Page 16 of Cocky Jerk

We stare for a moment, sizing each other up before Antonia turns and starts for me. I don’t break eye contact to look at her, though. However, Hound’s gaze shoots to Antonia’s ass.

It’s a sign of weakness and I think he realizes it because he clenches his jaw.

“Come,” Antonia calls, taking my hand as she reaches me. Still, I don’t move.

Hound spares me another glance before relenting and turning back to his bike. I watch as he throws his leg over his Harley. The motorcycle comes to life as he lifts his kickstand with his boot. He doesn’t bother with a helmet and in a flash he skids away from the curb.

Once he’s out of sight, I turn my head and stare at Antonia.

“I’m sorry about that,” she says as her gaze wanders to my cheek. Cringing, she lifts her hand to touch the side of my face. “It’s already starting to bruise.”

“Fuck my cheek,” I hiss, wrapping my hand around her wrist. “What the hell was that? How do you know that guy?”

She blows out an exasperated breath, and I drop her hand, watching as she shrugs her shoulders.

“I know him a long time,” she replies, cocking her head to the side as she crosses her arms under her chest. “I can handle him if that’s what you’re wondering.”

I don’t know what the hell I’m wondering, but I know I don’t like that answer.

“Is he your boyfriend?”

She barks out a laugh.

“Definitely not,” she responds, still laughing as she uncrosses her arms and reaches into her pocket for her keys. “Look,” she continues as she starts for the front door. “Hound thinks he has some type of claim on me, that I’m his responsibility. The sooner he thinks I’m someone else’s problem, the sooner he’ll back off.”

She says it so nonchalantly.

Like it’s totally normal for a guy like that to just show up and stake his claim.

She glances over her shoulder at me and pauses. Our eyes lock and she swallows before continuing, “Thanks for being that someone for a minute. I’m really sorry he punched you, oh, and I’m sorry for elbowing you in the stomach and stomping on your foot too.”

I think I might have a concussion because I can’t formulate a single sentence, all I can do is stare at her. A part of me wants to yell at her, another part wants to shake her, but the biggest part just wants to know her and that’s fucking scary for a guy like me.

“I’d offer you ice, but I haven’t been home in weeks and I don’t remember the last time I filled the ice trays,” she continues, leaning against the door.

She flashes me a smile and it’s the first time there isn’t a trace of malice, or suspicion and again, I’m fucking winded.

She’s got a gorgeous smile.

“Oh, and thanks for bringing me my license. I was a bitch earlier, but, well, you know what kind of day I had. It was really nice of you to go out of your way for me.”

“Like I said, it’s no big deal.”

“Right, because you’re friends with my boss.”

“Exactly.”

She nods.

“Well, maybe you don’t tell my boss I elbowed you in the gut and asked you to pretend to be my lover? I’ve already left a shitty first impression,” she says, lowering her thick black lashes.

Instinctively, I reach out and press a finger under her chin, forcing her eyes back to mine.

“I don’t know about that,” I tell her, admiring her features and committing them to memory.

I was right.

There’s definitely more to Antonia DeLuca than meets the eye.

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