Truth was, it was both.
But tonight she’d reached out.So slow and careful, and her finger had traced the edge of a burn scar like it was art instead of ruin.Her fingers had been warm, calloused in the same way his were but from holding tools and machines instead of weapons.When she’d slid her hand into his hair and called it “flippy,” he’d damn near forgotten how to breathe.
He took a corner too fast, tires chirping, and forced himself to focus on the road.The last thing he needed was to lay the bike down because he was mooning over a tattoo artist with storm-gray eyes and a mouth that didn’t know how to quit.
Back inside the fence at the clubhouse, he killed the engine and sat there a minute, listening to the ticks of the cooling motor.The place was quiet tonight.Hell, it wasn’t even late yet, but most of the brothers were either home with families or out raising hell somewhere else.Tinder had texted earlier.
*Was serious.We need to keep an eye on the girl.Horde’s not done licking their wounds.*
Dan had replied with a simple *On it.*
No need to explain that he’d been already planning to spend the night parked outside her shop if she insisted on sleeping in her own bed.
He pulled the bandana down again and scrubbed a hand over his face.The scars felt hot under his palm, like they remembered the fire.He wondered what she’d do if he showed up at nine thirty with the thing off completely.If she’d look at him like that.If she’d still let her fingers wander.
A low laugh escaped him sounding rough, rusty.
“Fuck,” he muttered to the empty parking lot.
He was in trouble.
Deep, redheaded, tattooed trouble.
And he wasn’t sure he minded.
He pulled up the bandana, climbed off the bike, and headed inside to grab a shower and change into something that didn’t smell like sweat and blood.Nine thirty would come fast, and he wanted to be clean when he walked back through her door.
He hoped she would see him.To really see him and not look away.
For the first time in years, the thought of someone staring at him didn’t make him want to disappear.
It made him want to stay.
Chapter Three
Riley