Page 23 of Pedal to the Metal
“Hey, Kitty.” The corner of his mouth lifts in a small smile.
“I’m gonna go check on the guys,” Rivet says to me. “Lo, can I get four more beers please?” Lolita brings her the beers, also bringing one for Raze. They both thank her and she’s off again. I just watch Raze.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Rivet sing-songs as she walks away. Raze lets out a small laugh.
“Your friend is something else,” he says, then takes a drink of his beer. I watch his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallows. He turns to look at me. His stare is intense. I distract myself with my own drink, taking a sip before I respond.
“She’s a wild one,” I tell him and right away, I wish I could take that back. We’re both a little wild, but I don’t want him thinking I’ll put out or anything. I look at him out of the corner of my eye. He has his eyebrow cocked with a smug grin, giving me a suggestive look.
“Oh, no. No. Don’t go getting any ideas.” I glare at him and he smiles a full tooth-baring smile. A smiling and laughing Raze is definitely something I could get used to.
“Now, what kind of ideas do you think I would get from that?” He winks at me. I look away from him and take another drink, not wanting to make eye contact again.
“I don’t know. The kind of ideas that we can’t be doing together,” I tell him. I can feel him staring at me.
“Kitty, look at me.” I don’t know why, but I actually listen. I find myself staring right into his gorgeous blue eyes. And that’s the moment I know I’m screwed. I don’t want to stay away from him. “Is it because you have a man?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I told you yesterday at the diner, I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“What about Shade? You and him seemed pretty cozy when you walked in.” Raze has a hint of jealousy in his voice and I smile. “What?”
“Oh, nothing. Shade is just protective of me. Some shit happened in Arizona, and he’s the one that helped me. He saved me. Ever since, he’s just kept a more watchful eye on me,” I explain to him without telling him too much detail.
“But this is your home. No one here would ever hurt you.” It’s almost like he’s saying he wouldn’t hurt me, but I shake that thought away. I’m thankful he didn’t ask for details about what happened. If I told him, I’m sure he would tell Pops.
“Once Rivet reminded him that my Pops is Prez, he relaxed. And before you say anything, I know he’s still been watching me from across the room. I’m sure it will be a hard habit for him to break.”
“So tell me,” he starts, and then brushes a strand of hair out of my face and behind my ear. “Why can’t we do anything together?”
Just before I respond, the cut bunny from earlier saunters up to Raze and rubs her hand across his shoulders, ignoring how close Raze is to me.
“Raze, baby, I’ve been looking for you,” she says, trying to sound sexy. I roll my eyes. Raze smiles at me.
“I told you I wasn’t interested, Trix.” He doesn’t even look at her when he talks to her, holding eye contact with me the whole time.
“But, baby—”
He turns to her. “Quit fucking calling me baby. I’m not interested. Go fucking find someone else,” he growls at her. I smirk.
“What the fuck are you looking at, bitch?” Trix snaps at me. I calmly get up from my seat and stand between her and Raze, making sure she’s paying attention to me.
“I’ll let you have one pass since I know you don’t know who the fuck I am. But if you ever talk to me like that again, I will rip out your fake ass hair and break your pretty little face. Now be a good little slut and leave Raze the fuck alone,” I bite back. I feel Raze wrap an arm around my waist and pull me into him. He turns me around and I hear Trix huff out an angry breath before storming off.
“Calm down, Kitty,” Raze whispers in my ear and by his tone, I can tell he’s smiling. He pulls away and his beard brushes against my face. He must purposely keep it short. It’s not much longer than it was the day at the diner. Feeling his beard on my cheek has me wondering how it would feel between my legs.
“Come out to the fire pit with me.” It’s not a question, but he sounds hopeful. Part of me feels like I should go find Rivet and the guys. Then something tells me she would chastise me for not listening to the part of me that wants to go with him.
“Okay.” I decide and as soon as I say it, he’s up and leading me outside.
