Fire of Betrayal

by Demi Dumond

  I followed him to the small office at the end of the dirt lot. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea, especially since my goal was to get the hell out of here with the cash I just got. Just because the guy was super-hot and had just helped me didn’t mean it was a good idea for me to hang around.

  But I wasn’t going anywhere until that tire got fixed, so I agreed to have a cup of coffee. There was no sense in being rude. Besides, maybe this guy intrigued me.

  That didn’t mean I had to stay long. Or get involved in any other way.

  In any case, the office was cozy inside. There was a small desk and couch along with a table that held a coffee maker. The place was decorated nicer than I expected.

  What I expected was hell’s angels but instead it was more like a cozy cabin. It was the last thing I expected at a biker shop in this part of town. Maybe there was more to this guy than I thought. It didn’t matter though, because I wasn’t planning on staying long.

  “Look,” I said, “I appreciate what you did, I really do. It was kind of fun to watch you nail that guy with that pink coffee mug, nice choice by the way.”

  I watched as he got out a couple of mugs out of a cabinet. He filled them both up.

  “Thanks,” he said, flashing those brown eyes at me again like he knew what effect they were having on my body. I had to clench my thighs together and remind myself that I was leaving as soon as possible.

  “And your aim, well it was incredible.” I continued. “Bam, right in the face. That was fun, and it was nice of you. But I had it handled.”

  “I believe you,” he said, “But it was completely unacceptable behavior and you have to let me make it up to you.”

  I held up a hand. “I’m just a delivery girl. One cup of coffee, then I’ve got other things to do.”

  He handed me the mug. Without asking he had put cream and sugar in it, which was lucky for him because it was exactly how I liked it. I took a sip. I was expecting old, stale doctor’s office coffee, but it was delicious. Who was this guy? I mean, he’s a biker with the body of a Greek god and he also has great taste in coffee? What were the odds?

  And seriously, this close up, he was breathtaking. Nobody should be this hot. My eyes skimmed from his intense brown eyes, which still appeared to be glowing, and were still making me weak in the knees, to his chiseled jawline and firm chest. He was probably amazing naked.

  Despite my attempt to stop them, my eyes kept skimming downward to what was no doubt chiseled abs. I risked a quick glance at his package, which I could see was special delivery even through his jeans. The guy was huge in every sense of the word.

  Feeling my face flush, I looked back up into those brown eyes and saw a smirk. I had been busted sneaking a peek. I didn’t feel bad, though, I knew he had been checking me out as well, and it didn’t matter anyway. I was out of here. Just as soon as I finished this delicious cup of coffee.

  “Please, sit,” he said, motioning toward a comfy looking black leather couch. I smiled at him and sat. He sat across from me in a lazy boy. “I was serious about making it up to you. Let me take you to lunch. I know a great place.”

  My stomach rumbled at the thought of food. But for once, I didn’t need the kindness of sexy strangers, I had money in my pocket for the first time in days. Everything about this place screamed danger. After all, I had just delivered sketchy merchandise to these guys, and the faster I got away, the less chance of me getting caught. And yet I hesitated.

  There was no question this guy was my type. Strong, handsome, dangerous. And the same type of guy had let me down every time in the past. No thanks.

  “Thank you for the offer, but the coffee is all the thanks I need. It’s delicious.”

  There was something in his eyes, though, that I might be able to trust. Or it could be that I’m just a sucker for a hot guy in a motorcycle jacket.

  “I promise, I have excellent taste in food,” he said. “I know a great little steak place, near the cliffs. My treat,” he put his hand on his heart dramatically. “Then you can go on your way without me feeling bad about the whole thing.”

  Oh, he’s good. And a steak lunch sounded wonderful. Truthfully it was the best offer I’d had in a long time. “Over by the cliffs, you say?” I asked. After all, my actual goal was to get the hell away from here, this motorcycle shop, where I made the delivery.

  This way I’d be killing two birds with one stone, as they say. He seemed to notice that I was wavering.

  “Just a quick bite, I promise. And when we get back your truck will be ready to go, and you can be on your way.”

  He grabbed a nearby helmet and held it up proudly. “I’ve got a helmet for you and everything.”

  How could I say no?

  Chapter Five

  Logan

  The two of us went outside and crossed the parking lot to my bike. Bree put on the helmet.

  Bree climbed on the back of my bike like a pro, ignoring my hand for support. She leaned into me, her thighs around me, pressing against my hips.

  “Okay back there?” I asked.

  “It’s not my first time.” She pressed her chest against my back as she wrapped her arms around my waist. My cock ached at the feel of her breasts against my back and I wished I wasn’t wearing this thick jacked. I wanted to feel her skin against mine. It took all my willpower to grit my teeth and ignore the throbbing desire that made my vision blur.

  I gripped the handlebars and started the engine. I needed the hum of the motor. The air against my face. The speed of the open road. Anything to get her body off of my mind.

  It was going to be a long ride for me. Her scent was intoxicating. Everything in me wanted to rip her clothes off right there and take her, but I calmed my inner dragon. At least for now.

  The timing could have been better. Right now, the wolves were breathing down our throats. Finally, we were armed and ready to go and I was leaving for a ride and a leisurely lunch.

  Even worse, I had to spare a couple more guys to fix the truck. It was the least I could do, though. We’d be in bigger trouble without the weapons.

  This little trip was irresponsible of me, no mistake. My guys had looked at me like I was insane. It wasn’t like me. Having been busy building the motorcycle repair shop from the ground up and keeping this territory just outside the city safe had taken up all of my time.

  I wasn’t the dating kind, despite a multitude of offers. But this was my mate. Only she didn’t know it. Life had just gotten a lot more complicated.

  The road around the cliffs was a fun ride and every turn brought our bodies closer together in rhythm.

  She tightened her grip around my waist, pressing up against me even more, causing my cock to twitch. The only way I could think of to distract the desire inside of me was to speed up.

  We wound around for several more miles until we got to our destination. A little hole in the wall called Cliff’s Steakhouse. I had known Cliff for years.

  We went inside, and I knew after a whispered word with him, he’d get us a great table. A couple of minutes later, Bree and I were seated outside at the best seat in the restaurant. It was a private table on the terrace with a breathtaking view overlooking the falls. It was perfect.

  Chapter Six

  Bree

  I had to admit that my lunch date with Logan was off to an impressive start. First of all, he was so muscular I could barely wrap my arms around him on the motorcycle. That was impressive. Also, he was literally hot to the touch, although I wasn’t sure if that part was my imagination running wild.

  I got a great view of his ass as we got off the motorcycle. The man was smoking hot, and every minute I spent with him was weakening my resolve to turn over a new leaf.

  The restaurant was adorable. It was an old-style adobe brick building set back against the cliffs.

  I followed him inside and before long the two of us were seated outside on a perfect day with a little breeze and a gorgeous view of the falls. It was like he planned it this way.

&nb
sp; I had to admit, the change of scenery was helping get my mind off of what happened earlier. And he was right, the steak was delicious. Everything was perfect.

  I wasn’t sure if I was more impressed or suspicious. “Why did you bring me here?” I asked him. “Tell me the truth.”

  His expression turned earnest for a moment, then the smile came back. “You got me. I’ll admit, at first it was an apology lunch for what happened earlier. But then, I just wanted to spend time with you.”

  He saw the suspicious look on my face and then held his hands up in a mock surrender. “Even though I know you had it handled, you shouldn’t have been treated that way.”

  I put the fork down and searched those gorgeous brown eyes. Then I shook my head. “I still can’t believe you hit that guy square in the face. With a pink coffee cup!”

  We both broke into laughter that lasted several minutes. When I finally caught my breath, I smiled. “Seriously, that was a one in a million shot. And I’m not sure I ever thanked you.”

  “Well, as you can see, I’m on my best behavior after seeing the way you handled yourself with that knife.” He leaned across the table. “So that’s me. What’s your story?”

  “Oh no,” I said. “I’m not going there.”

  Now that everything had calmed down and I thought about it, he was at least thirty feet away from that guy when he threw the mug. It really was a one-in-a-million shot. And in the glint of the sunlight afterward, I was sure that his eyes had flashed a lighter color, like they were glowing. Even in the sunlight. But in the heat of the moment, I couldn’t be sure. I had to wonder, who was this guy?

  The one thing I knew for sure was the effect he had on my body. Every time he flashed that smile or curled a bicep, my thighs ached with desire. I had to get out of here before I lost control.

  My goal to just drop the delivery and make a clean getaway was already shot. And now I needed him to be my ride back into town before I decided to jump on him against my better judgement. I threw down my napkin.

  “I had a wonderful lunch, Logan. Apology accepted. But I have to be getting back now.” I tried to avoid those luminous eyes and luscious lips of his and hope he didn’t press the issue.

  My worries were misplaced. He immediately flagged down the waiter and paid the check. The next thing I knew, we were outside, and he was handing me the motorcycle helmet. Once again, I slid onto the bike behind him.

  The minute my body pressed against his, all kinds of scenarios ran through my head of the two of us naked and entwined. I nearly moaned at the unbidden daydream. What was happening to me? I was like a schoolgirl with a crush when it came to this guy. Luckily, that’s when he started the bike and we were on our way back.

  Chapter Seven

  Logan

  Bree climbed onto my bike and squirmed into place behind me. Her body pressed up against me feels so damn good I can barely contain my dragon. I’m lucky she’s behind me and can’t see the rising tent in my jeans.

  I can’t believe I’ve finally found my mate and I’m letting her go. But she asked me to, and I’d do anything for her. She just needs time.

  I steadied my breathing and quieted down my inner dragon so I could concentrate on the journey back.

  As I pulled out of the steakhouse onto the main road, I thought I recognized another bike in Cliff’s parking lot. A bike from a rival gang, the wolves. What the hell were they doing all the way out here in the middle of the week?

  Instantly, all of my senses were on high alert. I tried to explain away the concern in my head. Maybe it was just one guy and he was there for a decent steak. Just like I was. Still, it wasn’t a good sign.

  We drove the same winding, curvy roads on our way back toward the city. This time, the canyon walls were to our left and the steep cliff drop-offs were on our right. Normally, these roads didn’t bother me at all, but I was still on edge after seeing a wolf cycle and then there was the fact that my mate was right behind me.

  Out of nowhere, my inner dragon roared. It sensed something I didn’t see. Not yet, anyway. I scanned the road ahead as I slowed the bike, but it was too late. I had ridden right into a wolf trap. Fuck.

  In front of me, four motorcycles were blocking both lanes. The riders were armed and standing there like they owned the place. Like it wasn’t illegal to sit in the middle of the highway fully armed. That was brazen even for them.

  I could feel Bree squirm behind me. My dragon roared again, this time with rage at my mate being threatened. I felt my body get hot. Too hot. She was going to be able to feel that something was wrong. I tried to fight it.

  Of all the days to meet my mate. And she was human. If I went full Dragon now and took on a bunch of wolf shifters, she was probably going to freak out. Or even worse, get hurt.

  I couldn’t let that happen. Plus, I was outnumbered. Too many things could go wrong. I’d have to think of another plan. “It’s okay, Bree. I’ve got this.”

  The best course of action was probably to turn around and go back to Cliff’s. I could call in some protection once I got there.

  I turned the bike around. I’d take care of the wolf scum soon enough, just not while it’s four to one and my mate’s in danger. As I turned away from the wolves, my dragon growled an unspoken threat at the wolf pack staring me down.

  Right now I was doing my best to swallow down my rage, but rage was going to come to these wolves all the same. It took all of my self-control not to shift and take them all apart with my claws.

  When I turned the bike around, I saw another five motorcycles behind us. I should have known. Nothing but a bunch of mangy cowards. Now what was I going to do?

  Chapter Eight

  Bree

  I should have known things were going way too well. I had ignored my better instincts and gone to lunch with a handsome stranger when I should have just gotten the hell out of there, flat tire or no.

  “It’s okay, Bree. I’ve got this.” He said it, but I didn’t believe a word of it. I could literally feel the tension coming off of his body in waves.

  It’s not that I didn’t feel safe with Logan. Oddly, even in the threatening situation right now, I somehow knew he was going to protect me. Or at least that he was going to try.

  Protect me from what was the question. What the hell was going on here? Did Logan know these guys or was this a random biker robbery checkpoint? Or was it something else?

  “Friends of yours?” I asked sarcastically over the motorcycle rumble. I fumbled around in my pocket for the knife, but it wasn’t going to do me much good in a biker gang shootout.

  “Not friends,” he said as he continued to ride in slow circles keeping an eye on the threatening bikers. Despite being hopelessly outnumbered, I couldn’t figure out if Loan was acting more like predator or prey.

  It didn’t really matter. This felt like a no-win situation or at least one where neither of us survived.

  We were hemmed in by canyon on one side and an impossible cliff face on the other. And in front and behind us were what looked like armed motorcycle gang members ready to kill us.

  The tension in the air was so thick I was practically breathing it in. The sound of the motorcycles was deafening, and my heart hammered in my chest. I held onto Logan.

  That’s when gunfire erupted behind us. I threw my arms tighter around Logan. And I nearly got singed. It wasn’t my imagination or my libido, he was hot to the touch. I swerved my head to the side to get a look at his face, to see if he was ok. When our eyes met, I gasped.

  His eyes, they were glowing. There was no mistaking it or explaining it away this time. Between his glowing, feral eyes and the extreme body heat, I was starting to wonder if he was even human. A million questions went through my mind but now wasn’t the time. None of those questions mattered if we didn’t survive whatever this was.

  For his part, Logan seemed completely in the moment, like he was concentrating on some impossible plan to get us out of this mess.

  The first round of gunsho
ts had been into the air, probably to scare off a passing motorist or two. But now the gang members were mobilizing.

  Whatever it was that we were going to do, we didn’t have long. I wondered what Logan was thinking. I wondered if this was it. I never expected to go down like this.

  “Logan, what are we going to do?” I asked. How the hell had things gone this wrong since our perfect lunch?

  In response, Logan growled a low, vicious growl that I heard and felt down to my core. I knew immediately it wasn’t aimed at me. Because Logan had protected me before, and because that sound made me horny as hell. I nearly came at the sound of it. I knew it instantly as a challenge to his enemies.

  I glanced over in the direction that Logan was looking and saw the enemy biker gang take several steps back. It was like they had heard the growl somehow over the sound of the motorcycle engines. Which wasn’t possible. Or was it?

  It was like they were preparing for something to happen. Like they were scared of Logan even though he was outnumbered almost ten to one. What the hell was going on here?

  Logan brought the bike to a stop in between the two groups of attackers. The front of the bike was aimed at the cliff side of the road. Was he really going to ride over the cliff, Thelma and Louise style?

  I steadied myself onto the bike. No matter what happened, I wasn’t going to take my chances with those other guys. My mind raced, trying to think of another way out but I couldn’t see any.

  “Do you trust me?” Logan asked.

  The question surprised me. His voice didn’t sound terrified, which was how I felt right now. Or resigned. His voice was calm and confident. Excited even.

  Now I was really confused. Why should I have to trust him if he was just going to ride over the edge? Maybe he was insane. Why did I have such bad instincts when it came to men? And why did I find myself trusting him? Every piece of me should be running for the hills, but I found myself tightening my grip around him. In my defense, I didn’t really have a choice.