Page 15 of Traitor

But my gut tells me not to wait.

A beat of silence.

Then— "Come in."

I push the door open, stepping inside his office, adrenaline and something that feels like hope spiking to new heights inside me.

Bones is sitting behind his desk, but the moment his stormy blue gaze lands on me, he leans forward, resting his forearms on the wood, like he's been waiting for me.

I swallow hard. Steel myself.

"I'd love to go on a date with you."

A slow, knowing smirk spreads across his lips.

He doesn't look surprised.

He looks like he knew this was inevitable.

Like I was always going to end up here.

And maybe I knew it, too.

The wind whips through my hair, the vibration of the bike humming beneath me, the heat of Bones' body solid against my chest.

I grip his waist tighter, my pulse thrumming, exhilaration mixing with something deeper, more dangerous.

This is not what I expected.

Men don't take random women on their bikes. Not in the MC world. That seat behind them? It's reserved for their Ol' Ladies.

So when Bones handed me a helmet and said,"Get on,"my heart nearly stopped.

As the bike slows, we pull into a clearing by a serene lake, the water glistening in the fading sun.

A blanket is spread out on the grass, a cooler sitting beside it.

I blink. "You... planned this?"

He swings off the bike, smirking as he helps me off. "Had Layla help me put something together. Joker brough everything here, so we could go for a ride first."

I glance at the setup, warmth curling in my chest.

"You really went all out for a first date," I tease.

He steps closer, his hands brushing my waist, his eyes holding mine. "Because you deserve it. And I don't half-ass things."

My breath catches.

There's hidden meaning behind his words. I can feel it.

This isn't a casual thing for him.

The lake is still, reflecting the deep indigo of the sky, the faint shimmer of stars dancing across its surface. We've been talking for hours.

Now, the only sound is the rustling of the trees, the distant hum of crickets, and the slow, measured breaths of the man beside me.

Bones leans back on his elbows, one leg bent, the other stretched out, his body languid, powerful. In control, even in stillness.

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