Page 24 of Arrow: Riding Rebels MC

I looked up into Arrow’s eyes, and it was a mistake I would never regret.

Without urgency, his eyes swept me from head to toe. I could feel the fire of his gaze on my ass, and my middle woke up in a way she hadn’t in a while. The right side of Arrow’s mouth lifted in a smirk, right before his bottom lip disappeared between his teeth. Nodding, Arrow took a step back, and I let out a breath and concentrated on getting my baby together. Once Hendrix was secure, I stepped back and smiled.

Arrow’s hand found its way to my hip, and he led me to the front passenger side.

“When we get to the house, I need you to make me a list of his needs that can’t wait for delivery. I’ll have Snoopy, or one of the other prospects go to the grocery store and get whatever.”

“You don’t have to do that. The general store had a few things I can grab. I don’t want to put anyone out.”

He waved me off. “When we get to the house, make the list. Also, do you want dinner to be carryout, or you want to cook?”

As he maneuvered the streets of his hometown, I stared at him, wondering if he had a hearing problem.

Whenever Gideon would talk over me or disregard what I was saying, it would make me mad enough to piss him off, even though I knew what would follow. However, with Arrow,his arrogance and inability to listen just made me want to pinch him. The kind of pinch I used to get as a kid when I touched something in a store after getting the speech all black moms gave before an outing.

I chuckled at the thought, and he took his eyes off the road for a second to look at me.

“We can order out. I don’t mind cooking, but pizza and wings will do the trick.”

Arrow nodded. “Bet. I have five bedrooms, but I know you’ll keep Hendrix in the room with you. We can set up one of the rooms to be his area where all his stuff is kept. Oh. When you put your order in for what you need for y’all, get that jewelry shit you were talking about the other day. Whatever you think you’ll need to get that stuff set up.”

Before he could finish his sentence, I was already shaking my head.

“No. You’re making statements like all of this is permanent. Once we’re out of the woods with my husband, me and my son will be on our way.”

“What if I didn’t want y’all to go? Huh, what then?”

My mouth dropped open, and I stared at the side of his face.

Arrow gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles were white. I could feel his irritation with him letting the words tumble out of his mouth. Turning back to face the front, I thought of all the reasons why staying here wouldn’t be right for Hendrix and me. Granted, everyone had been great to us, but this wasn’t our life, and I hated to impose on them.

All I’d known was Gideon, and I strongly felt that I needed to discover me before I could give me to someone else.

“Arrow. You don’t want me. I’m damaged and will probably always be because of what I went through. I?—”

“Need to stop talking before you piss me the fuck off.”

“I’m only being honest. I can’t give you what you’re looking for.”

He cut his eyes at me, so I folded my lips.

Arrow, although annoyingly generous, could be scary. I didn’t think for one second Hendrix or I would be in danger with him, but I could see why some might be afraid of him. My fear was him creating this vision of me in his head and me not living up to it. I couldn’t fathom getting attached to another person and being abandoned by them. It was why I stayed with Gideon for so long before trying to leave.

Arrow’s aura was different, but I had to protect myself at all costs.

“We’re here.” His tone was stiff like his posture.

“Arrow—”

“Come on so y’all can get settled. I got an errand to run, but I should be back in enough time for dinner. There are menus on the counter in the kitchen.”

I climbed out of the car but took my sweet time.

Arrow had climbed out as well but had gone straight for the bags. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched his jerky movements, wondering how I could tell him everything I was thinking without sounding crazy. He’d been open about wanting me to stay, but I couldn’t get my mouth open fast enough to say the words in my head.

Arrow left the car and went to his front door to unlock it.

“I thought you wanted me to make my list,” I whispered as Arrow walked past me.

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