Page 34 of Pike

“It’s nice, Pike. Not what I expected, though.”

“What did you expect?”

“A lot of darkness,” she laughs, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve heard.

“I wanted it to be different. Not like the clubhouse. Some place I could just come and be me.”

“And who are you, Pike?”

“I’m your man.” Her smile fades as she stares at me before it brightens back up. I watch it tug across her face before she moves toward me. She wraps her arms around my waist, and I hold on tightly.

“I think I like the sound of that,” she whispers.

“You do, huh? You sure about stayin’ here? You could have me all to yourself every night,” I remind her.

“I appreciate that more than you know, but I need some time. I can’t jump from one man to another overnight, Pike.”

“It ain’t like that with us, Feather.”

“I know that, but you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I do. Well, you’re settled in and all that. I should go back to the clubhouse. I showed you how the security system works and all that shit.”

“I can’t thank you enough for this.” I don’t need her thanks. I need her. Naked. In my bed. I need her heart in the palm of my hands. Fuck, I’m falling hard and fast for this girl.

“Not a problem, baby. You need anything you call me. That alarm goes off, and I’m here,” I tell her. She nods her head before I kiss her once more. I don’t want to leave her. I want her with me and only me. Leaving her here is safe, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

I watch her face for a long second before kissing her again. I can’t help myself with her. Once I’m partially satisfied, I pull away from her and walk toward the door.

“I mean it, anything at all you call me,” I tell her over my shoulder.

“I will. Thank you, Pike.”

“Not a problem, darlin’.” I walk out the door, closing it behind me then I wait. I wait until I hear her lock it. I wait until I hear the small beeps from the alarm being set and I smile to myself that she actually listened for once.

Walking down the steps, I regret leaving her. I wish she would have said she wanted to stay with me but I understand her reasoning. I won’t push her any more than I have to.

I’m on my bike and revving the engine when I change my mind. I kill the engine and sit watching the house like a stalker. I want to know when she goes to bed, when she’s settled in. So I sit and stalk the goddamn house like a madman when my cell rings. I pull it out and answer it quickly.

“Yeah?”

“Where are you?”

“What’s the difference?”

“Really Pike? You gonna be a prick now?”

“I’m gettin’ Feather settled at the house. What’s goin’ on?” I ask Free.

“Prez wants to talk about RRMC. Figured you want in on that,” he says. I grit my teeth. Talking about them pisses me off more each time.

“I’ll be there in an hour,” I tell him. He chuckles into the line.

“In an hour? After you fuck her senseless?”

“I’m not fuckin’ her. In fact, I’m not even in the house,” I respond truthfully.

“You stalkin’ her?”

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