Page 52 of Ride

“How much longer are you planning on staying out, Pepper?”

Moaning at the feel of his hand caressing my inner thigh, I turned to face him, throwing my arms around his neck.

“Surprised you haven’t been noticed in here, but I can leave now.” I ran my finger over his bottom lip. His dark piercing eyes sent chills down my spine, making my pussy thump.

“I know the owner. He made sure to let me in through the back and I have a hoodie on and shades.” He patted his pocket.

When I looked around the dance floor, Winter wasn't there. I scanned our section and saw Brett whispering in her ear.

“Well, I thought it was going to be a girls’ night, but someone's already distracted.” I waved at my bestie and brother in the corner.

Laikin looked at his best friend and chucked his head up in some silent communication.

He squeezed my ass, then pecked my lips.

“Let's go.”

Most of the crowd had started to stare at him as we approached Winter and Brett. Winter embraced me and I grabbed my purse and phone. Laikin and Brett shook hands and made plans to meet up again. I cuddled up close with my head down, shielding my eyes from the flashing of cameras and phones as we left the club. I climbed into his passenger seat, fastened my seatbelt, and stretched over to unlock the driver's side.

“Kayne’s knocked out at your parents’ place. You coming home with me?” Laikin asked, placing his hand on my exposed thigh.

“One thing.”

“What?”

“Callie came to my job.” His eyes darkened, and his grip on the steering wheel tightened at the mention of his ex.

His lips pressed tight. “Shit.”

“I handled her, but you should probably make it clear you and her are over.” When we were younger, Laikin had gone back and forth with girls a few times, but now that we were back together and older, I didn’t want to be like some feisty woman, claiming him to be “my man.” We both knew that we’re it for each other and no one could break our bond.

“Callie was cool and just a friend with benefits, but obviously she’s taken it too seriously.”

He stopped at the red light, extending a hand to cup my chin.

“After the charity foundation, I figured she got the message.”

I interlocked our hands.

“Ignore her.”

“Ever since you posted us online, people have gone crazier over you. They've googled and found my business. A few have even tried to book appointments.,” I chuckled.

“Get your money, baby, but let me handle Callie.”

“Okay.”

Laikin arrived at a new location. I peered around the wide black iron gate to a large plot of land. “Where are we?”

“My place.” Laikin typed in a code and the gate split apart.

“You have a mansion, the one your mom was talking about at dinner.”

“You are the only person besides my family to come here.”

“Seriously?”

He swerved up to the six-car garage and hit a button. The doors opened, and he pulled up. The doors closed behind us. I removed my seatbelt and gazed around the expansive area with multiple high-end luxury vehicles lined up, and a security system mounted on the wall that highlighted the entire front and back of the house.

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