Claiming Crusher (Savage Brothers MC #4)(25)

“Zander?” She questions, confused.

Hell, I am too. I’m absolutely confused, but I can’t stop myself. I bring my lips against hers, tasting her, and swallowing the soft sigh of air that escapes. The kiss is gentle and sweet, not at all what I planned to give her. My tongue brushes along the top of her lip and slowly enters into her waiting mouth. At first I’m confused, and take the fact that she’s not participating as rejection, but gradually her tongue comes up and dances against mine. It’s a sweet kiss. A kiss from another time. Chaste almost, but it soothes an empty spot inside of me I didn’t know was there. So, I don’t push it. I slowly break away, leaving our foreheads connected. She closes her eyes and lets me hold her. Dani, who is always fighting, lets me hold her outside in front of everyone and doesn’t protest. No, if I can read her body’s reaction right, she is just like me at the moment. Wishing we could stay like this and not move.

Have I ever savored an innocent kiss? Have I ever given one? Have I ever enjoyed just holding someone before?

I honestly don’t think so. What the hell do I do with that?





Chapter 9




Dani


Wow. No, seriously wow. What the hell was that? What the hell just happened? I can’t help but touch my lips, once Zander closes the door. I started calling him that because I thought it might irritate him, but now I like it. I like that I’m the only one who uses it and I know I’m getting too drawn into him. I think about him way too much. I’m curious about him in ways I haven’t been with other men. He’s dangerous. I planned on retreating and ignoring him completely, but that kiss…

Before Michael and sadly even at the beginning with Michael, I enjoyed kissing. I had. I loved the feel of lips sliding against each other, the taste of another person’s tongue and the pleasure that could come from a good long, slow kiss. I loved all of that. Still, that one small, sweet kiss with Zander blew away any other kiss I ever had out of the water. I fight down the nausea at what this means. There’s no reason to panic. It wasn’t even a sexual kiss. Zander’s a man who has a different woman every time he wants one. This meant nothing to him. He’s probably just feeling sorry for me. He’s trying to make me move into the club and we both know I’m not wanted there.

With that worked out in my brain, I feel slightly better. The last thing I need is to be pursued by a man. Especially a man like Zander. He’s too potent… too consuming… I look over at him as he climbs into the truck and take in his dark hair which is messy and going in different directions, either by the wind, his fingers, or a combination of the two. He has on faded jeans and a plain white t-shirt under his Savage MC cut. His beautiful skin hints at a Latin heritage, but has been bronzed by the sun into this utter perfection that makes any woman, myself included, curious to see more. He is danger, definitely danger. Have I reminded myself of that enough yet?

I turn away to look out the window, as Zander pulls out of the parking area. The cab of the truck is quiet and I feel awkward, but I have no idea what to say.

“Do you need to go to your place and pack before we go to the club?”

“I’m not going to the club but if you could take me to the house, I would appreciate it.”

“Hellcat, we’ve been through this.”

“I know, that’s why we shouldn’t re-hash it again.”

Out of the corner of my eye I can see Zander shake his head, but he doesn’t say anything else.

We drive the rest of the way in silence, the sound of the radio in the background is the only noise. I feel bad, I should find something to say, because he’s been really good to me and though I’ve dialed back my bitch meter towards him, I’m never going to be like the other girls. I don’t have that in me anymore. No one grieves that loss more than I do, but it’s true.

When the vehicle comes to a stop, I jump out, wincing at the pressure it puts on my leg. I ignore it and don’t give Zander time to react. I look through the open window at him.

“Thanks for the ride Zander, stay cool.” I walk off. Dismissed. I must keep him dismissed.

I’m at the front door and have it opened before I realize he is standing behind me.

“What are you doing?”

“Hellcat, until we make sure everything is locked down and the danger is gone, you can’t stay by yourself. That leaves two routes this can take. You either come back to the club, or I can stay here. If you’re going to insist on being a stubborn ass, then I’m here.”

“No f*cking way.”

“Not open for debate. Now I’d rather be at the club, but baby you want to play it this way, I’m down.”

I shake my head, this is not going to happen. I cannot be anywhere near Zander.

I go inside, ignoring him. He follows, as I knew he would, but I want to change. I want my own damn deodorant, clean clothes not covered in blood and my hair washed in my own shampoo. Once I have all that done and I’m back to myself, I can deal with Zander. Right now, I feel…too raw.

I look over my shoulder, as he follows me.

“Take your damn boots off so you don’t track mud in the house.”

I catch him giving me a mock salute out of the corner of my eye as I leave him behind and go to my bedroom. Once I escape to the adjoining bathroom, I lock the door and relax my weight against it. I’ve held it together, but that’s come to an abrupt end. The shaking starts and the tears slide down my cheeks. I go to the sink and turn the water on. Hoping the noise will drown out my tears.