“You have Parker and however many other bodies you can fuck at the clubhouse. You’re only pursuing me because I’m one of the only people left that you haven’t fucked.” There, I said it.
“Not true, I haven’t fucked most of the brothers and I’m not pursuing them.” His half-grin almost pulls me back in but I resist.
“Because they’d have your balls hanging on the ceiling as trophies if you tried.” The image almost makes me smile…almost. We’re being serious here.
“And I don’thaveParker…not yet, anyway. I need her as much as I need you and I won’t accept anything less.”
“I need to get back to my car so I can go home and feed Pepper. There’s nothing for me with you, Grinder.”I can’t have you.My unspoken words hang between us and he sighs.
“I really thought flowers and chocolate would do it this time.” Looking to the sky as though he’s pondering his next sentence, he hums to himself.
“I won’t let you win me over only to break my heart. Not now, not ever.”
Grinder frowns, and I know it’s because he thinks I’m delusional. I’ve very lightly revealed how I feel about him, letting him know he has the ability to break my heart, and that’s just not something Grinder ever gets involved in. Hence my problem.
“Okay.” Grinder shakes his head and sighs again before winking and bending to grab our helmets. “We’ll see, Doc.”
“No. Nowe’ll see…”
Grinder laughs.
“Shut up and put your helmet back on. I’ll take you to your car.”
Well, I guess that’s that then.
But why am I disappointed that I stood my ground and he actually listened?
When we’re both seated on his motorcycle again, the deep timber of his voice echoes through the headset inside my helmet.
“You’re wrong.”
I’ll bite… “About what?”
His body moves with his chuckle before he starts up the motorcycle and revs the engine.
“I will win you over. And that’s a fucking promise.”
Chapter Eighteen
Parker
“It’s kind of a long story.” With Sledge, Shade, and the club president sitting at the opposite end of the round table, I feel like I’m in the principal’s office.
Albeit the coolest principal’s office I’ve ever seen in my life. The dark wood of the table looks expensive, but worn in a way that gives it real character. A pyrography design of the club logo sits central on the top, as well as a framed photo of the same thing hanging behind Hoops’s seat.
“We have time.” Hoops leans back in his chair, resting his palms across his stomach. He may look relaxed, but the stiffness of his shoulders tells me otherwise.
“Okay, maybe it isn’t so long.” Glancing from one to the other, my eyes finally land on Shade. On the outside, he looks like a rough and tough biker, but something in his gaze is darker than his club brothers’. With a sigh, I turn my head to look at my new big brother. “Four months ago, I came to Rockford Beach to find you. It was late, and I went to the club in town near the gas station.”
“This sounds suspiciously like the same story as the other night.” Sledge raises his brows accusingly.
“I know we’ve only just met, but aren’t you supposed to be looking out for me instead of picking holes in my story?” I huff.
“Let’s save the sibling bickering for another time. Carry on, Parker.” Hoops’s commanding tone has the desired effect. He reminds me a little of my dad.
Resisting the very strong urge to poke my tongue out at Sledge, I give my attention to Hoops instead.
“It is basically the same beginning to the story, yes. I’m aware. And yes, I clearly am that un-fucking-lucky. Anyway, so I went to the club, treated myself to a whiskey, and hopped on the dance floor because a really good song came on. It was the first time I’d heard it since I’d been in the U.S. and it would have been a crime to simply sit there and chair dance. Next thing I know, some sleaze creeped up behind me, and because I didn’t want to ruin the song, I allowed him to dance with me. He got a bit too close, but in the dark he was kinda hot so I didn’t push him away. Can I get a drink, please, because I feel like I’m under interrogation here?” With all three of them staring at me like this, I’m a lot uncomfortable right now.