He glances down at me, and shakes his dark curls. “I knew you didn’t really want me to stay away from you,” he says.
“The jury’s still out on that one,” I insist. But we both know it’s a lie.
“Whatever you say, Red,” he laughs, drawing a flask out from within his cut. He unscrews the cap and takes a long swig before offering it to me. I happily accept, eager to let my lips brush against the place where his just were. A mouthful of fire courses down my throat, warming me all over. Or maybe it’s just the closeness of Brooks that has me heating up.
“Come on, Red,” Brooks says, urging me further away from the group, “I want to show you something.”
I bite my lip, glancing back at the assembled party. Kassie and Kelly are wrapped up with their old men, laughing and having a good time. Clearly, they’re not too worried about little old me. I’m on my own with this sexy stranger of a man. I adjust the straps of my bag and take a calming breath.
“Sure,” I say, gathering up my courage, “let’s go.”
We turn our backs on the blazing fire and set off across the Dante’s Nine compound together. I pause to kick off my stilettos as we veer off into the wide-open land. I can’t believe that last week, my idea of a good time was a Netflix marathon and a bag of kettle corn. Who am I, all of a sudden? Wandering off from biker bars with strange, gorgeous men, shooting whiskey, taking crazy risks?
“Can I ask you something, Brooks?” I say, breaking the silence that’s been hanging like smoke in the air between us.
“Shoot, Red,” he says, as we climb up a low, rocky rise.
“Why didn’t you just let me fend for myself tonight?” I ask, glancing at his sculpted profile. “What’s it to you if I’m safe or not?”
“It’s pretty simple,” he shrugs, “I didn’t want anyone else getting to you first.”
“I don’t think it is that simple,” I challenge him. “I think you wanted to protect me as much as you wanted to call dibs on me.”
“You need some kind of romantic explanation? Fine,” he laughs, “Think whatever you want to think. As long as I still get to call you mine around here.”
“You’re not as hard to read as you think,” I grin, teasing him gently.
“You don’t know the first thing about me,” he growls, “If you did, you wouldn’t have followed me out here.”
The steely edge to his voice takes me by surprise. For the first time, a real jolt of fear runs through my heart. What if I’ve totally misjudged this man? What if I’ve really put myself in danger, trusting him tonight? But something about the pained expression that crosses his face tells me he’s no heartless bastard. Flawed, perhaps, but not heartless.
We walk along in silence once more, the sounds of the party fading behind us. My heart slams against my rib cage as if trying to escape. I don’t blame it. My fingers tremble as I clutch my purse tightly against my side. I’ve never been more relieved to be armed in my entire FBI career. If the slightest thing goes wrong, I’ll have to act without hesitation.
“Where are we going, Brooks?” I whisper.
“You’ll see,” he replies, his shoulders squared away from me.
Just as I’m about to make a break for it, turn and run back to the party, the ground levels out before us. Brooks stops dead in his tracks, and I crash right into his rock solid body. I look around wildly, but there’s nothing around us except low hills and dusty terrain.
“What...uh...” I stammer. “Why did we stop?”
“You’re such a city chick,” he laughs, stepping up behind me. His manner softens just slightly as he eases up against my body. Brooks places a hand dangerously low on my hip, and raises my chin with the other.
“Look up,” he whispers roughly.
My blue eyes go wide as I lift them to the heavens. Above us hang a million blazing pinpricks of light. The stars careen overhead in a sprawling, incomprehensible array. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life. I let my bag fall heavily from my shoulder, and it lands with a thump in the dust beside me.
“Bet you don’t have skies like this in New York,” Brooks grins.
“No...” I breathe, impressed that he remembered the hometown of my alias.
“What did I tell you,” he goes on, his voice riding low in his chest, “I can show you all kinds of things, Red.”
I let my head fall back against his firm chest as he brushes my hair to the side. He trails his fingertips along the bare curve of my neck, across my collarbone, down toward my breasts—
“Brooks,” I say breathlessly, spinning around to face him.
“Just let go,” he urges, grabbing me at the waist. His fingers nearly circle my slender torso as I rest my hands on the hard panes of his chest. “You want me. I want you. We’re out here, all alone...”
“I know,” I say, shaking my head. “I just—”
“What?” he rasps, his green eyes gleaming in the moonlight. “What’s stopping you?”
I slip my quaking hands beneath his cut, my palms skimming along every defined muscle. My fingers close around his metal flask, cool against my skin. I unscrew the top and knock back a long swallow of courage. The fiery gulp sets the landscape around me spinning. In the entire world, Brooks is the only solid thing. The only thing that matters.
“I just really needed that,” I laugh nervously.
“You missed a drop there,” Brooks growls, his eyes dropping to my mouth, “let me get it for you...”
In one swift motion, Brooks catches my lips in his. The kiss sets every cell of my body spinning out of control. I dissolve into him, my body softening in his strong, sure arms. I catch his powerful, scruffy jaw in my quaking hands as our mouths open together. His tongue glides against my own, and the taste of him—whiskey, smoke, richness and warmth—bewitches me completely. I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders as he slides his hands over the rise of my ass.
He tugs me against him, and a moan builds in my throat. I can feel his cock, rock hard against me. My hips grind against him as my sex throbs with want. I can feel myself growing wetter by the second. Brooks’ tongue fills my mouth as his kisses become more urgent. I can only imagine what it’s like to be filled by him everywhere.
Maybe I’m about to find out.
“Goddammit Red,” he says, kissing along the tender skin of my throat, “I can taste how badly you want me. I can practically smell it.”
“I’m gonna need another shot if you keep talking like that,” I laugh, plucking up his flask once again.
I slip out from under his arms, giggling like a teenager. His crooked smile widens as I dash across the dusty ground, egging him on. He sets off after me, a patient cat toying with his mouse before pouncing. I bring the flask thirstily to my lips. The stars are already blurring above me, but I’m too overwhelmed by the moment to care. I can feel myself letting go, loosening the iron grip of composure and anxiety that’s kept me unhappy all these years.
“Slow down, babe,” Brooks calls, “or I’m gonna have to carry you back.”
“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?” I grin, spinning around to face him. “You’d just love to throw me over your shoulder and carry me back to your cave.”
“Of course I would,” he says. “Do you have any idea what you do to me? Just look at you. I’d be fucking crazy not to make you mine.”
“Is that what you’re going to do?” I ask, struggling to focus on Brooks as the world around me spins madly on. He catches up to where I stand, steadying me. “Are you going to make me yours, Brooks?”
“Don’t you get it, Red?” he says, running his hands through my hair. “I already have.”
He lowers his lips to mine once more, running his hands down my sides. Any pretense of restraint I had goes flying away into the brilliant night sky. Screw decorum. Screw modesty. Screw the rules. Sure, I just met the guy yesterday. And sure, he doesn’t even know my real name. I’ll have to sort this all out at some point. But that can wait for tomorrow. Right now, all I
care about is the gorgeous, incomparable man in front of me.
“I don’t usually do things like this...” I murmur, giving my full weight to Brooks’ strong, cut arms.
“I can tell,” he grins. “I bet you’ve never met a guy like me, have you?”
“Hell no,” I laugh, letting my head fall tipsily against his shoulder.
“If it makes you feel any better, Red,” he says, brushing the hair out of my face, “I’ve never met a girl like you, either.”
“Don’t usually go for redheads?” I grin.
“Oh, I go for redheads every chance I get,” he laughs, running those perfect hands all over my body, “But a smart, feisty, ballsy redhead who always looks like she’s keeping a secret? Not so much.”
“I’m not keeping a secret,” I insist, trying to keep the alarm from my voice. How could he have guessed a thing like that?
“Everyone’s got a secret,” he says, cocking an eyebrow, “And the people who deny that have the biggest secrets of all. I should know.”
“I...That’s not...” I stammer, fighting for coherence and losing to the whiskey pulsing through my veins.
“Looks like you’re going to need a ride after all,” Brooks grins, his green eyes sparkling with mischief. Suddenly the sky flips upside down, and I feel my feet fly away from the ground.
“Brooks, what the hell?!” I exclaim, as the brawny biker slings me over his shoulder.
“I warned you,” he grins, giving my ass a playful slap.
“You’re out of your damn mind,” I cry, pounding my fists against his back. But even I know that I’m only playing at being irked. How is every single thing this man does so incredibly sexy to me? Even this?
“Crazy as shit,” he replies, marching back toward the clubhouse, “and don’t pretend for a second that you don’t love it.”
“Wait,” I say, remembering something through my drunken, sexed-up haze, “Brooks, I need my purse.”
“Jesus,” he groans, pivoting to snatch up my satchel, “accessories on the brain, at a time like this? I’m just gonna have to pull out all the stops with you.”
“You mean you haven’t already?” I ask, grabbing the bag from Brooks as he bears me back to the bonfire.
“You have no idea what you’re in for with me,” he growls, “but you’ll find out soon enough. Brace yourself, babe.”
I don’t even bother trying to come up with a response to that. I give in to the insane, delicious moment, and swear to let the night take me where it will. And as we approach the rollicking chaos of the party once again, I admit—I’m coming around to this undercover thing. In a big way.
Chapter Eight
Warm sunlight plays across my cheek as my fuzzy brain drifts lazily back to consciousness. I keep my eyes closed tightly, granting myself a few more moments of sleep. No need to rush, especially when my brain seems to have been soaked in a barrel of whiskey.
I press into the huge, sculpted body beside me in bed, savoring the feel of bare skin against me. Two thick arms are wrapped around my slender body, and a scruff cheek presses against my own. Vaguely, I notice a firm hand cupping my breast. It’s a protective, not an aggressive gesture. But when I let my eyes flutter open to investigate, a strangled yelp escapes my throat.
“What the—where—?!” I cry out, sitting bolt upright in bed. Not my bed, thank you very much. A bed I’ve never seen before. In a room I’ve never seen before. I whip around to examine my unexpected bedmate.
Now him I’ve seen before.
“Morning, Red,” Brooks smiles sleepily, eyes barely open in the early sunlight. “Slept well, I take it?”
I leap out of bed, staring at the shirtless god before me. I have no recollection of falling asleep beside him last night. I run my hands all over my body, and find that I seem to be fully clothed. Well, as fully clothed as I ever was last night.
“Brooks,” I say, forcing myself to be calm, “where the hell are we?”
“We’re at the clubhouse,” he shrugs, rolling onto his back, “enjoying a good night’s sleep. Or we were. Come back to bed, babe. It’s cool that we’re using this room.”
“Cool is not the word I’d use,” I hiss back, shoving my fingers through my hair. “I totally blacked out last night.”
“Yeah you did,” he laughs, shaking his head, “You party hard. I appreciate that in a woman. Relax, would you? We had a great time.”
“How great of a time?” I demand, terrified of his answer.
“What do you mean, how...?” he trails off, spotting the anxious look on my face. “Are you asking...if we fucked?”
“To cut to the chase, yes,” I reply.
Brooks stares at me, his brows furrowed with indignation. “Do you honestly think I would fuck a girl after she blacked out?” he demands. “What kind of a sick fuck do you think I am, Red?”
His anger makes me take a step back. “I...I don’t know...” I say. “Things were getting pretty hot between us—”
“Yeah, they were,” he says, throwing off the covers and rising to his feet, “And then you had a few too many drinks, and I decided to look after you for the rest of the night. I mean, I could have left you out in the bar to get carted off by any old boozed up brother. Would you have preferred that?”
“Of course not,” I mutter, feeling embarrassment rising in my cheeks, “I shouldn’t have assumed that—”
“Damn right you shouldn’t have assumed,” Brooks spits, stepping up to me. His tapered, finely tuned torso is close enough to touch, but I don’t dare. He’s furious that I thought the worst of him, it’s odd to see him so offended. For the first time since meeting Brooks, I’m actually scared of what he might do.
“I’m sorry,” I breathe, looking up at those fierce green eyes, “I hardly know you, Brooks. I was taken off guard by waking up here. There are a lot of assholes in the world who wouldn’t have stopped last night just because—”
“I’m a lot of things, Keira,” he growls, towering over me. “I’m a loner. I’m an outlaw. Some would even call me a criminal. But I am not one of those assholes.”
I stare up at him, moved by his vehemence. “I believe you,” I whisper.
“You’d better,” he says, squaring his shoulders. “I live by a code, Keira. We all do, around here. I said I’d protect you from the rest of the guys, and I will. You’re my girl now. You’re safe with me.”
“I know,” I breathe, resting my hands on the inked panes of his chest.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to have you every which way just as soon as I can,” he goes on, grabbing me by the hips. Even in the light of day, he can turn me on in a heartbeat. All I want is to let my hands skirt down across his cut abs, down to that perfect length I’ve dreamt about...
But duty calls.
“I know this is kind of lame, but...I have to go to work, Brooks,” I laugh lightly, “And so do you.”
“Work can wait,” he says, lowering his lips to the crook of my neck. “I’ll give you a lift back to the penthouse. Just as soon as I’ve fucked you dirty...”
A groan of want builds in my throat. I’ve never wanted anyone like this before. Never craved someone’s touch like it was a drug. But just like a drug, I know Brooks’ touch will get me hooked, and fast. I have to keep this physical. Fleeting. The case depends on it. I force myself to think of the case, of my job, as I slip out of Brooks’ embrace.
“Soon,” I breathe, pulling my hair into a messy bun. I try and ignore the throbbing between my legs, but it’s no use. I’ll be jonesing for Brooks all day.
“Fine,” he says, gritting his teeth. I can see his manhood pressing through his jeans, stiff and ready. For me. “But soon can’t come soon enough.”
“You’re telling me,” I mutter.
By some herculean effort, I manage to tear my eyes away from his carved face, his amazingly balanced body, the scrawls of ink and dark brown curls. I gather my things, relieved that I at least remembered my purse—and gun—through last n
ight’s shenanigans. For good measure, I snatch up a tee shirt of Brooks’ as well. My sexy party outfit won’t quite cut it in the light of day.
I don’t even dare to steal one last kiss from Brooks before squaring my shoulders and preparing myself for the most epic walk of shame in the history of the world.
Chapter Nine
As I step out of the taxi and hurry into the FBI field office, I hold my head up high and ignore the stares of my new coworkers. There was no time to stop off home before coming in to work, so the entire office gets to see my take on morning-after chic. My black skinny jeans, sky high stilettos, and smudged makeup leave very little to the imagination, as far as what I got up to last night. Thank god I’ve at least got Brooks’ tee shirt draped over my crop top. I try to ignore how even the lingering smell of him gets me worked up. The last thing I need is to spend the morning fantasizing about my bad-boy-almost-lover.
Yeah right, I think to myself, as if I have a choice about that...
“Good morning boys,” I say brightly, stepping into the conference room where Mitchell and Bruno are waiting.
The men glance up and gape unabashedly. Bruno bursts out into unkind, uproarious laughter while Mitchell simply cocks his head, taking me in.
“Rough night, Collins?” my boss asks.
“Productive night,” I reply with a confident smile.
“With that getup, I bet it was more reproductive than anything else, am I right?” Bruno cackles meanly.
“Clever,” I drawl, rolling my eyes, “And wrong. But thanks for playing, Bruno. I spent the night partying at the Forty-Five Club, with the entirety of Dante’s Nine and the Las Vegas Devil’s Wraiths.”
Bruno’s laughter cuts off with a strangled, indignant sound as Mitchell’s face lights up with a pleased grin.
“Seriously, Collins?” Mitchell asks, “You got access to the Dante’s Nine clubhouse?”
“Sure did,” I say, crossing my arms. “The clubs were having a welcome bash for the newest member of the MC. All seventeen brothers were in attendance, plus the old ladies I’ve been working with. And a few sweet butts, to boot. They brought me along after we finished up with the website for the day.”
Impulsively (Dante's Nine MC) Page 8
