"Me?" I swing my leg over my bike. "I'm taking the front gate. Want to be the first thing these fuckers see if they try anything stupid."

The engines roar to life, and we disperse into the shadows. Let them sweat it out, wondering where we're watching from. The night's young, and I've got nothing but time.

27

JACOBY

Back at the clubhouse, Indy looks like she’s been through a war. Her eyes are red, her face pale. I can see the shock and sadness swimming in her hazel eyes.

“Jacoby,” she starts, her voice shaking, “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it, Indy. I’m just glad you’re okay,” I say, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

“No, really. You saved the Chevelle. That car... it’s like a piece of him.” She pauses, her voice cracking. “And you saved me too. If we’d been at the house...”

I shake my head, cutting her off. “Let’s not think about what could’ve happened.”

She gives a small nod and takes a deep breath. “I want you to have his bike.”

“What?” I ask, taken aback.

“The Chieftan, the one you rode back here,” she clarifies. “It should go to someone who’ll appreciate it. And I’m more of a rider than a driver anyway.”

I scratch the back of my neck, feeling the weight of her offer. “Indy, I can’t take your dad’s bike. It’s yours.”

“No,” she insists, her tone firmer now. “You saved the car, Jacoby. You saved me by taking me out to practice today. It’s the least I can do.”

I sigh and look at her seriously. “It doesn’t feel right taking something that meant so much to him and you.”

“Please,” she says softly, looking up at me with those earnest eyes that make my resolve weaken.

She’s standing so close I can feel the warmth radiating off her. Her eyes search mine, and before I can say anything else, she leans in and kisses me. It’s soft at first, like she’s testing the waters, but then it deepens, becomes something more urgent.

My hands find their way to her waist, pulling her closer. The taste of her is intoxicating—sweet and a bit salty from the tears she shed earlier. She’s like a live wire against me, every touch sending electric shocks through my system.

“Indy,” I murmur against her lips when we come up for air, “are you sure about this?”

“Yes, Jacoby,” she breathes, a small smile playing on her lips. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

I don’t need more convincing. I kiss her again, harder this time, pouring all my pent-up desire into it. Her fingers tangle in the short hair at the back of my neck, tugging me closer still.

“God, you’re beautiful,” I whisper into her ear before nibbling on the lobe.

Indy grabs my hand, her touch warm and reassuring. “Come shower with me,” she whispers, her eyes holding mine. “We need to wash off the remnants of today.”

I nod, and she leads me to the bathroom. The space is small but functional, the steam from the hot water already fogging up the mirror. We stand facing each other, the weight of the day lifting as we begin to undress.

Her hands move to my shirt, fingers grazing my skin as she lifts it over my head. I do the same for her, peeling away thelayers of sweat and grime until she’s standing there in nothing but a tiny bra and panties. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of her.

“You’re fucking stunning,” I say, voice rough with desire.

“Flatterer,” she teases, but her smile is genuine.

We continue undressing each other, our movements becoming more urgent. When she’s finally naked before me, I can’t help but kiss every inch of her chest. Her skin is soft and warm under my lips, and I revel in the taste of her.

“Jacoby,” she murmurs, her hands moving to pull down my boxers. Her eyes widen when she notices the piercing.

“Did that hurt?” she asks, curiosity and a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes.