CHAPTER NINE

Danielle

Austin joined me, setting the food on the counter as I opened the fridge, but before I could grab him another beer, he wrapped an arm around me and turned me to face him. His hand went to my neck again, his thumb to my pulse, and he studied me for several seconds. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

I sighed. “Same.”

“Will you be patient with me, Dani?”

I shook my head. “We can’t do this.”

“Yes, we can.”

“We can’t.” I pulled away from him. “My family’s all about the law, Austin. Your club’s not. It’s a total conflict of interest.”

He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “My club’s clean.”

“Clean, clean, or just untouchable?”

He frowned.

“Club business?” I snapped.

“What the hell do you want me to say, Dani?”

“I want you to tell me something, anything. But I want the truth.”

“Babe.”

“Forget it,” I said.

“Don’t shut down on me, Dani. Just tell me what you’re thinkin’.”

“I just want you to be realistic. It’s obvious we’re attracted to each other, but you can’t base a relationship on just lust.”

“We’re in a relationship now?” he challenged.

“Absolutely not.” I took a deep, steadying breath. “How about you take your pizza and go? I’ll find a way to pay you back for the car. I really appreciate all your help.” I started for the front door. “I hope you have a nice life.”

I’d made it just past my dining table when he grabbed my arm and tugged me into his arms. His mouth slammed onto mine and he kissed me with an intensity I’d never experienced before. I hated that I loved it. Hated that I couldn’t resist him. Hated that heat pooled between my legs as he slid his hand under my shirt.

Austin broke the kiss with a scowl. “You’re a fuckin’ pain in my ass, baby.”

“Then leave.”

He shook his head. “Not gonna happen.”

“I don’t understand what you want from me,” I snapped.

“I’m gonna show you.”

I shook my head. “Not tonight you’re not.”

“Dani,” he said, his tone pitched low in warning.

“What, Austin?” I bellowed. “I don’t know you. I’m not jumping into bed with you just because I’m attracted to you. For all I know, I could be one in a long line of women you like to “do” on a regular basis. I’ve heard about your types of gangs and how you pass women around and that is not me. You may be used to biker whores who like that… hell, they probably live for the chance to provide you with fellatio… or other kinds of sexual favors, but I’m not one of them.”

“Fuck me.” He raised an eyebrow. “Fellatio?”

“Yes. Oral sex.”

“You think I’m standing here expecting you to suck me off?” he asked.

“Don’t be crude,” I said, my face on fire.

“You can’t say it, can you, Dani?”

“I just did,” I countered.

His hand went to my neck again, the familiarity of his thumb sweeping over my pulse, and he smiled. “Baby, one day… soon… you and I are gonna take this further. Maybe you’ll suck my cock, maybe you won’t, but I will definitely eat your pussy, and you’ll love it. You will scream for more and I will oblige. I will take my time and make you come… more than once. I’m thorough and I’m very good at what I do, so you’ll beg for more and when you do, I’ll give you more.” He stroked my pulse again. “What I will not do is share. Neither will you. Get me?”

I swallowed, squeezing my legs shut in an effort to stop my body’s traitorous reaction.

“Dani?”

“What?” I rasped.

“Do. You. Get. Me?” he repeated.

I licked my lips and nodded.

“Good.” He smiled again. “Let’s eat.”

I swallowed, but continued to stand where I was.

“Babe?” he said. “Food.”

I nodded again and followed him back into the kitchen, wholly unclear on what had just happened. Austin seemed perfectly at ease, while I felt like I needed a cold shower.

We sat at my small dining room table and ate in virtual silence, Austin leaving me to my thoughts which really wasn’t a good idea on his part, because I spiraled. Big time.

I made it through one piece of pizza before I realized if I ate another, I’d throw up. I took my plate back to the kitchen. Rinsed it, put it in the dishwasher, and turned to get his, but he was already right behind me.

His arms came around me and he gave me a squeeze. “You’re gonna be fine, Dani. We’re gonna make this work and you’ll learn to trust me.”

I did a face plant into his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist and breathing him in. He smelled delicious. Leather and cologne… not too heavy… but just enough to make me want to lick every part of his body, starting with his mouth. I shook off my thoughts and let him hold me. “You freak me out.”

He chuckled. “I’m pickin’ up on that.”

I leaned back so I could see his face. “I feel like I’ve known you forever and that scares me. I just can’t trust you this fast. It’s unwise.”

“I’m gonna give you time. You’ll see.”

“What do we do about my family?”

He shrugged. “Whatever you want to do. But if this works out the way I want it to work out, I’m gonna have to meet them.”

I pulled away from him and poured a glass of wine. He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms while I sipped and contemplated. He let me think for about six minutes before he took the glass from my hand and put it on the counter. “I’m still working on that,” I complained.

He pinned me in, his hands on either side of my hips, leaning against the counter. “You can have your wine in a minute. Right now, you need to listen to me.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Not the boss of me.”

He chuckled. “If you want me to be patient and wait, baby, you need to stop being cute.”

“I’m not trying to be cute, I’m being serious.”

Austin leaned closer. “That’s why it’s cute.”

He kissed me, and damn it if I didn’t melt right then and there. I had to figure out a way to get myself together and quit doing this. Of course, I thought of this while I slid my hands into his hair and deepened the kiss. Austin lifted me onto the counter and I wrapped my legs around him as he moved into me. His lips moved to my neck, while a hand went under my shirt and pulled one bra cup down, scraping a nail across my nipple. I gasped as he rolled it between his fingers and I couldn’t help myself from pushing into his touch.

“Austin?”

“Mmm?”

“We need to stop,” I said, my breath coming in short bursts.

“Fuck.” He dropped his hand, lowered my shirt, and nodded.

I cupped his face and grimaced. “Sorry.”

“I get it, babe. It’s just gonna take me a minute.”

Austin got himself together and then lifted me off the counter. I couldn’t seem to stop yawning, but didn’t want the night to end, so covered it as best I could.

“I should go,” he said. “You’re exhausted.”

“I was hoping I could hide that better.”

He stroked my cheek. “I’ll take you to dinner tomorrow night.”

I grinned. “Okay.”

“Plan on Saturday nights to be our thing, yeah?”

“That all sounds amazing, but next week’s out.”

“Why?”

“Girls’ night with Kim.”

Austin frowned. “Blow her off.”

“Um, no way. I only get one Saturday every other month when she blows off working at her very lucrative bartending gig to spend more than an hour here and there with me.”

He shook his head. “Babe, I can’t see you over the next few Sundays. I might be able to break away for a bit on Wednesday, but if I can’t, I’m not waitin’ an entire week to see you.”

I grimaced.

“What?”

“I can’t do Sundays either.”

“Why the hell not?”

“It’s dinner at my parents’ place.” I bit my lip. “It’s a standing date for all of us every week.”

“Shit!” He dragged his hands over his face. “Work with me here, Dani.”

I chuckled. “Austin.”

He cocked his head. “You think this is funny?”

I bit my lip and shook my head, but couldn’t hold back a snort at his expression of incredulity. “Okay, it’s a little bit funny.”

He smiled slowly and I realized I’d possibly pushed him a little further than I was prepared for. I backed out of the kitchen, him stalking me. I turned and made a run for my bedroom, attempting to close the door before he reached me, but failing miserably.

He bent at the waist and gently shoved his shoulder into my middle, tackling me onto the bed, and tickling me until I was sure I would pee. “Stop,” I squealed.

“You gonna make it up to me?” he asked.

“How exactly am I supposed to do that?”

He kissed my neck. “I can think of a few ways,” he whispered.

I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me, but this struck me as funny and I chortled, trying to squirm away from him as he gripped my hips and held me to the bed.