I hesitate when she shakes her head, amusement dancing in her beautiful eyes, before she takes a step back and waves a hand to welcome me into her home. The disappointment that bubbles up in her gaze has me shaking off my temporary reluctance.

  It’s not even her that I’m not sure about. I know she’s mine. I know I want her.

  I’m just not sure how difficult it’s going to be to stop myself from taking her to the ground. Everything in me wants to rut into her like a fucking beast the moment I’m inside her house with the door closed behind me.

  I’ve prided myself on my control for so fucking long. Being around Rebel, for only a few minutes, has everything I thought I knew about myself crumbling around me. I’m intrigued by what this woman evokes in me, especially because I trust it so completely. I also refuse to move too fast for her.

  I’ve seen how quickly my brothers have fallen in love. I knew it was possible. For them. Not for me.

  Being around the woman my soul is screaming out for makes me feel off balance. It’s not a sensation I’m used to. I’m not going to back off, but I don’t want to be a bull in a China shop or bulldoze right through my woman and everything she is.

  I keep my eyes on her as I follow her step for step until I’m inside her place and toe the door closed behind me. The sound of it closing is loud in the quiet serenity surrounding us. Her eyes light up with something I can’t quite read, and I’m captivated by her again.

  “I don’t have any cookies to offer you today, Mo-,” she cuts herself off when I arch an eyebrow. She swallows hard before rasping, “Tyler.”

  Fuck.

  My cock goes rock fucking hard with hearing my name from her lips. It pushes against the fly on my jeans, daring me to take this woman right here and now. To show her who she belongs to. To show her the kind of man I am. To show her the pleasure I can give her.

  It’s been a while—okay, a long fucking time—but I have no doubt I can make Rebel scream my name as I bring her pleasure. I clench my jaw to stop myself from moaning at the thought.

  “That’s okay, Hellcat,” I murmur. “I’ll take a raincheck on the cookies if I can take you out for a ride on my bike.”

  Her eyes widen in surprise, the same feeling reverberating through me. I’ve never had a woman on the back of my bike. Not even Sofia.

  But now that I’ve offered it, rightness settles around me. I already know she’ll feel right pressed up against my back as she clings to me. We’ll need the chilly air biting into us to quell some of the fire between us.

  There’s wonder in her voice, “You want to take me out on the back of your bike?”

  “Yeah,” I grunt. I arch an eyebrow, the challenge clear. “You up for it?”

  She bounces a little on her toes, excitement coming off her in waves. It makes her tits jiggle and I clench my hands at my sides to stop myself from reaching for her and cupping them in my hands. Fucking hell, this woman has no idea what she’s doing to me right now.

  I’m not even sure I’m awake right now. This could be some perfect dream. Where my past doesn’t make me recoil from the thought of being with a woman. Where I’m intrigued instead of disgusted by the idea of this woman moaning my name. Where I want and need her.

  “I’ve never been on a bike before,” Rebel murmurs, a little hint of fear in her voice.

  Before I even realize what I’m doing, I’m cupping her face in my hands. My palms are fucking huge on her face, but my touch is gentle. She seems to lean into it, her eyes closing briefly like she’s soaking up the feeling, before they open lazily, her desire for me clear.

  “I’ll never let anything happen to you, Rebel. You’re safe with me,” it’s a vow I plan to always keep.

  She smiles up at me and whispers, “I know.”

  Fuck. Her trust, which I haven’t really earned, but will, strikes me in the heart. I’m already so gone for this woman.

  I’m not exactly comfortable with all of this, but I’m going to have to get over it—quickly—because there’s no way I’m letting this woman go. Not with my soul screaming that she’s mine. Not while need I thought was long gone is pumping through my veins.

  “What do you say, Hellcat?”

  “I’d love to,” she breathes. I release her slowly before she turns. “I’m just going to grab my boots and the cut. I’ll be right back.”

  I watch her until I can’t see her anymore, but then my eyes take in her home. It’s sleek lines and modern furniture, but there are pops of color everywhere I look. There’s something about her home that reminds me of pop art.

  When she comes bounding back into the room, I find myself slightly smiling at how excited she is. She freezes as she looks at me but then she’s moving again and grabbing my arm to drag me outside. I’m glad she didn’t say something about my smile, it sure as fuck felt foreign on my face.

  I’m waiting for guilt to hit me, but it doesn’t come. Maybe it will later—in the dark of night when thoughts of Sofia haunt me. Maybe it won’t.

  I chuckle under my breath as she prods me, “Come on. You can’t offer to let me ride on the back of your bike and then make me wait.”

  “Hellcat,” I rumble, and she shoves the cut for our newest brother into my hands.

  The look of fake innocence she shoots my way has me shaking my head. I store the cut and pull out the extra helmet I always keep on me. I used to insist it was just in case, but maybe I always had it to be prepared for this moment.

  I ponder that as I slide it on her head and make sure it’s secure. I tell her about her duty as my rider—where to put her feet, how to hold onto me, and to lean into the curves along with me. The moment I’m settled on my bike, Rebel is climbing into place behind me. When she snuggles against my back, I know I was right.

  She’s meant to be right where she is right now.

  The guilt still doesn’t hit me as I take Rebel for the first of many rides on the back of my bike.

  Yeah, this woman is mine and I’m never letting her go.

  CHAPTER 4

  REBEL

  My nerves have me rethinking my whole plan. I’m not generally a nervous person and I don’t care for this feeling at all. I’m used to making up my mind and then following through. But Monk, I mean Tyler, has me feeling all types of things I’m not used to.

  Meeting him was like being on a rollercoaster. The anticipation of opening the door and seeing him for the first time. It just kept going up and up and up the longer I stood in front of him. There was something about his energy which is both dangerous and calming. He’s a huge man, who could intimidate easily, and I was a little bit, but I could feel something softer inside him as well.

  The drop off when realizing there was something about the man in front of me drawing me in without my consent and without the need for it. I was going to ride the ride, whether I was ready for it or not.

  The flipping feeling his deep rumbled words caused in my belly. The feeling was magnified by the way his steely eyes intensely watched me. I could read so much in his gaze, including how hungry he was for me. He looked halfway starved and completely feral.

  The exhilaration of riding on the back of his bike. Now that was a treat.

  Going for a ride was the last thing I expected to happen when I opened the door. I sure as hell wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass me by though. I hadn’t worked up the courage to ask Rites or Crucify to take me for a ride when they stopped by to pick up an order before. I’m not sure what stopped me since, normally, not a lot prevents me from asking for what I want.

  Still, something about asking them to take me out on their bikes felt wrong. I bit my tongue even though a part of me longed to feel the wind on my face and the sun on my back.

  I’m glad I waited until I could be on the back of Tyler’s bike. The moment I wrapped myself around him, it was like everything in my life clicked into place. I could have kicked myself. I just finished convincing myself I was totally fine alone, and the bad boy with a heart a gold wasn’t really a thing that existed in the real world.

  Wouldn’t you know a mountain of a man wearing a leather cut with his eyes filled with sadness and pain would knock on my door right after that? Everything about Monk screams intimidation with edges so sharp they could easily slice through you. But something about Tyler is begging to be taken care of, to be given a soft, safe, place to land. I want to be that place for him.

  I’m completely aware it doesn’t make any damn sense. I also don’t need it to. I don’t care if it does.

  I know there’s something between us.

  I’m just not sure how I would fit into the whole biker lifestyle. I’ve heard the talk around town about the DSMC. While they’re not completely lawful, they do a hell of a lot of good. I’ve also heard they’re not ones to shy away from a sexual encounter.

  I’m not judging them and I’m all about that mentality applying to women the same way it does to men. I’m just not one to share the man I’m with. Cheating is in the ‘no fucking way’ zone and is non-negotiable.

  I’m not about to let myself dive in headfirst like my heart is screaming for me to do if that stupid fucking organ is going to just be shattered by a man who doesn’t understand commitment.

  Is Monk the worst offender when it comes to having different women in his bed and his road name is an oxymoron? They could have gone with ‘Shrimp’ then because the man is jumbo as fuck. All of him.

  And believe me, I was looking. I checked it all out. From head to toe. And then I was wrapped around his hard, musclebound torso while I was given the most exhilarating ride of my life.

  Honestly, I can’t wait to have another chance to ride on Tyler’s bike with him.

  I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. I hated it when he dropped me off and we parted ways. It was clear he was torn about leaving as well.

  We ended up chatting for a few minutes on my porch. That’s when he got my number and made sure to text me goodnight last night. It’s also when I found out what he does for work beyond being an enforcer for the club.

  Which is why I’m now about to walk into Sinned in Ink, Tyler’s tattoo shop, with lunch. I have enough food for the both of us, but I’m absolutely prepared to leave it for him to have if he’s busy. I’ll be a little disappointed if he can’t eat with me, but it’s not like I called ahead.

  Oh shit. Should I have called?

  I only met the man yesterday. Am I going to come off as desperate?

  I woke up to a text telling me good morning today. That’s a good sign, right? He’s already putting in effort. At least more than any men I’ve been with in the past.

  I just don’t even know anymore. I do know I like Tyler. A lot. There’s a connection between us and I want a chance to explore it. I also don’t want to waste my time and draw this whole thing out if it’s all in my head.

  Maybe showing up today will be a way for me to figure out if I was imagining things yesterday. The last thing I want is to be tilting at windmills while thinking they’re Prince fucking Charming.

  Which is why I need to just open the door and walk into his tattoo shop. And I’ll do that right now.

  I sigh, and shake my head, a little embarrassed because my feet haven’t moved.

  I take a moment to check out the modern and clean look of the façade of his shop. I’ve been to a few tattoo shops in the city to get work done, but never this one. I’m beyond curious about Tyler’s style. I have a few ideas for my next tattoo, but I’ve always been particular about who works on me.

  I normally go to a wonderful female artist. Her designs tend to be a little more delicate and feminine. It’s something I appreciate about her. That, and you know, girl power, women supporting women, and all that.

  That doesn’t mean I couldn’t have Tyler put his ink in my skin.

  Just the thought of him touching me and tattooing me has a shiver rolling up and down my spine. Maybe I like the idea a little too much considering I’m shifting from foot to foot and trying to relieve some of the ache between my thighs.

  Fuck it.

  There’s no time like the present and I’ve never been a meek or shy woman. I’m not going to start now.

  I square my shoulders and force my feet to close the distance to the door, pushing through it before I can think about it twice. I give a small smile to the dude at the counter who looks me over with obvious interest.

  “Hey,” there’s a bright note to his voice. He looks like the kind of guy I would go for—covered in tattoos with his ears gauged, jeans and a black t-shirt—but there’s something missing about him. Also, his voice is too fucking chipper as he asks, “How can we help you?”

  Apparently, I prefer my men broody as fuck instead of upbeat. Tyler has a gooey center, and his gruff outside is mostly just an act. I want to break past his defenses and find out what makes him so damn sad.

  “I’m here to see,” I pause, thinking of the giant as Tyler but knowing it’s not what he’s called around here, “Monk.”

  “Do you have an appointment?” When I shake my head, the guy arches an eyebrow, his eyes scanning me over again before he gives me a look of pity which I don’t understand. He leans forward, his arms resting on the counter in front of him. His voice drops to an almost whisper, “If you’re here with some misguided thoughts about Monk and you together, I’m going to warn you.”

  “Warn me?” I rear back a little bit with his words. Why the fuck would he need to warn me about anything?

  “Monk doesn’t really do anything with women.” His explanation leaves me with no answers and more questions. “Not even the ones who throw themselves at him,” he adds with a pout on his face and a knowing gleam in his eye.

  Who the fuck is this guy?

  My blood starts to boil as indecision and fear take root in my heart. Was it a mistake to come here? What does this guy mean when he says Tyler doesn’t do anything with women? I thought we had a connection.

  I can hear the pity in his voice, “What’s your name, babe?”

  I narrow my eyes at him, hating the term of endearment coming from him. I’m not anyone’s babe. I was willing to be Tyler’s ‘Hellcat’ because there was something there. Or maybe there wasn’t?

  Fuck. I hate the feeling of uncertainty swirling in my gut.

  Still, I pull my shoulders back and the guy’s eyes dart down to my tits. Fucking typical. “Rebel,” I bite out my name and the guy pales.

  “Oh, shit,” he breathes out. “Sorry. I didn’t know it was you.” I arch an eyebrow, confused by the rapid change in the guy’s behavior and attitude. “You can go right on back. Monk should be finishing up his tattoo. He already told us that if you were to ever come in then you can go back to see him right away,” there’s a slight waver to his voice which almost makes me smile.

  “Explain something to me,” I tilt my head to the side slightly, “why the sudden change in attitude?”

  The guy swallows hard and I can hear the worry in his voice. “Monk told us this morning about who you are to him. He warned us to be nice and respectful if you ever come in.” He throws his hands up in surrender. “I wasn’t trying to be a dick, I’ve just seen him shut women down before, hard, and didn’t want it to happen to you. I was just trying to warn you, but I didn’t realize you’re her.”

  “Her?”

  “His old lady,” he mutters softly. There’s a pleading in his voice, “Don’t tell him I warned you away. He’ll kick my ass and that dude is fucking huge.”

  I giggle softly and nod my head slowly. While I’ve been known to hold a grudge from time to time, now is not one of those times. I get what he was trying to do, and I appreciate it.

  I swallow because my throat is bone fucking dry from this random guy telling me I’m Monk’s old lady. I’m fairly sure in his world the term is serious and not to be taken lightly.

  The guy points down the hallway and I nod absently, my feet carrying me without much thought until I hear Tyler’s gruff voice from a slightly open door. “I told you,” he grunts, “I’m not interested.”

  “That’s not possible,” a woman’s nasally voice whines back, “everyone wants me.”

  “Not me. I wouldn’t touch you if you were the last woman on earth. I’d rather see the extinction of humans than do a damn thing with you,” he growls.

  My eyes widen at his proclamation, and then a woman is flying out the door. I barely make it out of her way, and she doesn’t look at me twice, embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she mutters curses and stomps down the hall in full tantrum mode.

  I step into the doorway of Tyler’s space and my eyes immediately take in the art on the walls. Some are bright and others are grayscale. I’m so focused on the art, awe filling me because of the man’s talent, I don’t notice Tyler stop a few feet in front of me.

  “Rebel?” His husky voice washes over me, and I shiver as my eyes snap to his. His lips tilt up just slightly on the side quickly—an almost smile. “What are you doing here?”

  I arch an eyebrow, and step into the room. “It’s my understanding, from the guy at the front desk, I’m allowed to stop by anytime,” I sass him.

  “You are, that’s not what I meant,” he talks so fast his words kind of blend together.

  I smile up at him and step closer, his own movements matching mine until we’re barely touching. “I just wanted to come by and see you.” I lift the bag I’m holding. “I brought lunch. I wasn’t sure if you’d have time to eat with me. If you don’t, that’s fine. I can leave it for when you have time.”

  Tyler reaches out and wraps his hand around the back of my neck, his fingers digging in deliciously and making it difficult to hold onto the food. I’m going to need both hands to climb this man and if the food gets destroyed in the process, I doubt I’d be sad about it.

  “You brought me food?” There’s something swimming in Tyler’s steely depths which has my breath hitching in my chest as I nod. “Hellcat,” he murmurs.

  Then his lips are on me, devouring me, taking, claiming, thanking. I melt into him, wanting everything he’s giving me and so much more. I get lost in kissing him, in the flavor of him, in the way he feels against my body.

 

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