Page 14 of Aftershock's Fury

“Something like that,” Rylan says. “Good luck. I’ll be on a jobsite this morning and won’t be home until late. You’ll have prospects and one of these guys with you until I get home.”

“Not Aftershock?”

The men shake their heads at me using his road name. I don’t understand why, but I ignore them. If he doesn’t want to spend time with me, I guess I’m okay with that. Even if he said he’d be around.

“Come on, Fezzik. Let’s get out of here.”

“Low Low, listen. He has things to do.”

“I don’t care.” I raise my brows and shake my head in denial. I don’t want Rylan or any of his brothers to know Crue got to me.

CHAPTER

FIVE

AFTERSHOCK

Iwatch her through the glass windows of the bakery as she helps customers. It’s been two weeks since she’s been back. She started school but won’t be able to graduate until December. Some of her credits didn’t transfer, so she’ll have to take a class or two in the fall.

She helps the owner, a tall, willowy woman who dresses like she’s from the sixties. Today, she’s wearing tight black pants that stop at mid-calf and a black-and-white crop top. She has a little girl, and from what I’ve heard from the prospects, Harley is in love with her.

Harlowe looks out the window and sees me. I’ve been keeping my distance, and it’s been hard. I’m giving her and Kodiak the time they need to reconnect, but having her this close and doing nothing is killing me. Today, I’ve decided it’s time to talk to Kodiak.

Loki pulls up next to me and gets off his bike.

“Harley doing good today?” he asks.

“Yeah, she’s been in the back baking unless a customer comes in. I’ve got one prospect at the rear entrance and theother over there.” I point to the end of the strip mall where GB is posted. I hate when he’s assigned to her detail, so I keep him as far away as possible. The next time I hear he asks her out, I’ll break his fucking arm and face. I’ve made it clear what she is to me, but he keeps pushing the limits.

“She getting off early today?” Loki checks his watch.

“She has an afternoon class, then she’ll be back here to help with closing.”

“I heard she has dinner plans,” he says casually.

My head whips toward him.

“Excuse the fuck out of me. What do you mean she has dinner plans?” I start to move off my bike, but he holds up a hand to stop me.

“It’s all good. I’m taking her over to Palmer to have dinner at the brew house.”

I turn back to watch her and find her talking to a guy I didn’t see enter.

“Who is she talking to now?”

“Oh, he’s safe,” Loki says. “He walks over from the gym to chat her up. She turns him down every time he asks her out.”

“I’m fucking done with this bullshit.”

I swing off my bike and stomp toward the bakery. I pull open the door with a hard tug. The bell dings as she looks up to see me coming. The guy doesn’t turn around until he realizes she’s still staring at me. I want her eyes on me and only me. I’m a jealous man and don’t like her looking at or talking to any other man. I hate that I’m like this, but it’s the way it is with her.

I walk up to the counter and glare at him. “Excuse me,” I say.

The guy steps back, and I move closer, pulling her forward by the back of her neck. I lean into her, and she leans toward me. Our lips touch in a soft, warm kiss. I want to consume her, but I know I won’t stop if I do.

Harlowe’s breath hitches as I pull away. Her eyes slowly flutter open, then focus on me again, swirling with color, the green deepening with passion.

“Starlight, I’ll pick you up tomorrow at your brother’s. We’ll go for a ride and a picnic.”

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