Her lungs felt as if somebody was squeezing them. “That’s been inside me. Mouth or anywhere else.” Her confession should’ve calmed everyone in the room.
It did not.
Chapter Four
Garrett plunked Dessie on the seat of his bike, keeping his hands gentle on her waist. He’d spent years hooking up with the most dangerous females he could find in an effort to locate his mate, but he’d had no luck. Unexpectedly, this female was all human, and he could break her in two accidentally. He would not allow that to happen.
She gulped, her cute wedges swinging and then settling. “Your motorcycle is very nice. What kind is it?” The wind fanned tendrils of her hair against her smooth skin.
“It’s a Harley-Davidson Fat Bob.” Customized to within an inch of its life. “This is her first run, actually.” He’d needed something new.
“Oh.” Her tongue flicked out to touch her pink bottom lip.
He inhaled her scent but still couldn’t identify it. The smell was a cross between strawberries and oranges, and it was driving him crazy.
“Please stop frowning at me.” Away from the buzzing lights in the diner, there was a lot more gray than blue in those eyes.
His frown deepened. “Listen. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.” He’d never been more full of shit in his life. Oh, he’d find out if there was danger to Bear, but even that goal wouldn’t make him harm someone so fragile. While he was far from his roots right now, his mama had taught him better. “So tell me the truth.”
The angel rolled her eyes. “I have. I haven’t lied to you once.” She glanced around as his brothers finished packing up, joking as they prepared to ride again. “I see you must be going.”
“Didn’t you just quit your job?” He moved to the side to allow the meager sun to continue providing her warmth.
She sighed. “Yes.” Then she bit her lip. “I worked for a small newspaper, and that job wasn’t what I need.” For some reason, she still didn’t appear too frightened of him.
He studied her, in no hurry. Bear and his family had plenty of cover as they drove toward Tahoe. “I just talked about hurting you.”
She leaned back to study his face. “I know, but I don’t think you would.” Her shrug beneath the light blouse brought his attention to her breasts. They filled out what appeared to be a plain white bra. Filled it out very nicely.
He straightened. “Why not?” Most people looked at him and thoughtdanger.Then, if they had the balls, they looked in his eyes and thoughtdeath.
“I don’t know. You protected me from those guys, and every time you touch me, you make yourself be gentle. There’s something in you I can see. Something kind and good, even though you have all of those muscles. Are your eyes some sort of genetic mutation?”
“You could say that,” he said dryly.
She looked around again. “Where did you put my bag?”
“Somewhere safe.” He thought about the contents. “You read several languages?”
“Yes. I majored in different languages and also long-forgotten texts. I love deciphering ancient languages.” Her eyes glowed with happiness at just saying the words.
She was stunning. If there was a chance to gain her compliance for the run, his life would be a lot easier. As would hers. “Do you want to come on the run with me?” He wasn’t accustomed to asking for anything. Usually, patch bunnies just jumped in front of him when they arrived at a campsite, and he gave them a good time, always hoping to find that mate haunting his dreams. This cute human wasn’t his mate, but she was compelling, and she was in need of protection. He could provide that.
One of her finely arched eyebrows rose. “You’re inviting me to ride on your motorcycle to the weekend of debauchery?”
Humor ticked through him, and he almost smiled. “Yes.”
She studied him, thoughts flitting across her delicate face. Then she pursed her lips. “I am between employment opportunities.”
His heart gave one hard thump. What the hell was that about?
“I have never ridden a motorcycle, and I would like to do so before I pass on,” she murmured, her hand caressing the leather seat.
He waited her out. She was going with him regardless and would stay right where he wanted until he figured out who she was working for or, more likely, who had used her to get to him. Or who was trying to use her. He didn’t know. None of that made sense, so she wasn’t going anywhere.
She looked him up and down. “What would my responsibilities be for this weekend?” Now her tone had turned suspicious.
“To obey me and stay out of trouble,” he grunted.
