“How long have you been going out with Hailey?” Dylan asked.
Goldie jerked his head. “I’m not going out with her. We’re just friends.”
Setting his beer down, he laughed. “You could’ve fooled me. The two of you got something going on between you. I can see it in both of your eyes and by your hard-on.”
“What can I say? She’s fuckin’ hot. I always get a boner for a hot woman, but that’s where it ends. Ryan’s my best bud, and he asked me to keep an eye on her. She’s got some fucked-up ex-boyfriend in her past and Ryan’s afraid he may come to Alina and try some shit with her.” Goldie took a long drink, avoiding Dylan’s gaze.
“I’ve seen you with other hot women, and you don’t act the way you are with Hailey. And she is damn hot. I couldn’t believe it when you told me it was her. I mean, I always thought she was cute, but now she’s definitely a grown woman.” Dylan laughed.
“You and Skyla seem good together.” Goldie wanted to turn the conversation away from Hailey. The more they talked about her, the harder he grew, and he needed to calm way the hell down before she came back to the table.
“We are. I think she’s the one, bro. I want to spend all my time with her. I’m thinking of asking her to move in with me. Maybe even marry me.”
“That’s cool. I always thought Skyla was good for you.”
“Are you guys done talking about us?” Skyla said as she slipped back into the booth.
Goldie stood up and let Hailey in. As she skimmed against him, his jeans grew tight again.Fuck!He sat down and retrieved his napkin, placing it over his bulge. The waitress came over with their burgers, wings, and salads, and he was grateful for the distraction.
Throughout dinner, they laughed and talked, and everything about her sent him into overdrive: her soft laughter, her scent, her eyes, and her leg pressed against his. She had no clue what her nearness did to him, and he kept reminding himself that she was Ryan’s sister. Over and over the words “She’s Ryan’s sister” played in his head like a mantra; he wished his dick would pay attention to it.
“We should get going. I’ve got an early meeting in the morning,” Dylan said.
“Me too. There are so many weddings this summer. I had a couple come in from Tula to order flowers for their September wedding. Anyway, I have a long day tomorrow.” Hailey turned to Goldie. “We should go.”
“Sure.” He stood and helped her out of the booth.
After saying their goodbyes, Goldie drove Hailey home.
“I had a real nice time tonight. It was so much fun seeing Dylan again. And Skyla is so nice. They seemed really into each other. Maybe he’ll be the first of your siblings to tie the knot.”
“Maybe.”
“I bet you’re the last. You don’t seem like the marrying type.” She climbed out of the car and quickly closed the door behind her.
“I’m not.” Before he could capture her in his arms, she’d sprinted up the porch steps and unlocked the door. He tugged her to him, his arms looping around her waist, her back pressed to his chest. Nuzzling her neck, he said, “You drove me wild all night.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” She cocked her head to the side.
“I loved it,” he said against her soft skin. “Are you going to invite me in?”
Stiffening, she placed her hands on his and tilted her head back. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I have to get up early, and we’re trying to just be friends, remember?”
“Bad ideas are usually the most fun. And we are friends.”
She laughed dryly. “I don’t want a friendship with benefits. Anyway, what would Ryan say?”
The mention of Ryan’s name was a sure cockblocker. He released his hold on Hailey and stepped away. “I lost my head. I think you’re a damn hot woman, and sometimes I forget it’s you. I gotta go.”
She turned around. “Where are you going?”
“For a ride, then back to the clubhouse.”
“I’d like to ride on your Harley sometime.” Her gaze caught his and the sexual tension between them crackled.
“I’ll remember that.” He jumped off the porch and hopped on his bike. He needed to go for a fast, hard ride to clear his head. For him, riding his bike was better than a cold shower. He’d have to ride extra fast to rid himself of the image of Hailey’s soft body fused to his, sweat glistening off them as he fucked her hard while watching her come.
The night sky sparkled with thousands of bright specks, the blacked-out rock formations now flat shapes dissolving into the desert ground. As Goldie roared down the desolate road, the darkness swallowed him up.
