The use of my full name stings. I always feel shame over it. “My last name could get me killed in the wrong room.”
“And my cut could do the same.”
That ends the conversation because he’s right. That disagreement turned out to be a draw.
He steps closer. His expression is tight and his voice sounds wounded. “You left my bed without a word. I think I know the reason, but I want to hear it from your lips. Why?”
“I saw your tattoo,” I tell him truthfully.
His face changes into something much less emotional. “That’s why?”
“What did you think was the reason?”
“I didn’t know. I thought you didn’t see me as worth getting to know.”
I let out an exasperated laugh. “God, no. We had a lovely evening and an amazing night.”
“I thought you regretted being with me. That you maybe even regretted giving me your virginity.”
His open honesty knocks some of the anger out of me. “I was just scared.”
“That ain’t the same thing as regretting knowing me.”
“I wanted Jake. I liked him a lot and even trusted him. Then I woke up beside Jinx, sergeant-at-arms for the Sons of Rage, my father’s sworn enemy. I didn’t know how to handle that and I panicked.”
He studies my face, and the heat in his eyes fades into pain once again. “You could’ve woken me.”
“And said what?” I ask. “Good morning, I’m the club princess from the Hyenas and I accidentally slept with you. Hope that doesn’t start a club war that could kill you.”
A ghost of a smile curves up the corners of his mouth. “That would’ve been one hell of a conversation.”
Despite everything, I start smiling too. “I worried that you would hate me.”
“That would never happen,” he insists. He pauses then reaches up and touches the edge of the cut. “Seeing you in my cut is messin’ with my head.”
“I know it is.”
His eyes lift to mine. “Yeah?”
“You’re not subtle, babe.”
“No,” he admits. “I probably won’t ever be subtle, not when it comes to you.”
“You should really step back now,” I tell him breathlessly.
“Do you want me to?”
That’s the problem with Jinx. He always asks and forces me to be honest with myself. “No, not really.”
He lets out a slow breath. “Thank fuck for small mercies.”
Before I can even think, his mouth is on mine. My mind remembers what it was like when he took his time with me, all those weeks ago. How he kissed my body, made me come with his mouth and how delicious it felt when he slid his cock inside me for the first time.
I grab the front of his cut and pull him closer. He slides one hand into my hair while the other slides around my waist, tugging me closer. The sun shines down on us as we lose ourselves to the kiss, the one I’ve been daydreaming about since the last time we were together.
His mouth leaves mine and moves to my jaw, then the side of my neck. I tip my head, giving him access. Our property cuts rub between us, making a sound that sends a shiver through me.
“You drive me out of my fuckin’ mind,” he says against my throat.
