Page 11 of Brick

I've already followed him this far; there's no sense in getting cold feet now. Soon we're in a large courtyard. It seems very out of place based on the surrounding environment and the fact that I know in front of this place is a strip mall of various businesses. Even in the dim night, I can see that the courtyard is beautiful and well taken care of, but that's not the part of this journey that most surprises me.

What catches me completely off guard is the large brick building behind it. How did I not notice this place from the front? On either side of the building is wilderness—trees and overgrown brush.

Brick continues moving forward at a brisk pace, and before I can ask any more questions, he's pushing open a large double door and waiting for me to join him. I take a step inside, and looking around, it's like nothing I've ever seen before. I didn't make my way to college, but if I had to guess, I'd think this is what the inside of most fraternities looks like. There are several roomsthat line the door and then an open floor plan that holds the main room and other spaces.

If I could, I'd have explored more, but Brick isn't in the mood to show me around. Instead of letting me get my fill, he continues walking through the main area and then turns toward one of the rooms. I guess this is where he meant for me to stay tonight. I could do worse.

He opens the door to his room, and I'm surprised by how big the inside is. He's got a king-sized bed, enough space for a loveseat, as well as bookcases and a desk. Still, it seems like the room is sparsely decorated.

"What is this place?" I finally get to ask.

"This is the Brutal Chains Clubhouse. Everyone who is a member lives here," he explains, but I see more apprehension on his face. He's staring at the bed in the center of the room.

"Let me guess, you weren't expecting company?" I chuckle as I move forward.

"No, I never expect company. We don't allow people in here. Only those that are part of our family. You're an outsider."

"I am. You could've left me outside too." I cross my arms over my chest, my attitude coming back in full force.

"Luna, for Christ's sake. I already told you that I wasn't going to do that. I wish you'd stop trying to make shit so difficult." He shakes his head and walks over to a closet where he pulls out a sheet and a pillow.

I reach my hands up and wait for him to give it to me, but he simply walks by me and places it on the couch. "I can make up my own bed, you know."

"I'm sure you can, but this isn't for you." He grumbles.

Looking between the large king-sized bed and the small couch he is readying, I nearly laugh. "You can't seriously think you're going to be able to fit on that."

With a shrug, he continues to look at me. "You were attacked tonight, and no matter how many times you try to get me to believe that you're not hurt, I'm not going to make you scrunch up on the loveseat, and I'm damn sure not putting you on the floor. You've got the bed, sweetness."

I should hate that he keeps calling me that, but every time the word leaves his mouth, I swear I have to fight to keep from smiling. "This is ridiculous. Just get in your bed."

"No, get some sleep."

I bristle at his tone. I'm not used to anyone telling me what to do, let alone some grumpy biker man who just can't seem to stay out of my troubles.

"I won't get any sleep if I have to think about you being uncomfortable over there." I look back to the bed and make up my mind. "Just get in the bed with me then."

"What?" He stops what he's doing, his dark eyes leveling me, rooting me to the spot. I know what I'm asking. It's a slippery slope, but we're both adults. We can keep our hands to ourselves.

"I won't touch you, and you won't touch me. We're just going to sleep." I shrug, but my nonchalance is undercut by a long yawn. I really am about to fall asleep on my feet.

"I'm not sure you want to do that." He shakes his head, but I notice he hasn't gone back to making the bed on the couch.

"I do. Honestly, I'll be good." It's a joke, but the fire burning in his eyes lets me know this is no laughing matter.

"And what if I want you to be bad?"

"I'm sure you can find plenty of other women to warm your bed. You're going to have to control yourself until you can get one of them." I throw over my shoulder as I turn my back to him and walk to the bed. It's all I can do to hide the fact that I want to be his bad girl.

He doesn't reply, but I hear him walking behind me until he gets to the other side of the bed and pulls the covers back. "You need anything else to sleep?" he asks as I start pulling my pants and shoes off.

"No, this is fine." The shirt he pulled out from my closet was long enough that it covers my thighs. It's more of a tunic than a shirt.

"Alright."

Every nerve in my body is vibrating as we both slip under the covers. I hear him exhale a deep breath before he reaches over and shuts off the light.

Darkness.

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