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My lips curled up in a smile. “Just listen and focus on your breathing, keeping it even. Let it mimic mine.” I took in several deep breaths through my nose for a count of eight and let it out slowly, focusing on the air as it left my mouth. I could hear Cross at my side, his breathing a beat behind my own.

Soon the only sound besides the crickets was our breathing, mingling together until slowly the worry of the day faded away. There were still plenty of other worries to keep me down but for now I was determined to let the tension and the stress fade away.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

On the next inhale, his scent crawled up my nose, mixing with the air and seeping into my brain. Branding it and ensuring that I would never forget that masculine scent. Sandalwood and leather. Maybe it was because he was the first man to elicit a real reaction from me in ages. I’d dated over the years but never for very long or seriously. And now I was attracted to a man who was the head of a large—possibly shady—organization. Oh and he had people shooting at him.

“That’s a whole lot of thinking going on for meditation time.”

“Yeah,” I sighed regretfully. “I told you it’s been difficult for me lately but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get some benefits from it, Cross.”

He unfolded his legs and leaned back on the grass. “I need it but I’m not sure it’s working. All I can focus on is your perfume.”

“Sorry. All the stress increased my pulse rate so I’m emitting all kinds of scents.” Did I seriously just say that? “Sorry. Ignore the science lesson.”

“I wasn’t complaining.”

I looked at him, his blue eyes were dark and full of heat. “Oh.”

Luckily his phone rang and pulled us out of yet another intimate moment. “Shit. Yeah?” He held his phone up to his ear and frowned, standing to his feet with impressive efficiency for a man his size. “Fuck!” He looked at me apologetically, stuffing his phone in his jeans. “Sorry Moon, I’ve gotta go.”

I stood and turned to him. “Go take care of your club, Cross. Be safe.”

He nodded and smoothed his hands through his thick brown hair in a move I found impossibly sexy. “Thanks.” He looked like he wanted to say more and I was very aware of how close we were. Too close. Then his hands were cupping my face and his mout

h slammed down onto mine, tongue teasing me right from the start. His hands were rough and his mouth was soft yet firm. The kiss was fiery and hungry and when I opened for him, his tongue slid in on a groan.

It was the most explosive kiss I’d had in too many years to remember, so I squeezed my eyes tight and got momentarily lost in Cross. In his arms. His scent and that delicious mouth that tasted mildly of dark chocolate and cinnamon was irresistible. Intoxicating.

Addictive.

I couldn’t get enough, moving closer to his body and it was hard. Everywhere. And suddenly I wanted more. More kisses.

More hugs.

More Cross.

He pulled back too soon and I moaned at the loss. “I gotta go. Really. But now I wish I didn’t.”

I nodded and walked him to the door because there was no way I would admit that I wanted him to stay.

Chapter Nine

Cross

Sleep wouldn’t come for shit. Again. I wouldn’t get anything accomplished by lying in bed and staring at the ceiling until my vision went blurry. Even Moon’s breathing techniques hadn’t helped, not that I would ever fucking admit to trying them.

Done with this restlessness, and with no plan in mind, I strapped on my bullet-proof vest, then some clothes, grabbed my keys and headed out the door. When I reached my bike I punched the air. Yes, I mouthed into the chill night. Suddenly sure of my next move, I jogged to the parking lot.

Since I still spent every night at the clubhouse, I had my choice of more than a dozen cars on the property. The dark green Toyota had keys in the ignition, so I turned over the engine and left the clubhouse in my rear view, heading toward a titty bar at the ass end of Mayhem. There was just one thing on my mind at the moment. Vigo. If I couldn’t have any peace, neither would that fucker. He wasn’t at the titty bar and after turning down a few offers for lap dances, I got out of there and headed to Shandy’s.

He’d attacked a few of our probationary members there and though they weren’t full Bastards, we would retaliate as if they were. Shandy’s was a bust too and I felt my frustration growing by the second. All of this shit had started because of Vigo and it was hard as hell not to hold him personally responsible. What the fuck was he thinking?