by Nicole James
When Joker finally stopped the bike, Holly stumbled off the back and glanced around. There was a road, some houses up on stilts across the street, and the unmistakable hissing of a gator in the distance somewhere. She could smell the musky swamp water of the bayou, but she couldn’t see it. She did see a dark hulking structure. Was that a boat or a house? “Where the hell are we? We’re in the middle of nowhere!” Her hands landed on her hips for effect.
His hands were under his chin unbuckling his helmet. “We’re at my place.”
She glanced around. “Your place? Where?”
He motioned to the hulking structure.
“What is that?”
“Houseboat. Built on a barge.”
“A barge?”
He hung his helmet on the handlebar and came around the bike. “Not one more word! Do you think you can do that?”
“I’ve got a word for you. Asshole!”
Joker turned a sharp glare her way “Keep pushing, Holly.”
“I will.”
He got right in her face. “I’ve had enough of your mouth You couldn’t stay in one goddamned night and not give me grief. Had something goin’ tonight, Brat.” He paused and pointed dramatically down the road they’d come. “Had to haul my ass across town for you, because apparently your promises ain’t worth shit!”
“I didn’t promise you.”
“Yeah, ya did.”
“Take me home!”
“Nope. You can’t be trusted, even when you give your word, so you’re stuck here for the night.”
“I can too be trusted. And I’m not staying here. Just take me home.”
He whirled on her. “Goin’ to Texas with that guy! Have you lost your goddamn mind? Undertaker himself told you, you couldn’t go. Swear to Christ, girl, you’re gonna cross a line you can’t come back from.”
“Lines, lines, lines. All you see is lines. If there were a line in this sand, I’d stomp all over it!”
“Up that gangplank. Move.” He pointed toward the hulking shadow again, a single bulb burned near the bottom of the planking he indicated.
“You think you can control me the way you control everything, but not this time. Take me home.”
He got right in her face, causing her to take a step back. “Move!”
“Why are you being suck a jerk? It was just a party, and you didn’t have to hit Jason.”
“Move!”
“Arg! You’re impossible!” She turned, stumbling across the gravel and up the plank he’d indicated, but tripped on her heels and fell to her knees. Her skin split open, the sting sharp. “Oww!”
A hand gripped her elbow, hauling her to her feet. He swept her up in his arms and carried her on board.
The feeling of being held so intimately in Joker’s strong arms overwhelmed her, and the sting of her injury was forgotten momentarily as she clung to him.
He walked across the deck, plopping her down in a deck chair, and dropped to a knee in front of her. “Let me see.”
She tried to push his hands away, leaning forward and almost falling out of the chair. “I can do it. Don’t touch me.”
“Sit there, shut up, and let me see.”
“It’s fine.”
“Give me your knee and let me see.”
She rolled her eyes and let him look tears springing to her eyes at being vulnerable in front of him.
There was a jagged hole in the fabric of her favorite yoga pants. They were a made of a slinky fabric and made her ass look great. And now they were destroyed. Great.
He fisted the material at her knee in both hands and ripped it open, exposing her leg from hip to calf.
She sucked in a surprise gasp and their eyes met, and something electric shot between them.
He looked down at her knee. It was skinned and bleeding.
“It’s not that bad, but I need to clean it.” Then he grabbed her foot, pulled off one high heel and then the other and tossed them to the side. “You won’t be needing those.” He straightened, standing over her. “Stay right there.”
Her eyes moved up his body, not for the first time tonight noticing how badass he looked. The fire in his eyes meant business, but the anger from earlier was gone.
“Where would I go?” She couldn’t help the smartass reply.
His brows lifted. “Knowin’ you, no tellin’.”
She watched him walk away, her eyes dropping to his cute ass, one she’d probably never get to see because, ya know—she was off limits and all! She stuck her tongue out at his retreating back.
While he was gone, she glanced around the place.
There were dim lights on inside the houseboat or whatever it was. Now that she was onboard, she could see how massive the place was. The deck was made of gorgeous wood, stained to a lovely redwood color. There were deck chairs around and a smattering of empty bottles on a table and on the floor by chairs, as if he’d had a group of people over.
Looking toward the set of sliding glass doors he’d disappeared through, she wondered if there was anyone here. Maybe he had a girl in there. But then why would he bring her to his place? It was quiet except for the sound of bullfrogs out in the bayou, so she was pretty sure the place was deserted.
A strong breeze blew, and she was thankful for it, otherwise she imagined the bugs would eat her alive.
A distant light flicked on inside the place, but she couldn’t see very much. A moment later the sliders opened, and he stepped through, closing it behind him.
He pulled up a chair opposite her and sat on the edge, leaning forward, his knees almost touching hers, his boots on either side of her.
She blocked him with her hand. “Are your hands clean?”
“I just washed ‘em.” He tore the wrapper on a gauze pad and then cracked open a bottle of water. He tapped the edge of his chair between his legs. “Put your foot up here.”
She glanced down at his crotch and grinned. “You sure about that?”
His brows lifted. “Be nice.”
She did as he asked, and he poured water over her knee. Once the debris was washed away, he set the bottle down and grasped the back of her knee in his strong hand. His touch heated her skin, and she became fully aware of just how close that hand was to other parts of her body. If he were to just slide his palm up her thigh…
He pressed the gauze to her wound and held it there, breaking her train of thought. “Bleeding should stop pretty quick.”
“It stings,” she complained.
“You’ll live,” he replied, but pulled the gauze away, bent his head, and blew on it. A flash of sexual heat moved through her. Holy crap! She definitely forgot about the sting of her knee.
He tilted his head up and their eyes connected. “Better?”
She lost herself in his gaze, and her mind went completely blank.
“Babe?”
“I think I need a shot.”
“A tetanus shot?”
“No, tequila.”
He grinned and tore open a bandage, slapping it on. “I suppose you earned it.” He stood, looking down at her. “You want lime?”
“You have lime?”
“Yup. Girls brought over a whole bag.”
“Girls?”
“Had a party earlier.”
She looked past him to the interior. “And are any of the girls still here?”
“Nope.” He started to head inside.
“Wait.” He turned back to her. “Do you…have a restroom on this thing?”
“Yep. Come on.”
She stood and limped after him. He paused, opening the slider for her. “Come on, gimpy.”
He led her through the amazing interior. They passed through a living area that opened into a gorgeous kitchen with an island done up in modern wood cabinetry. He walked down a hall and paused at the first door, reaching for the light. “Here you go.”
He headed toward the kitchen, and she stepped inside, closing the door. The bathroom had a big vanity and a giant shower enclosed in glass.
When she was finished, he was already out on the deck. She could see the glow of his cigarette and his shadow in the chair.
A lamp burned in the corner. The golden glow revealed the previously dark room. Balloons were scattered about and up on the wall hung a Happy Birthday banner.
Oh my God! Was it his birthday? He’d told her he had something to do tonight. Now she felt like shit.
He turned his head when the slider rumbled open.
She limped back to her seat. There was a bottle of tequila on the small table, two shot glasses, and some slices of lime in a bowl.
He leaned forward, picked up the bottle, and filled them each a shot.
“What, no salt?” she teased.
“Make due. Or limp your ass in there and get it.”
Apparently he wasn’t in a joking mood. “Such a party host.”
“Party’s over. Ended when I got called out to come get you. Cheers.” He clinked glasses with her.
She downed hers and sucked on a lime, watching as he tipped his head back. “I saw the banner. Is it your birthday?”
“Yup.”
“Happy birthday.”
He just glared at her.
“I’m sorry I ruined it.”
He was quiet for a long time, then blew out a stream of smoke and looked at her. “Piece of advice, you could do better than that kid tonight.”
Her back stiffened and she snapped, “The only difference between tequila and your opinion is I only asked for tequila.”
He took a drag off his cigarette, staring at the sky. A full moon rose over the bayou, washing everything in silvery-blue light.
And then something he said clicked in her head. “Wait, you said you got a call? From who?”
“I got people watching you.”
“Like your brothers? You do not.” She called his bluff.
He blew a long stream of smoke toward the sky but wouldn’t elaborate.
“It was Miranda, wasn’t it?”
He poured himself another shot, admitting nothing. He didn’t have to.
“Pour me another.” When he arched a brow at her, she said, “I can handle my liquor.”
“Famous last words. How many drinks have you already had tonight?”
“Not enough.” She reached and poured herself another. “Well, since I ruined your fun and you ruined mine, I guess we’re even. Cheers!”
He reached in a cooler next to his chair and pulled an iced bottle of beer out, twisting the cap off and pitching it in on the table.
She downed the second shot, and when she tilted her head, his gaze was on her. She sucked on a lime, and his eyes dropped to her mouth. She grinned, a fabulous—and perhaps tequila induced—idea popping into her head.
***
Joker stared over at Holly, reevaluating the wisdom of bringing her here. It hadn’t been smart touching her sexy goddamned legs that went on for days, either, even if it was only to apply first aid. He noticed her run her hand over her upper arm. “You cold?”
“No, actually… I’m warm.”
They were quiet for a few minutes. Suddenly she stood and moved toward him. He tilted his head back, studying her face. He frowned, wondering what she was doing. She slid her hands on his shoulders and straddled him. He didn’t remember setting his bottle of beer down, but he must have, because he found his hands gliding over her hips and up to the smallest part of her waist where they stayed.
He didn’t know what the hell she had planned, and he knew he should push her off, but goddamn, if she tried to move now he wasn’t sure his hands would cooperate with her thighs spread around him, her crouch against his.
Her gaze traveled over his face, the pupils dilated, her eyes clear. She been drinking, but she wasn’t drunk—just enough to make her bold enough for this, he supposed. “What are you doin’, brat?”
“Just giving you your birthday kiss.”
She lowered her mouth over his, just a soft touch, but she came back again and again, and those gentle kisses had his dick rock hard.
She undulated her hips, rocking against him in a long slow glide.
His grip on her hips tightened.
Holy Christ.
His willpower with this girl was shot-to-hell on a good day, and it wasn’t a good day. He didn’t like admitting how much it had affected him earlier seeing her kissing that guy and his hands all over her. The jealousy that had knocked him over like a bowling pin had taken him by surprise.
He’d tried to dismiss it as protectiveness, which was exactly the job he’d been given, so maybe that all came with the job. But hell, she wasn’t making it easy. She could tempt a saint, and if she thought she was fooling him, she had another thing coming. He was onto her game, the one she’d been playing for weeks now, tempting him, tormenting him, trying to get a rise out of him.
Well, she had one now.
Happy birthday to him! He might as well enjoy this one kiss, because that was all he would allow.
He sunk his hand into her soft curls, and his fingers clenched tight, pulling her head at an angle to take her mouth the way he wanted. He dove in, his mouth hungry, his tongue sweeping inside, tasting her, tempting her, the way she had him. She tasted of tequila and lime and a sweetness all her own. She was eager for more, her tongue swiping over his.
How dirty could this kiss get before he’d have to end it?
His arm locked around her hips, hiking her up his body for better contact while the other hand squeezed her ass.
She rocked against him again, moaning in her throat, giving him the reaction he sought. Goddamn, this girl was hot as fuck!
He promised himself he’d stop, just one kiss, but then she pushed against his shoulders. He broke off, staring up at her. Had she changed her mind? It’d be best for both of them if she had; he knew that. But hell if he was ready to stop just yet. Not when her lips were swollen from his kiss, her breathing heavy, and her pulse beating wildly in her throat.
Even with as much as he wanted her in that moment, he was still stunned as her hands moved to the hem of her shirt and tore it up and over her head, dropping it to the decking. He barely had time to take in the red bra she’d teased him with that day at the mall, before her hands went to her back, and she pulled it off as well.
His eyes dropped to the prettiest breasts he’d ever seen, creamy skin that glowed in the moonlight, and round and firm globes begging for his touch. Her nipples were hard and as her hands cupped his neck, he knew she had to feel the wild beat of his pulse under her palms. She gazed at him with a dreamy half-lidded look that told him he could have anything he wanted.
He was a biker, used to having girls throw themselves at him and taking what was offered. But Holly was one girl he could not have. Not tonight. Not ever.
Fuck.
First step in not forgetting that would be not looking at her perfect tits, you jackass!
He lifted his eyes to hers, reminding himself of a hundred reasons why he couldn’t have her, up to and including jeopardizing his patch. All that rationale went out the window when she pulled him forward. He couldn’t stop himself from taking one of those tempting red buds into his hungry mouth.
He heard her gasp as he closed over it and drew hard, her head fell back and she arched against him.
“Oh God, yes.”
He sucked harder, and she bucked. He growled deep in his throat, reveling in the fact he had the power to make her react so strongly. Her mouth fell open, and she panted as her breasts bounced. His strong hand slid up the smooth skin of her back while the other moved to close around her other breast, squeezing and kneading it over and over as he toyed with her nipple.
He twisted his head, her nipple slipping from his wet mouth with a popping sound, and he gave the other one his attention.
She was every bit as responsive as he imagined she’d be when he thought of her as he lay in bed late at night, smoking and staring at his ceiling.
He hauled her tighter against him, rocking her crotch t
o his growing erection.
Somewhere in the back of his mind his duty and loyalty to Undertaker kicked in, and he heard the man’s words in his ear. I need someone I can trust.
He pulled back, his hands gripping her waist tightly. “We can’t do this, babe.”
Her head tilted forward, her unfocused gaze coming to his, the lust in them clearing slightly. “What? Why?”
The look in her eyes nearly did him in. “You know why. You’re off limits to me. Not my choice.”
“No one has to know. I promise.”
“This more of the game you’ve been playin’ with me? Try and see how far you can push me?”
“It’s not a game,. I swear it, Joker.”
He tried to shove her off, but she pushed back against him. “Don’t you want me?”
He froze, his hands clamped over her wrists. “Hell yes, I want you. You really gotta ask that?”
“I won’t tell. He’ll never know.”
“I’ll know. I’ll know I let him down. I can’t do it, Holly. Wish I could. I wish like hell I could.”
She yanked away. “Fine. Take me home.”
“Told you. Not takin’ you home. You can crash in my bed. I’ll take the couch.”
“Damn right you will.”
She snatched her shirt and bra and stalked inside. She was pissed off and that was okay. Fucking hell, he had to get a handle on himself. She was a challenge on a good day, and he’d known when he’d walked out of the clubhouse with her what he was signing up for, but this? This was a whole different challenge. Keeping his hands off her was getting more difficult every day.
He scrubbed a palm down his face and blew out a slow breath.
He’d see those damn tits in his sleep for the next month.
Chapter Fifteen
Joker’s phone vibrated in his hip pocket, and he cracked an eye open, taking in the view out the sliders. The early morning sun was just coming up, and the lake was still quiet as a light mist of steam rose up from the water.
He squinted as he focused on the phone’s screen, then swung his legs off the couch and sat up. Yawning, he rested his elbows on his knees and typed out a response.
He rubbed the heel of one hand to his eye as he made his way into the kitchen and chugged the remains of the OJ straight from the carton, then tossed the container in the trash.