Page 6 of Chaplain

Five minutes later, Eden appears around the corner and gestures for me to follow her out. We head down the dark hallway side by side, shoulders nearly touching in the narrow space, even if she does her best to ignore me.

I catch a whiff of her floral perfume mixing with the ever-present scent of leather and oil that permeates the clubhouse. The usual tension settles over us, and I'm hyper-aware of her every movement, the way her hips sway inches from me. I can't lie; my mind's straying into dangerous territory with thoughts I've got no business having about a woman under the club's protection.

As we reach the exit, Eden's hand accidentally brushes mine, sending a jolt up my arm. She glances up almost shyly. "Oops, sorry..."

"S'alright," I rasp. Her big doe eyes stare right through me in the dim light. Before I can think better of it, I reach out to tuck back a lock of hair that has fallen across her cheek. Probably crossing a line, but I let my fingertips graze her soft skin anyway.

Eden's eyes flutter shut at the contact, and she parts those sweet lips in a little sigh that goes straight to my cock. Everything in me screams to close the scant distance between us. Feel that mouth under mine. Back her against the nearest wall and show her why she should listen to the rules.

With great effort, I force myself to take a small step back and drop my hand. The Chaplain patch on my kutte feels suddenly heavy, a reminder of the code I vowed to live by. As much as I may want this woman here and now, I've got greater duties to the club that can't be compromised. Not even for her.

Clearing my throat gruffly, I put some professional distance between us again. "It's late."

Eden gives me an inscrutable look but pushes the door open without argument. The heated moment is broken for now. But as we step outside, she stops abruptly and turns to face me. The moonlight spilling over her upturned face steals my breath.

"What game are you playing with me, Diesel?" she asks softly, placing a hand over my pounding heart. "You might be fooling yourself, but I can see right through you."

I hesitate, warring with myself. "Eden, I..."

"You're the real threat in there." she presses gently. "Everyone sees it but you. "

A ragged breath escapes me. No point denying it, least of all to her. "Maybe I am. But it doesn't matter. I'm still the club's Chaplain. There are expectations I can't ignore."

Eden moves closer, her body a hair's breadth from mine. "Life's too short for expectations. We owe it to ourselves to take chances." Her lips part enticingly.

Every nerve in my body screams to close the distance. Feel her mouth on mine. Back her up against the door and take what we both desire.

With monumental effort, I take her hand from my chest and step away. "It's not that simple for me. I made promises to the club and to Luca." My voice comes out hoarse.

Disappointment flickers across Eden's face, but she doesn't argue. We continue on to her car in charged silence. Reaching it, she turns back once more.

"Goodnight, Diesel. And... don't worry. I won't break any more of your rules."

I nod, not trusting my voice. She holds my gaze a moment longer, reluctant to leave. But finally slips into her car and drives off into the night.

I continue to stare after her long after she's driven away. Wanting her goes soul-deep, but the ink on my back reminds me of vows that can't be broken. Not even for her. No matter how much the resisting may kill us both.

5

Eden

Istep into my dark apartment well past midnight, muscles sore and mind spinning from another long day hacking at the clubhouse. All I want is to collapse into bed. But as I pass through the living room, the front door suddenly opens.

"Jeez, Gabe, you scared me!" I screech as my teenage brother slips inside. "It's a school night, where have you been?"

Gabe rolls his eyes dramatically. "Chill, sis, I was working on a project at Sam's."

I give him my best stern look, though, at seventeen, he's too old for it to work. "Uh-huh, well, don't make a habit of staying out late on weeknights," I scold anyway. "Just because Luca is out of town doesn't mean the house rules have changed."

He skirts past me toward his room. "Yeah, yeah, I got it."

Knowing any further nagging will push him away, I sigh and let it go. I change into my comfy PJs and grab a Ben & Jerry's pint before collapsing onto the couch, hoping a sugar rush can help make sense of what happened between Disesl and metonight. A few bites in, Gabe wanders back out to scrounge the kitchen.

Seeing the ice cream, he arches an eyebrow. "Must be some late-night hack getting to you if you've resorted to Phish Food therapy."

I wave him off around a mouthful. "It's nothing, just work stuff."

But he knows me too well and comes to perch on the arm of the couch with his own spoon. "Uh huh, you never break out the good stuff over a routine hack. What's really going on?"

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