COPPER
I feel naked without my cut as I ride my sled up to the apartment block where I’ll be living. I haven’t gone without it since I received it at eighteen.
It’s taken just under four hours to ride from Southampton to Felixstowe. I sent my belongings via courier as I wanted my sled with me. I’m giving up a lot for who knows how long—my family, my club, my brothers—so there’s no way in hell I’m giving up my sled.
A removal van is parked in the apartment block's lot. The doors at the rear are open, and movers hustle back and forth into the building.
I know right away who they’re moving in. My gut clenches with anticipation at the thought of seeing her in person for the first time. Even though we’ve never met, I feel as if I know her. She’s been constantly in my thoughts since Cahir gave me her background file. I know he’s given her the same information about me.
Parking my sled, I switch it off but stay seated, taking it all in. I’m wondering where she is when I hear footsteps; then, there she is, framed in the large opening of the near-empty removal truck. My breath stills in my chest as I get my first clear look at her.
She’s as beautiful as in her pictures. Dressed in a tight black tank top that showcases toned shoulders and arms, tight across her breasts, with a bright blue hoodie tied about a trim waist. Her denim cut-off shorts fit her like a glove, with the pockets peeking out from under the frayed hem. She’s not overly tall, but those shorts make her legs look miles long.
Lust hits me hard and fast, and my cock jumps behind the zipper of my jeans.
I push the lust aside, struggling to process all the changes from the photos I’ve been given. She’s morphed from cute girl next door to badass woman, with none of that sweetness left. The transformation makes me sad, even as I appreciate her new edgy look.
Her previously dark hair is now a deep honey-blonde. Her soft curves are gone, replaced with firm muscles that flex and shift as she jumps from the van and walks towards me. Looks like she’s been working out her heartbreak by hitting the gym.
She smiles as she approaches, but it’s as false as her new hair colour—it never reaches her golden eyes that now hold shadows. I’m not surprised, not after everything she’s sacrificed to take this undercover job.
“You’re finally here,” she gushes, throwing her arms around me as if she knows me and has missed me.
I can’t lie—my dick is fucking thrilled as her breasts brush my chest and her mouth meets mine in a quick, hard kiss. I scarcely register her lips on mine before she pulls back and buries her head against my shoulder as if she can’t get enough of me.
“Play along,” she mutters. “They’re watching the flat. Two cars across the road.”
“Gotcha.”
I thread my fingers through her hair and tilt her head back. Ignoring the surprised flare in her eyes, I kiss her like I’ve longed to since the first time I saw her photo.
She stiffens in surprise, then softens, and I nudge at her lips with the tip of my tongue until she opens for me. My palm roams down her back to her ass, and I clench the firm globe, massagingas I tug her closer to me, lifting her a little so she’s straddling my leg.
There’s no better feeling than having your bike between your thighs and a gorgeous woman in your arms, even if it’s all for show.
Hearing the car start up, I ease my mouth from hers. I want to beat my chest like a fucking caveman when I see the hazy look in her eyes, which vanishes as soon as she blinks.
I lower my head and whisper in her ear, “They’re gone.” I ignore the shiver that runs through her because I know that, given her history, I need to take this slowly.
I made up my mind long ago when it came to her, but she isn’t aware of that.
“Right. Of course.” Bella clears her throat and moves away.
I release her reluctantly and swing my leg over my sled to stand next to her. I was right. She’s about five-six, maybe five-seven. Quite a bit shorter than my six-four frame.
“I’d better introduce myself.” I smirk. “I’d offer my hand, but I much preferred your greeting. I’m Copper, or Cooper, until we’re finished with this assignment.”
Bella chuckles, and a flush highlights her cheeks as she lowers her eyes. I’m glad to see that parts of the woman she was before she took this assignment remain.
“I’m Bella, but for my assignment, I chose Bee. It’s close enough to my name that I won’t forget it,” she explains, turning toward the truck as the movers emerge from the building for another load. “Your stuff arrived earlier. I’ve put it in the bedroom for now,” she continues as we watch the movers take the last of the boxes out of the van before closing the back. “Do you want to come up and have a look?”
“Let’s go.” Pocketing my keys, I take her hand and walk towards the door. I expect her to pull away, but she doesn’t. I hope it’s because she wants me to hold her hand, not just for show.
I hope that eventually she’ll want it for herself.
I know I have my work cut out for me, but if there’s one thing about us Tins, it’s that we’re stubborn when we find the woman we want to make ours.
CHAPTER 2
