Reckless Temptations (Tempted #4)(57)

He nodded quickly.

“Yeah, sure. I can do that,” he said. “Shit,” he sighed. “What time tomorrow? I’ve got Jack’s brother’s funeral and…” His words trailed off as Bones cleared his throat, causing him to look over his shoulder at his friend.

Bones coughed and muttered something that sounded like, ‘own it’, before Riggs turned back to me.

“What time is the appointment?” He repeated.

“Two in the afternoon. Dr. Heltzer is my doctor, his office is across the street from the hospital,” I told him, looking down at the credit card. “I just want to remind you I don’t want you to feel obligated,” I said, cocking my head to the side as I stared at him. “I can do it without you,” I paused. “I just don’t want to,” I whispered. “But I will if I have too.”

He took my face in his hands, stepping closer, so I felt his breath against my lips.

“I’ll be there,” he vowed.

I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel his lips on mine and be reminded of what kissing Riggs felt like. But the last time we did something reckless it resulted in two pink lines. He leaned down and kissed my cheek before dropping his hands from my face.

“I’ve got to get going,” he said. “Text me the information and I’ll be there,” he reiterated as his thumb grazed my jaw.

I nodded, holding my breath as I stared into his eyes and saw the unmistakable flicker of desire. He turned around and snapped his fingers at Bones.

“Did you just snap at me?”

“Let’s go,” he exasperated.

“Don’t you ever snap at me again,” Bones warned, glancing at me. “See ya, Kitten,” he winked.

“What’d I fucking tell you about calling her that?”

“You snapped your fingers at me like I was your fucking dog,” Bones argued, as he followed Riggs out of the apartment, closing the door behind him. I heard them bicker back and forth for a few moments before I heard nothing at all. I walked toward the window and glanced down, watching Riggs straddle his bike. He fitted his helmet to his head, tilting his head back as he secured the chin strap. I would’ve sworn he was staring at me but I couldn’t be sure as his sunglasses shielded his eyes and his facial expression was blank.

Hope.

It was going to break my heart.





It was strange seeing Jack with a woman. Well, not really, the dude had a lot of bitches at his beck and call but it was strange seeing him claim one. The sucker even put a ring on it. Not that Reina was a bitch or that Jack really was a sucker. He was a lucky prick, and she was a goddess. The pie goddess. That woman could throw down in the kitchen.

I wonder if Kitten can cook.

Jack wrapped his arms around Reina as he made his way down the hill from where his brother was freshly buried, back to where our bikes lined the road. Reina smiled, and I overheard her go on about stopping at the grocery store to get ingredients.

Because I was pissed.

Because I was due a pie.

And I wanted to collect.

Jack protested, and I started to argue when Pipe made his way over to us. He was grinning as he held the phone in the air and delivered us the sweet news that Blackie had finally pulled his ass out of the coma.

There was no question about it—the pie could wait.

We hustled out of the cemetery and drove our asses to the hospital, eager to see the brother we almost lost. The hospital tried to give us some shit about all of us not being able to visit him in the ICU but that didn’t last very long and we did what we did best, disobeyed the rules and strode into Blackie’s little cubical.

“There he is,” Wolf cheered.

Jack was the first to make his way to Blackie, ignoring the tubes and pushing aside the machines they were attached to. He bent down, taking Blackie’s head in his hand and kissed the top of his head.

“My man,” Jack said, kissing his head again before he leaned back and stared at our vice president. “Left side of the table’s been empty, brother,” he explained hoarsely.

“I’m sorry,” Blackie stammered.

“You got nothing to be sorry for,” Jack replied. “I owe you everything,” he reiterated. “You saved Lacey, and you kept Reina sane,” he continued. “You sacrificed yourself for the club and that shit deserves a whole lot more than a thank you. Need you well, Black, need you to reverse this shit Jimmy has you strung out on, knocking on death’s door,” he growled. “Whatever it takes, we’ve got you,” he insisted.

“Ay!” Pipe agreed.

“Did we get him? Gold is he…” Blackie asked.

“Oh, we fucking got him,” Jack assured. “Lit that motherfucker up,” he added.

“How?” Blackie asked.

Jack turned around and pointed his thumb over his shoulder at me.

“This son of a bitch right here, saved the day, your life and my sanity,” he declared.

“And still no fucking pie,” I added.

Blackie stared at me for a moment before looking back at Jack.

“What about the deal?”

“We made a new deal,” he explained.

“You got the drugs?” Blackie asked, trying to sit up.

“C’mon man, don’t worry ‘bout that shit. You need to concentrate on getting off this shit and getting yourself good,” Jack said, as he helped Blackie adjust himself in the bed “I want to know,” he insisted.