“I’ll bet.”
“For the record, the two of you look cute together,” she continues. “I love him, but if he hurts you, I’m gonna cut off his dick and choke him with it.”
My eyes widen at her description. “No need, Anna. I’m going into this knowing that I’m probably going to get hurt in the end. You don’t need to ruin your friendships over it.”
She makes a noise of frustration.
“Besides, if you cut if off, two heads will probably grow back.”
She laughs, holding her stomach. “You’re probably right. Has Allie been giving you any shit?”
“Not really. A few comments here and there. She’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Hmmm. Don’t underestimate her, Lana. Not everyone is as nice as you.”
“Noted,” I tell my best friend. “Can you tell me something though? What’s the deal with her and Tracker? I can’t pretend it doesn’t bother me; I mean, they were together for ages.” I didn’t want to bring it up, but I need to know.
“ ‘Together’ is a stretch,” Anna says. “They hooked up a lot, but they never went on dates or out anywhere really. I don’t know what Tracker wanted from her, but she took it pretty seriously. Anyway, they haven’t hooked up in months, if not longer. Not since he started getting hooked on you.” She smiles knowingly at me. I change the subject, satisfied with her answer.
“So how long until your house is ready?”
Anna and Arrow were building their own house to live in.
“Six months to go,” she says, smiling. “It’s gorgeous. There’s plenty of room for you if you ever want to stay with me.”
“I’m sure Arrow will love that.”
“He’s a little stingy with me, isn’t he?” She sighs, glancing up at me. “But too bad, because you’re always welcome wherever I am. I know it’s selfish of me, but I really do hope you and Tracker work out. Then you’re going to be stuck with me and the MC forever.”
I grin. “You’re stuck with me anyway, whether I’m with him or not.”
“I know,” she says quickly. “But you wouldn’t be going to the Saturday night party, for example.”
“That’s true.”
“Everyone here loves you, you know that?” she adds. “Everyone has a soft spot for you. I know you aren’t exactly a crazy, wild biker bitch, but you still fit in here. . . . Do you know what I mean? You don’t have to change to be with Tracker, or fit in with the MC, because everyone loves you how you are. You’re gentle and sweet, yet with the backbone of a warrior princess.”
I smile widely at her description of me. “I think you’re a little biased.”
“Probably,” she replies, eyes sparkling. “But Tracker obviously sees it too. And Rake adores you.”
“I think you’re getting a little ahead of yourself,” I say, wincing. “Tracker will get bored and move on eventually.”
“I think you’re wrong,” Anna states simply. “I know Tracker, and when he looks at you there’s something there I recognize, because Arrow looks at me the same way. He can’t hide it.”
“Weren’t you just saying you didn’t want to see me get hurt?”
She shrugs her slender shoulder. “He’s a man.”
And men always fuck up. Wasn’t that the cold, hard truth?
I scrub my hand down my face. “I tried to stay away from him. I tried.”
I could have tried harder though—but deep down inside I didn’t want to.
I’m so out of my element.
“Just see how it goes,” Anna says gently. “Find out what you both want. Make sure you’re happy. You deserve it. And we all know you’ve had a thing for Tracker since you first laid eyes on him.”
Like I need that reminder.
I hear a rumble of motorcycles.
“Looks like our men are back,” she says, standing up.
I do the same.
I haven’t seen Tracker since we spent the whole day together the day before. We’d had lunch, gone for an hour ride, then changed into bathing suits and swam at the beach. After that we’d dried in the sun, lying in the sand, before riding back home.
Anna and I walk out front to where the men are parking their bikes. When I see Allie sliding off the back of Tracker’s bike, my chest tightens. I look to Anna, whose lips are pursed. Yeah, she notices it too. I don’t get him. He had made me think it was a really big deal to ride on the back of someone’s bike. Why would he let her ride with him? He’s been trying to prove to me over and over that she’s nothing to him, that their relationship is in the past, and he’s never going back to her. But when I see them like this, what else am I meant to think? I feel betrayed. Stupid, even.
And yes—I’m jealous.
When I first met Tracker I had to watch them together. He wasn’t mine then, and I never thought he would be, but I still liked him, so it hurt, although I kept my feelings to myself because I’d never go after a man who was taken.
Tracker, glancing up and seeing me, smiles widely. Rushing to me, he sees my face and slows his pace. “What’s wrong?”
He couldn’t be that stupid, could he?
“Nothing,” I say. “I’m just leaving.”
He looks back to Allie, then winces. “We went out. She needed a ride. It doesn’t mean anything, Lana.”
Any of the other men could have given her a ride.
Any.
But no, he had to.
I turn to Anna and kiss her cheek. “I’ll see you.”
“You want me to come home with you?” she asks, brow furrowing.
“No go spend time with your man,” I reply, forcing a smile. Ignoring Allie’s smug look, I walk to my car, Tracker following behind me.
“Lana,” he says patiently. “You’re overreacting.”
Unlocking my door, I open it, then look at him. “So if I ride with any of the other men that’s okay with you?”
His nostrils flair. “Fuck no. And they’d know better than to let you.”
“Exactly,” I snap. “She’s your ex, you were with her for years and she’s still acting like she’s yours. I didn’t want to get involved with you, Tracker, not because I didn’t want you but because I want you so much. So don’t fuck with my feelings. Either you want me and only me, or you don’t. I think you need to decide—because it kind of looks like you liked the chase, but now that you have me, you aren’t sure what to do with me.”
“I have you?” he repeats, scowling. “We haven’t even slept together.”
Wow, okay.
“So no sex means what? We aren’t anything? Okay, good to know.”
“That isn’t what I meant,” he says, sounding frustrated, reaching his arm out.
“It sounds like it’s exactly what you meant,” I snap. “I knew something like this would happen, but even I didn’t think it would be this soon.”
“Lana—”
“What, Tracker? Tired of the chase already? Well, let me make it easy for you. I’m done playing this game.”
I get in my car and lock the doors just before he tries to open them. I start my engine and watch as he steps back.
I drive off, and he lets me.
* * *
When I get home, I lose myself in my book. I write about a man who can be amazing one second, a complete jerk the next. I write about perfect kisses, swimming in the ocean, and slutty ex-girlfriends. I write about the complications of romance.
And of unsure endings.
TEN
THE problem with working for Faye is that I can’t avoid Tracker. I shat where I ate, and now I’m going to have to face him. I’m not at all surprised to see him standing there, arms crossed over his bare chest, when I walk into the clubhouse the next morning.
“You’re in trouble,” he rumbles, taking me by the upper arm and pulling me to his room. Closing the door he points to the bed. “Sit.”
I don’t sit.
He sighs and sits down, then pulls me onto his lap. “You can be stubborn, you know that?”
“
Pretty sure you’re meant to be apologizing right now,” I grumble, moving my face away when he tries to kiss my cheek.
“I should be. But so should you,” he says, gripping my chin and moving my face to his. “I won’t let her on my bike again. I fucked up, yes, but you didn’t handle the situation properly. Number one, our shit stays private—don’t be turning your back on me in front of my brothers. You wait until we’re alone, then if you need to, you can give me hell. What you don’t do is give me the cold shoulder in front of my MC.”
I never even thought of it that way. “I was upset, and I just reacted. I wasn’t thinking about how you looked in front of your brothers. In that moment, I didn’t really care. I was hurt, Tracker. It might seem like something small to you, but Allie isn’t someone I want to see you with. You know she was one of the reasons I didn’t want to be with you. History shows that eventually you’ll be back with her.”
“I know,” he whispers. “I know she’s a sore spot for you, Lana, but fuck, when I see her, I feel nothing. She’s just someone I used to know and fuck, all right? You’ve clouded my mind, Lana, I don’t see anyone else. You have no reason to be jealous.”
“Still,” I grumble. “I didn’t like it.”
“I know you didn’t. It won’t happen again, but neither will your tantrum in front of the others. Deal?”
“Fine,” I reply ungraciously, still upset. “What you said about us not having sex . . .”
His eyes soften. “I was pissed and said stupid shit too. I didn’t mean it. You don’t wanna rush into sex? Then I’ll walk around with a fuckin’ hard-on until you decide to let me in you.”
“Really?” I ask dryly. “You sure you aren’t getting action whenever I leave here?”
Another worry. Can Tracker be faithful to me? I didn’t want to sleep with him just because I was worried he would sleep with someone else. That isn’t a valid reason to sleep with someone. Did I want to have sex with him?
Yes.
Did I think that giving him that piece of me would also be giving him everything else?
Hell yes.
This was my last defense against him.
If I give him that, then . . . I’m done for.
Sighing, I lift my mouth to his, initiating a kiss for the first time. He allows me to take control of the kiss, groaning when our tongues meet.
“So sweet,” he moans, lifting me up and pushing me back on the bed, then reclaiming my lips. Threading my fingers through his loose hair, I pull gently on the ends, urging him on. His lips trail down my neck, sucking on a spot, making my toes curl.
“Tracker,” I rasp.
He lifts his head and looks down at me. “We should stop.”
I lick my lips and stare him in the eye. Then I remember that I’m here for a reason. “Fuck,” I almost yell, sitting up. “Faye hasn’t left yet, has she? I’m the worst nanny ever.”
He chuckles, taking my arm and pulling me off the bed. I stand up and practically run to the door, Tracker’s laughter chasing behind me. When I enter the kitchen I see Clover sitting there with Anna.
“I’m so sorry!” I exclaim. Anna looks amused as hell.
She covers Clover’s ears with her hands. “Is he that quick? I was thinking he’d be another hour at least.”
“Anna,” Tracker frowns, coming to stand behind me. “Those are fighting words.”
She smirks. “I better get to work.”
Anna worked part-time at the zoo. She used to work at Knox’s Tavern, a popular local bar, but Arrow kept coming in and starting fights, so Reid Knox fired her. We all give her shit about that.
“Say hi to the tortoise for me,” I say, referring to Anna’s favorite animal.
“Will do,” she says, slapping my ass as she walks past me.
“Hey that’s my a—,” he stops himself, careful not to swear in front of Clover. “Ah, my bottom. Mine.”
She just smiles at him. “You wish.”
“I do,” he grumbles, walking to the fridge. “Want me to cook for you again, Lana?”
“No!” I almost yell, then soften my tone. “I mean, no, thanks. I want to cook for you instead.”
“Okay,” he beams, sitting down next to Clover and asking her what she wanted to do today, making me feel as though I’d just been played.
I fry some bacon with scrambled eggs and sautéed mushrooms. Clover has a little, calling it her second breakfast for the day.
“I can hang out with you guys for a few hours, then I have to go to work,” Tracker says after he helps clean up the kitchen.
“Sounds good, what do you want to do?”
“Ladies’ choice,” he says, looking to Clover. “What do you want to do today, princess?”
“I want to ride a motorcycle,” she announces, looking proud.
I glance at Tracker, amused. “Good luck with that.”
He looks thoughtful. “I think you should ask your dad that, Clover.”
She nods. “Okay. We could go to the movies.”
“What do you want to watch?”
“Something about princesses.”
Tracker sighs unhappily.
I grin, amused.
We get ready to take Clover to see a movie about a princess.
* * *
I look at my reflection in the mirror, turning to each side, taking in my outfit. I’m wearing tight white jeans, a white tank top, layers and layers of silver chains, and red pumps. I don’t know if I’ll fit in with what others will wear, but I don’t care. I feel good, and comfortable with my choice. Spraying a little perfume, I press together my red lips and touch up my hair. Black locks fall down my shoulders and back in waves. I leave on my glasses. Jumping when I hear a knock at the door, I rush to open it. Tracker stands there looking delicious. I lift my hand up to brush his stubbled cheek.
“You look . . . fuck, Lana,” he grits out, checking me out from head to toe. Taking my hand from his cheek, he lowers it to his groin. “Feel how hard I am. That’s how amazing you look. Fuck. I’m gonna have to beat the shit out of one of my brothers tonight, I know it.”
I blush, touching his hardness, then removing my hand. “You look good too, Tracker. Sexiest man I’ve ever seen.”
He groans and takes my mouth in a punishing kiss, his hands gripping my ass cheeks and squeezing. “Love this ass,” he growls as he pulls back. “In fact I’ve yet to find anything I don’t like about you, Lana.”
“There’s still time,” I reply shakily, his kiss leaving me breathless.
“Give me a second to calm down, then we’ll go,” he says, eyes on my chest. “Fuck. You can wear my leather jacket so you’re not cold.”
He takes off his jacket, leaving him in a black T-shirt.
“You smell good.”
“So do you,” he replies, pressing his nose against my neck. “So fuckin’ good.”
As he helps me into his jacket, I’m aware of the tension between us. His fingers brush my neck, and I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin. His touch is electric. I want him, badly. Who am I kidding? In my mind, I’m already his. If he breaks my heart . . . that’s a chance I’m going to have to take.
“Tracker,” I whisper, looking up at him. He’s tall, around six foot two, so I have to lift my chin.
“Yes,” he replies, just as soft.
“Tonight,” I say.
His eyes widen. He knows what I mean. Tonight.
I want him tonight.
I’m ready to give myself to him.
“Are you sure?” he asks, taking my hand and kissing it. “I don’t want you to regret anything. I know you’re different from . . . what I’m used to.”
My lip twitches at that. “I don’t think I’m different at all. But yes, I’m sure. Now let’s get back to the clubhouse. I’m interested to see what happens at these parties.”
He grins. “Fuck the party. I’m gonna throw you over my shoulder and take you straight to my room.”
I laugh.
“Baby, I’m dea
d serious,” he says. “I have no fuckin’ clue why you’re laughing.”
I shake my head and climb up behind him on the bike.
I’m so writing this scene in one of my books.
ELEVEN
THE clubhouse is swarming with unfamiliar, scary-looking men and beautiful, hard women. Tracker stops every few seconds, greeting his friends from other Wind Dragon chapters. There are so many people; I don’t know how he remembers everyone. Rake does a double take when he sees me, his eyes almost popping out of his head. Putting out his cigarette, he walks over and stands directly in front of me.
“This is like that scene from Grease,” he says, smiling widely. “When Sandy walks out and everyone’s all, where the fuck did she hide that body? Shit, Lana, you look smoking.”
“Stop staring at her like that,” Tracker snaps, half serious, half joking.
Rake laughs. “You have it bad, you fucker.” He then looks back to me. “Anna was looking for you.”
Sin walks over to us, his eyes widening when he sees me. “Shit. Looking good, Lana.”
“Thanks,” I say, ducking my head shyly.
“Tracker, need to speak to you,” Sin says, all business in his tone.
“Rake, stay with Lana for a sec,” Tracker says, looking down at me. “Don’t move, Lana.”
I nod and watch as he disappears back outside with Sin.
“You want me to get you a drink?” he asks, scanning the crowd.
“No, thanks,” I tell him. I want to be sober for my first time with Tracker. I have a feeling it’s going to be a night I’m not gonna want to forget.
“We have water and soda too, you know,” he adds in an amused tone. “We don’t just drink straight from the bottles of alcohol.”
I roll my eyes. “Really? Big, bad bikers need chasers with their drinks?”
He laughs, eyes crinkling. “I don’t. But some do.”
“Uh-huh,” I mutter, sharing a smile with him. “Thanks for making me feel so welcome here, even though I’m completely out of my element.”
“You’re good people, Lana,” he says quietly. “In fact, you’re probably way too good for the likes of us, just like Anna is, but if you want to be here, we’ll always have your back. Tracker’s a goner when it comes to you. It’s good though. He deserves someone like you.”
Tracker's End Page 9
