Page 16 of Bullet

Fuck me. I couldn’t tell Bristol no. She didn’t ask for much, and this girl had gotten under her skin. There was something familiar, fragile, yet determinedabout Stormy. She was like a caged tiger, pacing, but would she fight or flee?

I’d rather ignore the tension building in my gut. I’d been burned enough times to know the truth of no good deed going unpunished.

In the bedroom, Stormy kneeled on the floor and sorted clothes. Before I could speak, she went on the defensive. “I didn’t ask her to get involved.”

“But she is, and that means I am. I need to know what you’re involved in.” I leaned against the doorjamb. “Who are you running from?”

Her hands stilled. “Why does it matter? I knew coming here was a mistake. I’ve got enough trouble. I don’t need issues with a pimp who rides with a motorcycle gang.”

“It’s a club.”

She snorted. “And my ex will claim what he does is just business.”

Soft curls framed her face. Long lashes outlined brown eyes. Somewhere, I’d seen her before, but she’d never been one of my girls. I’d fucked a lot of dancers, but I’d remember fucking her. Unlike Bristol, she didn’t have big tits and a tight, round ass. There was an elegance and softness to her curves. Those eyes sparked with fire.

She stood and flung her duffel over her shoulder. “Bristol is the only friend I have. I don’t care if you believe me or not, but I don’t want your help. I just need a ride out of town. I’m afraid my ex is watching the bus stations. But I’ll take my chances.”

Fuck. It washer.

I grabbed her jaw, slid my fingers along her soft skin, cupping her cheek, and tipped her face. Her lipstrembled, and her throat flexed. She blinked, staring just as intently at me.

I’d dreamt of caramel eyes like hers for weeks…months. I still saw them when I closed my eyes. Defiant, yet brave. Eyes that had seen too much but weren’t afraid to glare at her enemy.

My fingers slid into her hair.

“What are you doing?”

“Remembering.” My thumb grazed her cheek. “We’ve met before, brown eyes.”

“No.” The word was barely a whisper. She swallowed hard, and a soft gasp slipped past her lips.

“You remember, too.”

She took a hesitant step back from me. “I have to go,” she stammered.

I slammed the bedroom door closed before she could run. I had my answer. She was both. She’d fight if she couldn’t run. Her gaze darted left and right. She’d been fire and attitude in the tub. Now, I understood Bristol’s concern. Stormy was terrified.

“Calm down.” I held up my hands. “You know who I am.”

“No, I don’t,” she repeated. “And I don’t want to know you.” Her voice cracked with fear.

“Stormy, sit down. I just want to talk to you.” I dragged a hand down my face, rubbing the whiskers of my goatee. “Look at me,” I said to her as I lowered onto the bed and clasped my hands between my thighs. “You had nothing to fear from me the night at the warehouse, and you have nothing to fear from me now.”

She backed against the wall, white-knuckle gripping her duffel. “You’re not him.”

I cocked my head to the side. “Do you know how many times I’ve wondered what happened to you?” I surged to my feet, and she gasped. “I don’t know what Bristol has told you about me, but I don’t hurt females.”

“She said you kill people, you have a big dick, and that you fuck all your girls.”

I laughed.

She crossed her arms over her chest, keeping her bag in front of her for protection. “Okay, she didn’t… She didn’t say that you kill people.” She stuttered. “If you were there…at the warehouse.”

“There’s noif.”

She slid down the wall and sat on the floor. Silence stretched between us, thick and sticky, coating the air with tension.

“You killed those men.”

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