Page 17 of Dozer

“Have you heard anything about your dad?”

“Nothing new. I hate that he’s sitting in there. He doesn’t deserve the shit he gets.”

“How long will he be in jail?” I’d heard about the aftermath with Texas and the club.

“Six months? A year? A life sentence? Who the fuck knows?” He rubbed his hand over his shaved head. “I was supposed to see him today.”

“What happened?”

“Faye happened. She always happens.”

Another girl in his sphere. I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth fighting the flare of jealousy. The green monster lived inside me, always lurking, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Faye is my mom. Her timing is always shit. I don’t want to talk about her.”

A soft laugh spilled from my lips. He never talked.

He turned to me, and his eyes darkened.

“What?” I didn’t press. “Maybe no one has told you before, but you’re not big on conversation.”

“I have a thing about your laugh.”

The smile fell from my face. “A good thing or a bad thing?”

“Considering you’ve put me in the friendzone, it’s not a good thing. Your laugh makes me want to do bad things to you. Don’t worry. I can respect boundaries.”

Those boundaries were blurring, becoming a maze of mixed emotions, littered with hidden dangers.

“I’m sorry, Pippa. I need to shut up.”

I couldn’t stifle another laugh. “Sorry.”

“People would rather hear themselves talk. Most people wouldn’t like what I have to say.”

“You could tell me why you broke into my house today.”

“Simple answer. I want to be near you.”

I didn’t know how to respond. I was saved from having to. Dozer pulled his cell from his pocket. He read the text.

“I’ve got to go. Thanks for lunch.” He stood, grabbed his keys and smokes from the table, and headed toward the garage.

I wanted to ask what was wrong and if I’d see him later.

He glanced at me over his shoulder. “There’s trouble at the MC. It’s Pike. I’m sure Hana will be there with Blade. Do you want to come?”

“I can follow you.”

“Or you can put on your shoes and ride with me.”

I’d only been on the back of Romeo’s bike. The closeness, the adrenaline. Just the thought of that intimacy with Dozer gave me a jolt of electricity that made me tingle like a live wire. I nodded, slipped on my shoes, and grabbed my keys.

Once Dozer backed the bike out of the garage, I pressed the button to close the automatic door. He steadied the bike and handed me his helmet.

I had it clipped on and then laid my hand on his shoulder to climb on behind him. The soft leather of his cut warming my palm made my tummy tumble in a freefall of lust I wasn’t supposed to feel.

I settled into the seat and placed my hand on his hips.

---