Page 34 of Savage Lust

Fucking hell.

“It’s a club thing, no women.” He settled on, finally.

AP cut in. “We’ve done it before, he could use her as a smoke screen. See a problem with that, Jester?”

My Road Captain grinned. “I’m good with it. A little sad she ain’t riding with me, though.” He winked at me.

Riley’s eyes had narrowed, but she ignored all of it. “Is it safe for me to go shower?”

“Your room’s fine,” I told her.

She was inside the house by the time my phone buzzed with a text from her.

Can I talk to you?

I fired back.Inside?

Her.Yes. Please.

So formal. I almost grinned but hit the joint again when Jester passed it. Around me, they discussed the logistics of what had happened.

Need me to check under the bed? Or in it?

Her response was immediate.I hate you.

thirteen

Riley

I regretted texting Cam as soon as I’d sent the last one. He wasn’t my boyfriend. I had barely known him for a full week. The only person in this place I could trust, that was looking out for me was me.

Archer probably had some other angle, because lord knew he’d not helped me out when I needed it most. Now, I was being jerked around by a dead man. I was tired. I had a little money, but it wasn’t enough to rebuild my life, which meant I had to stay until the will was read. But I couldn’t wait it out in this house with all of them. Not after—I swallowed hard and wiped my clammy palms on my jeans.

“What’s up?” Cam ducked into my room. His eyes were even more bloodshot, his golden lashes heavy on sleepy lids.

The effect was so incredibly sexy I had to focus on a chip in the paint over his shoulder just to form words that made sense. Why was he cuter now that I’d kissed him?

“I—so, I know y’all are going to need to be in and out of here today. Since there was a break in and…”And none of you are calling the cops, like normal people would. “… I’m going to rent a room for a few days.”

In the short time I’d known him, I’d learned that he had one hell of a poker face. But he was tired, and I’d spent enough time studying him to see the subtle crinkle at the corners of his eyes and the tightness in his lips when he smiled.

“You don’t need to do that.” He fell onto my bed, folding his arms behind his head and stretching out one long leg. He kept the other on the ground.

The pillows would probably smell like him when I laid there later. The thought made me want to snuggle into them and wrap myself in his scent. I turned away and busied myself putting clean clothes back in my suitcase. “I’m not going to feel comfortable here.”

“Go up to my place.”

I shot him ano way in hellglance over my shoulder.

His throaty chuckle almost undid me and I gripped the side of my bag to keep from trembling with…what? Desire? Absolutely not. No way.

But…

“It was a kiss, princess. I’m not trying to climb into your panties.” The room was quiet for a beat. “Unless you want me to.”

“Oh, for the love of God.” I smacked my suitcase shut and spun. “Can you be serious at all? I’m freaked and…” I fought with the vulnerability and sighed. “Preacher creeps me out.”

The poker face cracked hard. His eyelids lowered so his eyes disappeared in the shadows of his lashes. “I’m worn the fuck out. You want a hotel, fine. Give me ten minutes to get some shit and I’ll go with you. But I’m not leaving you alone.”

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