Page 25 of Gio

She gasped. “Have not.”

“Of course you have.” I leaned in close enough that my lips brushed against her ear. “The only time you seem to listen is when my face or my cock is buried between those soft thighs.”

She gasped again, her cheeks flushed, and her gaze filled with heat. “What can I say, that’s the only time you really make me want to obey you.”

Blood fired my cock up and too soon he was pressed against my zipper and begging to come out and play. “Good to know. How about a ride to clear your head?”

Wariness filled her gaze. “I can’t,” she whispered softly. “I’m not wearing any panties.”

Okay this was going to test my patience. “I don’t mind. Just be sure to press against me real tight.”

She studied me for a long minute. “You’re not mad?”

“Hell yeah, I’m mad. I’m pissed off that fucker put his hands on you and scared the shit out of you. I’m mad that Carl thought he could run you out of town. But I’m not mad at you, Harp.”

Her shoulders relaxed and she flashed a weak smile.

“But next time, a call would be nice.”

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

I smiled. “That’s never bothered you before and it’s never bothered me either.” I slid the helmet over her head and hopped on my bike first. “Come on, this motorcycle ain’t gonna ride itself.”

She smiled, bigger and more genuinely this time. “It would be really cool if it could.”

Her words managed to put a smile on my face but the more miles my bike ate up, the more my anger festered and stewed until it was a bubbling, piping hot cauldron of rage. Harper didn’t deserve what happened to her, hell no woman did, but especially her and now the Blood Reapers would have to pay. Viper and his entire crew would regret they ever thought of threatening someone who mattered to me. Carl too, that motherfucker would pay because he’s the one who put Harper in harm’s away.

No matter what it took, no matter how much blood would be shed, how many lives were lost, I would have my fucking revenge.

I would relish it.

I would lean into it.

Have fun with it until the threat was neutralized.

Permanently.

Tonight, without realizing it Harper had saved their lives. The feel of her pressed against my back, the way her hands grazed over my abs soothed me in a way I couldn’t put into words but by the time we got back to the clubhouse, I was calm enough to plan my revenge.

It would be more effective that way.

Chapter 15

Harper

“You know you can’t spend every single day here watching over me, don’t you?” There was laughter in my voice as I looked over at Gio who sat hunched over a round table, gaze fixed on something on his phone. In the two and a half weeks that I’d been staying with him he was an almost permanent fixture at the corner table of the small office I’d been given use of while I was working at the Regency.

He shrugged before looked up and his gaze slammed into mine. “I don’t have to be here every day, just the days you’re here.” He flashed that irresistible grin never failed to put a smile on my face. “And you said today was a short day. Right?”

I shook my head, a teasing grin lifted the corners of my mouth. “The one guy who actually listens to me is my bodyguard,” I mumbled, more to myself than to Gio.

He barked out a laugh. “First of all, I’m glad to see that your taste in men has improved. Second of all, I am so much more than your bodyguard.” The teasing glint in his eyes turned them more gold than hazel and there was an answering pulsing between my thighs.

“So much more? How so,” I asked even though I knew I was playing with fire. Gio wasn’t just an arrogant biker, he was funny and charming and protective. He cared about me, and he made my body sing. He was just… more than I ever gave him credit for. “I’m waiting?”

He wiggled his brows. “If you need an explanation, I’m happy to go lock that door and show you what I mean.”

Yes, please. That’s what I wanted to say, instead I shook my head and turned back to the finalized guest list. “Maybe later. We still have an hour of work to do.” I had to focus on the work because if I didn’t then I would be forced to think about how terrified I was to even set foot inside The Regency, and if I thought about that I might just pack my bags and head back to California on the next flight. And that would derail my career which just might send me back to Steel City.

---