Page 66 of The Devil's Weakness

“Oh, and how often do othermenride ‘bitch’?” I ask, unappreciative of the pet name they have for women passengers.

I wait for an answer that I know isn’t coming. Until it does.

“Maybe your road name should be ‘Air Quotes,’” he jokes, emphasizing the crook of his fingers.

“Not funny.” I roll my eyes at him.

“I get that you’re not used to this life; my world. But that’s just how we talk. And for your information, it does happen sometimes. If one of the guys needs to go get his bike from somewhere, he might have to ride bitch. Even though you’ll never hear him admit to riding nut-to-butt.”

I close my eyes upon hearing that last phrase. It’s ridiculous, but funny. However, now isn’t the time for laughter.

“Is my car really beyond repair?”

“It’s not worth what it would cost to repair it. And I can take you wherever you need to go for the time being.”

I consider his proposal for a minute. If I let him do that, then I won’t get the clean break I was going for by getting out of here. But I also don’t want to string him along by letting him take me places and make him think that this is going somewhere.

“I’ll let you drive me home, as long as it’s in that monster truck you threw me into when you brought me here. I’m not ready for the bike. But, after today, I can find my own way around town. It’s not so large of a place that I can’t walk. I’ve done it before.”

“You’re my girl, and I’m telling you I will provide you with transportation.”

He pulls me in and puts his arms around my waist. I search his eyes.

I can see myself being with Blade. But the person he would need to be isn’t who he is now. At the same time, if I changed him too much, I’m not certain I would like him at all. There’s something about a tall, dark, and dangerous man that is sexy and intriguing. The fictional men from books and movies that I love are just that, though;fiction.

“I didn’t agree to that,” I insist, knowing full well I kind of, sort of did.

“Yes, little girl, you did,” he says. “It was mean, unfair, and cruel to make you answer me when I knew you wouldn’t be able to say no. But I don’t care. I’m a selfish motherfucker, and when I want something bad enough, I take it.”

His eyes follow mine, back and forth between his.

“And I want you.”

It’s as though I’m in the basement all over again, worked up, soaking wet, and ready to sign my life away if it meant I would get just one kiss from him. He sees it. He can read me like a book, and I hate that he has one up on me.

Slowly, he lowers his head until his soft lips caress mine. He barely touches me before he stops moving in, and I whimper at the thought of him pulling away already. He runs his hands up my back and grips my hair in his fist, tugging my head back gently before pressing his lips harder to mine.

His tongue darts out, and I open my lips to let him in. I grab ahold of his t-shirt with both hands and pull him even closer still. I’m losing myself, my will, but I’m damn near done with fighting what I want. What I need.

I grew up too fast. I never got to live my late teens and my twenties as a crazy, free spirit without a care in the world. Instead, I became the woman of the house. And since then, I’ve been babysitting my older, thirty-two-year-old brother.

Unacceptable.

Irresponsible Sasha is back and currently winning my internal struggle.

Blade is my kryptonite; there’s no doubt about that.

But what if he can also be my Superman?

Chapter Twenty

Reluctantly breaking our kiss,I look down at her. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for the girl in my arms. Except let her go. She can beg me to; she can hate me all she wants. She can even run to the ends of this earth. Nothing she does or says will make me stay away.

I know she feels something for me. Is it as strong as I feel for her? I think it is. But she’s scared, so she’s fighting it. I can see it in her eyes every time she looks at me. She’ll be so far out of her element in this lifestyle, but I’ll help her every step of the way.

“If you’re not ready for the bike, then that’s fine. We can take my truck.” I wink at her.

“Thank you,” she responds with a smile.

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