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I don’t take offense. Delaney’s grinning like a fool, and it’s the best sight I’ve seen in a long fucking time.
“Maybe once or twice. I’m guessing you’ve been told the same thing.”
She shakes her head. “No. But to be fair, I haven’t let anyone close enough to feel like I had to maintain control in a long time.”
“Because of the Phantom?” I ask, praying I’m not gonna set her off again.
Her eyes darken, and her smile falls, but she looks more sad than angry. “Haven’t really had time for anything else but hunting him.”
“We’re gonna get him,” I assure her.
“I know. But how many more will die before we do?”
When the food arrives, we eat in silence, each digging into both meals. As soon as the food is gone, Delaney leans back and rubs her stomach.
“You weren’t kidding,” she says. “I loved every bite.”
“Told ya.”
“Now what?”
“You tell me.”
She doesn’t respond because the waitress comes to take the empty plates.
“Can I get y’all anything else?”
“No, I’m stuffed,” Delaney replies.
“Just the check,” I say.
“Comin’ right up.”
After paying, I settle my hand on the small of Delaney’s back and ease her out to my bike. My dick jerks to attention as she swings her leg over the seat, and I don’t bother hiding it. But she doesn’t seem to notice.
Huh.
The ride back to the clubhouse is intense. My focus is split between the road and how her arms feel around my waist. I ignore the guilt that slithers through me each time I speed up just so I can feel her thighs tighten against me.
But the guilt isn’t enough to make me stop. Not when she feels so damn good.
The sky glitters with stars above us, and when we leave the road to cross the desert, it’s as if we’re flying through the Milky Way. Ten minutes later, I’m pulling into the garage, and her grip loosens.
“That was fun,” Delaney says after I park. “We should…”
“Should what, sweetheart?” I push when she presses her lips into a thin line.
“No-nothing.”
She starts toward the elevator, and I follow on her heels. Grabbing her arm, I spin her around to face me and end up pulling her into my chest. Her breath hitches as she slowly lifts her eyes to mine.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
“Should what?” I repeat.
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit.”