Page 27 of Nitro

His reassuring smile lifts me out of the state of denial I’ve been trapped in for months. He’s right about what needs tohappen. Filing the paperwork will be like debriding the wound Jeff caused to my heart. It’s going to hurt like hell, but it’s the first step to truly healing it.

“Okay. Let’s go,” I say, mustering as much confidence as I can manage.

“You got this.”

He leans down and brushes the softest kiss across my cheek. Tingling sparks slide across my skin in his wake. All I want to do is throw myself into his arms and kiss him like crazy. But then I remember Crystal and her sexy red bra. It’s enough to stop me from being impulsive. This pull I feel toward Nitro needs to end. I’m not his kind of woman. He’s only helping me because this is what he and his brothers do for women. He said it himself. In the past, he has helped other women like me. I’m just another charity case. Nothing more.

I sigh as I follow him out into the garage. The door’s open. His bike is sitting just outside it. He hands me a helmet before strapping his on. I put mine on, then wait as he tightens it. Our eyes lock, and I’m sure he’s going to kiss me again, but instead of leaning in, he turns to climb onto the bike. I get on behind him and wrap my arms around his waist. He takes off toward the highway and then flies toward town.

Instead of dreaming about what might happen with Nitro, I focus on trying not to cry over my failed marriage. There’s a part of me that’s so mad at Jeff. If he’d cared about me at all, he would have gone to marriage counseling with me when I suggested it. He refused, laughing in my face and calling me pathetic before stomping out of our house. After that, I didn’t suggest counseling again. I knew it would only make him angrier than ever.

When we reach the courthouse, the sun is shining brightly over the mountaintop. I don’t know what I was expecting. Maybehowling wind and black clouds heavy with rain. That seems more appropriate than perfect spring weather.

After getting off the bike, Nitro pulls the paperwork out of his saddle bag. He hands it to me. “You’re a strong, brave woman. You can do this.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, even though I don’t believe him.

We find the clerk’s office just inside the courthouse. The man takes the paperwork and stamps it with the date and time. He tells me I’ll receive a court date in the mail in a few weeks. We put the clubhouse’s address down as my new residence since I don’t have anywhere else to go. The whole exchange is over so fast that it’s almost like it didn’t happen.

Outside, the rumble of Harleys leaving the parking lot catches my attention. All the guys were there. I didn’t notice before because I was too upset, but now I see them. Nitro wasn’t kidding when he said they all had my back. Everyone’s here. Scar, Matrix, Talon, Reaper, and several guys wearing prospect cuts. It almost feels like they’re my family now. I’ve never felt so supported. When I tried talking to my mom about what was happening in my marriage, she told me to stop being so ungrateful. She couldn’t see past Jeff’s façade to recognize the monster behind it. She’s still just as blinded by his fake persona as I was in the beginning. I’m sure my phone will ring non-stop when she hears about this. I’m not looking forward to that discussion.

“Want to do something fun?” Nitro asks.

“I’m tired. Can we just go ho—back to the clubhouse?” I can’t believe I almost called it home. It’s not my home. It’s his. I need to remember that.

“Are you hurting?”

“Not as much as yesterday, but I’m still really sore. The painkillers block most of the pain, otherwise there’s no way I’d be able to ride.”

“Fuck. I should have considered that. I can call Julia and have her pick you up.”

“No. It’s okay. It’s not a long drive back.”

“I just thought maybe you’d like some fresh air since we’re out already. I know a place we can go. It’s private. No one will bother us.”

It feels like he’s trying to get me alone, but why? My curiosity wins out. “Is it far away?”

“Nope. Fifteen minutes tops. It’s someplace I go when I need to be alone.”

“Okay.”

We get on the bike and ride through the mountains until we reach a dirt road. Nitro slows down considerably as he drives along the trail. Suddenly the trees open up and a pristine, sparkling lake appears. My breath catches at the otherworldly beauty. No wonder he likes to come here.

“Nitro, this is amazing,” I whisper as I pull off my helmet.

“Thought you might like it.” His grin is so wide and so sweet. There’s an innocence to it, the kind of smile a child would give when showing you their new toy. It’s totally disarming and sends butterflies flittering through my belly.

“How did you find this place?” I ask.

“The guys and I camped here for a few weeks.” He laces his fingers through mine. We walk hand in hand toward a small wooden dock poking out into the water.

“Recently?”

“Nah. A long time ago.” He releases my hand and sits at the edge of the dock. He pulls off his boots and socks before dangling his feet in the water.

“I don’t know if I can get up if I sit,” I say.

“I’ll help you.”

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