She laughed, a genuine sound that made heads turn our way."Smart.Most new guys aren't that careful."
"I'm not most guys."I missed my next shot on purpose, giving her another turn.
"Clearly."She swept around the table, her body briefly pressing against mine as she passed.Not an accident."Most guys would've tried a cheesier line by now."
"Would it have worked?"I watched her line up her shot, admiring her focus.
"Not a chance."She sank the ball and straightened, suddenly close enough that I could smell her perfume.The unexpectedly delicate scent beneath the whiskey and cigarette smoke that clung to everyone in the bar was some kind of pheromone.The more I smelled, the more I wanted.The more I wanted, the closer I needed to get to her.The closer I got… Yeah.The more I needed to fuck her.To claim her.To completely ruin her then make her mine forever.
"Guess I'll stick with what I'm doing."I held her gaze, letting the genuine interest show.No use hiding what I wanted.I got the feeling Wren could see through bullshit like she had some finely tuned detector.Besides, the fact was, I wanted to fuck her like I wanted my next breath.
She sank the eight ball with a clean shot that left no doubt about her skill."You just lost."
"Did I?"I asked, not talking about the game.
Her eyes flickered with interest before she nodded toward the bar."You owe me a drink."
I followed at her side this time, my hand possessively at her back.I got a few raised eyebrows from men around the room, but no one made a move to intercept us.Maybe because Wren allowed my touch.I had no doubt if she indicated in any way I was annoying her, I’d have myself an accident on the way out of the club.
As I ordered another round, I watched her from the corner of my eye.She was texting someone, her face briefly troubled.When she caught me looking, she tucked the phone away.
"Your old man checking in?"I asked casually, sliding her whiskey across the bar.
Her eyebrow raised."What makes you think my dad’s checking up on me?"
"Everyone's got someone wondering where they are."Careful territory here.I couldn't reveal I knew about Ghost, but I needed to gauge her connection to him.
"You’re right about it being my dad."She said it simply, taking a sip."But he texted to say he's running late."
"You two close?"
"Very."The single word carried weight, a warning even.She studied me over her glass."What about you?Anyone wondering where Rocky the mechanic disappears to?"
I laughed, letting real bitterness flavor it."Not for a long time."I shrugged.“I might be the sole exception to my earlier statement.”
Something in my tone must have registered as truth because her expression softened slightly."Their loss."
The conversation flowed easier after that, moving between casual topics like bikes, local hang outs, and music, while we finished our drinks.I found myself genuinely enjoying her company.The way she called bullshit when I tried to bluff about a custom exhaust system.The flash in her eyes when she talked about rebuilding her own bike.The subtle tells when she described her father as protective and proud, but something complicated underneath.
"You're different," she said suddenly, studying me with those perceptive eyes that seemed to strip away layers.
"Different how?"I leaned closer, our shoulders touching.
"Most guys here are trying too hard.You're..."She searched for the word."Present.But also holding something back."
Dangerous perception.I filed that away as a reminder to be careful not to underestimate Wren even as I let myself smile."Maybe I'm just not that complicated."
"Bullshit."She threw her head back and laughed merrily, and I knew for certain I was doomed."Everyone's complicated."She tossed back the last of her whiskey."Let's get out of here."Wren's words caught me off guard, her green eyes holding mine with a directness that suggested she knew exactly what she was proposing.She leaned closer, her voice dropping."I'm sick of this Valentine's circus.You got somewhere more private we can go?"My brain split in two directions instantly.I had a task here.Getting her alone and giving her a great time might get me where I needed to be, but I really didn’t like starting something with her — even if it was just sex — with a lie.
I hesitated, which wasn't like me.Hesitation would get you killed.But something about Wren made me pause, made me wonder if I was crossing a line I couldn't uncross.While my operation didn’t involve Bound in Blood, Vittorio assured me he would cover any blow back as long as I kept Wren safe and didn’t hurt her.I had no intention of hurting this woman whatsoever, but keeping my cover intact was just as important as being careful with Wren.
"You sure about that?"I asked, buying myself seconds to think.
Her expression turned guarded."If you're not interested..."
"I didn't say that."I found myself smiling, a real one that felt foreign on my face."Just making sure we're on the same page."
"What page is that?"She cocked her head, challenge written in the set of her jaw.
