It’s stupid that I should think any of the men here would pay me a moment of attention when they have so many gorgeous women at the compound throwing themselves at them. I remember the glimpse I’d gotten of the interior of the clubhouse, and how one of the women had been straddling one of the bikers, her skirt hiked up to reveal her ass and pussy, and the biker’s fingers clearly penetrating her. She’d been loving it, too, grinding down on him, right there in the middle of the clubhouse for everyone to see. The type of women these guys want are confident and own their own sexuality, not a fucking repressed virgin like me.
But then I remember Ace calling me ‘his girl’ in the canteen, and my cheeks tweak in a smile. He’s gorgeous and cute, and he rescues fucking kittens, for God’s sake. Okay, so maybe he’s got a few boundary issues, but that’s something we could work on.
No, what am I doing? Ace is just being kind to me because it’s what Jack has ordered. I shouldn’t read anything more into it. Besides, even if Ace did like me inthat way, I still can’t do anything about it. My situation hasn’t changed.
But maybe we could fool around a little…?
My thoughts go back to the hayloft, and I picture the two of us making out in the straw. He does have a very kissable mouth, and he smells great, too. I’d quite like to rake my fingers through his curls and have him smile down at me while his hands run over my body.
Another knock comes at my door, and I jump guiltily. Christ, I must be ovulating or something. My head is all over the place. Or more likely it was the near-death experience, and the fact that I’m now surrounded by gorgeous but dangerous men.
Stupidly, I experience a little twinge of guilt for thinking about Ace that way, as though I’m cheating on Jack. It’s ridiculous, since Jack is completely out of bounds and has made it blatantly clear that he has no interest in me. What was it he said back at the college party? He had told me I was a slip of a thing, and that he’d tear me apart.
The memory of those words sends a thrill running through me. And, yes, he’d sent me away, but not before he’d run his nose up the side of my neckanddragged his thumb across my lower lip. It had been as though he hadn’t been able to tear himself away, as if he’d known what he was supposed to do and say but needed to get those couple of hits of sensuality.
Besides, Vani would kill me if she knew I’d come on to her dad, and sometimes Vani can be a bit scary. She’s kind of intimidating with her tattoos and curves and ability to ride a motorcycle just as well as any of the men. But it’s not only that I wouldn’t want to get on the wrongside of her; I genuinely wouldn’t want to hurt her in any way. She’s been through enough.
I open the bathroom door to find Jack standing there. Every time I see him, it’s like someone has put paddles to my chest and delivered a thousand volts to my heart. He’s larger than life, taking up more space than a regular person, and every inch of my body wants to climb his.
“I feel better, thanks,” I say, unable to meet his eye.
He hands me a glass of water and a couple of pills. “These are for the pain.”
“Thanks.” I feel guilty now, because I’m not actually in that much pain, though my scraped arms sting a little from the water, but I still take them.
“I’ve got some stuff I need to attend to, and I don’t want to leave you here alone.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I don’t expect to be babysat.”
I picture what I’d do if I was left unattended in his house. I’d go and lie in his bed and bury my face in the pillow and repeat what I just did in the bathtub.
“Until I know you’re safe, I’ll make sure you’re not left alone.”
A knock comes at his front door, and he turns to answer it. I follow him down the stairs, and he opens it to reveal the younger member of the MC who took me to breakfast, Rook.
11
ROOK
I dragmy hand through my hair then shove both of them in my jeans pockets so neither Jack nor Camile can see them shaking.
Being around Jack always intimidates me. I wish it didn’t, and I could be easier going like Ace, or cold and calculated like Ghost, but it just isn’t me. It’s not only that Jack is so much older, but I know the reputation he has around here. If you dare to cross him, he will literally crush you like a fucking bug.
I look beyond Jack’s bulk to the pretty sight of Camile and offer a smile. “Hey again.”
Her hair is damp and her cheeks are flushed. She looks so gorgeous, my heart does a flip.
“Hey,” she replies.
Jack clears his throat. “While I’m busy, Rook’s going to look after you.”
“I don’t need someone looking after me,” she says. “We’re in the compound. I’ll be fine.”
“Even so, I’d prefer if you’re not alone.” He turns back to me. “Watch out for Ace, too. He’s trying to get in her panties."
"Jack!” she exclaims, her cheeks going even pinker.
He shrugs his massive shoulders. “Well, he is, and that kid has zero boundaries.”
