“Wait.”
I spun around, my chin lifting in the stubborn way my mama always said would get me in trouble one day. Bracing for more of his accusing attitude from inside the bar, I was surprised to see that the hard lines of his face had softened, genuine remorse shining in his eyes.
But that didn’t mean I was going to let how he talked to me slide. “What?”
He ran a hand over the back of his neck, his black leather vest doing nothing to hide how the movement pulled his shirt tight across his muscular chest. “I owe you an apology. Your evil twin made a fucking awful first impression. That’s why I was so damn rude. Didn’t want her to think she could walk back in there after she got thrown out.”
I huffed out a breath. “Yeah, I get how it happened since I’ve had people mistake me for Sutton before.”
His voice dropped lower as he stepped a little closer. “I’m sorry I assumed the worst. You’re nothing like her, and it kills me that I made you pay for shit you didn’t do.”
We stood there in the dimly lit parking lot, locked in a staring contest that felt way too loaded for two people who’d just met, and I felt the ice around my irritation start to crack. Part of me still wanted to stay mad, but the sincerity in his eyes and how quickly he’d moved to fix his mistake were doing dangerous things to my resolve.
Headlights swept across the lot, cutting through the moment. A little silver sedan pulled into the space beside mine, and my coworker hopped out with a bright smile. “Hey, Saylor! Sorry I’m late.”
Rain’s timing was perfect, immediately easing the crackling tension.
She clocked the hot biker immediately, and her whole face lit up with recognition. She moved closer and fist-bumped him like they’d known each other forever. “I hope you’re not giving my friend a hard time, Century. I’d hate to be forced to tattle on you to my brother now that he’s an officer of the club.”
My shoulders loosened a fraction. If Rain was this relaxed around him, maybe Century wasn’t the total jerk my first impression had painted him as.
“Nope.” He smirked, the crooked tilt of his mouth doing dangerous things to my pulse. “Was just about to convince Saylor to let me take her to dinner and make up for being a dick.”
Rain’s eyes darted between us, lighting up with pure mischief. She winked at me, clearly shipping whatever this was, hard. “Girl, go. I can keep myself company tonight.”
I huffed out a surprised laugh, the last of the tension from our confrontation draining away. Between Rain’s effortlessapproval and the way Century was looking at me, I felt myself softening.
My cautious nature told me to be careful, but the flutter in my belly and the genuine remorse lingering in his expression won out. “Okay, dinner. But you’re buying.”
Century’s smirk widened. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Rain wagged her finger at him. “And take her somewhere nice.”
“Go find Apex.” He jerked his chin toward the door. “He’s at the bar.”
“Thanks.” Rain gave me one last encouraging wink before she headed inside.
“There’s a steakhouse called The Racing Line not far from here,” he suggested. “Club owned. Quiet enough to actually talk.”
I glanced down at my casual top and jeans. “I dressed for a low-key night at the bar, not somewhere fancy.”
“You look beautiful either way.” His brown eyes heated as his gaze swept over me. “How about The Drift Café?”
“That’ll work.” I’d been there a couple of times already. “Their caprese flatbread is really good.”
Century tilted his head toward a row of motorcycles parked nearby. “I’ll follow you.”
The short drive over gave me a minute to breathe—and overthink. I glanced at his headlight in my rearview mirror much more than I should’ve. By the time we were seated at a table for two at The Drift Café, my stomach was twisted in knots.
Century proved how observant he was when he reached out to cover my hand with his. “Relax, Saylor. I know we got off on the wrong foot, but you’re safe with me.”
“I know.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly to release some of my tension. “I only met Rain when classes started, butshe strikes me as a good judge of character, and she seemed to trust you.”
“Well, shit.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Now I’m gonna owe Apex a favor.”
“That’s Rain’s brother, right?” When he nodded, I narrowed my eyes. “How come?”
“’Cause Rain wouldn’t have vouched for me if he wasn’t a King.”
