Page 36 of Steel

Jameson turns his back on the prospects, focusing his attention on me.

“What are you going to do with him?” I ask, glancing down at the unconscious man.

“Nothing for you to worry about.” Jameson puts his phone away. “Let’s go; your shift is over.”

“No, it’s not.”

He steps toward me, tipping my chin up. “Yes, it is. Tell your boss you’re feeling sick. Or whatever excuse they’ll believe. We tried this your way, but we’re doing it my way now.”

He nods toward the body on the floor, and I swallow hard when I realize this isn’t him being overbearing; he’s trying to keep me safe. For whatever reason, Jameson is looking out for me. And somehow, I trust him to do it.

10

Steel

By the time Tempemeets me outside the bar, she’s back wearing the same jeans and shirt she was wearing last night. And when I glance down at her outfit, she frowns.

“It’s all I have.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “It’s not like I had a chance to pack a bag. I need more clothes.”

Glancing up at her, I realize that even though the guys had Austin pack a few things before bringing him to the clubhouse, Tempe has nothing.

“Come on.” I hand her a helmet. “We’ll grab some of your things.”

She hitches her eyebrow, drawing my attention back to the scar that cuts through it. “And put it where?”

“How much you planning on packing, princess?”

She rolls her eyes, and something about her annoyance is my favorite form of entertainment.

“It’s not just me, Jameson. My brother needs his favorite bear,a toothbrush. A booster seat for riding in yourtruck. I swear it’s like you’ve never been around a kid.” She’s not wrong about that. “They requireall the things. I don’t know how much, except that it’s probably more than your bike can handle,Steel.”

She calls me by my road name just to pick at me, and I can’t help but chuckle at the attempt.

“Fine. I’ll have the guys take you to your place tomorrow. Just get on the fucking bike, Tempe.” I don’t like that she’s out here in the open. “You ever been on the back of a motorcycle?”

She shakes her head.

“First time for everything.” I swing my leg over my bike and start the engine while Tempe fights with the helmet. Her honey-brown hair waves out around her shoulders, and her ass wiggles as she adjusts the strap.

She’s too fucking tempting for a girl who annoys the living hell out of me half the time.

A complete contradiction. Sour and sweet. Gentle with her brother but feisty with me. Hating me one moment and cleaning out the cut on my knuckle the next.

It’s fucking confusing.

“Need help?” I ask when she’s still fighting with the buckle.

“Nope, got it.” It clicks.

Tempe is a lot like me, refusing assistance and being a stubborn asshole about it. Except on her it’s cute.

I don’t like cute.

But damn,this girl.

Tempe walks over, pausing when I reach out my hand to help her onto the bike.

“Climb on, wildfire. I don’t bite unless you want me to.”

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