“Yes, I do.”
As I’m about to stand, he hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” He runs his fingers through my hair. “Like silk.”
“I don’t think we should…”
I’m immediately silenced with a kiss. His soft lips cover mine, stealing my breath and quite possibly my sanity. I can’t fight it—the attraction—the need to be wanted. There’s been a hole in my heart for so long, even when Sammy and I were getting along, I never felt loved. Never felt like I belonged anywhere. But in Brick’s strong arms, I’m more aware of the emotional world around me than I’ve ever been. I’ve discovered the difference between being owned and actually giving yourself to someone, even if it’s just for physical gratification.
I chose Brick. Brick chose me.
That’s hot in every way. I turn in his arms, offering myself to him. His hands stray up my sides, cupping my face. “After tonight…” he starts.
“What?”
He grits his teeth, still caressing my face. “It can wait.”
My body is screaming for more attention, the feel of his large calloused hands on my skin and the searing sensation of his kisses. I start to unbutton my blouse.
“Wait.”
“Excuse me?” Did I hear correctly? Brick doesn’t want me to get undressed?
“It’s early. Let’s get a bite to eat, maybe take a ride.”
“A date?”
“If that’s what you want to call it.”
Maybe I can earn Brick’s respect. Maybe we can spend some quality time together. We get along well. And I’ll never get tired of staring at him. What woman would? “Okay.” Riding on the back of his bike again is a risky thing. Like Juanita warned, it gives Brick the right to claim me. I laugh out loud at that thought. Nobody in their right mind would claim me for more than a night. I’m worth my weight in trouble, not gold.
I grab a light jacket from my closet, slip into my cowboy boots, and snatch my purse from my desk.
“Ready?” he asks.
I nod and follow him outside.
A light breeze is blowing. There’s nothing like a warm, Louisiana night. The glow of the cityscape against the purple and black sky is hauntingly beautiful. I can see the expansion bridge over the Red River from where I’m standing. Suddenly, I want to ride to Riverview Park and take a long walk. “Let’s go to the riverfront.”
“Wherever you want to go,” he says and climbs on his bike and starts the engine.
I wait for his signal to slip on behind him. This is how it should have felt with Sammy. Safe and secure on the back of his Harley. Instead, I felt like I was on display. There were a couple of times I thought he was going to share me with a brother or two… I shake that memory as we sail downtown, the wind whipping through my long hair, reminding me why I value this newly found freedom and reinforcing my determination to fight for it, even if it means hurting Brick.
We arrive at the park and I immediately take him to my favorite spot—six tall metal rose statues located at the central pavilion. Spotlights highlight the unusual sculptures. “Have you ever been here before?”
He grins. “No.”
“I like it. Juanita and I take walks here a lot—helps clear my mind.”
We circle the statues a couple of times, then I pull him toward the terraced water fountain where there’s benches so we can sit and enjoy the evening air. “What are you really doing here, Brick?”
“In Louisiana?”
“No, with me.”
“Keeping you safe until Eagle decides what to do with you.”
“And what if he chooses to turn me over to Silver?”
My emotions are just waiting to explode inside me depending on what his answer is. At first meeting, Brick appeared to be the typical one percenter, arrogant and out for himself. But after spending more time together, I can see through his tough boy façade. Not that I’m denying he’s a badass, because by every standard, he is. There’s just something more to him, a deeper, more compassionate side. Or maybe he’s been shit on so much he knows how I feel. Haven’t figured it all out yet, I just know he wouldn’t completely turn his back on me, not without good reason.
