by Joanna Wylde
“Yeah, well…” My words trailed off.
“No worries,” he replied. “Things fell to shit after the fires. We spent months chasing them down in the hills. Tinker said you’d gone to Missoula. That you were going to school. She was proud of you for getting out of here, I think. What brings you back to town?”
“Um, it’s my ten-year reunion,” I told him, flushing. “My mom moved back a couple years ago. Good to see her, and she still has two of the kids at home.”
Awkward silence fell. Then he reached down and caught my hand. My left hand.
“No ring?”
I shrugged. “Not yet. You?”
“Nope.”
I waited for him to let go. To make some small talk, and then say he had to go do something manly. You know, like rebuild a carburetor, or maybe shoot a bear. Rome didn’t, though. Instead, he rubbed the empty spot on my ring finger, his expression thoughtful.
His own finger was rough. Calloused. It caught against mine, almost but not quite scratching me.
“You got plans for tonight?” he asked. I shrugged again, because my plans were way too boring to share. I was going to balance my mom’s checkbook and then go through the giant stack of bills sitting on her counter, paying them in order of importance. If things got wild and crazy, I might eat some microwave popcorn.
Yup. I knew how to have a good time.
“Funny,” he said, cocking a brow. Just the sight was enough to send a shiver of excitement through me. God, I felt twenty again. “That’s a lot of condoms for a girl with no plans.”
My eyes flew to the cart. Fuck. There they were, staring up at us. I opened my mouth to tell him that they weren’t mine, then snapped it shut again, because no way in hell way was I announcing that I’d gotten them for my teenage sister. For one thing, Lexi’s sexual activity was her own business, push-up bra or not. For another, I was a twenty-eight-year-old woman, which meant I was mature enough to buy condoms any damned time I wanted to.
Without blushing.
Except I was fairly certain that the blazing heat in my cheeks meant I wasn’t quite there yet.
“She likes to keep her options open,” Lexi announced, choosing the worst possible moment to come back. She looked Rome over curiously. My pulse quickened, because when Lexi got curious, things went bad. Fast. “Why? You interested in my sister?”
I jerked my hand out of his, mortified, then turned on Lexi. The little rat smirked. I was going to kill her. Kill her dead. With my bare hands.
As for Rome, he seemed to be biting back a laugh.
“And what kind of options is she keeping open?” he asked.
“All of them,” she responded, snapping her gum. “Consider me her agent. In charge of booking appearances and such. You asking her out?”
“Lexi, shut up!” I hissed. Rome burst out laughing. A real laugh, deep and every bit as sexy as I remembered.
“I was thinking about it,” he said. “Although usually there’s a little small talk first.”
Lexi gave him a slow once-over, biting her lip thoughtfully. “You got a job?”
“Lexi, seriously. You need to stop talking right now,” I told her.
“Yeah, I got a job,” he replied. “And a condo. Not married, no kids. Used to have a beta fish, but it died. Is that a deal breaker?”
“Rome, this is ridiculous. You don’t have to answer—”
He smiled at me, and my words trailed off, because I’d forgotten just how beautiful he was when he smiled. Not that he was classically handsome, not at all. But there was something about him. His eyes were almost… kind.
Which didn’t make sense.
I knew he was in a motorcycle gang—and I was pretty sure that the Reapers were a gang, despite what Tinker insisted—and the guy was clearly a badass.
Yet he’d been gentle with me eight years ago, that was for sure.
Looking back, I could see how easy it would’ve been for him to push, but he hadn’t. Not even when I wanted him to.
“Randi, I’d like to take you out tonight,” he said, the words formal, even while his eyes danced with laughter. “Assuming your agent here will allow it.”
“You can pick her up at seven, and I expect you to take her somewhere nice. Eleven-twenty Maple Street. Unit C. You keep her out past two in the morning and I’m calling the cops. I’m also taking a picture of you and your license plate before you go.”
Rome and I both turned to her, startled by the ferocity in her voice.
“What? I take my job seriously,” Lexi said, rolling her eyes. “Now scoot. She needs time to get ready and we got more stuff to buy.”
With that, she grabbed the condoms from the cart and studied the box carefully. Snorting, she put them back on the rack, and picked out another style. Ribbed, for her pleasure, according to the packaging. Then she caught the cart handle and started pushing it down the aisle, ass wagging in a way that was unmistakably sexy.
“Your sister is trouble,” Rome said, his voice more serious. I glanced up, wondering if I’d find judgment in his face. Everyone else certainly seemed to judge her. Our entire family, actually. But there wasn’t anything ugly in his expression, and he wasn’t staring at her butt, either. He was looking at me, giving me his full attention.
“I know,” I admitted, frowning. “I don’t know what to do about it.”
“She’s getting a reputation. Not a good one.”
“Like you can talk?” I said, taking a step back. Rome shrugged.
“Boy her age can fuck as many girls as he wants, and nobody cares,” he said flatly. “But girls? They get labeled and then they get used. Trust me on that.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“That’s reality,” he countered, holding my gaze. “Not saying it’s right. Just calling it like I see it. She loves you and she’s not afraid to stand up for you. I respect that—respect it enough that I’d hate to see her being passed around my club in a couple years, trailing babies behind her.”
My mouth dropped. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“I can’t believe you don’t see it coming,” he replied. My eyes narrowed, and while deep down inside I could admit he had a point, I still didn’t like his tone.
“My sister was mistaken,” I said, my voice tight. “I’m busy tonight, and while I’m flattered that you’d ask me out, I’m only in town a few days and there’s no way I could make the time. It was nice seeing you.”
With that, I turned away and started down the aisle after Lexi. I made it about two steps before he blocked me, arms crossed over his chest. I looked back to find middle aged women pushing carts side by side turn toward us, effectively ruling out escape in the other direction.
“Let’s start over,” Rome said. “I shouldn’t have said that and I’m sorry.”
I stared at his chest, trying to decide if I should accept the apology. On the one hand, what he’d said was hateful. On the other, it was true. I’d been thinking it myself. Not that it was fair or right that people might look down on Lexi for the way she dressed and carried herself… That was straight-up misogynist bullshit. But he was right—there were people who would take advantage of the fact that despite her tough act, she was just a kid.
“I accept your apology,” I said, still staring at his chest. He reached out, putting a finger under my chin and slowly pushing it up until our eyes met. His had grown serious but there was still that hint of kindness, mixed with a little heat.
“Then I’ll pick you up at seven, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed, feeling a small smile steal across my face. I tried to hide it but it was too late. Triumph flared in his eyes, mixed with more heat. My cheeks flushed again. Then he put one big hand on each of my shoulders, leaning down toward me. Was he going to kiss me? I remembered what it felt like to kiss him, and without thinking I licked my lips.
Rome didn’t go for the mouth, though. Instead, his lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “Let’s go get dinner tonight, maybe ride over L
oup Loup Pass to Okanogan. I’ll pick you up on my bike, so wear something comfortable.”
His breath tickled my skin as he pulled back. Then he tapped my nose before turning and walking away with a swagger not even a nun could ignore.
Not gonna lie—watching his ass in those jeans was the highlight of my morning. And I’d be riding behind that ass on his bike in just eight hours.
Now all I had to do was figure out how to convince my sister that sometimes, less is more when it comes to skin exposure…
“You look fantastic!” Lexi said that evening, then frowned. “I think my bra looks better on you than it does on me.”
I leaned over and adjusted my boobs, then glanced back at the mirror, which was attached to a vanity table I’d found for her at a garage sale. She was right—it really did look better on me, because my figure was fuller than hers.
Probably because I wasn’t a teenage kid.
It’d been a real stroke of luck when she offered to loan it, because that gave me an excuse to make it disappear. We still hadn’t had The Talk, and I wasn’t sure how it would go when we did, but I knew one thing for sure—at the end of the night, she wouldn’t be getting her push-up bra back.
If I got lucky, I could claim it died when Rome ripped it off my willing body before carrying me off into the sunset to have his way with me… Except I wasn’t really sure that I wanted that. I mean, he was hot and I’d had my share of fantasies about him, but I hadn’t actually talked to him for eight years.
For all I knew, the guy was a total douche.
But even if Rome was a douche, he was a totally fuckable douche, and I was only human. It wasn’t like I had to marry him to have a good time.
“What’s that?” Lexi asked, her voice suddenly suspicious. I looked at her, confused.
“What?”
“You’ve got this dirty, smug look on your face. You’re thinking about getting laid, aren’t you?”
Damn, but this kid saw way too much. “I don’t have to answer that.”
“I put six condoms in your purse,” she responded thoughtfully. “Do you need more?”
“Are you sure you’re only sixteen?”
She raised a brow. “I was born forty years old, Randi. Just like you. We just express it in different ways. Taking care of Mom was a lot of work for you, and now it’s a lot of work for me. Let me have some fun for once, all right? My big sister has a sexy biker on the hook. I want to enjoy the moment vicariously.”
I stilled, the words catching me off guard. Lexi had been so silly and happy since I’d gotten home, but that pain in her eyes was real. Shit. This wasn’t okay. It wasn’t okay at all.
“We need to talk tomorrow,” I told her, looking around the small bedroom she shared with our nine-year-old brother, Kayden. It was small, with bunk beds and dirty laundry everywhere. “It sounds like there’s more going on here than I realized.”
“Talking tomorrow works for me, but for now, all you need to do is strut your stuff and enjoy,” Lexi said, her serious mood evaporating. “Go out. Have fun. Then come back and tell me all about it.”
With that, she flashed a smile at me and then headed down the hallway, singing to herself. She could’ve been four years old again. Damn, that girl was hard to wrap my head around. Grabbing my phone, I checked the time. Ten minutes after seven. Hmm, he was late. Was there any chance he’d stand me up? Now that would suck.
Except we hadn’t even exchanged numbers, so if he was running late, it wasn’t like he’d be able to text me.
Oops.
I double checked my makeup (casual but careful) and straightened my boobs—which looked seriously good, because Lexi’s bra was top quality—then wandered down the hallway after my sister.
I found her in the living room, eating a bowl of cereal with Kayden. Cartoons blared from the TV—a giant flatscreen that my mom had somehow managed to buy, despite the fact that she couldn’t afford real food for the kids.
“Don’t worry, Rome will show up,” Lexi said, staring at the TV. It was like she could read my mind or something. “I saw how he watched you.”
As if summoned by her words, a motorcycle roared outside. Kayden ran to the window.
“Your boyfriend is here!” he shouted. I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, then hustled for the door, because no way I wanted Rome coming into the apartment. God only knew what might happen if Lexi took another run at him.
Moving quickly, I grabbed my little purse and headed out to meet him by the curb. He cut the engine, then pulled off his helmet to look at me with those gorgeous, dark brown eyes of his. His jeans were worn, cradling his body like I wanted to, and he wore a button-down flannel shirt—the neck open just enough to show me a hint of a white T-shirt—under his Reapers MC vest.
Oh, holy crap, somehow between this morning and this afternoon, I’d forgotten how attractive he was.
I mean, I’d remembered him as being hot, and when I’d seen him in the grocery store, I’d felt felt that heat. But he’d also taken me totally off guard. I’d halfway convinced myself that I’d imagined how much I wanted to jump him.
But Rome was the real deal.
My heart started beating faster, and suddenly the scoop-necked blouse I wore was way too warm in the heat. Was I having a hot flash?
No, fuckwit. You’re just in lust.
Fair enough. I wanted to lick him all over. The thought sent a shiver of joy-slash-terror through me. Some of it was physical—the guy was just a solid wall of hard, male muscle—but there was something else, too. Something intangible. Something that made the space between my legs clench, and wish we were naked and alone, despite the fact that I knew almost nothing of what kind of person he’d become.
Chemistry.
This was pure chemistry, and we’d had it from the very first. Our eyes had met across that keg and it was all over… Now Rome’s eyes found mine again, and that same spark I was feeling flared in their depths.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he said, his face softening. I blinked, every bit as mesmerized as I’d felt at the grocery store. He leaned forward, still sitting on the bike, and caught my hand, pulling me toward him. “I’m gonna kiss you.”
“Yes, please,” I whispered, brain fully disengaged. His hand came up and caught the back of my head, then our lips met and I died a little.
He’d kissed me twice before, years ago. Those kisses had been soft. Devastating and intense, but very gentle. Sweet.
This was totally different. This came hard and fast, his mouth overwhelming mine with a powerful, masculine hunger I hadn’t expected. His tongue thrust against the seam of my lips, and when I didn’t immediately open, his teeth followed, nipping just enough to startle me. I gasped, and then he was inside.
There was nothing sweet about him right now.
Rome’s hand twisted in my hair, holding my head captive as his tongue pushed inside my mouth. Fire exploded through me, a deep well of heat settling between my legs. My hands reached up to catch his shoulders and then I was all in, giving as good as he gave me.
His other arm came around my waist, crushing me against him. This wasn’t nearly as awkward as it should’ve been, considering he was still on the bike. Maybe we could just skip dinner. Go straight to the fun part of the date…
A loud honking and the sound of someone screaming “Wooohooo!” from a passing car jolted me out of the moment. I pushed against his shoulders. Rome let me step back, although he kept his arm around my body. His eyes were smoky with lust, and I thought I saw the hint of a flush showing underneath the tan of his cheeks.
Yup, the feeling was definitely mutual.
Then he shot a glance toward the apartment and smiled. “Let’s get out of here. Your family is enjoying this show a little more than I’d like.”
My head jerked around to find Kayden and Lexi watching from the window. Kayden started waving frantically. Rome raised a hand, returning my brother’s wave. I turned back to her, sheepish.
“I’m used t
o living on my own,” I said. “I’d forgotten what it’s like to be around the kids.”
“I get it,” he said. “My people can be a little overwhelming, too. No worries. Now let’s get a helmet on you and get out of here. You know, before they decide they want to follow us.”
Chapter Two
If kissing Rome had sent my pulse racing, wrapping my arms and legs around his strong body to ride across Loup Loup Pass was enough to elevate it to near aerobic levels.
Aside from the fact that I was currently snuggled up with a sexy, hunky guy, just being on the bike kicked ass. I’d forgotten how much I loved the wind rushing by, and the way the road opened up in front of us. It felt like freedom—the chance to experience something new and undiscovered.
Something exciting.
I’d only ridden on a motorcycle twice in my life. The first time, my brother Aiden’s dad had taken me out when I was five years old. I’d never liked the guy—he seemed to think my mom was his personal servant—but I’d loved that ride. It’d felt like flying, and I’d found myself laughing and singing with the thrill of it.
The second time had been eight years ago, with Rome. That’d felt like flying, too, but with an added thrill because he’d been the first real man I’d ever dated. Everything else had been high school stuff. You know, fooling around with boys who might one day be men, but certainly weren’t in that category yet. I remembered holding Rome tight, excited by the ride, by the man, and by the whole idea of us together.
In that moment, it’d felt like anything was possible.
Then the fires came, and my whole family—me, Mom, the kids, and my grandparents—had been forced to evacuate. Grandma and Grandpa’s place had burned, and they decided they were too old to rebuild. We landed in Missoula, and I still lived there.
Except now I was back in Hallies Falls for at least a few days—maybe longer—and my arms were wrapped tight around Rome again. That first date hadn’t ended with us naked and sweaty in his sheets, but after the kiss we’d just shared, I was seriously considering the possibility of it happening tonight.