What Doesn't Destroy Us (The Devil's Dust #1)(10)

“A vest? You mean my cut?” he asks, almost offended. I shrug again, trying to act disinterested. I know he’s still there. I can feel him; his presence. It’s beautiful but embodies a hint of beast. I turn my head slightly, catching him in my peripheral. He’s still leaning on the counter, watching me.

“Do you have a problem?” I say sharply, turning in his direction. Little fake giggles come from the bar in the next room, catching my attention. Shadow also looks at the door briefly before turning back to me, with a lewd glare. I just put myself in a trap; shit.

“Yeah, I guess you could say I have a problem.” He eyes me up and down, his tone sexual, suggesting I could fix his problem.

“Yes, please let me fix your problem,” my inside screams within the depths of sexual tension. But I remind myself of his fake charm; how he’s so cocky and infuriating; the games he likes to play. He’s a womanizer, and I won’t be easy; even if it kills me.

I laugh and turn seductively, leaning over the island separating us. I notice his breath catch, confirming that I affect him and making this that much harder. I lick my lips slowly, eyeing him up and down as he had done to me.

“Well, then, I suggest you have one of them...” my eyes dart to the door where the giggles continue, “...fix your little...” my eyes snap to his groin where I'm sure it’s anything but little, “...problem.” My tone is cold and distant.

I turn to reach for my plate and Shadow leaps over the counter. He tangles his hand in my hair making my scalp burn. Pulling my head back, he thrusts his pelvis into my ass, his length anything but little. The roughness has my veins rushing with erotic pleasure. Warmth floods my wet entrance, shouting for Shadow to have his way with me. My body’s reaction causes me to blush.

He leans his face next to my ear, his breath smelling of chocolate making me want him more. I moan, my body defying the warnings in my mind. “You can try and act like you don’t want me, that you have control,” he breathes into my ear as he thrusts his groin harder against me. He's still pulling my hair, making me arch my back. He slowly pulls his hips away and my ass thrusts itself against his groin trying to regain contact. The action takes me by surprise. Shadow lets out a vicious laugh. “But your body can’t lie,” he nips my earlobe making me practically come on the spot, the pain shooting to my toes making them curl with pleasure, “you have no power.”

He growls and pushes me forward releasing my hair and body. The shocking loss of heat is like a slap in the face. I watch him walk away; his bare back beautifully tattooed with the club name and emblem. Suddenly, I feel cheap and used and I want to slap the cockiness right out of him.

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My midnight snack took some of the gnawing from my stomach and after lots of tossing and turning, I finally fell asleep. This morning, though, I just want to stay in my room. I'm still mad at myself for wanting Shadow, and at my traitorous body.

Pacing and arguing with myself isn't solving anything, though, so I finally decide I've somehow been brain washed and clearly do not want Shadow and his scandalous ways in spite of my attraction. Besides, I hear a lot of commotion outside and my naturally nosy self can't resist the temptation to find out what's going on.

Walking outside to the garage, I see some guys pulling out a black bike. I stop to admire the sleek, sexy lines and imagine myself on it for just a second.

“That’s the bike the club's donating for the charity,” Shadow says from behind me, scaring the shit out of me. “It’s a Bobber; not my favorite bike, but it will do. The auction is in an hour.” I can only scowl at him, my body still wound up and tight from the games he played last night. But when I see the sincere joy in his face, my anger melts away. Right on cue, my body starts heating up and flashbacks from last night assail my mind. I’m like a dog in heat, sheesh.

I notice I'm playing with my lip and dart my hands to my side, he makes me nervous clearly. “Oh, I thought it was a Harley. Aren’t they the best bikes?” I know nothing about motorcycles, only what I've seen in commercials about Harley's and overheard guys at my college say about them being so great.

He clutches his chest with both of his hands and gasps. “A woman after my own heart. Have you ever been on a bike?” His tone seems boyish instead of rugged and dark for a change. He is cute, getting all excited talking about motorcycles.

“Unless you mean a bicycle, no. I live in New York; we take taxis everywhere.” I say, smiling.

He grabs my hand and pulls me away from the garage toward the parking lot; toward a different black bike. This one has silver lines all over the gas tank that look like shadows sweeping over a black darkness. I love it.

“This is my bike. It’s a Dyna Super Glide.” Seeing the confusion on my face, he continues, “This is a Harley. She takes whatever I give her and doesn’t bitch. She’s the perfect girlfriend.” He's smiling from ear to ear. “Let’s go for a ride and I'll show you why they are the best bikes. The auction is pretty boring; they won’t miss us.” He winks, making fireworks go off in my gut.

“Here’s a helmet, put it on.” He hands me a black helmet. He’s not joking; he wants me to ride that thing.

“I don’t know, my mom would kill me if she found out,” I reply unsure. I know my mother would have a stroke if she saw me climbing on the back of a bike, especially with anyone but Bull. But who am I kidding, Shadow is very alluring and telling him no is not an option; and do I really want to tell him no?