Page 84 of Pack Owned
“Fuck,” I curse under my breath, willing my body to calm down. The darkness of my room feels suffocating, pressing in from all sides.
When I finally emerge the next morning, the sun is already mocking me with its cheerful light.
Breakfast passes in a blur of eggs and bacon, but it’s not until Kayla slips into the room that I feel fully awake. She has that half-smile playing on her lips, and I’m hit with the urge to pull her onto my lap and bury my face in her neck.
“Morning,” she greets softly, her voice cutting through the fog in my head.
“Hey,” I manage, my usual gruffness softened by the sight of her. “You sleep okay?”
“Like a rock,” she says, her smile widening a bit as she helps herself to some food.
“Good,” I say, and there’s a whole conversation in that one word. I want to ask if she’s still sore, if I was too rough, but fuck,I can’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I lean back, trying to appear nonchalant.
“Want to go for a ride later on the bike?” It’s an escape I crave, the wind against my skin, the roar of the engine grounding me. But more than that, I want her with me, clinging to my back, her body pressed against mine.
“Sure,” she says, her eyes lighting up. “But what about Nexus? Won’t they be looking for me? I’m sure they’ve my pictures plastered up everywhere.”
“We’ll just wear helmets while we’re out. I can take you to a secluded park and as long as no one is there, we can lose your helmet. But at least it gets you out of here for a bit.”
“Wow, yes.” Her cheeks color. “I mean, it’s great here and way bigger than my home, but I am starting to get a little stir-crazy.” Thunder rumbles in the distance. “Um…maybe a rain check?” She bites her lower lip that’s distracting as hell. If it hadn’t been her first time, I’d have a whole lot of ways to keep her entertained in my bedroom.
“Of course.” A beat passes before I stand up, pushing the chair back with a scrape. “I’ve got some work to do on the car. You want to help?”
“Hell, yes,” she replies, her eyes sparkling with that mischievous energy I’m starting to recognize—and crave.
I lead the way out of the kitchen, trying to shake off the restlessness that clings to me like a second skin.
“Ryker.” She pauses as we reach the doorway, her hand brushing against mine, sending a jolt through my body. “Thank you for the other night. For taking care of me.”
“Anytime,” I say, but what I’m really thinking is how I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’d do anything for her.
“Think you can help pull out a headliner? I gotta fix the sunroof.
“Challenge accepted,” she shoots back, and I grin.
The garage smells of oil and rubber, a scent that’s as familiar to me as my own skin. Kayla follows close behind, her dark blue eyes scanning the expanse of metal beasts I’ve spent countless hours taming.
Without even pointing out which car I was talking about, she heads straight for the Mustang.
“Damn, girl, straight for the classics.” I can’t help the pride swelling in my chest as she steps up to my ‘67 Mustang, her fingers tracing the lines of the hood with a reverence that stirs something possessive in me.
We work in tandem, the clank of tools and hum of machinery our soundtrack. She knows her shit every bit as much as any grease monkey I’ve ever met. It’s sexy as hell, watching her get lost in the guts of the car, her hands confident and sure.
“Look at you, all badass and knowledgeable,” I tease, handing her a wrench.
“Surprised?” She shoots me a sideways glance, the corner of her mouth lifting in challenge.
“Nah, I knew you had more going on than just killer looks.”
Her laugh is a spark that lights up the dim space, and without thinking, I close the distance between us. Her lips find mine, soft and inviting, and I can’t resist deepening the kiss, pulling her closer. My tongue dances with hers, and she moans. My arm around her, I press her into the side of the Mustang.
My hand drifts down, seeking the heat between her legs, but she flinches, a sharp reminder of the line I’m not supposed to cross yet.
“Fuck,” I curse under my breath, stepping back as if burned. “I’m sorry, Kayla. I didn’t mean to?—”
“Hey,” she interrupts, her touch light on my arm. “It’s okay. I’m not as sore, but... just need a little more time.”
“Right.” My nod is stiff, my body aching with unsatisfied hunger. I clench my fists, trying to shake the image of her beneath me, that sweet surrender in her eyes.
