Page 22 of Duke

“COME ON!”My fingers angrily turn the key in the ignition, but it just clicks without turning over.

I’m exhausted. I’ve been on my feet for over eight hours, smelling like Bud Light and peanuts.

Duke didn’t grace me with his presence tonight. The barstool where he’s sat for the past few weeks remained vacant.

It taunted me.

He taunts me.

I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit turning around every time the bar door opened hoping it would be him.

The bar felt empty without his hot eyes following me. I crave his attention like a drug, and it pisses me the hell off. Especially since he made that crazy declaration at the cemetery to take me as his woman. His old lady—his bride? Hell, no. I’m not committing to a hot-head I barely know.

It’s something that would’ve been acceptable if club was still active here. Hell, I’d be his tonight without question, probably in one of the backrooms here like how it went down in the old days and my father’s debt would be paid.

But the days when the club ruled in my bar are over. As much as watching Pops’ heath fail has been hard, it made him give up his Prez patch. The men that still wanted to ride went either north or south to which ever thriving chapter they wanted to join.

My fingers curl around the handle of the door when I hear the familiar rumble of a bike pull up, the powerful engine thrums as a beast of a man gets off striding towards me.

My heart’s pounding, adrenaline courses through me and I frantically open my purse looking for my pepper spray, cursing until my sweaty fingers find it.

I look up as he passes under the lamplight—part of me relaxes but my gut senses I’m even in more danger than if he was a stranger.

“Open the door, Shanna.”

I meet his gaze through the condensation on the glass.

This man is fucking dangerous.

I unlock the door, and he rips it open, holding out a hand for me to take.

“You flooded the engine every time you tried to start the car—leave it.”

I have no choice but to let him lead me to his bike. He climbs on his Harley picks up his helmet and holds it out to me. I’m tired. The night air is cold and damp, and despite the warning bells ringing in my head—I do it. I climb on and wrap my arms around his thick, muscular back.

He kicks off, speeding away into the night. My nipples harden as they press against his hard back. The ache between my thighs grows as I feel the vibration of the engine between them. It hums like a giant beast between my thighs—calling to my body; making me feel as wild as the dark night.

It’s been too long.

I forgot what this felt like. The sheer exhilaration you feel when zipping down the streets feeling the wind on your skin and tasting the freshness in the air.

The hum between my legs reminds me how long it’s been since I’ve let anyone put their hands on me. Between Dad, school, the bar—it’s been years.

He was a fumbling boy anyway, so we didn’t even go that far. But, because Mike was the first man to touch me—I got wet when he fingered me, even though he was clumsy and fast. He came in his pants the second his tongue touched my nipple. He tried to get me off, but he was sated and lazy; only half-assing it. It hurt when his nails dug into my soft flesh, so I faked my way out of it.

But there’s no doubt Duke is an animal in bed.

I’ve always been more partial to sporty men that wear ball caps and baggy jeans. But with his tatted biceps and tree trunk legs, there’s no doubt I’d feel safe in Duke’s embrace. I wonder if maybe… just for a moment… I could let myself fall.

He pulls in the drive of my father’s house, riding right through the fog that’s rolled in. Taking his helmet off, I shake my hair loose but make no move to get off his bike. I’m revved up and horny, hoping he’ll touch me—just a little bit, just enough to take the edge off.

I half hate him.

I want him anyway.

But I’m saving my virginity for a man like Spence. I want rose petals on satin sheets at the Beverly Wilshire hotel.

Instead of whiskey, I want champagne licked off my tits and the taste of it on my tongue as my man thrusts in. I can wait for it, but fooling around with Duke could be just what I need in the meantime.

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