Page 51 of Charger

“Yes,” I answer softly.

Giving into him more and more, I lean back. Yes, I lean back into him and I think I hear him growl. He feels too good. It’s warm, safe, and familiar. The last time I remember ever feeling this way was with him, six years ago. There was never this kind of chemistry with Venom. It was just physical, nothing mentally connecting us like it does with Zach. My body never reacted the same way.

The roaring sound of bikes breaks whatever moment we had, and he steps away. Two men covered in tattoos approach us after they park. “Hey, brother, put a damn shirt on! What the fuck you…” He stops. “Oh, sorry, didn’t know there was a lady present. I’m Throttle.” He smiles. A smile that can make your panties wet. His boyish good looks and chocolate messy hair are sexy too. There has to be something in the water these men are drinking. Because this shit is just unreal.

The other guy side-glances at me before he passes by. He’s just as good looking, but his eyes are dark, somewhat scary. There’re tattoos covering his neck and I catch a glimpse of his patch, which reads: Hush. Just as I’m about to introduce myself to Throttle, Zach interrupts.

“Keep it moving, man. This one isn’t a hang-around.”

Throttle shakes his head with laughter. “Well, hopefully you won’t be a stranger. You seem to have made an impact on my brother’s life.” He claps Zach on the shoulder, then follows Hush up to the clubhouse.

Zach rubs the back of his neck while I scoot into the driver’s seat of my car. “I’ll be at your place tomorrow to see Chloe.”

I tilt my head in confusion. Was he not present throughout our conversation? Did he not here the part where I wanted to give this just a little more time?

“That’s a little soon, don’t you think? I said give me some time for it all to sink in with Chloe.”

He leans forward, holding onto the car door. “It wasn’t a question. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, he shuts it, then walks up the long stretch of the lot.

My hands grip the steering wheel as I watch him in my mirror. He’s so hot and cold. The Zach now and the Zach back in high school are not the same people. But still, there’s little pieces of him left. The protective, gentle boy is still in there. The only difference now is he seems even more dominant. But to be honest, my body has never wanted him more.

TWENTY

Charger

Yeah, I just showed up today. No call, no text. Tough shit. She’ll just have to deal with it. Backing up my bike into an empty spot at the bar, I throw my kickstand down before swinging my leg over.

After that night I saw Jules, I called up Bullet—to have him do some investigating on where she was living. The first time I showed up at her place, she wanted to know how exactly I knew she was living above her bar. I ignored her question; I didn’t think she would like to find out I was having her searched. I can’t say that I am surprised she owns the bar though. Jules was always smart. This was always what she wanted to do one day, own her own business. I just wish it wasn’t a damn bar. Mix alcohol with men who have nothing better to do, then add in a woman who looks like Jules. Fucking animals. I got a taste of that when I decided to swing by for a visit the other night. I would have murdered that piece of shit had he touched her. Because no matter how much time has passed, I will always feel the same way. The idea of other men touching, or shit, even looking at her for that matter fucking makes me insane. And what if she’s seeing someone? I just assumed she wasn’t. She’s gorgeous, successful. Any man would want to be with her. She deserves someone other than me.

Not bothering to see if the front was open, I make my way to the back door leading upstairs, which is unlocked. I shake my head. I’ll be sure to talk to her about why the fuck a single mother living alone is not locking her damn door.

I go to knock, but the door flies open. Standing there is Jules, wearing a pair of tight black pants. Maybe yoga pants. I think that’s what the fuck they call them. Her tank top hides nothing and her hair is pulled up on top of her head, which makes me fantasize about grabbing hold of it and fucking her from behind like there’s no tomorrow.

Fuck. I really am scum.

“Zach?”

“I could have been anyone. Why did you just open the door like that? And you need to start locking your back door.”

“I was expecting someone. I heard footsteps so I thought it was them. What are you doing here?”

I step inside. Our arms touch as I walk by, the slight contact passing electricity through me. “Who were you expecting?” I take a quick glance around. Chloe’s at the kitchen table coloring with her pink headphones on. She’s so concentrated on that drawing that she doesn’t even realize I’m here. My heart beats a little faster, knowing that my daughter is real, that she’s sitting right here. I’m nervous, excited, but still trying to wrap my head around it all.

“Zach, you should have called. I have to go downstairs to help prepare for tonight. I had a ton of call offs. My mom is on her way to watch Chloe.”

“Your mom? If anyone is going to watch her, it should be me. Besides, I’m here already. So, I can watch her.” I’ve never watched a kid in my life and this isn’t just any kid. This is my kid. I can do this. I want to do this.

“I mean… have you ever babysat before?”

“No, but how hard can it be?”

Jules’s eyes widen, her face turning sour.

Light footsteps sound from the stairs. I don’t hesitate to see who it is.

The petite woman in the doorway is an older version of Jules. Her face aged just slightly since the last time I saw her. The normal light in her eyes I remember from years ago is gone. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why.

Without moving or saying a word, she stares at me. A blank but honest expression on her face tells me she knows exactly who I am. Anger spikes in her as she slowly stalks toward me, stopping only when she’s a foot in front of me. A quick sting of pain hits the side of my face. My cheek’s left burning from her slap.

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