Page 12 of Nitro

Nitro’s still sleeping. He’s lying on top of a pile of clothes on the floor. Instead of pulling a blanket over himself like anormal person, he’s burrowed under two flannel shirts and a pair of jeans. He’s shirtless, but he’s not naked. I don’t know if I should be relieved or disappointed that he’s wearing a pair of dark gray boxer shorts. Either way, they’re not doing much to hide his huge bulge, so that’s a bonus. I can’t see it directly, which is probably a good thing because it’s so damn massive, but I wouldn’t mind a little peek. I’ve been so horny the last few months that I can hardly stand it. A completely sexless marriage will do that to a girl.

I sigh loudly, waking him. He stirs, absentmindedly scratching the top of his thigh before rolling toward me. The makeshift bed beneath him shifts as he sits up. As a slow smile spreads across his face, something inside me melts. I wish I had the guts to invite him into bed with me, but I’m not that kind of girl.

After being with Jeff for seven years, I’m so broken down that I can’t imagine being that bold. If I’d had the courage to leave Jeff, I would have done so years ago. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I was too afraid of what he might do to me. My instincts were correct. After last night, I know I was right to be fearful. If Nitro hadn’t saved me, I’d probably be dead right now. I owe him my life, so I shouldn’t be ogling him like this. I tear my gaze away.

“Hey, kitten. How are you feeling?”

When he stretches, I can’t resist another peek. The sight of his bare chest leaves me momentarily speechless. Tribal tattoos decorate his chest and shoulders. The intricate designs are uniform except for one. On his right pec, the tattoo looks like the chemical structure of some type of molecule. I don’t know enough about science to know what it means, but I’m curious. That’s the only reason I’m still staring, I swear.

“Kitten?” He cocks his head and studies me.

“I’m … okay.” I’m too frazzled by his hot, almost naked body to come up with anything else. Also, I don’t want to be a bother. He’s already doing so much for me. There’s no point in making a list of all my aches and pains since we can’t do anything about them anyway. I know how long it takes to heal from bruised ribs. I also know there’s no way to speed up the healing process. After all, this isn’t my first rodeo.

“Doc left extra painkillers on the nightstand. If you’re hurting, you need to take them.”

“I’ll be fine without drugs.”

“Kitten, you should take them. Being in pain will prevent your body from healing. Doc told me that a few years ago when I broke my arm. I forget all the details, but believe me, he talked my ear off until I finally caved and took the damn pills. Basically, you should take them until you’re not in pain anymore. Then stop. Definitely stop.” His face clouds over for a second, but then he shakes his head and his stunning smile returns.

“How did you break your arm?” I grab the bottle and shake out two pills. I put them in my mouth then wash them down with a full glass of water.

“I was out riding. Hit a patch of black ice. Bike went one way. I went the other.” He shrugs.

“Are you okay now? I mean, you look fine…”

“Thanks.” He flashes a sexy smirk.

“I mean, you don’t look hurt.” I avert my gaze as warmth floods my cheeks.

“I’ve survived worse.”

“Sorry you had to sleep on the floor. It must be cold.” I clamp my mouth shut before I say anything I’ll regret, like,Why don’t you hop up here in bed with me? I’ll keep you warm.

“I run hot.”

Yeah, you do,I want to say, but I remain silent as his gaze roams over my body. I’m desperate to break the growingtension, so I ask the question that kept me awake half the night. “Did you guys find my hus—Jeff—yet?”

“No.” Nitro scowls. “But don’t worry. Everyone’s out looking for him. He can run, but he’ll never be able to hide from the club.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask.

“When Jeff wants to get away from it all, where does he go?”

“We’ve got a cabin in the woods.”

“Already checked there. It’s locked up tight. No sign of him.”

“We closed it last winter. We haven’t been back since.”

“Does he have any other property?”

“Other than me?” I ask sarcastically.

“Kitten, you’re nobody’s property. No man has the right to claim you unless you want him to. You got that?” He gently cups my chin and raises my head, so I’m forced to meet his eyes. I find so much compassion in them that it steals my breath.

“Nitro,” I whisper.

Hunger flickers in his gaze for a second before he looks away. He steps back and attempts to shove his hands into his pockets. The moment he realizes he doesn’t have pants on, he curses and grabs the nearest pair of jeans off the floor. He jams his legs into them before pulling them up. As he buttons them, I try like hell not to look at his bulge, but it’s impossible not to. He catches my gaze and grins.

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