Page 76 of Reckless: Chaos

“Fighting together,” I taste the words. “That mean you’ll finally let me into the garage with more than a beginner’s bike?”

His laugh rumbles through both of us. “The Ryker is a perfectly respectable machine.”

“The Ryker is a tricycle with delusions of grandeur.”

“A tricycle that kept you from breaking your neck.” His fingers trail down my neck, touching the spot where Jinx marked me. “Though apparently I can’t protect you from everything.”

“Still bitter about that?”

“Protective,” he corrects. “There’s a difference.”

His hand stills on my throat, thumb pressing gently over my pulse. “Bitter would mean I wanted to erase his mark. Protective means I want to add my own.”

Heat pools low in my belly at his tone. At the possession in his touch. “What’s stopping you?”

“You’re not ready.” But his eyes darken as my pulse jumps under his fingers. “You don’t trust us yet. Not completely.”

The truth of that statement cuts deeper than he knows. Than he can ever know.

“And when I am ready?” I ask, because apparently I’m a masochist who enjoys making my inevitable betrayal harder.

“When you’re ready,” his voice drops to that dangerous register that makes my toes curl, “I won’t be gentle about it.”

“Promise?”

Something dangerous flashes in his eyes at my challenge. His hand tightens fractionally on my throat, just enough to remind me of his strength.

“Careful, little beta.” His voice carries gravel and heat. “I’ve been holding back for two months. Don’t start something you’re not ready to finish.”

“Maybe I’m tired of everyone deciding what I’m ready for.”

The admission carries more truth than I meant it to. His thumb strokes over my pulse as he studies my face.

“You think I don’t want this?” The words come out rough. “Think I don’t lie awake imagining all the ways I could take you apart? Make you mine?”

“Show me.”

“No.” But his control visibly frays as I shift closer. “Not until you trust us completely. Not until?—”

“Until what? Until I’m properly contained? Properly protected?” I lean into his hand, still gentle on my throat. “News flash, alpha. I’m already caught. Already tangled up in all of you.”

“And that scares you.”

It’s not a question. His tactical mind sees too much, understands too well. Knows exactly why I’m pushing him now.

“Everything scares me.” The confession feels like bleeding. “The way Jinx watches me like I’m his next explosion. How Finn reads me like his favorite book. The way Theo pieces me together with gentle hands and careful words. And you...”

His breath catches as I press closer, until our lips nearly touch.

“You terrify me most of all.”

“Why?” His question ghosts across my lips, control splintering with each word. “What makes me so terrifying?”

“Because you see everything. Plan for everything.” My fingers find the collar of his leather jacket, holding on. “And I can’t tell if this is real or just another tactical maneuver.”

His grip tightens, not enough to hurt but enough to command attention. “You think this is strategy?”

“Isn’t everything with you?”

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