Page 20 of Diesel
You’ve survived worse than a roomful of bikers, she reminded herself.But as she stepped up to the big steel door, her palms were damp and her throat felt dry.
A big guy with a shaved head and thick beard stood by the entrance.He raised a brow when he saw her.
“Club business?”he asked.
Sophie squared her shoulders.“I’m here to see Diesel.”
That got a smirk.“Name?”
“Sophie.”
The man looked her over once, then radioed inside.After a beat, the door buzzed.Sophie stepped into a space that smelled of motor oil, leather, and smoke.The room was big and open.There were concrete floors, exposed beams, long wooden bar to one side.
Men lounged on battered couches or gathered around a pool table.Loud music played from overhead speakers, some rock song Sophie didn’t recognize.
All of them seemed to turn to look as she entered, or maybe that was just her overactive imagination.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.Her sundress and light cardigan felt almost laughable here among leather cuts and heavy boots, but she held her chin high.She wasn’t here to fit in.She was here for him.A few of the bikers exchanged looks.One even gave a low whistle.Before Sophie could flinch, a familiar voice cut through the din.
“Back off.”
She turned, heart nearly stopping, to see Diesel standing near the bar, arms crossed, gaze locked on her with equal parts surprise and something darker she couldn’t quite name.
He stalked over, big and solid and beautiful in a way that made her chest ache.His knuckles were still bruised from yesterday.His eyes burned.
“What the hell are you doing here?”His voice was low, rough.
Sophie swallowed hard.“I needed to see you.”
He looked like he wanted to argue.Like he was trying to build walls faster than she could tear them down.She stepped closer anyway, heart pounding.
“Tom told me,” she whispered.“About the danger.About the property.About how bad these men want the shop.”
Diesel’s jaw tightened.“That’s why you should stay away from me, Sophie.”
“I’m not here to argue about us,” she said, though her voice cracked on the last word.“I’m here because I trust you.Because I know you won’t lie to me about what’s happening.”
He exhaled slow, dragging a hand down his face.“It’s worse than Tom said.They won’t stop unless someone makes them.”
“And you’re going to?”
His eyes flicked to hers, pained.“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.But you being here, you shouldn’t be mixed up in this.”
She didn’t step back.Didn’t waver.
“I’m already mixed up in it,” she said quietly.“This is my home.My shop.I’m not running.And if you think you’re pushing me away to protect me, you’re wrong.”
Diesel stared at her, tension thick in the air.Then he raised one hand, his fingers brushing her cheek in a touch so light it broke her heart.
“You’re gonna be the death of me, sweetheart,” he murmured.
Her breath hitched.But she didn’t back down.
“Not if I can help it,” she whispered.
Before either of them could think twice, she surged up on her toes and kissed him.This time, he didn’t fight it.With a low, guttural sound that made her shiver, Diesel cupped the back of her head and crushed her mouth to his.
His kiss was rougher this time, more hungry and desperate, the restraint he’d clung to finally snapping.Sophie tangled her fingers in his shirt, tugging him closer.She could feel his heart pounding, the heat of his body pressed tight against hers.
