Page 332 of The Tempted

“Lauren, walk!” Riggs ordered through clenched teeth, while pressing his palm against my lower back, forcing me out the door.

“Calm down, Tiger,” Bones teased. “You never minded sharing before.”

I stopped in my tracks and turned around.

“You two share women?” I asked, disgusted.

“Ignore him,” Riggs commanded. “He knows dick about what he’s talking about,” he added.

“I’ll flip you for her,” Bones called out, as Riggs slammed the door behind him. He took my hand, mumbled some curse I couldn’t make out and pulled me toward his bike.

“Contrary to what you may think, I’m not a slut,” I blurted, snatching my hand back. “I wouldn’t jump from you to him, willingly or otherwise,” I said defensively.

I realize I was the epitome of an oxymoron, defending my lady-like capabilities while wearing five-inch heels and men’s clothing. This had to be the most horrendous walk of shame in history, but then again, I always was an overachiever. My mother would be so proud. Not.

“Lauren, I’m only going to say this once, okay? So pay attention. You’re the girl you take home to mom, not the girl you pass off to your friends. You’re the type of girl that comes around and makes you grow a fucking conscience,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You want me to meet your mother?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Fuck no, and I don’t ever want to see yours again,” he replied, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Now get on the bike so I can take you home. The good guy act is threatening to expire,” he added.

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Riggs wasn’t a bad guy, he was just crazy. Absolutely bizarre.

Everyone needed a little crazy in their lives, right?

She made me drop her off around the corner from her brother’s house in case Bianci showed up. Ridiculous.

What was even more ridiculous was that I didn’t want her to leave.

That wasfuckingridiculous.

I didn’t know when she’d be back for a visit, and with her car out of commission it probably wasn’t anytime soon. Bianci still hadn’t towed the damn thing to Xonerated. So, this was it, the end of Kitten and Tiger as we knew it.

All I had to hang on to was the memory of my fingers inside her. I shouldn’t have been such a dick—at least then, I’d know what she looked like when she came.

I killed the engine of the bike as she climbed off and removed the helmet.

“Thanks for the ride,” she said, extending the helmet to me.

“Anytime,” I said before clearing my throat.

“I need to get going or I’ll miss the bus. I won’t tell anyone where I was,” she rambled.

“I don’t care if you do,” I replied with a shrug.

Nothing happened.

“So, this is goodbye? I suck at goodbyes,” she admitted. “I mean, it’s pretty stupid isn’t it? It’s just a word. One word,” she exhaled quietly. “Should I say see you soon? When I know I won’t. There’s always Christmas?”

“It’s been real, Kitten,” I said, with a smile. “Keep in touch?”

“See, that’s so much better!” She replied. “Not final like goodbye.Keep in touchleaves a person with hope that there will be an opportunity for more,” she added.

“More?” I asked raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, more,” she said incredulously. “You owe me an orgasm,” she accused. “I plan on collecting.”

She winked at me and I was fucked. Fucked, because I temporarily fell in love with her, with those words, and the way she said them.

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