Page 37 of Devil’s Snare

Cin leaned against the door and watched me. As I approached, he tugged me closer, sliding one arm around my waist. “That shirt matches your eyes.”

I beamed a smile. “I know. Makes me look pretty.”

“Good enough to eat.” He struck like a viper, attacking my neck with his teeth.

A shiver swept over my skin, and I pushed him back. “Behave.”

“Just wait until tonight.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Cin.” I pointed to the boxes in my closet. “Load my car.”

He lifted a brow in challenge and I bit my lip, knowing he’d never let me get away with this before today. Maybe sex had softened him a bit. “Pushing it, Bambi.”

I squirmed at the low, guttural tone.

The man kept his word and brought the boxes to my car. Once I locked up my apartment, he followed me on his bike to the shelter. I managed to arrive with twenty minutes to spare—enough time to set up before the class was scheduled to start.

I didn’t think about how it might look to bring a man no one had met inside the shelter. In my haste, I didn’t follow up with Cary, the owner.

She rushed outside as Cin picked up the boxes from the back of my car. “Gwen?”

“Hi, Cary. I’m all set for today. Just need to get these boxes inside the room first.”

“Honey, he can’t come in.” She gestured to Cin. Her gaze swept over him. I thought I saw her fingers tremble as she tucked loose strands of dark brown hair behind her ear. “We’ve got domestic violence survivors in there.”

Right. Cin was a big man. Intimidating. Not to mention he wore his cut with his club’s logo on it.

“I understand,” Cin answered before I could say a word. “If it’s okay, I’ll walk these to the door so Gwen can get them inside. They’re a bit heavy.”

Cary seemed to be uncomfortable. “No farther than the door.”

“No problem.” Cin seemed a bit tense, but he followed us to the entrance and waited as I took each box, one at a time, inside the building.

When I finished with the boxes, I returned for my purse and locked up my car. “Thank you. I’ll see you this evening.”

“Yeah, you will.”

Cin nearly swept me off my feet as he kissed me, so thoroughly claiming my mouth that I was dazed when he released me. His hand shot out, making sure I was steady before he walked toward his bike. As he rode away on his Harley, the paint gleaming in the sunshine, I wondered if it was possible to be this happy, and if it would last.

I sure hoped it would.

Cary met me at the door and followed me into the room I used for classes. “Wow. Who was that, Gwen?”

“My guy. He’s an eyeful, isn’t he?”

“Oh, yeah. Sin wrapped up with a bow. Temptation city.”

“You have no idea.”

She shook her head as if to clear it. “Sorry about not letting him in. I’ve never seen a man that covered in ink and so tall. He could be a tree with that height.”

Tree. That was an odd thing to say. “I suppose so. He looks intimidating, but he’s not. He wouldn’t hurt a woman.”

“I can’t take that chance, Gwen.”

I set down the supplies I picked up and rushed toward her, wrapping Cary in a hug. “I know. I’m not upset with you. The women and children here have to remain protected.”

Relieved that I understood, she nodded as I released her. “I appreciate that. That’s why I love having you around. You know firsthand what abuse is like.”