Page 29 of Ruined (The Knights of Ruin)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Smoke

‘SERIOUSLY? THAT’SYOURPLAN?’

Tiger was stretched out on the couch opposite me, a beer in one hand, a joint in the other, and a woman in his lap. She was taking puffs on his joint and looking bored, obviously waiting until we’d finished talking so she could get on with the more important job of sucking his cock.

Unfortunately for her, we hadn’t finished talking.

‘Yeah, that’s the plan.’ I leaned back in my chair, picking at a hole in the cheap vinyl on the arm of it and trying not to let Tiger’s sarcasm get to me. ‘Something wrong with it?’

We were in the Knights’ clubhouse, over by the corner near the pool table, where it was quieter and no one would overhear us. I’d just told him how I was going to save both Annie and Cat, and he’d told me what a fucking stupid idea it was.

‘Uh...who’s going to believe Cat’s your old lady?’ Tiger shook his head. ‘Everyone knows she’s your friend.’

‘And everyone thinks I’m fucking her already.’ Which they did, since to them friendship between a man and a woman was apparently a goddamn unicorn. As in it didn’t exist.

Tiger lifted his joint in salute. ‘True.’

‘So it’s not exactly going to be a surprise.’

‘Also true.’ The woman sitting in his lap grabbed at his beer and he gave it to her. ‘Though you taking an old lady might be.’

He wasn’t wrong about that. I’d never wanted any permanent commitments and hadn’t exactly kept it a big secret. Tiger was the same.

All I needed was my bike, my club, regular blow jobs and Cat. Sure, it would be great if Cat could provide the blow jobs, but you couldn’t have everything.

That reminded me of the kiss a couple of nights ago and I shifted in my chair, trying not to think about it since every time I did I got harder than iron.

I’d been a prick to demand that of her, but I hadn’t been sorry. Still wasn’t. Because if nothing else ever happened between us, at least I’d have that kiss.

And, Christ, what a fucking kiss. I’d never had anything like it and I probably wouldn’t have anything like it again.

She’d tasted exactly the way I’d dreamed, except better. Sweet, yet tart, too—like strawberries and really expensive dry champagne. Which was Cat all-up. It was also goddamn delicious and I wanted more.

Her body had felt soft and hot, and the moment the hard tips of her nipples had pressed against my chest, I’d wanted to eat her alive. Because that right there had been confirmation. She wanted me. She fucking wanted me.

Then she’d started to kiss me back and I’d nearly lost my mind.

I’d come this close to simply shoving her against the wall, pulling her jeans down and getting inside her as fast as I damn well could.

But I’d been good. I’d let her go, put her at a distance and made sure she knew it. Though if she’d tried to make like that kiss hadn’t meant anything, like it was just some pretend shit between friends, I don’t know what I would have done.

I’d never hurt Cat. But that didn’t mean I was a good guy.

Anyway, I’d done what I’d intended. I’d put her off balance, shown her what there could be between us. And it was fucking incredible.

‘Bro?’ Tiger said, eyeing me. ‘Have you actually been fucking her? ’Cause you’ve got that look on your face that—’

‘No.’ I cut him off. ‘I’m not.’

At least not yet. And even if I was, it wasn’t any of his business. It wasn’t anyone’s business except mine and Cat’s.

‘Sure, the brothers might be surprised I’m taking an old lady, but they’ll just think we’ve finally acknowledged our feelings for each other or some such bullshit.’

‘Yeah, I guess they will.’ Tiger put his hand on the woman’s thigh. ‘What about if Justin goes after the kid? Think Keep’ll definitely protect her?’

I scowled. ‘He told me he would. He fucking better.’

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