Page 2 of Craved By Gray

“Right.” She giggles. “Anyway, I just want you to find love. Contrary to what most people think, bikers are actually nice people.”

Not the bikers I know, but I don’t correct her on that. There’s no use popping her bubble and revealing the true nature of men like these. I know all too well the things they do; I’ve seen them do some of those things firsthand, helpless to do anything about it.

These men might treat Brooke like their beloved little sister, but outside these walls, they are different—violent and merciless like my father’s men.

“Brooke—”

“Go on, pick someone, and I’ll introduce you.” She waves her hand in the general direction of the men standing in groups around the grill and fire pit. “I mean, you’re gorgeous and aloof in an ice queen way, but I know they’ll love you once they get to know you like I do. The real you.”

A pang of guilt hits at her words. Brooke is wrong if she thinks that she knows the real me. There is a side to me that I’ve hidden, and for good reason. I’ve avoided talking about my past and my family for as long as I’ve known my best friend, but that’s how it has to be if we’re to remain friends.

“I don’t need love, Brooke. What I need right now is some of these ribs. Who made them? They‘re so delicious.”

Brooke beams like I knew she would. “Axel,” she says with pride, turning around to seek the man she’s spent four yearspinning over and only started dating a few weeks ago. “My boyfriend made them. I’ll tell him you like them. Maybe he’ll pack some to take home with you.”

“They’re great,” I say, turning as well to follow her gaze, and there, standing with a group of men, is the one who stole my best friend’s heart. Axel is watching us—her—and I imagine he hasn’t taken his eyes away from her since she walked away from him to greet me when I arrived. From the way he’s watching her, he probably wants to take her to some private place and devour her with the same energy I did those ribs.

It’s unnerving, watching such a private moment shared between the two. Knowing I’ll never get to experience such emotions with anyone, I look away, choosing to scan the rooftop terrace instead. My eyes flit over the sea of tattooed skin and leather jackets. Most of the bikers are a blur of muscles and attitude, no different from the men I’ve seen at my father’s club, and I’m about to turn back to my food when I spot…him.

Standing by the bar is a lone figure among the boisterous crowd. Unlike the other bikers with their prominent club patches, his leather jacket is plain black, unadorned except for a small silver skull pin on the lapel. His jeans are faded and worn, and his boots are scuffed and dusty, but it’s his face that draws me in.

God, it’s that handsome face that steals my breath away, and for a solid minute, I take him in. Every scuffed and rugged inch of his face with a gorgeous slicked-back mane of polished oak.

“W-who is that?” I find myself asking, and it’s meant to be for me, but Brooke hears me, which prompts her finally to shift her eyes from her man.

“Who? Oh, him.” Brooke nods toward the tall man nursing a bottle of beer. “That’s Gray. I didn’t expect to see him today. He never comes to these things.”

“Why?” slips out.

“Um...I don’t know. I guess he’s always too busy.” There’s more,, but I don’t expect Brooke to spill club business. I’m not here for that. My father would make me to use my friendship with Brooke to spy on his enemies if he ever found out about it, but I would never betray her. I would first run away before I let my father force me into using the only friend I’ve ever had. “Do you like him? I can introduce you guys—”

“No,” I say quickly, my voice loud enough to draw attention to us but not enough to reach Gray, and yet, he looks up. Almost as if he can sense eyes on him. I suck in a sharp breath when his eyes lock on me, and goodness, he’s a god. I cringe at the thought as it slips in, but I can’t help it. The man has a strong jawline and piercing blue eyes that seem to penetrate my walls. I’ve had my guard up all afternoon, afraid to drop it and expose my true identity to these people, but it’s almost like he can see me for what I am.

A fraud.

A hint of a smile plays on his lips, a subtle flicker of amusement that makes my pulse quicken. His quiet intensity sends goosebumps climbing up my body, and I quickly turn away, my heart hammering wildly in my chest.

God, what the hell was that?

“Scarlett?” Brooke’s voice is loaded with questions as she leans closer to me. “Is that…your type?”

“I don’t have a type,” I say, grabbing the wine I was intent on ignoring and daring a sip. It’s been sitting there long enoughthat it tastes stale. I consider getting up to get a fresh glass, but my knees are too weak, and the cause of my affliction is standing at the bar. There is no way I’m heading in that direction, so stale wine it is.

“Then why is there drool dripping down your chin?”

My eyes widen in horror as I reach up to touch my lips, glaring at a deeply amused Brooke when my fingers come back dry. “Not funny,” I say with a mock scowl, but I find my eyes shifting back to the mysterious stranger who’s now been joined by Axel.

“I think it’s quite funny, the way you’re looking at him.”

I won’t ask. I don’t need to know… “And how am I looking at him?”Damnit!

“Shock, lust… Want.”

“That ridiculous,” I scoff, turning to my stale wine again. I ignore her gaze as I bring the glass to my lips, wincing at the taste.

“Hey, even the ice queen is allowed to like someone.”

Except I’m not allowed, but I don’t point that out as it would need an explanation. Even so, I find my thoughts flickering to the idea of what it would be like to be in some kind of relationship with a man like…Gray.

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