Remi
The second his mouth touches mine, I swear, the ground disappears.
It’s soft at first, testing, like he’s giving me every chance to run. But I don’t. I lean in, tugging at his shirt, needing him closer.
The way his hands frame my face is like a promise and a drug all in one. Pulling me in, I get a hint at the kind of lover he might be.
The creak of the door grabs my attention. We spring apart just as Ragnor steps out, a cigarette dangling from his fingers. His grin widens the second he clocks us.
“Well, well,” he drawls, smoke curling from his mouth. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Mortification burns up my neck. My lips still tingling, I shove past Shadow before either of them can say another word.
“Remi––” Shadow calls, but I don’t look back.
I duck inside, cheeks flaming, heart racing. I don’t stop until I’m at the bar, hands braced against the counter, trying to breathe like I wasn’t just kissing the one man I swore I’d never let past my walls.
And the worst part?
I already want to do it again.
The bar is busier now, and I immediately get back behind it to help Shooter. It’s a free bar, and I don’t know the logic behind it, but Axel prefers to have someone work the bar so it doesn’t descend in complete chaos with brothers helping themselves.
“What can I get you?” I ask Kasey, who’s waiting patiently amongst the big bikers.
“Remi, we need to talk.” Shadow leans across the bar, close enough that I catch the storm brewing in his eyes.
I keep my eyes fixed on Kasey and repeat, “What can I get you?”
“A water, please,” she says, offering me a small, awkward smile.
“Remi, please,” he insists, voice low, rough.
“I’m busy, Shadow. Drop it.”
His huff is sharp, frustration bleeding through as he pushes back from the bar and stalks towards a cluster of bikers. My chest aches, but I shut it down, twisting the cap off a bottle and sliding it to Kasey.
“Everything okay?” she asks gently.
“He’s just taking babysitting duty too seriously,” I mutter.
Kasey leans in, smirk tugging at her lips. “If he’s crowding you that much, I know a place you can hide.”
My gaze flicks up, curious despite myself. “Really?”
“Yeah. Find me on your break, I’ll show you.”
Relief flutters through me. A few hours without facing up to the kiss? Without his eyes tearing into me like I’m his problem to solve?Yes, please.
Of course, that’s when Ragnor saunters up, all dimples and trouble. I groan inwardly.
“So, does this mean I gotta back off?” he asks, eyes narrowing like he’s trying to read the truth straight from my soul.
“Would you listen if I said yes?”
He grins slow. “That’s why I like you, gorgeous. You get me.”
I pour a whiskey, sliding it across the bar before he can ask. My smile is sugar, my words sharp. “My job is to make customers feel special. Don’t get it twisted.”
