“I was just asking.”
“You think I do?”
“I don’t know, that’s why I was asking.”
“I don’t. If I did, I wouldn’t be here with you.” He took a long pull from his draft beer. “You have a boyfriend?”
“No.” Not wanting to have the focus back on her, she asked, “Did you ever have a girlfriend? I mean before you joined the Insurgents.”
Rags stared at his beer then flicked his eyes up and held her gaze. “Yeah. I had an old lady.”
Surprise ricocheted through her. “You were married?”
“Not according to citizen’s rules, but she wore my patch. In the biker world, that’s the same as being married. It’s a tight bond. Or it’s supposed to be.”
I know too well what it means and how JT spit on it.
“What happened?” she asked softly.
“She cheated on me. I found her with a buddy of mine after she lied about working nights to save for a citizen wedding. I believed her until I stopped by her job, thinking we could spend her break together. Turns out she hadn’t worked an overtime shift in nine months.” He finished his beer.
“That’s awful. I can imagine how much it must’ve hurt finding that out. I’m sorry you went through that.”
“It was a long time ago,” he muttered.
“Still… memories have a way of creeping back in.”
“Sometimes.” His jaw flexed. “I beat the crap outta him, called my brothers to help me move my shit out of ourapartment, and never looked back. The next night, I threw her property patch into the bonfire.”
“And you’ve never let yourself get involved with another woman again, right?”
“I’ve had plenty of women since Julie.”
“Club girls and one-night stands aren’t what I’m talking about.”
“I’m out with you,” he said. “You’re neither of those.”
“That’s true.” She felt heat crawl up her neck. “Why are you out with me?”
“Same reason you’re sitting across from me. We got a pull going between us. I know you feel it and you’re fighting it like hell. I just don’t know why yet. Am I right?”
“Sort of.” Her voice was soft. “I like how you care about Clara, and that you have a landscaping business and love plants and trees.”
“Is that all you like about me?” Rags’s lips quirked up, his eyes intent.
Casey’s mouth went dry as her body reacted to the memory of his mouth on hers, her body pressed against his, his hands roaming down her back and cupping her ass.
“Well?” The feral glint in his gaze sent a shiver racing across her skin.
“There may be some other things I like about you,” she said.
“Oh yeah?” His voice, low and gravelly, stroked over her senses like velvet.
Rags scooted around the booth and pulled her into his arms, crushing her to him, as he pressed his mouth to hers. Casey kissed him back, savoring the heat, sliding her arms around his neck. His tongue slipped in and she met it with her own, the kiss deepening, sending frissons of desire racing through her.
A small moan escaped her throat. He slowly pulled back, his hazel eyes smoldering.
“You’re quite a kisser,” she whispered, trying to catch her breath.