This Savage Love: A Bad Boy Romance Boxed Set

by Kathryn Thomas

  In a panic, she whispered frantically, “Who’s there?” Her heart hammered in her chest, and she heard feet shuffling. Her first thought was that it was an intruder with sinister intentions, but then her psyche latched onto a shred of hope based on one clue: whoever it was knew her name.

  Why would a killer or rapist or burglar know her name? Or, for that matter, try to wake her without assuring she was tied down securely?

  “It’s Alex,” came the deep voice she should have recognized to begin with. The light flicked on, blinding her momentarily.

  “What the hell?” she called out, shielding her eyes from the sudden brightness. She heard him move and then smelled him close again. “Why are you here? And how did you get in? For that matter, how the hell do you know where I live?” Her anger was swelling inside her as she realized what an invasion of privacy this was.

  As her eyes adjusted, she looked up at him with a scowl, watching a sheepish grin creep across his face He wore a tight t-shirt and tighter black jeans. His tattoos blared, and Krishna instantly forgot her indignant protests as her mouth went dry.

  “Hey, one question at a time, babe,” he said. He had the nerve to sit by her on the edge of her bed.

  She yanked the sheet up to cover her lacy pajamas and looked him up and down, trying to figure him out. If she hadn’t awakened so fully, she would think this was just another dream. Her brain turned to mush, and she asked, “Why are you calling me ‘babe’?” She wasn’t even committed to the question, honestly wanting to reach out to him and draw him under the covers with her. She could forget her disappointment and anger for a moment, if she could run her fingers over his body, taste his lips.

  He slid his hand onto her thigh, and even through the blanket, she felt the heat of his palm. “Look, Pops keeps tabs on everyone, in case there’s a problem. I asked for your address, said I needed you to look at my bike. I came in through the window. You should have the landlord fix the lock.”

  Krishna relaxed a little but shot him an annoyed look. She let go of the covers – what did it matter? He’d seen her completely bare already. “I’m on the third floor.”

  He winked. “Drainpipes and balconies come in handy.”

  She didn’t answer, and his smile faded. “Okay, Krishna. I know you’re pissed. But I had to talk to you.” Alex paused, as if he was trying to think of what he wanted to say. “I have a reputation at the club.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I noticed. I still don’t know what that has to do with you breaking and entering. This is my apartment, and it’s the middle of the night.” She complained more out of discomfort. He looked like dessert, and she was in pajamas and soaked with sweat from her nightmares. So, she scolded him.

  He shook his head, drawing his brow into a tight furrow. “No, you don’t understand.” He sighed. “I’ve never been exclusive.” She gave him a look that let him know he was only digging a deeper hole for himself. “I want you, Krishna, like I’ve never wanted anyone. I don’t know why, or what makes you special. But I can’t stop thinking about you.” He ended with a shrug, like he didn’t know what else to say.

  Krishna wanted to take him at his word, but too many things still stood in the way. “I told you the only way you could have me was if we were exclusive. I meant it, Alex. So, I guess you wasted your time coming here if you intended to convince me otherwise. Besides, I already decided I can’t be with you.” He blanched, but she continued. She had to get this out. “You’re not good for me. I’m a normal girl who likes baseball and cars. I’m not some biker’s old lady. I’m going to do what both you and Pops told me to do from the start – keep my head down and do my job. You do whatever you want. I’m sure you’ll get over me as soon as you get your groove back.”

  As she finished, she looked pointedly at the window. Part of her hoped he would make her believe he could change, or that he would leave her no choice but to change. Something about Alex consumed Krishna, and she knew how easily and hard she could fall for the man in front of her, saying he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

  She felt his hand sliding up her leg again but ignored it. He was just trying to get her riled up, but as he scooted closer, until his breath caressed the side of her face, she held her breath in anticipation of what he would say.

  “You drive a hard bargain,” he rasped. “You win. We’ll be exclusive.” Goosebumps rose on her arms. Had she heard him right? He added quietly, “We can’t let Pops know.”

  She couldn’t be sure he was serious, but it didn’t matter. His nearness had already broken her resolve. She had to have him. Turning to him, she cupped his cheek in her hand and leaned in to taste his lips. He welcomed it, and his tongue slid over hers. It was so satisfying, already familiar, and it was like chocolate. Something she could never get enough of. A unique flavor she would never forget.

  He broke the kiss long enough to whisper, “I can’t believe how much I missed this.”

  “Me, either,” she breathed and dived in for another suffocating kiss, even though she was already breathless and lightheaded. Alex slid her top over her head, and she felt like they danced on a cloud. Her body tingled with need, burned with desire, like static flowed through her veins. Her craving for him was relentless, and now that she had him, she wasn’t letting go. She tugged at him desperately, pulling him down on top of her as she lay back. His lips were everywhere, searing her neck and nipples and stomach.

  “Stay with me,” she begged, not wanting him to leave. “Stay here tonight.” She closed her eyes in ecstasy at the feel of his weight on her, praying for a yes.

  “I will,” he promised as she tugged off his shirt. “I wouldn’t dare leave now.”

  ***

  “Hey, Alex,” Damien said, coming into the room with Rusty trailing behind him. “Haven’t seen much of you lately. We were hoping to get some work done. If you’re not too busy for us,” he added, smirking.

  Alex shook his head, looking at him in confusion. He’d been right here, every day except one, as usual. And he’d been out on a delivery run that day. It was business as usual. “No problem. Who’s first?” he asked, trying to be cordial. He pulled out his equipment and started prepping a needle for the gun as Damien hopped in the chair. Something seemed different about the whole club lately, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Then again, maybe he was just paranoid because he was different now.

  He had Krishna.

  “What do you want?” he asked.

  Damien shrugged. “I was thinking something like those women. The ones they have on the mud flaps of some of the tractor trailers. Some of us aren’t as lucky as you when it comes to getting a good look at hot women like that every day. We have to take what we can get. Or look at what we have, like Rusty with his old lady.” He shook his head. “Man, I don’t know how you do it. I wish you could teach that shit. Then again, you might have lost your touch. One of your hot little numbers was just begging me to fuck her yesterday. Having a dry spell?”

  Alex glared at him as he fired up the gun. He held one of the most respected positions in the club. Generally, no one talked to him or about him like this. He tried to think back to his behavior since getting together with Krishna. Had it been so different that his brothers were noticing? If so, he had to fix it to keep both of them out of danger.

  For now, he shrugged it off. “Maybe I’m tired of the same old sluts. I’m waiting for something more exciting.” Damien glared and then let it go, tugging up his pants leg to reveal the last of the clean canvas on his body. He’d already shaved, saving Alex the trouble.

  Rusty leaned against the wall. Not one to keep his mouth shut, he chimed in, “What do you think is exciting? We’ve got some slim pickings around here lately, unless you want to make a move on that Paki dyke bitch that thinks she’s an equal partner around here. I hate working with her, and I don’t think Pops likes her any better. He just puts up with her because despite being a fucking ugly foreign piece of shit, she does a good job with the bikes.” He laughed. �
�No, Alex, you’re like everyone else around here. What you need is a real woman, the kind with balloon tits, a short skirt, and a six pack of beer in each hand.”

  Both men cracked up, and Alex fought to keep his hand steady as rage made him see read and shake at their opinion of Krishna. With his feelings for her growing, it was getting harder to deal with the caveats of being a full fledged member of the Ashes. He had to be more careful about his behavior at the clubhouse, and he couldn’t get so riled up when the guys insulted her.

  “Really, man, figure something out,” Damien informed him through clenched teeth as he fought through the pain of the tattoo. Alex bit back a comment about not being a pussy – it had never been more than a little uncomfortable for Alex. “Pops is worried about you, thinks the two of you might need to have a little talk. I would hate to see something happen to you because you were having some sort of midlife crisis or something. Keep on trekking, man. Fuck someone, and you’ll get past this little hitch in the road soon enough.”

  Alex glanced back and forth between the two men to find Rusty nodding his agreement. If Pops wanted to have a talk, he was savvier than Alex realized. Alex had to be far more convincing, and he couldn’t make any more late night visits to Krishna’s apartment for a while. They would have to figure out something else.

  “So, what’s the problem with whatshername, the mechanic? You said Pops was sick of her,” Alex prodded, trying to keep the question casual while also getting the goods so he could keep her safe.

  Damien stared at him like he was stupid. “Man, you really have been going through something. Things have changed around here. The whole crew is talking about her, can’t stand her being here. She thinks she has some sort of power, which is delusional. She had no idea what we do, but what if she found out? She’d freak the fuck out, that’s what. And then she’d probably go on some jihad mission, strap a bomb to her chest, and blow us up. She’s not even any good as a piece of ass. She won’t sleep with anyone. She just tinkers with the bikes and looks smug. Anyone could do that, and I’d much rather it wasn’t a chick.” Damien spit the last word, and Alex was too furious to let them stick around any longer.

  “The outline’s done,” he announced, putting the gun down. “I’ll add color later. You’re bleeding too much.” He cleaned it roughly and slapped the bandage over it before turning to Rusty, barely keeping his composure. “What did you want, Rusty?” The guy’s expression told him there was fire in his eyes, and he didn’t care.

  And Rusty seemed to shrug it off. “I don’t really want anything. I just wanted to see if the bastard was really going to do it. The mark of a true misogynist, right, Damien?” Rusty cackled and patted Damien, who was now annoyed, on the shoulder. “We’ll see you later, Alex.” Damien was already halfway down the hall, and Rusty chased after him.

  Had they always been prejudiced, immature dicks? Alex joined the Ashes to be part of a family, and they’d seemed like brothers – loving and tolerant but tough. They’d never had a female mechanic, or an Indian member. But Alex just figured they were hard to find in the biker community.

  Not because the whole club had an issue with it.

  There was nothing he could do but put on a show to try and protect Krishna, though. He wasn’t going to leave his family. Even if he’d had the desire, it wasn’t an option.

  Cleaning and packing up his supplies, Alex tried to calm himself. He had to go inside and act like his old self – quiet, calm, and charming. He would have to explain it to Krishna tonight, let her know what he was doing and why. He just hoped she would understand and not get up in arms about it. As much as he hated to admit it, his heart couldn’t handle another rejection from her. He was falling hard, and if she wasn’t there to catch him, he’d shatter.

  He ran a hand through his hair for that purposely mussed look and walked down the dark hallway, pasting the sly smile on his face he’d practiced for so long. He stepped out into the crowd and caught Krishna’s eye from the other end, giving her a brief nod with a hot look before turning away. Hopefully, she’d get lost in the game on the screen and not notice what he was doing.

  He made his way to where two of the women were trying to get into Pops’ pants. He loved women flirting with him, but he rarely had sex with any of them. His wife may not have been a member, but she was scary. Alex had met her a time or two, and even he found her intimidating.

  “Alex!” Pops greeted loudly, a little surprised and a lot tipsy. “Come to steal my entertainment?” He sounded truly curious, or maybe challenging, like he wanted proof Alex hadn’t changed. He was begging for a reason to believe in his best delivery boy.

  “You know that’s what I do best, Pops. Besides, you talk too much.” The two women giggled and looked up at him like he was some god who would shower them with riches if they worshiped him. He thought he saw some drool at the corner of the redhead’s mouth. Alex just smirked before meeting Pops’ gaze and realizing how close he’d been to causing a problem. He couldn’t believe how careless he’d been.

  “Well, as usual, Alex wins. Ladies, I must be getting home to my old lady before too much of your perfume rubs off on me. Give my boy here hell. Alex, take good care of them.” Pops winked and walked away, stopping to say his goodbyes on the way out.

  When he disappeared out the door, Alex let out a breath he hadn’t even realized he was holding. Still, others were watching, just waiting to report back to the boss, and he had to keep up appearances. He went to the bar and started pouring drink after drink for the two women and letting them talk to him, flirt with him. They latched on, feeling his muscles while he stayed quiet. It was a good enough show to get him high fives and silent nods from across the room. As far as his brothers were concerned, he was back to his old self.

  Out of nowhere, a dark, smooth arm shot across him and grabbed an ice cold beer, popping it open on the counter next to him. Alex knew that skin and followed it nervously to Krishna, whose face was angry and stained with tears. The women on him were so drunk they didn’t notice her right there. Giving Alex a deadly glare and downing the beer, Krishna rushed out the door, almost at a run, and Alex cursed himself, a chill cursing through him as he forced himself not to go after her. She was drinking and driving, and to top it off, she was upset. He would have to hope she’d be alright and make it home until he could escape.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered to the women, who perked up like a couple of cats who sniffed catnip in the air. They assumed they were going home with Alex, but he was going to drive around until they passed out and then drop them off. They would never remember that Alex had only been a tease. When he’d dumped them off, he would call Krishna to explain. He promised himself he’d make things right.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “I gave you my conditions, and I wish you could understand where I’m coming from. I’m serious about this. I did what I had to, and I’ll keep doing it to protect you.” Alex’s voice came through the phone, loud and desperate, as Krishna paced across the floor.

  She left the clubhouse tipsy and depressed, and it had been stupid, dangerous. Now, it was hard to stay mad at Alex when he called to assure she was safe. It was like he was a real boyfriend nad not just a secret lover. But how could she forget and forgive what she’d seen before she’d stormed out?

  “I hear you say that over and over, Alex, but I don’t know what you expect me to think. You’re so hot and cold all the time, putting me on an emotional roller coaster. It seems to me you’re protecting your reputation, not me, and that’s immature. Bad boys all grow up some day,” Krishna snapped, pleading in her own way for him to give her a reason to keep trying.

  “To hell with my reputation. I’m talking about our lives, Krishna.” He paused, and she heard him sigh. “We both have verbal contracts with Pops and the crew. I’ve seen what happens when people break that. I wish I could explain this in person, but it’s too dangerous. He’s keeping tabs on us and would know if we met. We just have to be careful. A little creat
ive. Look, he’ll trust us at the clubhouse. We’ll meet there when we can. Just don’t be angry. Trust me. I just took those girls home.”

  He sounded frantic but sincere. But Krishna knew men could play games with a woman’s heart and mind. Players like Alex were the kings. But she didn’t have anyone else to talk to about all this.

  “I don’t get it, Alex. What is it that could put me in danger? What’s the big deal? I get that us dating would be frowned upon, but I don’t see where the need to protect me comes from. Or why you absolutely have to be the resident player.” She was frustrated at trying to make sense of things she wasn’t allowed to know in the first place. Pops kept her in the dark about the club business and where the money came from. She was just a grunt worker, expected to keep her mouth shut. She’d been warned about that from the start.

  “I can’t risk explaining it all to you,” she said, sounding defeated. “But the guys are catching on that I’m not acting the same. I don’t want them trying to figure out why and stumbling across our secret. There’s been talk about you, too. You have to trust me, Krishna. Please.”