“And by handle it, what do you plan on doing?”
I wrap my arms around her waist, feeling better now that she’s close.
“I’m going to make sure he never bothers my girl again. If he doesn’t heed the warning, then he’ll have to pay. I won’t tolerate him or anyone else disrespecting your boundaries or thinking they have right to what’s mine.”
“Yours?” She looks up with those bright eyes. “Would you mind defining what that means?”
It means I’m hoping that what we’re building here is going to last. Izabelle is something truly special, and I’m praying things will work out between us.
“It means that I’m hoping like hell you’ll fall in love with me.”
I feel the weight of her frame grow heavy in my arms and see those pretty cheeks turning warm and rosy.
“You don’t have to hope too hard, Rogue. I’ve kind of got a major crush on you.”
“Is that so?” I lean down and brush my nose against the tip of hers. “I think we can do better than that.”
I scoop her up and carry her back to her bed, and then I spend the next two hours kissing and petting every inch of her body.
19
Izzy
Inever understood the appeal of motorcycles before. In fact, I was terrified of them. But it’s a rush being on the back of his bike with the wind whipping around us. The wide-open roads winding up through the mountains. The freedom and adrenaline that’s rushing through my veins. And I love being wrapped around Rogue, hugging him close for hours as we drive.
We pull to a stop at a gate. Rogue’s waiting to be let in by the guard. A guy dressed in black leather and covered in tattoos comes walking over. These men are all painted beasts. Inked warriors who live on what looks to be a well-guarded compound. The gatekeeper steps up and gives Rogue a fist bump before letting us inside. When we get to the main clubhouse, more of them come from every direction. Each one as tall as the next. And muscular. All of them are undeniably good looking. Hot, rugged, and glaring me down like they’re trying to figure me out.
“You good, baby?” Rogue climbs off his bike and reaches for me. He lifts me off the thing as though I weigh less than a feather. “Careful, pretty girl. It will feel like you have sea legs for a moment.”
It does feel that way. And my shaking legs are only made worse by the men crowding in around us.
“Good to see you, brother.” A huge man comes up and gives Rogue a pound on the back. “You missed a hell of a shitstorm. We got Montoya.”
“Are you shittin’ me? Why the hell did no one tell me?”
“You’ve been tied up.” The man glances in my direction. “Plus, other things are brewing. You want to introduce us to who you got with you?”
“This is Izz. Izz, baby, this is Hawk.”
Hawk. He’s the one Rogue told me about. The one he fought alongside with.
“It’s nice to meet you, Hawk.”
“You’re Shay’s sister?” he asks.
“Kind of. We grew up in the home together. She’s the closest thing to family I have.”
“Izzy!” And here comes the girl now, rushing toward me, swallowing me up in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. Finally, you’ll get to meet everyone. Come inside.”
She goes to tug me away from Rogue and he points her with a look. “You make sure everyone knows she’s mine, Shay.”
He keeps using that word,mine, and every time he says it, my entire body heats.
“Got it, boss.”
She wraps her arm around me and pulls me away, leading me inside the clubhouse.
“Holy shit, Izz. You need to start talking. What happened between you two? He’s acting like you’re his private property.”
