Page 14 of The Biker's Captive
"Pans?"
My voice comes out with a squeak.
Ignoring the pain in my foot, I hobble to the bars. He's carrying a plate of food, and hungry though I am, my eyes go to him. He has a hard expression on his face, as if he's trying to forget what happened between us.
"I bought you some lunch." He stops by the door of the cage and eyes me warily. "If I open the door, will you try to escape?"
I tighten my grip on the bars and give him what I hope is a defiant look.
"If you open the door, will you try to kiss me again?"
His body goes rigid, and his gaze meets mine. The heat in that look could scorch the earth.
He steps close so there's only metal bars between us.
“You can be sure, Willow, that I won't kiss you again."
Disappointment floods me, and I look down so he doesn't see my face flush with heat. I want him to kiss me. I desperately want him to kiss me. But it’s obvious it was a mistake that he’s not willing to repeat.
I step aside and he opens the door, putting the tray down on the table. I try not to fall on the food, but I'm so hungry I can't help myself. It's a ham sandwich with fresh bread, and I dive into it eagerly.
Pans’s eyes travel to my swollen ankle, which looks slightly less purple today.
“How are you feeling?"
Confused, frustrated, and horny are all the things I don’t say.
"Fine. I feel fine."
I've sat on the side of the bench bed to eat and Pans stands next to me, watching me devour the sandwich.
“Take a seat," I say, moving my arm expansively as if this is my home and he’s a guest.
He grunts and sits next to me on the bed. He could have sat further down, but he sits right up close so that our thighs are nearly touching. I'm aware of the heat jumping between us, so hot it could melt butter.
"We're tracking The Reapers.”
I swallow the last bite of sandwich, and it sticks in my suddenly dry throat.
"What will you do when you find them?"
Pan scratches his chin and looks away, not meeting my eyes, which makes me think that whatever the fate of The Reapers is, it won’t be good.
"My main concern is for them to leave you alone," he says “To convince them you’re not a threat. While you're staying on our premises, you’re under our protection. But as soon as you leave here, we can't account for what happens to you."
There's a flicker of fear in his eyes that makes my chest constrict. Does Pans care what happens to me? The way I'm beginning to care about him?
I wonder what it would be like to be with this man. To always have a safe place and protection from the club.
"You said you don't have family. Where will you go?"
His words pull me out of my reverie.
The last few days have been surreal. I should be mad at my situation, but the truth is I’ve been healing and resting and it’s been a nice distraction. I haven’t had to think about the future. I’ve just had to exist.
“Where will I go?” I repeat the question slowly, thinking through the answer. Pans gives me an odd look.
"Where will you go once we make it safe for you? Where were you going when you had the accident?”
