Page 15 of King of Inferno

“Come to me, baby girl,” Big Red commands.

His voice. It’s so deep and strong. It’s like listening to a fire roar. All warm and gravelly.

I couldn’t ignore his words if I tried. Instead, I want him to keep talking to me. It’s almost as if I need it.

My veins feel like they’re on fire. My skin feels like it’s going to sear off from my body, but I can’t stop it. A chilling shiver runs through me as I begin to feel lightheaded.

His lips curl into a smile as he sees my reaction to his voice. I go to take a step toward him, but a flash of light grabs my attention. I turn my head to look across the street.

Right as I do, a rumbling growl fills the air. My waist is wrapped in a tight, warm grasp. I yelp as I’m plopped on the back of the motorcycle.

“Hold on to me.”

I whimper from the sound of his voice as it vibrates through me—like a force all its own. However, I do as he says and wrap my arms around his waist. I sigh as I melt into his heat.

He’s extremely warm, but it’s welcoming. As is his scent. He smells like hot chocolate and smoke. Not cigarette or cigar smoke, but like a warm roast, as if he’s been sitting before a fire for hours at a time.

The aroma makes my mouth water. His leather cut seems to have taken on the scent as well as it overpowers the leather’s natural odor.

Pressing my face against his back, I close my eyes and breathe him in. The moment my lungs fill with his delicious fragrance, I open my eyes and lick my lips. My eyes widen as I begin to feel a pulse between my legs.

I tighten my thighs against him involuntarily. It’s all I can do to keep from reaching beneath his T-shirt to feel his skin against my palm.

His warmth is so welcoming I close my eyes again as the adrenaline wears off. The wind is whipping against my face, but there’s nowhere I’d rather be.

This feels like coming home. Like I was meant to be wrapped around him, riding on the back of his bike. I still don’t know his name, but I don’t want to let him go.

As if reading my thoughts, he covers my linked hands on his stomach with his big one. Damn, this dude runs hot. Any hotter and he’d scorch my skin.

I like it. I would prefer heat over being cold any day. I’m stunned when he pulls to a stop and cuts the engine.

I wasn’t expecting the ride to be so short. I wanted to hold on to him for just a bit longer. I open my eyes to what looks like an underground garage.

Slowly, I release him and slide off the bike, almost falling on my ass. He catches me swiftly before I can tumble to the floor. I lock eyes with him, and he gives me a smile. My heart is racing a mile a minute again.

“Careful, baby girl,” he rumbles.

My lips part and a moan leaves my mouth as his voice rolls through my entire body. His brows shoot into his hairline and his nostrils flare. I shiver as his gaze drops to my lips.

“Where are we?” I say quickly before I embarrass myself any further.

“My clubhouse. You’ll be safer here with me.”

I nod as if I’m in a trance. Damn it, I am. His voice is so hypnotic.

He lifts from the bike and swings his leg over, not releasing me from his hold. Once he’s standing before me, I finally get to measure how much taller than me he is. I crane my neck to look up into his eyes.

He gives me a wolfish grin and reaches to tuck my hair behind my ear. His touch leaves my skin tingling. I bite my lip and bounce from foot to foot.

“I don’t think he meant me any harm. We were supposed to be on a date. I was leaving after I thought he stood me up …”

I trail off as a growl rumbles from his chest. Clamping my mouth shut, I gulp down a breath. Instead of saying anything else, he reaches for my hand and cups it in his.

It’s like sparks fly up my arm and radiate throughout my body. I just barely manage to bite back a whimper. As he tugs me along with him, he rubs his thumb back and forth over the back of my hand.

The sparks continue with each pass of his thumb against my flesh. This man has brought me to some strange place after over a month of showing up at the diner I frequent, but instead of running away like I know I should, I’m following him like a moth to a flame.

I can’t help it. If he burned any brighter, I’d go blind. I have never wanted to be so close to someone in my life. It’s like I’ll stop breathing if he lets me go.

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