Page 3 of Nitro

My inner magpie agreed.

Marc opened his mouth. Clearly, he wasn’t done trying do dissuade me, but I couldn't let him sway me this time.

"I'm an adult now, Marc," I gently reminded him. "I'm capable of making my own choices."

"Are you?" he questioned, his words cutting deeper than I'd anticipated.

I flinched, remembering old memories best left forgotten.

Just when it felt like the conversation was taking a turn for the worse, I heard the reassuring rumble of a motorcycle engine from downstairs.

A wave of relief washed over me as I recognized that distinctive sound. Nitro had finally arrived, saving me from trading more painful words with my brother.

"My ride's here," I announced to Marc, trying to keep the conversation from getting more tense.

He turned to me with a worried expression.”Tommy, that biker bear is bad news."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at Marc's overprotectiveness.

"Your best friend belongs to the same MC," I reminded him. "Nitro and Whizz, they helped you destroy Hicks' operation and rescue me."

Marc had no argument to counter that, so he remained silent.

Minutes later, the doorbell rang, and I welcomed the opportunity to escape the growing tension with my brother.

I rushed to answer the door, and there stood my biker bear, Nitro, wearing a heart-stopping grin that never failed to make my heart race.

At six-foot-three, Nitro practically towered over me, but I had never once felt unsafe with him.

His warm chocolate brown eyes met mine, and I couldn't help but notice his disheveled hair, probably from wearing his helmet during the ride.

I had a sudden, overwhelming urge to reach out and tuck away the strands of dark hair that had fallen across Nitro's face.

The temptation was so strong that my fingers almost moved on their own, but then I remembered Marc's watchful eyes, and I stopped myself.

It wouldn't be appropriate, not with my brother standing right there.

Besides, I reminded myself, Nitro wasn't really my biker bear. He wasn't my anything.

He was a friend who had seen me through some of the darkest days of my life. He was just being nice, offering me a ride to my new apartment and ensuring that I was safe.

And yet... I couldn't mistake the undeniable heat in his eyes as he looked at me.

Nitro had always been a bit flirty when we were alone, but he was perceptive enough to back off if he ever noticed that I was uncomfortable or shy.

Maybe I just wanted so badly to believe that after what I’d been through, there was an unspoken connection between us.

That would explain why there were butterflies in my stomach every time we were together.

"You look good, Tommy," Nitro murmured, his intense gaze raking over me, and a flush of warmth spread across my cheeks.

I couldn't help but feel a mix of embarrassment and exhilaration.

Nitro had a way of making me feel desirable, and all this time, I felt like an ugly, unlovable mess.

Right now, I wished we were alone so that I could fully savor his attention.

Then again, that was precisely why I wanted my own place—to be free from the constant scrutiny of my older brother.

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