The Lies Between Us (The Devil's Dust #4)(14)

Is he poking me on purpose? I look over my side at him and he sits up, snatching the pillow at the foot of the bed, and wedges it between us. I turn, getting comfy on my side of the bed.

“Night, Cherry,” he whispers into the back of my head.

“Night, Lip,” I reply into the dark.

I try to keep my eyes open, attempting to defy the sleep stinging my eyes, but I can feel them getting heavier. No! I can wait till Lip falls asleep, wait till the party stops and find my way back to the freeway. Though we did ride a ways away from my car. I shift and blink a few times, trying to wake myself up, but my body soon takes comfort in the warm, solid muscle pressed against my back and the soft mattress beneath me. I easily fall asleep.

***

I wake to the warm sun shining on my face. Moaning, I stretch out along the bed and soft sheets. Bed. I’m in a bed. I sit up suddenly, remembering where I am. The Devil’s Dust club. I look around and find Lip missing. Shit. I close my eyes, and smack myself in the forehead. Why did I sleep in his bed last night? Why didn’t I have him take me back to my car?

Throwing the blankets off me, I search for my shorts and flip-flops. I hurry and put them on then open the door to sneak out. I smell eggs, and my belly growls; I haven’t had a decent meal in days. I cross my arms and curiously walk down the hall. The place is cleaner than it was last night. You can’t even tell there was a party here. I come into the main area and see Bull, Lip, and some other guys sitting around the bar.

Lip stands from his seat and walks up to me. He gently grabs my wrist and tugs me closer.

“You hungry?”

I look around him and find all the guys staring at me before quickly turning back to their meal.

“Yeah, kinda,” I lie. I’m so f*cking hungry it’s taking everything I have not to rush over to one of their plates and shovel down their eggs.

“Take my spot. I’ll get you a plate.” He walks away, pushing through two double doors that I assume lead into a kitchen.

I slowly head to the stool Lip was sitting on and take a seat. Looking over, Bull smiles at me around a mouth full of food.

“You sleep good, darling?” Bull questions. His smile is so contagious and welcoming that I can’t help but smile back. He doesn’t seem nearly as intimidating in the sunlight.

“Yeah, I did,” I respond.

“Good. Good to hear,” he mutters.

Lip comes out and places a plate of eggs in front of me, and I instantly pick the fork up and start eating. Actually, I inhale them. Quickly.

“You want more?” Lip laughs, grabbing my plate. I glance up and see Bull eyeing me with a look of concern. I flick my eyes down to the clean plate and my cheeks warm with embarrassment. Shit, I should have paced myself or something.

“No, I’m good,” I mutter. I hop down from the stool and look around the room, finding two half-naked girls eyeing me from a black leather couch in the corner.

I glare at them. The guys might be a little scary, but girls don’t faze me. I’ve been known to bloody my knuckles a few times.

Lip grabs my hand and leads me back down the hall. My hand blazes with that familiar rush when he touches me. I close my eyes and gently pull it away before we reach his room. I need to get away from Lip. Far away. I am having a hard time telling him no to anything and need to put some distance between us before I regret it.

“I need to get back to my car before they tow it.” I scrunch my lips to the side and give a half-nod.

“About that.” Lip tucks his hands into his pockets. I shift my head sideways and lift an eyebrow. “I don’t like you staying in that car all day by yourself.” He shakes his head. “It’s not safe.”

I scowl. What does this guy think I’m going to do, sit in his room and play princess all day?

I purse my lips and give a curt nod. It’s nice that he cares, but that’s as far as that thought process needs to go.

“I’ll be fine. I can stay at my brother’s place,” I state, looking off. He doesn’t say anything, and tension rises. I finally look at him and notice his face is serious, lips in a firm line.

He flicks his brown eyes to mine. “Why don’t you just stay here?” He shrugs.

My mouth pops open in shock. My pride rises, overcoming any attraction I might have for Lip.

“I don’t need a man to take care of me,” I snap. “Take me to my car. Now!”

Lip’s head lowers with a loud exhale. He places his hands on his hips, and inhales slowly.

“You stay at your brother’s, Cherry.” He says it like an order, and it angers me. “Agree, or I’m not taking you back.”

I growl in frustration. Who the f*ck does he think he is?

“Yeah, fine. Okay, I will,” I lie. There’s no way I’m going to Tyler’s; it’s too dangerous.

Lip steps into the room, grabbing his keys.

“Let’s ride,” he mutters. His words come out masculine, and hard, but there is so much meaning behind them. Revving me just right, I nearly moan in response. Instead, I bite my inner cheek, nearly drawing blood. God, he’s so rugged and alpha, it’s hard not to be attracted to him. I follow him out of the club and toward his bike. He lowers the heavy black helmet on my head, his fingers adjusting the chin strap while his eyes search mine. He has that look again, the one that makes me feel vulnerable. It’s as if he can see right down to my broken soul. It makes my chest tingle, and my toes curl into my foam flip-flops. He pulls his gaze from mine and throws his leg over his bike.