“I’m not the obedient type. I’ve tried, and I just can’t do it,” she said just as honestly. “Would you expect sex?”
He appreciated her directness. “No.”
She reared back. “I’m not familiar with motorcycle club norms, but I assume most women on the back of your bike would be expected to perform.”
Perform? Was she from the last century or what? “I don’t want a woman who doesn’t want me.” His voice turned gravelly. His body was pounding, and it was for her. A human. One he would probably crush with a decent hug. What was wrong with him? Maybe he had finally tipped into insanity.
“Oh, I want you. I just didn’t know the requirements.”
He actually had to fight to keep his expression bland, even though he knew she wanted him. Her color was heightened, her eyes bright, and her legs restless. The scent of her was still on his skin. “Sex is never a requirement with me.” What was her game? She seemed innocent and honest, but her questions were odd.
She cleared her throat. “What if I’d like to engage in sex? With you?”
His cock sprang wide awake, hitting his zipper with such force he sucked in air. “If you’re on the back of my bike, I’m your only option.” He wanted to laugh as well as rip off her clothing. He controlled himself and did neither. “Virgins aren’t my thing.”
Her face fell. “I can understand that. Yet I don’t feel right being on your bike while you go off to find a nonvirgin to play with. You know?”
Was she meaning to throw him in circles? “I guess you’re saving yourself for marriage. Or at least a forever somebody,” he said, trying to be as gentle as he knew how, even though his hands were itching to tunnel through that thick hair.
“Oh, no.” She brightened. “I mean, I would, but I don’t have that kind of time.” Her smile was both sweet and rueful. “If I were worried about my future, I wouldn’t be contemplating such a crazy weekend with you. However, I have no future, so there’s nothing to risk.”
His gaze narrowed. He felt it. “You have no future?” Damn it, she’d pulled him completely in. She was good. “I’ll take care of whatever threat is after you, darlin’. Easy.” He meant it. Slight vibrations of fear and sadness wafted from her, as well as a sense of hopelessness. “You aren’t going to die.”
“I am.” Acceptance lit the blue hues of her eyes, pushing out the gray for a moment. “Not because of any person, Garrett. I don’t have much time left.”
He leaned in, ignoring her sharp intake of breath. Her scent was unique, sweet, and intriguing. There was no hint of illness. “I told you not to lie to me.” He leaned back, anger shooting through him. “You’re not sick.”
“No, I’m not.” She pushed a wayward curl out of her eye. “I have a brain tumor. It’s inoperable. They gave me eight weeks at first diagnosis, and four of those have passed. Now I have approximately four weeks until my brain gives up the fight and shuts down my body.”
He swallowed. There was no hint of deception in her. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. I saw three different doctors on my way to California and another when I got here, and the diagnosis is the same. They get so sad when they have to tell me.” She shook her head.
Damn it. He wasn’t going to let her die. “I have access to doctors you can’t imagine. Are you sure you have only a month left?” What was he doing? He didn’t have time to deal with a human problem. Yet now, remembering the sound of her falling apart in his arms, he couldn’t help it.
“Yes. There are specific markers I’ll show when I begin to decline, and I’ve felt none of them yet. I’m hoping for more than four weeks.” She sat straighter. “I planned to head south, so riding with you toward Tahoe sounds like a lovely time. And I would like to engage in sex, if you’re amenable.”
He nearly exploded. This was pissing him off to a degree that wasn’t safe for anybody. He felt energy and looked up to see Sam staring at him from across the lot, sitting on his Harley, his gaze concerned.
From the opposite side of the parking area, Honor moved beyond several motorcycles and stepped up beside Garrett. “I found boots that should be about her size, as well as an extra jacket from Marla. Mine wouldn’t fit her.” She handed them over, along with a pair of pink socks, and smiled at Dessie, her gaze sharp. “I overheard you say that you have a brain tumor?”
Dessie nodded. “Yes. Sometimes it gives me a headache, but most of the time, I don’t know it’s there. Well, except sometimes I do get a little dizzy. It’s not bad.”
Honor leaned in, her nostrils flaring. “I see. Do you want to hurt Garrett, Bear, or Sam? Or any Grizzly?”
“Of course not,” Dessie said quietly. “I know you think I’m weird, and I probably am, but I had a dream once about a man who looked like Garrett. That’s all. I’d never heard of any of you before today.”
Honor exhaled, her shoulders moving. “I get the truth from her. Not that it makes any sense. We can talk more on the way. Sam’s itching to get going and make sure Bear’s family is all safe.” She patted Garrett on the arm and then turned, loping toward Sam’s bike and hopping on the back.
Garrett handed the jacket to Dessie. “Put this on.” He leaned down to unbuckle her wedges.
She accepted the jacket and held up the soft black leather to read the back. “Property of Grizzlies?” Her startled gaze met his.
“Yes.” He sifted through their conversations for a way to explain. “It’s a motorcycle club norm. Wearing clothing that states you’re property means you’re protected by my entire club. Nobody else will bother you. No other man will make a move, and you’ll be safe. So you’ll wear it.”
She mulled over his words and then pulled the jacket over her blouse. “All right.”
He finished with the other wedge and slipped the socks up to the bottom of her capris. “Also, I’m on a job for a bit, so you need to do as you’re told. There could be some danger. If I tell you to do something, you do it. No questions and no arguments.” Her skin was soft against the calloused pads of his fingers, and something dangerous heated inside him.
