Page 21 of Guardian

“Sugar, there’s no way I can bend this body into a small enough package to fit into that car. I’m not in the mood for calling a taxi, and even if I was it would make us late for the movie. Your jeans are just fine for riding with me. I brought a helmet I borrowed from Flame. If you hang on tight I’ll do my best not to scare you too much.”

He was right. He’d never fit in my compact. The huge bike loomed before me like a dragon waiting to attack. I refused to show fear in front of Sweet or let it take control of me. I’d faced far worse in the past.

I forced my self to stop shaking, stepped forward, and took the helmet he offered. Sweet swung his leg over the bike and showed me where to put my foot so I could get on behind him. My hands lightly touched his sides, and I declared myself ready to go.

“You’ll fall off the instant the bike shoots forward. Wrap your arms around me tight,” he ordered, pulling them around him and mashing my chest to his back.

He was warm, his muscles solid and hard, and he smelled marvelous. I wasn’t going to fight him. I was gladly going to stay exactly how he’d situated me. The sensations I was feeling were better than anything I’d experienced in a long time. Just touching that firm body made me wet, though I’d never admit to him.

The bike took off like a rocket, and I understood why he’d positioned me against him. It took a few minutes to get the courage to lift my head off his broad back and stare at the landscape whizzing by. I got a rush. This was true freedom. I loved it and didn’t want the ride to end. My fear had been so stupid, based on what a bunch of fools had warned me aboutsince childhood. They were the ones missing out on a wonderous experience.

I was grinning when we reached the theater. Impulsively, I bounced up and kissed Sweet’s mouth lightly.

“Well, damn. I should have got you on the bike sooner,” he stated.

“I’ve got to do that again, as often as possible,” I replied.

“You’re wish is my command,” Sweet promised.

He took my hand and led me into the theater. Everyone stared as he bought a bucket of popcorn, candy, hot dogs, and two large drinks. He’d adamantly refused to let me pay.

I grinned as women swooned and men scowled at the sight of him. Security went on alert, and for some reason I found that hilarious.

“Is it like this everywhere you go?” I had to ask.

“I’m used to it. Some of it’s necessary. I’m not exactly an angel. Not every visit to such an establishment has been so peaceful. There’s been some rumbles. Security doesn’t much care for our members. They recognize the tat,” he said, pointing to his neck.

We sat through the movie holding hands. Every once in a while, Sweet would tip my head up and kiss me gently. I felt like a teenager stealing forbidden kisses. I tingled all over, and felt a shiver go through him once or twice. He was being a gentleman, but it was obviously difficult.

He took long strides to get back to the bike after the show. I practically had to run to keep up or be dragged behind him since he never let go of my hand. He didn’t allow me to catch my breath once we reached our destination. His mouth slammed onto mine, and he took all that I had to give. He devoured me. There’s no other way to describe it. Tongues twisted, lips were nibbled, and it was like he was drinking my soul.

When he came up for air he growled, “That’s what I call a kiss. That shit during the show was politeness. It was a tease, and I hated it. I want to eat you alive.”

“I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or a threat,” I answered to keep from swooning at his feet.

“It’s a damn compliment. I’m warning you it’s going to happen sooner or later. So, I hope you’re ready for it when the time comes. I don’t make promises I don’t keep,” he stated.

The expression on his handsome face told me he meant every word, as did the tic in his cheek. My body burned in desire. If he’d dared take me right then and there I’d have allowed it. The man had so much testosterone he was irresistible. My head wasn’t in charge. The area between my legs was.

“Get on the bike before I take the offer in your eyes,” he rumbled.

I obeyed out of self-preservation.

The sight that met us when we turned onto my street had me tumbling off the bike. I raced behind Sweet who had barely taken the time to shut off the machine before taking long determined strides toward the officers standing in front of my house.

The flashing red lights made the evening appear eerie and even more frightening once I factored in the idea that Jackson was involved. It helped that there wasn’t an ambulance, EMT vehicle, or firetruck parked at the curb. My assumption was that Mitch had showed up again, and Mrs. Gruber had called the cops.

“What the hell is going on, and where’s Jackson?” Sweet demanded.

“Who are you?” the young, fresh from the academy cop challenged.

“The man who’s gonna rip off your balls and feed them to the pit bull next door if you don’t tell me where Jackson is,” Sweet retorted.

“Sweet, ignore the kid. He’s a little over eager to take out the bad guys,” the older cop replied. “He’s never dealt with you and the Sinners the way I have.”

“Look, Carmichael, I don’t give a damn about your newbie. We need to know the kid’s okay,” Sweet hostilely replied.

The officer turned to me and said, “Ma’am, I assume this is your house. Your son is just fine. He’s having some cookies and milk courtesy of his babysitter. She called us when the dog next door went nuts and she checked to see what had gotten him going. She discovered a bag leaking blood on the front porch and a note pinned to the door.”

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