I want to argue, but I realize I would sound foolish. I obviously made last night into a bigger deal than it is to him.
“Well, I still owe you.” I summon my bravery and put my hand on his chest.
He raises a dark brow. “Oh yeah? You owe me?” There’s a suggestive purr to his voice.
Heat shoots between my legs. “If you ever need me to be your fake girlfriend, let me know,” I say, half joking. As if he couldn’t snap his fingers and get any sort of woman to do anything he wanted.
“Babe.” He hits me with that intense stare of his—so hot it could burn off all my clothes. His lips twitch like he thinks I’m cute. Then he leans close and whispers, “With me, you wouldn’t be faking anything.” His voice is deep and rich with the pure promise of sex.
I flush. Goosebumps break out all over my body.
The song the band is playing abruptly ends. The crowd sends up a half-hearted cheer. Deke straightens, and I take in his expression. He looks dead serious now.
I turn and clap for the band, but I can feel Deke still focused on me.
“Thank you,” the lead guitarist shouts into the microphone. “We’re the Flying Oysters. This is for all the lovebirds out there.”
And they start playing “Undisclosed Desires” by Muse. One of my favorite songs. Not a typical love song although I think it’s sexy.
I lick my lips, and Deke’s gaze drops to my mouth. “I love this song,” I tell him. He nods slowly. His eyes glitter green in the low light, flashing like a cat’s. I lean forward to ask him about it when he takes my hand and abruptly leads me away from the table.
I follow without question, every nerve on fire. He pulls me along behind him, away from the crowd, out of the plaza, into an alleyway full of shadows. It’s dark and private, and I have no idea what’s going on, but just like last night, none of my stranger danger alarms go off. I’m relaxed, content to be with him.
“What are we doing here?”
He turns, his big body herding me backwards until I’m caged between him and the wall.
“Deke?” I ask, suddenly breathless.
“I’m collecting that favor.” His nose is close enough to touch mine.
A thrum begins between my legs.
With a growl, he pins my hips with his. He leans his forearm on the wall above my head, his huge biceps blocking out all light. His right hand cups my cheek. I open my mouth, and his face descends.
He kisses me right there in the alley. My toes curl in my boots. The wall at my back is cold, but the heat from Deke’s body warms me through and through.
He groans and pulls his head back but keeps me pinned, his eyes flashing weirdly in the dark. “This is what I want—your kiss. This is all I want.” He kisses me again.
I surge up against him, grabbing handfuls of his soft t-shirt as if I could pull him into my body. He angles his head, and his tongue slips into my mouth. I moan.
He tears his mouth from mine and backs away, his chest heaving. The place between my legs is liquid, aching. I lean against the adobe brick wall, gasping. I was seconds away from coming from his tongue fucking my mouth.
“Deke,” I whisper.
“Sadie.” He touches my lip with a finger. When he drops his hand I realize he’s shaking.
He steps away, half turning. “I’m sorry.” His voice is hoarse and deep. “I shouldn’t do this.”
“No, you should.” I blurt. “You very much should.” I would raise my skirt for him right here in the alley.
“Fuck.” He runs a hand through his hair. He’s about to say something else, when the roar of a motorcycle cuts through the air.
“Fuck,” Deke shouts, and he steps away as a man on a bike appears at the mouth of the alley. Deke’s big body blocks most of my view. I don’t know what’s happening.
The big biker is wearing one of those skull cap type helmets that doesn’t cover your face or offer any real protection. His face looks familiar, like he might be one of the bikers with Deke yesterday, but I can’t be sure. He’s got blond hair, and his eyes flash in the dark like Deke’s do. “I thought I’d find you here,” he says to Deke.
“What the fuck do you want?” Deke growls back.
“Rafe wants to see you.”
Deke swears some more.
“What’s going on?” I ask, and Deke spins to face me. His shoulders are tense, and he somehow looks bigger than before.
“I shouldn’t have done this,” he tells me, and my heart plummets to my feet.
“What?” I whisper.
“Sadie.” His tone is pleading. “I’m sorry. I should’ve stayed away.”
What the heck?
“Deke,” his friend calls, and Deke wrenches backwards like he’s being tugged with a rope. His face is pained. I don’t like it.
“Excuse me.” I march out of the alleyway. My cardigan is askew, and my hair is all tousled from the crazy kiss fest, but I don’t care. “What’s going on?” I use my stern-teacher voice with the blond biker.
The guy grins. “This is who you’ve been sniffing around?” he says to Deke. “She’s cute for a civilian. I like her.”
My head explodes. “I beg your pardon?” I growl. The sound is as impressive as Deke’s, if I do say so myself. “Who the heck are you?”
The blond grins wider.
“Sadie,” Deke steps between me and the biker. “I have to go.”
“Why?”
He shrugs, but he looks unhappy. “We’re not supposed to mix with civilians. But call me if you need help again. Anytime at all.”
“Deke,” his friend warns, but this time Deke ignores him.
“Promise me,” Deke says quietly to me.
“I promise,” I whisper back. Before I can step forward and hug him, he whirls and strides away. His friend remains on his bike, blocking me from following. I glare, but it doesn’t seem to bother him. After a minute, he gives me a mock mini salute and rides away.
I stand at the mouth of the cold dark alley, staring down the empty road.
What the heck just happened?
Deke
I ride with Lance until we get to the mountain road that leads to the pack’s land. Then I gun my hog past the entrance. I’m not following him home like some little lost puppy.
I know my Alpha sent Lance to watch over me. I’m even okay with it. I have no business messing around with a civilian, especially one like Sadie. She’s outta my league in every way. Thinking about it makes me want to howl.
My bike speeds up the switchbacks. I take each turn faster and faster, imagining Sadie pressed into my back. My cock perks up, and I grit my teeth.
I pull off the road onto an overlook. Out here, the city lights mirror the carpet of stars above. I’d like to show Sadie this.
The peaceful quiet is shattered by a motorcycle zooming past. I stiffen then strip off my vest. I kick off my boots and shuck my jeans. I’m left in my white shirt, and I step behind my bike to hide my nudity.
The motorcycle comes roaring back down the road. It slows when it reaches the overlook and glides to a stop a few feet away. The rider pulls off his helmet.
It’s Channing. I knew it was him. He’s the only one of us who rides a neon green bike and not a real hog. He’s such a tool on his stupid crotch rocket.