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“I want to be that someone more than you know.”

“Okay, then.”

Viper walked out ahead of Jax. He was late for his meeting with his brother and knew Nick was annoyed because of the number of texts his phone kept chiming at him.

But he couldn’t leave without seeing her. “Before I disappear, would you mind asking Lyric to come back here to see me?”

“Sure. Hang on. I’ll distract Rick while she’s with you.” Jax left, and a mere two minutes later Lyric walked down the hallway toward him.

“My mama told me never to meet strangers in dark hallways.”

He grinned. “I’m not a stranger. I’m yours.”

“Yes, you are.” She walked right into his chest, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

He broke the kiss but held her close. “How the hell did I get this lucky?” He dove in for anotherkiss, sliding his tongue along hers, holding her body crushed to his. Heaven. He didn’t have a lot of time and regretted it deeply. “I have to go. I just wanted to see you, if only for a moment.”

“Oh, well, never let it be said I wasted an opportunity to do this.” She went up on tiptoe and kissed him again. Just a quick one.

“Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” He kissed her back, this time sliding his tongue along hers, tasting mint and chocolate. “What were you eating?”

“My grandma’s homemade thin mints. I love them. There’s a couple in the bag for you.” She drew her hand back over his shoulder and held up a take-out bag.

“What else did you make me?” It smelled divine.

“Two fried chicken drumsticks, some coleslaw, and a couple of biscuits I made this morning for breakfast.”

“You really do love to cook.”

“It’s one of my things.”

He heard Jax and Rick talking about their favorite beers down the hall. “We can’t be seen together.” He grabbed a handful of her hair and let it gently run through his fingers. “I’m sorry, Angel.”

“No worries.” Her bright smile said she meant it. “I’m just glad I got to see you today.”

“Thank you for the food. What do I owe you?” He didn’t want to presume she’d done this as a kind gesture, though it was that, too.

“You can pay up later.” Lyric gave him a sultry look, letting him know she’d like something other than cash.

“Happy to. Anything you want.” He swept his gaze down, checking out the curve of her breasts filling outthe Dark Horse Dive Bar T-shirt and her hips curving in those tight jeans.

She blushed and gave him a bright smile. “But you’ll also be explaining to me later why you met with my brother. Right?”

He held her gaze. “Because I want you safe.” He held up the bag. “Thank you. This means a lot.”

“Be careful. Be safe.”

“Lock up this door after I’m gone.” He left before he fell into another kiss with her and couldn’t leave at all and climbed into his truck. He started the engine and kicked up the heater. His phone rang.

“You’re late,” Nick said, by way of hello.

“I had to make a stop.” He opened the bag and pulled out one of the drumsticks. Still hot. He bit into it and moaned.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Eating some really fucking good fried chicken.”

“Lyric’s chicken, I take it.”