by S. Nelson
For a split second I’d wanted Braylen next to me to translate, but I knew I had to do this on my own. While it had been difficult to fully communicate with him, I appreciated the attempts he’d made so far. Sure, he’d only asked me yes or no questions, but at least he’d tried.
“Well, I guess I’ll get right to it so we can get it out of the way.” His lips kicked up in a sexy grin, and I just about pounced on him. The way his eyes roamed over my entire body, then fixated on my face, studying every feature as if he’d never see me again, both worried and titillated me. I wanted to be studied by him, and I hoped this wouldn’t be the last time we’d be in each other’s presence.
Leaning back against one of the oak trees blocking out the blaring sun, I bent my right leg and rested my foot on its trunk, entwining my hands in front of me while I waited for him to continue.
“What you saw, what you had to witness . . . I’m so sorry that happened. Had I known he would be there, I would’ve made sure you were nowhere in sight. Of course, I couldn’t have known he’d come after me, although I should’ve expected it after what happened, but still,” he rambled on, then stopped himself. “I’m getting off topic. Sorry. That guy came after me because I’d accidentally killed his brother in the ring. I swear it wasn’t intentional, and it’s been bothering me ever since.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “What else?” he asked, more to himself than to me. “I’m part of the Knights Corruption MC, and although we’ve been involved in some illegal shit in the past, we no longer are.”
Something in the way he averted his eyes every now and again told me he omitted certain important details from his explanation, but I couldn’t very well ask him about it since he would have no idea what I was trying to get at. Better left for another time, I supposed.
“I’m an underground fighter, as you well know, and currently I’m undefeated.” A proud smile appeared when he spoke about being unbeatable. “My club brothers mean the world to me and I would do anything to protect them, as they would for me.” He went back to biting his bottom lip, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet while trying to figure out what to tell me next. His slight anxiety in turn made me nervous, so I stepped forward and reached for his hand. When our palms touched and our fingers intertwined, I felt an overwhelming sense of safety. As if Jagger would go to the ends of the earth to protect me from harm, much like he’d explained he’d do for the members of his club.
I smiled at him when he faltered for his next words, trying to gift him my calmness to continue. Normally, I’m a Nervous Nellie around the opposite sex, never mind someone as gorgeous as Jagger, but there was something about him which spoke to me on a level even I didn’t completely understand.
His hold on my hand tightened, pulling me closer until our faces remained just inches apart. “I really like you, Kena. And I would love it if you would give me the chance to get to know you better.” His subtle scent of cologne, mixed with a muskiness that was all him, invaded my nose, the smell so heady I wanted to bottle it up and inhale it whenever I thought of him. “Can you give me that chance?” he asked, his beautiful smile returning in full force.
I just couldn’t say no.
I nodded, displaying my own happiness with my expression.
“Good.” When he leaned in closer I swore I could taste his lips, but we were interrupted before anything happened, Braylen power-walking toward us with intent.
“Are you guys done? Because I can’t take any more of that guy,” she shouted, pointing over her shoulder toward Ryder. Her face scrunched in anger, and I found it funny that she’d allowed someone to rile her up so much. It had to mean something, or maybe I just hoped for something that wasn’t there.
Breaking apart, our intimate moment ruined, I smiled at Jagger before turning toward the feisty blonde I called a sister.
We’re finished now, thank you very much.
Glaring at the guy standing next to me, Braylen passed him some sort of silent warning before turning her attention back to me. “Are you ready to go? I have more important things to do than stand around here all day,” she huffed, tapping her foot in restlessness.
“Actually, I thought I could give Kena a ride home,” Jagger interrupted, stepping closer and reaching for my hand again. Braylen saw the interaction and scoffed, raising her eyes from our entwined hands to stare at me in astonishment.
“Don’t tell me you let him sweet talk you?”
I tried to respond, but Jagger held on to me. It wasn’t until I tugged again that he let go. “Sorry,” he said, “forgot you needed that.” His apologetic smile undid me, and all I wanted to do was wrap myself in his arms. But instead, I had to deal with my overprotective sister.
I didn’t let anyone sweet talk me. He’s nice, and I like him. That’s all there is to it. So let it be.
Standing firm, I placed my hands on my hips and waited for her to give in. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long.
“Whatever,” she mumbled, as she walked away. “It’s your life. You’re the one who’s gonna have to deal with the repercussions.”
Shaking my head, I turned back toward Jagger and grinned. I hadn’t felt like this . . . ever, now that I thought about it. Sure, I’d had crushes on people before, but never had I been so consumed with thoughts of someone. Especially someone I hardly knew.
Heading back to the picnic table, I saw Braylen saunter past Ryder, waving him off when he tried to touch her arm. What the hell happened while we were gone?
“Nice to meet you, sweetheart,” Ryder yelled after her, laughing as he watched her fling open her car door.
“Can’t say the same,” she shouted back before starting the engine and taking off.
Lightly smacking my upper arm, Ryder continued to laugh when he said, “Wow! Your sister is a piece of work. Is she always that intense?”
I wanted to shake my head but that would have been a lie, so I settled between nodding and shaking my head from side to side. Indecisive, but they both understood what I meant.
“I like it,” Ryder said, before clasping Jagger on the back. “Well, if you kids don’t need me anymore, I’m out.” Without another word, he strode across the lot and swung his leg over his motorcycle, the engine coming to life with the turn of a key. It was then I realized the bike next to Ryder was most likely Jagger’s. He said he wanted to give me a ride home, but I’d never ridden on the back of something so dangerous before. They looked so unsafe, no protection from anything.
“Text me your address.” I quickly pulled out my phone and messaged him the information. After he glanced at the screen, he put his phone back inside his vest. “Shall we?” he asked, placing his hand at the base of my spine and guiding me toward his ride. Reaching for his helmet, he passed it to me before swinging his leg over the impressive piece of machinery. Scooting up some, he started it up, the fierce sound of the bike startling me. Glimpsing back, he seemed confused as to why I hadn’t already straddled the seat, but one glance at the reluctance on my face told him everything. “Let me guess. You’ve never ridden before.”
I shook my head.
“Well, you’re in for a treat, then. It’s the best feeling in the world. Well, the second best feeling in the world,” he teased, winking while a slight tinge of pink stole over my cheeks. He did his best to put me at ease, but I truly didn’t think I’d be able to go through with it. Maybe I should text my sister and ask her to come back for me, I thought. “I won’t let anything happen. I promise.” He reached out, the flat of his palm facing upward, waiting for me to accept his invitation.
I trusted him to keep me safe, so I placed my hand in his and allowed him to help me onto the bike, scooting up behind him until my front pressed against his back. Having no idea what to do, I placed my hands on my thighs, waiting for further instruction.
“Wrap your arms around my waist,” he said. When I’d done as he’d instructed, he pulled them snugger. “There, just like that. Hold on tight, and lean into any turns I make.”
My fingers grazed over his abdomen, and even though I was petrified, I quickly took the opportunity to explore the hard planes of his stomach over his shirt. I remembered exactly what his torso looked like, and a warmth spread through me the more my hands snaked around his body. He patted my hands in reassurance. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. Trust me.” As the last word fell from his lips, he took off slowly, allowing me time to adjust before increasing his speed. Once he turned onto the highway, he let loose, thrusting forward with a quickness I knew had to be dangerous.
I held on for dear life, probably ensuring he would never want to have me on the back of his bike ever again. After a few minutes, however, I breathed deep and celebrated the feel of the air whipping around my body, and the freeness of the open road. The leather encasing him was warm to the touch, and I wondered what his bare skin would feel like against mine. Being so close to him toyed with my imagination, but before I could lose myself to any more of my thoughts, he turned left off the highway. We were only a few minutes from my house, and never before had I been so disappointed.
When he finally killed the engine, he unlocked my arms and helped me find my footing. After I stood without wobbling, I removed the helmet and placed it on the seat I’d just vacated. A second passed before Jagger swung his leg over and joined me on solid ground.
“So, did you enjoy your first bike ride?” He seemed hopeful, and I didn’t want to disappoint him, so I nodded. “Are you lying?” he teased, reading me better than I thought possible. While I’d been terrified in the beginning, I relaxed after a few minutes and really did enjoy myself. So when I nodded again, I truly meant it. “Good, I’m glad. It’s the first of many.”
Shrugging, at a loss for what to do next, I pointed toward my house, signaling he had the right place.
“I’ll walk you to your door,” he offered.
Flashing him a genuine smile, I turned my back and started walking the few yards toward the porch. Once we stood on the bottom step, I nervously played with the flap of my cross-body purse, finally delving inside to retrieve my keys. My eyes kept flicking from his face to my hands and back again.
“Do you think I could use your bathroom quick before I head back?” Because I wanted more time with him I readily agreed, nodding before turning around to put the key in the lock. Glancing around the street, I realized Braylen wasn’t home, which worked out just fine in my book.
Opening the door, I moved aside so he could enter. Our ranch home wasn’t anything fancy, but it was nice. Cozy. And apparently Jagger thought so as well.
“I like your house,” he said, glancing from the living room, to the kitchen and then toward the small hallway to the left. “Bathroom?”
I signed, Second door on the left, briefly forgetting he had no idea what I’d just told him. But instead of showing him where it was, I held up my forefinger and middle finger in a V shape, then tapped my other hand against the wood of the front door, then pointed down the hall. I wanted to see if he caught on to what I tried to tell him, although it appeared as if I’d been playing charades more than anything else.
A frown appeared, but a few seconds later he grinned. “Second door down the hall?” I nodded. I did a lot of that with him, but I had no other choice. “On the left or the right?” I pointed to the left. He walked away, and I headed straight for the kitchen. I needed a drink like nobody’s business, and while I could’ve definitely used a glass of wine, I opted for a bottled water instead. I’d just finished half of my drink when Jagger reappeared, striding straight for me, his lips curved up in the most enticing grin. He appeared happy. Even his eyes shone brightly. Was it because of me? Or was he normally a happy-go-lucky kind of guy? I hoped for the first option. Well, and the second, but more the first.
We stared at each other for a short while, neither of us knowing what to do. Until he broke the silence, his voice wrapping around me and threatening to never let go. “Well, I guess I better get going. Have some stuff to take care of.”
Again, more nodding on my part.
Looking like he battled between leaving and wanting to hang out for a little while longer, I couldn’t help but share his silent indecision. Desperately wanting more time with him, my brain fired off warnings that if he didn’t leave soon, I might be tempted to throw caution to the wind and do something I may regret.
Once we neared the front door, he turned around and stepped toward me, his lips so close all I could do was stare at his mouth. Without touching me or saying a single word, he’d somehow managed to drive me insane with want. His warm breath tickled my lips, and when I’d finally dragged my eyes up to his, they bored into mine and tried to communicate a silent message of sorts.
The impending anticipation before the first kiss drove me crazy, although I’d never wanted anything more. After what seemed like forever, the both of us frozen in time for countless seconds, he placed his right hand on my waist, digging his fingers into my skin. Not hard, just the right amount of pressure to tell me he needed to touch me, to connect with me in some way before he left.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked, looking tentative, preparing himself for rejection. But it was a denial which never came. I nodded and leaned in, waiting for him to crush the remaining space. Greedily accepting my invitation, he brushed his lips against mine, the softness of them teasing me in just the right way. At first, I assumed he’d hold back, offering nothing more than a simple peck, but the longer we remained fused together, the clearer it became our first kiss would surely be electrifying.
His right hand traveled up from my waist until it rested at the nape of my neck, gripping me softly and pulling me further toward him. His lips pressed harder. When his tongue slipped from his mouth and teased my lips, I instantly opened for him. Allowing myself to lose some of my inhibitions where he was concerned was the most freeing thing that’d happened to me in a very long time. His warmth enveloped me, and we spent the next few minutes exploring one another’s tastes, enjoying the other while we could. My fingers dug into his shoulders as he devoured me, his desire for me fueling my own to even greater heights. His kiss was dominant yet permissive, firm yet tender. The two wavering contradictions certainly kept me intrigued.
Jagger’s free hand explored my body, yet he remained respectful. Dipping his fingers under the fabric of my shirt, he skated across my skin, eliciting goose bumps. Freeing my neck from his hold, both of his hands glided behind my back, holding tightly and pulling me impossibly close, as if he wished to meld his body with mine—and judging from the hard length poking me in the stomach, it was exactly what he wanted to do. But he never pushed me further than I was willing to go. He didn’t grab my ass or grope my breasts, and while I appreciated him remaining a gentleman, there was a small part of me that wished he’d cross the line and show me just how much he wanted me.
Breaking apart, his short pants of breath hit the side of my face as his lips moved toward my ear. “I can’t stop kissing you,” he whispered, nipping my lobe before kissing the tender flesh just below it. Pulling back so he could see my flushed face, he asked, “Do I affect you the same way?” There was no mistaking the wanton look on my face, but just in case, I gave him a simple nod. “Good, at least it’s not just me who feels like I’m going crazy,” he mumbled, hitting the proverbial nail on the head. I shared in his delirium, yet I’d never been so happy.
Gifting me with one last kiss, he stepped back and adjusted himself, sheepishly grinning when he’d been caught. “Sorry, but I couldn’t help it.” All I could do was rest my head against the door and smile. I wished for time to stand still, to never move from the spot where I stood. But like all good things—spectacular things, even—our connection had to come to an end at some point. “Well, I guess I should go now.” Disappointment snared my vision, but I quickly reeled it in. I knew he liked me, as I did him, immensely, but I also didn’t want to come across as needy. Treading carefully for fear I’d offer him too much of myself, I continued to lounge against the door, doing my best to pla
ster a nonchalant look on my face. I wasn’t sure if I pulled it off, though.
My body felt like jelly, so to ensure I wouldn’t sink to my knees, I took a few extra seconds and gazed at Jagger. Truly looked at him. Studied him, really. I needed to commit every image I could to memory. The way his dark golden hair had flecks of sun-kissed blond spattered all around his head. The way a small dimple appeared in his left cheek when he grinned. The tiny chip in his front tooth that was unnoticeable to most, but because I’d been scrutinizing every facet of him, I’d noticed. Oddly, it added to his ruggedness. I glanced down and peered at his forearms, the ink and corded muscles flexing with every gesture he made. Right then his hands fisted and unclenched, over and over again, and I thought maybe it was a nervous tick.
Finally moving away from the door, I twisted the handle and opened it, waiting to hear if he’d say anything before leaving. Luckily, he didn’t disappoint. “I’ll text you later and we’ll set up a day to do something. Sound good?” He fiddled with his own keys that time, glancing from his hands to my face, back and forth until I cupped his cheek. Smiling, I leaned forward and captured his mouth with my own, getting my fill until the next time we’d see each other. I not only found Jagger quite intriguing, but I liked the person I became when I was around him; I remained shy, but my wall of reserves faltered when in his presence. I couldn’t explain it, nor did I wish to.
As my lips broke away from his, saddened at the loss, I took a tentative step backward. I wanted nothing more than to taste him again, but I realized that if I didn’t allow him to leave something bigger might happen. And while I could certainly picture myself pinned beneath him, offering him my most precious gift, there was no way I wanted to rush things between us.
Not yet.
Not until we knew each other better.
