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His hands still, but he doesn’t turn toward me. He pulls his shoulders back, and his posture goes rigid. I immediately regret bringing it up. This is stupid. I should mind my own business. I should do what he’s doing and pretend last night didn’t happen.

The shrill ringtone on his phone breaks the uncomfortable silence.

“What?” he answers gruffly. He pauses for several seconds, listening to the person on the other end. “You’ve got to be fucking—Are they there already? Yeah, stall them until I get there … Do the best you can. Make something up if you have to … Okay. I’ll be there soon.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“Cops. They’re at the clubhouse with a warrant.”

“For Max?”

“Yeah.” He grabs my shoulders so suddenly that I yelp. “Don’t worry. I’m going to protect you and Max. Stay here with Nina. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Okay.”

I can’t catch my breath because his hands are still on me. His eyes blaze molten silver. I can’t tell if he’s angry or feeling something else entirely. When his gaze drops to my mouth, it only adds to my confusion. What is he—

He seizes fistfuls of my hair, dragging me toward him before crushing his mouth against mine. He brands me with his lips, searing me with a kiss so erotic, I’m sure he’s trying to steal my soul. I gasp as molten heat floods my core. My entire body comes alive, and I’m helpless to resist his erotic assault. Flames lick at every nerve ending, sending tendrils of sweet torture to curl around my sex. It’s like he’s touching me everywhere at once, but somehow, it’s not enough. I want more. I want everything. I wanthim.

I moan and melt against his rock-hard body, expecting him to deepen the kiss, but he doesn’t. He abruptly pulls away, cursing under his breath before stomping out of the room.

He’s gone.

I have no idea what just happened, but I’m slowly unraveling inside. There’s no way I can walk away from him. There’s something between us, some indelible connection I’m dying to explore, and now, I know he feels it, too. He can’t deny it, not after that kiss.

I’ve never met anyone like him before. It’s not just his mysterious past or his ability to kiss me senseless. There’s more to it. I’m drawn to his aura, his strength, his dark sensuality, his tattoos, his scars, and more, so much more. I want to know everything about him, every last detail. But how will I get him to open up to me? And will he do it before he walks out of my life forever?

Chapter 7: Scar

Icouldn’t wait to get away from Julia. Having her back in my bedroom was a temptation I almost couldn’t resist. I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking, kissing her like that. I can’t deal with that right now, but I can sure as fuck handle the sheriff and his men. They won’t find a scrap of evidence that Max was ever in the clubhouse. I had Matrix and Talon double-check to be sure the kid didn’t leave anything behind. The place is clean. Those cops won’t find shit.

As I roar down the road on my bike, I can’t help but think about how good it felt to have Julia underneath me last night. She’s so soft and warm and … Fuck! I have to stop thinking about her. She’s a distraction I don’t need. I’ve never kept any woman around for longer than a night, and I’m not about to start that shit now. But damn, when she walked into the kitchen in those skin-tight jeans and that red shirt, I went so fucking hard I thought I’d bust my zipper. Elementary school nurses shouldn’t be that hot. It’s not right. It’s like she walked right out of a porno, only she’s so much sweeter than one of those girls. I hate how much I want her. I thought that maybe if I had a little taste, I wouldn’t need her anymore. I thought one kiss would be enough.

I was wrong.

As I ride through the mountains toward the clubhouse, I curse under my breath. Kissing her was so fucking stupid. Why the hell did I think that would fix anything? Okay, honestly, I thought maybe I wouldn’t like kissing her. I get sick of other women after one night. Why would she be any different? Although … we didn’t reallydoanything. It wasn’t a night filled with mind-numbing pleasure. Maybe that’s the problem. Maybe fucking her brains out will do the trick, and I’ll be able to think clearly again. That’s something I need to consider. Later.

When I arrive at the clubhouse, I drive past three sheriff’s deputy trucks. Six deputies stand on the porch, Matrix and Talon facing off with them. My brothers have their arms crossed over their chests, and they aren’t budging an inch. Warrant or not, they’re not letting those fucks in until I say so.

I park, then swing my leg over my bike. I make a show of taking off my helmet just to piss off Sheriff Curtis. He’s red-faced and steaming by the time I meander up the steps.

“What’s this about?” I snatch the warrant from his hand. I glance at it to see exactly where they’re allowed to search and for what. They’re trying to find Max. They’re also looking for children’s items in the house, garage, and bar.

“My son’s missing,” Curtis growls. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

“Nope.” I hand the paperwork back.

“Your men will have to stay outside while we search.”

“Not a fucking chance. I don’t want you planting evidence in my house.” He’ll have to arrest my ass if he wants me out of the way. “We don’t have your boy.”

“Really? Because I talked to some of your regulars who remember seeing him with a nurse from his school yesterday. You remember this woman?” He pulls a picture of Julia out and holds it in front of my face.

“Can’t say that I have,” I respond casually. “Hot, though. If you find her, send her my way.”

Matrix snickers while Talon snorts.

“Who else is in the house?” Curtis asks, putting the photo away.