Page 35 of Falcon

After the crazy couple of days and all the drinks, plus being so close to him, I had almost thrown caution to the wind and jumped his bones. I hadn’t been with a man of my choice, not as a paid lay, for a while now. It probably wasn’t the smartest move, so I talked myself out of it. But something about wanting it, being in control of it, made it nearly irresistible. He was nearly irresistible.

I needed to think about self-preservation over an orgasm. Even with my guard up, I still felt different around him. At this place. Thinking back, everything with Tony was fucked from the start. But I was on the rebound and just looking for something or someone to fill the awkward hole my ex left and give me a sense of safety. But the overtures with Tony were so out there I should have realized something was up. Then there were all the drugs he piled on. I had to take some responsibility for that part. But after all the shit with my ex, a little reprieve from thinking, and the false sense of security I had, made it seem like a good idea. Once I stepped foot into the club, it was all over.

But this guy, this biker, came to find me and warn me. He started a fight for me. Then whisked me, and my friend, far away from all of that trouble. But was I just trying to fool myself again? Maybe he had some ulterior motive for bringing me here. I still had very little money, no phone, no car. Nothing except the little bit of cash I was able to get from my stash and the clothes he got me.

I slinked from the bed as quietly as I could and snuck into the shower. Once I was out, I wrapped up in the towel hanging up, brushed my teeth, and swiped on a little mascara, then gloss. I wish I had gotten a hair dryer, but there was a pile of elastics on the counter, so I threw my hair into a French braid and then peeked out the door.

It was then I realized I hadn’t brought any clean clothes with me. Falcon had seen me naked more than once now, but I didn’t want to wake him up. He must be a light sleeper because he was stretching as soon as I looked out.

“Sorry, I was trying to be quiet,” I whispered as I stepped out of the bathroom.

He cleared his throat and stood up, lifting his muscular arms over his head. I tried not to ogle too long as I turned the lamp on, but holy shit. I was only peeking last night, and it was dark, but in the light and him in nothing but basketball shorts I found it hard to look away. He had tattoos all over, but there were still a few places uncovered. Even his calves had colorful artwork down them. All the ink only highlighted every hardened muscle that covered him.

He turned around to grab the blanket and I stared as he folded it, watching each flex of his strong back and shoulders. This was not helping. And it wasn’t fair. It shouldn’t be legal to look like that. When he turned, I was too slow to look away and the corners of his mouth turned up.

“Like what you see, darlin’?”

“Cool tats.” That was believable. But the look on his face said he didn’t buy it. “You work out?” Play it off. I’d been a dancer for a while, so I stayed lean and toned. I could be interested in his workout regimen.

“It helps to stay fit.” He walked closer and I grabbed one of the bags all the new clothes were in and started looking through when I felt him close. Too close. Turning, I was face to face with his sternum. Trying to hold it together, I plastered on my best smirk and cocked a brow.

“It’s okay to look at me, darlin’.”

The clitterflies were in full effect, but they were not to be trusted. I had to ignore them. “Well thank you, but that doesn’t give you a free pass to look at me. So, if you’ll excuse me,” I said as I reached down and grabbed the whole bag then retreated to the bathroom.

He was chuckling on the other side of the door, but I heard drawers opening, then the sound of his boots being moved. I had already pulled on jeans and a tank top when he knocked on the door. I opened it and stared at him.

“Boots today. Better on the bike.” He pushed my new boots through the space in the door. I grabbed them and tried to control my face as my stomach fluttered. Was it really that serious if I rode with him? He seemed so nonchalant about it, but Mama Hen and Jeannie both acted like it was the sign of something big. And that bitch Sugar even tried to make a cut at me about not riding on the bike again. But here he was, making sure I had my riding gear on.

Opening the door the rest of the way, I grabbed socks from the bag. He passed me and went to the bathroom. I put the boots on and pulled out the small crossbody bag we picked up the day before. It was kind of sad all I had to put in it was cash and gloss, but oh well. Maybe wherever his shop was had stores around it I could wander to.

I wanted to check on Lacy before we left, so I knocked on the door. He opened it but spit toothpaste into the sink before he looked over. “Yes, darlin’?”

The more he called me that, the more it made my pussy tingle. “Can you not call me that?”

“Is that why you knocked?”

Rolling my eyes, my hands went to my hips. “If you’re holding me captive all day, I’d like to check on Lacy first.”

He rinsed his mouth out and wiped his face before walking toward me, invading my space. But I wasn’t backing up. He could be all big and bad, but I wasn’t showing fear. Even when I was being knocked around, I didn’t shut up and didn’t cower. I may have taken a minute to get back up but wouldn’t stay down.

He wasn’t even inches away, but he didn’t grab me, didn’t touch me. But he did lean down closer to my face. “Darlin’, don’t compare me to the prick that had you before. You’re not captive. If you really want to go, tell me where to drop you off, but if it’s not safe, I’m not leaving you there. This isn’t a prison, I’m not a captor, and you’re not a hostage. Understand?” I nodded but he shook his head. “Tell me you understand. None of this non-verbal shit.”

I swallowed hard but found my voice. “Yes. Fine. You just didn’t give me an option–”

“Because there’s still men wandering around here that aren’t DE and I don’t want to kill anyone today.”

I couldn’t tell if he was kidding about the other men messing with me, or about killing them if they did. His face held no emotion, though, so I started to think he was serious.

He went back to the bathroom and did a few things before he came out and got dressed. I averted my eyes this time; there was already enough tension in the room and between my legs.

Once he donned his cut, he grabbed a piece of candy, unwrapped it and popped it in his mouth. He grabbed his keys and wallet, then walked to the closet and grabbed my new jacket. “Wear this. You won’t get too hot and it’ll keep you from being grated cheese on the road in case some asshole gets too close.”

“So, no cage today?”

His hazel eyes locked on mine. “Nope, Harley today. You good?”I nodded and he tilted his head, his dark hair swinging with the movement. “Words, darlin’.”

“Yes, God.” I tugged the jacket on.

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