Page 14 of Viper

When he pulls away, he winks down at me, and then heads out the door. I stare at it for a long time, completely unable to get my brain to start working again. There’s an uncomfortable throbbing in my core and it’s everything I can do to keep myself from running after him and demand he fix it. Preferably with a few good orgasms to get him out of my system.

Instead, I grab my phone and text Sadie.

Eden: You will never believe what just happened.

Sadie: I’m assuming it has something to do with the sexy biker? Since you never share the juicy shit from the courtrooms.

Eden: And you know I can’t. But yes, it has to do with him.

I shoot her a long text of what happened, and what he said, and when I’m done, I wait as I watch the bubbles move on the screen, then stop, then start again. Finally, her message comes through and all I can do is groan and shake my head. Did I really expect anything else from her?

Sadie: I think you and I need to re-evaluate our friendship. How the hell can you say no to a man like that? Jesus, you need to get your head out of your ass and go after him.

Eden: I’m not doing that. I don’t want a man. Remember?

Sadie: And once again I’m wondering why the hell we are friends? What happened to you going after men you wanted? Where did this pussy of a friend of mine come from?

Eden: Fuck off. I’m still the same, but I’m done trying to please a man who gets bored with me. I’m happy being single, and while I would like to ride that man like a damn stallion, he has a child, and I’m not about to get wrapped up in all that drama.

Sadie: Sounds like excuses to me. I hope he stalks the shit out of you until you finally give in. Or, you know, kidnaps you and holds you hostage until you fall hopelessly in love with him and agree to never leave. You know, with some kinky sex in there too. Can’t forget that. That’s important.

I roll my eyes at that. Of course she’d go to the extreme.

Eden: You need to stop reading romance books and watching stupid movies. That’s not real life and if he did that, I’d break his balls and dick, and then leave him on the side of the road for the cops to find.

Sadie: Listen, if a hot guy kidnapped me and told me he was going to use my body, then you can damn well bet that I’m going to do whatever he damn well wants. You just have no sense of adventure.

Eden: Look, none of that is the point of this. The point is that my one night stand is back and doesn’t seem to understand that I don’t want a relationship. So we need to figure out a way to get him to understand. And seeing as you’re my best friend, you’re automatically pulled in and you have to help me. Girl Code 101.

Sadie: Fine, fine, but I’m not happy about it. You’re probably fine for tonight, so don’t worry about it, but I’ll come over after work and we can talk. And just so we’re clear, I think you’re making a huge mistake.

Eden: Noted. I’ll pick up something on the way home. What do you want?

Sadie: It’s a pizza kind of night.

Eden: I’ll get it. See you around six?

Sadie: Yeah. And I want extra cheese on this one. I’m going to need it to get through this whole thing with you.

I roll my eyes and put away my phone and then stare at the door again. Alright, I can do this. I just need to make sure I stay strong and don’t let the big growly biker get under my skin.

Or get me under him again.

SIX

VIPER

It’s time to go on the offensive and see just what other secrets are hiding.

Church is always a noisy affair, and when I walk in, everyone is already seated and waiting to get started. Well, minus Bullet, Sniper, and Stone. Though, with those three, you have to figure the reason they’re late is because one of the women has been up to something. Though, I saw them out in the common room and they seemed to be relatively fine and not being too wild and crazy. Then again, with that group, you can never be too careful.

I take my seat beside Shadow, who arches a brow at me expectantly. “What?” I ask, confused.

“How’d it go with the one who ran away?” Shadow asks, his lips pulling into an amused grin.

“Wait, who got away?” King demands, drawing my attention. King is Bullet and Rose’s youngest son, our Sergeant at Arms, and he’s a mixture of the two of them. He’s got Bullet’s stern jaw, broad shoulders, and body type, though one inch shorter than his father’s six-two, while he has Rose’s caramel eyes, light brown hair, and wild, stubborn attitude. Not to mention he loves to rile most of us, and it’s worse now that he’s hooked up with his Old Lady.

“No one,” I say calmly, lying right to his face.

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