Page 23 of Daughters of Chaos

Things between us have gotten interesting. Every time we're in the same vicinity, it seems we gravitate toward one another. We talk and flirt and exchange steamy glances, but he hasn't made a move. Neither have I, but I'm paranoid that if I do, he'll turn me down. He's not the kind of guy that usually goes for a girl like me. It's an anomaly, a textbook case of opposites attract—good girl falls for bad boy. Yeah, how often does that pan out?

I shrug away the thought and resume packing my things for the move. Our new landlord has been communicating with us through Dad and sent word that the new house was ready for us whenever we wanted. They must be friends or acquaintances, at least. There's no way we would have found out about the place before it hit the market otherwise.

Raven has her suspicions, not that I blame her—I still can't believe it. The rent, the location, and everything else seem too good to be true. Maybe Dad negotiated a deal for us, or the owner agreed to a friends and family discount. Either way, I'm stoked to be getting more space to myself. Space that's a lot closer to a certain tattooed biker who may or may not want to jump my bones.

I'm really hoping it's the former.

My hands freeze as I let my mind ponder the possibilities.The things he must be capable of . . . The ink I haven't yet seen . . .My skin burns at the thought.

"You okay there, Nix?" My sister's voice startles me and I find her leaning against the door of the room we've been sharing.

I shake my head while she stands there, appraising me. "Yeah," I tell her with a cracking voice, "I'm great."

Her lips quirk as if she can read my mind. "You need help with anything?"

"I'm about done."

"Okay," she nods, pushing away from the doorway. "Let me know when you're ready. I'll send Raptor up to carry your boxes to the van." She punctuates her words with a suggestive eye wiggle, laughing when I throw a pillow at her face. It's great to hear her laughter again.

Raven stopped laughing and smiling for a long time after Mom died. Hearing her now makes me think we made the right choice moving here, giving ourselves a fresh start. Part of me wonders if Jesse has something to do with her improved mood. Since she started working with him at the bar, Rae has been happier. It warms my heart to see her old self shining through again. I've missed that.

As I tape up the last of my boxes, I hear heavy footsteps approaching. I feel him before I see him. His intense stare bores into me like fire, warming me from the inside out. When our eyes meet, Raptor paralyzes me with a dazzling smile. "Raven said you could use a hand with your boxes."

I gulp, trying to ignore the feelings stirring inside me. "Yeah, thanks," I manage as my cheeks flush pink.

I watch as he picks up the first box, noting the way each muscle ripples in his arms with the weight. Why is that so sexy? Raptor's arms flex as he moves, making his tattoos dance. The breath in my chest catches, and my head starts to spin.What is this man doing to me?

"I'll come back for more in a minute," he tells me as he walks through the door.

Was it me, or did it seem like themorehe was talking about wasn't just my belongings?The thought sends my head into a tailspin as images of his strong muscles flash through my mind.Oh, what those arms must be capable of . . .I bet it would hardly take any effort for him to pick me up and push me up against—

"Phoenix?" My name falls from his lips, silky and smooth, startling me into reality.

As if I couldn't do anything more embarrassing, my reaction makes me stumble over a pile of boxes, sending me crashing to the floor. Dammit.Why me?

Instantly, Raptor appears at my side, helping me sit up. "Shit, Phoenix, are you okay?" he asks, running his hands over my head and arms, searching for wounds. It feels incredible—him having his hands on me, him fussing over me. It's almost enough to make me forget my embarrassment. Almost.

I give him a shy smile, trying to hide my shame. "I'm fine, really. Just clumsy."

He gives me another once over as he helps me to my feet. "Does anything hurt?"

My pride and my bruised ego."I'm okay. Promise."

His hands are still on me, holding me steady when three sets of thundering footsteps bound into the room. The club's president, vice president, and my sister file in, wearing various masks of concern.

"What happened?"

"We heard a crash."

"You okay, Nix?"

Oh, good. More witnesses to my humiliation.

As if things couldn't get worse, the second Dad enters the room, Raptor drops his hands and puts a noticeable distance between us. I try not to let my disappointment show as I face the three newcomers. "I'm fine, just tripped. No biggie."

A flood of relief washes over my father's face, a stark contrast to the annoyance of his VP, who shakes his head and promptly leaves the room. The only one who didn't react dramatically wasRaven. She's used to my clumsy ways and surveys the room with mild amusement.

Dad turns to Raptor, who's now avoiding eye contact with me. "Finish moving these boxes. I don't want her falling over anything and getting hurt." Raptor responds with a curt nod before grabbing another box and disappearing. The room feels a lot cooler without him.

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