it tonight,” I tell him.
“You think so? I still have it, then?” he asks with a cocky smirk.
Turning in his grip to face him, I wrap my arms around his neck. “Yeah, you still got it. I was practically dry-humping the merch table while you were singing.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Damn! I don’t know any women like you.”
“Well, that’s a good thing, right?”
He nods, leaning his forehead against mine. “Fuck yeah.” He presses his lips to mine, and my tongue instinctively moves with his. The smooth metal of his tongue ring gliding against the surface of my tongue sends a shiver down my spine. I love the way he kisses me, and I can’t help but grind my body against his.
Interrupting the moment, someone clears their throat next to us, and I giggle into Danger’s mouth before pulling back. Turning, I see Techie grinning and raising his eyebrow.
