His chest rumbles with a laugh while his arm tightens around me.
I snuggle closer, pressing my cheek to his heartbeat. His skin is warm, and he smells like cedar and sex. I could stay here forever.
“Clay?”
“Mm.”
“Don’t get mad, but I think I'm falling for you.”
For a long moment, he doesn't say anything, and I wonder if I've made a terrible mistake. Then he shifts, rolling me onto my back so he can look down at me. His expression is intense, almost pained.
“Karina.” His voice is rough. “I?—”
“You don't have to say it back. It's too fast, I know. It's crazy. My family would say it's such a Karina thing to do, falling for a biker after less than a week." I'm babbling, but I can't stop. “I don't care. I just wanted you to know.”
Clay kisses me. It’s slow and achingly sweet.
He pulls back. “You deserve better than me.”
“I think I get to decide that.”
“You’re stubborn, cupcake.”
“Very.”
He pulls me back against his chest. His hand strokes up and down my spine, slow and soothing. I'm warm and happy, perfectly content as I fall asleep in his arms.
Chapter Eight
CLAY
Karina's asleep in my bed, and I can't stop staring at her.
She's curled on her side, one hand tucked under her cheek, lips slightly parted. The sheet has slipped down to her waist, revealing the curve of her spine, the soft swell of her hip. She told me she's falling for me. And instead of saying it back, I told her she deserves better.
I'm a fucking coward.
I ease out of bed without waking her and pull on jeans. In the kitchen, I start coffee and check my phone. Three messages from Viper.
Viper: Got into Morgan's accounts. It's bad.
Viper: 60k minimum. Probably more.
Viper: Need to discuss next steps.
Sixty thousand dollars; all stolen from people who thought they were helping their community. And Karina's name is all over the paperwork.
I pour coffee and stare out the window at nothing.
I should have told her days ago. At that first dinner at Casputo's, when she talked about how Ty believed in her. When she reached across the table and touched my hand.
But I looked at her trusting face and couldn't do it.
I told myself I was protecting her and gathering evidence. Making sure Chet Morgan couldn't run before we nailed him. All true. All bullshit. The real truth is simpler: I'm terrified of disappointing her. To be the one who kills that trusting light in her eyes. She’ll find out I was lying to her the whole time, while she fell for me. Even when I was inside her.
My phone buzzes again.
Viper: Church today at 2. You good?
