Page 22 of Property of Azrael

He rubs the spot and crinkles his eyes. “Ouch.”

“Oh, please, you’re fine. You’ve got all those muscles to protect you.”

“You’d know. You were feeling me up in your sleep.”

I start to smack him again, but he catches my hand. “How about instead of smacking me for the third time this morning, we get dressed and hit the breakfast buffet? We’ve got several more hours of riding until we get you to your adoring fans, and I can’t let you ride hungry.”

“Funny you should say that. You may want to tell the guys what they’re in store for. I’ve heard horror stories about things readers have done to the cover models. I would hate for Fox to get felt up.”

“Not that he would mind,” Az chuckles. “Already did.”

“I’m kinda glad I wasn’t there to witness that.”

“I’m pretty sure the asshole starting preening immediately at the prospect. Checking his supply inventory.”

What am I about to unleash onto the unsuspecting MMM attendees? Chaos. Pure freaking Fox chaos.

AZRAEL

The rideto Houston goes smoothly. No storms, no breakdowns. Just open air, and a beautiful woman at my back. Her ease compared to yesterday is noticeable. When I lean into the twists and turns of the road, instead of digging her nails into my stomach, she laughs in delight. An infectious laugh that has me wishing our route had more winding roads, only to feel her wrapped around me like she was in her sleep this morning.

With all the women I’ve slept with, it was Hallie’s warmth and comfort that showed me what I’ve been missing out on. The sounds that escaped in her sleep made me smile as I read her book. Mewls and moans that left me wondering what, or who, she was dreaming about. I’d like to think it was me, with the way she rolled her way to my side of the bed the second I gave up on the chair and laid down.

The feel of her body. The press of her tits and soft belly against my side. The way her fingers danced along my chest. Her thick thighs draped across my hips. Her body wanting me as much as I wanted her.

Fuck, my cock ached, begging me to take her. How I wanted to when she peered up at me with those sleepy eyes. Until she recoiled, realizing that she had breached her own pillow fort and sought me out in her sleep. She’s not ready for that. Not ready for what being with me could mean. Her books only skimmed the surface of the darkness that follows us around like a little lost puppy. Our lives aren’t easy ones to follow. She’d always be on the outside of the club’s business, and Hallie strikes me as a woman who doesn’t like secrets.

Could she handle the real side of this life? Could I, knowing she’d be in constant danger? The answer is as unclear as these fast and hard feelings of mine where she’s involved.

We make good time and get into Houston an hour earlier than expected, meaning an hour less with Hallie. The closer we got, the more regret I felt knowing that this would be the last time I saw her. I didn’t want to end this so soon, but what could I do? She has her event, and the club has their trip to Mexico. I can’t be in two places at once.

With the rest of the guys behind us, we get to the hotel where Hallie’s signing is taking place the following morning. Hotel being a relative term, because the sprawling, expansive resort only gets bigger with our approach. Finding the main entrance, we follow the circling road until we find the unloading zone.

“You weren’t kidding about this being a big event,” I comment, setting my bike on the kickstand. Carefully removing my helmet before helping Hallie off the back of my bike, I’m met with dozens of bright eyes. “Looks like you have some fans.”

Hallie removes her helmet and looks to where I point. “I highly doubt they’re looking at me.”

“They’re definitely looking at you.”

“I’m a nobody compared to some authors here. I only scored an invitation because of a cancellation,” she says sadly. “I’m lucky to be here at all.”

“Luck has nothing to do with it.” Dismounting, I join her on the road. “You forget, I’ve read your books. Well, one of them, and they’re good. You just need a way of getting them into the reader’s hands.”

Hallie scoffs at me. “It’s not as simple as shoving a book into someone’s hands and telling them to read it. I don’t know how to market them.”

“Let me do it,” I blurt out, the idea hitting me like a bullet to the brain. A reason to stay with her instead of heading down to Mexico right away. The boys may get pissed. I’ll miss a few days of the trip, but I’m not ready for this to end. “I’ll help you sell your books.”

“What do you know about book marketing?” she fires back.

“Sweetheart, look around. These women read stories about guys like us. What better way to sell books than to have me at your table? I’m sure some of the other authors have models with them, so why not a real biker? I won’t be able to wear my cut, but I think I can help you.”

“Why would you do that?”

“For purely selfish reasons,” I admit.

“You’ve already done so much for me, Azrael. I can’t ask you to do this. Your club has a trip. Won’t you be missing that if you stay?”

“Some of it. But, to help you, it’s worth it.”

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