Page 11

CHAPTER

SEVEN

HARLOWE

C oming home alone and scared last night was hard, but today I’m looking forward to spending the day with Crue. I know things are going to change for my security, but I’m glad I won’t have to go into hiding or give up my job and school.

I roll over in bed as the sun shines through the edges of my blackout curtains.

I need to get ready. I grab my cell phone off the nightstand.

Crue

Good morning, Starlight, can’t wait to spend time with you today.

I smile at the sweet text and then roll to my back as I respond back to him.

Me

Should I wear a skirt? :P Just joking. How about jeans, boots, and layers?

Crue

I could tell you what I’m thinking you should wear. Besides, I didn’t get a look at that tattoo on the back of your thigh and butt cheek. I’ll kill the man if I ever meet him.

A laugh bursts from my lips.

Me

Was a friend of Seph’s. A girl. Don’t worry. She isn’t my type, although she’s beautiful. You might like her. She told me to call her Aphrodite.

Crue

You are the only one I care about.

Me

You say the sweetest things. Well, I better get myself beautiful before you get here.

Crue

Impossible. You are already beautiful.

His sweet words make me want to change my mind about my plan last night. But I want to experience the things I haven’t had a chance to since my father was always very protective of me.

I press the phone to my chest with a sigh. Between Crue and Fezzik, I managed to keep from fully panicking last night.

B y the time he gets to the house, I’m dressed in black jeans, a black graphic tee, a sweatshirt, and my heavier leather jacket over it all.

I’ve got on my mid-calf, buckle- style biker boots.

I pulled my hair into a tight French braid along my scalp and nape, then continued the braid down the length so it’s secure and will fit under my helmet.

When he knocks on the door, I almost jump up and freak out, but the funny looks on Kodiak’s and Romeo’s faces keep me rooted to the sofa, where Fezzik lies at my feet.

He’s kept close since last night. I wish I’d had him with me.

If I’d pressed the panic button, he would have been all over my attacker, and we might have had some leverage against Aaronov.

But I left him home, and the man got away.

The fact that he escaped so easily proves I could have been taken before anyone realized.

Shaking off the thoughts, I smile at Crue as his eyes focus on me. He’s carrying a box and walks straight toward me. His long legs are incased in black jeans. The chain on his wallet slaps against his hip as he moves. His strides are long and purposeful.

My gaze trails upward. He’s wearing a T-shirt under a half-buttoned red flannel shirt and then his cut. His muscular arms strain the sleeves, and I remember how those arms feel around me.

His dark hair is brushed back from his face, and his beard and mustache are freshly trimmed. A backward ball cap sits on his head, with a curl of hair slipping through the opening.

He has beautiful, mysterious eyes that seem to look right through me, as if he’s seeing into my soul. When I’m in the room, his focus never wavers. It’s intense, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, and it causes me to shift slightly.

I tip my head back to look up at him. He runs his hand along my face, and I lean into his touch.

“Hello, Starlight.”

“Hello, Crue.” I let out a soft sigh and catch my bottom lip between my teeth.

“Don’t do that. Unless you want me to kiss the fuck out of you in front of your brother and Romeo.”

“Please don’t do that.” My brother chuckles.

I look down at the package in his hands. It has a big red bow on it.

“Is that for me?” I change the subject.

“Yep,” he says.

I love presents. I always have.

“I know you like presents.”

I smile up at him as I sit back down on the sofa and pull the box from his hand. He laughs and sits down next to me. I pull off the bow and lift the lid. Inside is a long strip of leather with snaps along the edges.

“It’s to hold your hair together when you’re on the back of my bike.”

It’s black, with white lily of the valley flowers stitched into it.

“I love it.” I twist around and hand it to him. “Can you snap it on?”

“Sure, baby.”

His hand drags my long braid back and carefully snaps the leather cuff around it.

It also holds it against my back so it won’t move around.

I pull back the tissue paper and uncover a pair of leather chaps, the same lily of the valley flowers stitched down the legs.

I lift them out and admire them. I’ve never been given anything so pretty.

I used to ride back in Texas, and while I haven’t gotten a bike here yet, I’ll still be able to wear them when I’m with him. These gifts are proof he wants me to be with him for a long time to get use out of them.

Standing up, I flick them out and proceed to buckle them around my waist before leaning down to zip up the backs to cover my jeans.

“They’ll offer more protection for your legs than the jeans and will also keep you warm.”

“I love them. You didn’t have to.” I jump at him.

He catches me and pulls me against him. His big hands hold my ass where the chaps are open. If we didn’t have an audience, I’d wrap my legs around him. I kiss his lips softly, and he returns the kiss but with way more gusto. His tongue slides between my lips, and I open for him.

“Enough,” my brother barks, and we pull apart, both of us panting for air.

“Holy fuck.” I sigh and watch as Crue’s lips tip up in a smile.

“You can say that again, Starlight.” His deep, gruff voice vibrates through his chest to mine, causing my core to spasm.

“Holy fuck,” I say again with a smile.

He smacks my ass. “Don’t cuss.”

He sets me down, and I stare up at him in shock.

“Did you just spank me and tell me not to cuss? I don’t fucking think so.”

I turn away from him and walk down the hall. I’m not going out with some over-the-top asshole who thinks he can tell me what I can and can’t say.

“Harlowe, get your ass back here,” he says from right behind me.

I stop and swing around, ready to deck him.

“No. I’m not going out with an asshole who won’t let me speak.”

“Sorry, Kodiak,” Crue says before he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder.

He carries me to my bedroom and kicks the door closed before Fezzik can follow along behind us.

“Put me down. Right now,” I demand as he drops me on the bed. Before I can scurry away, he’s on me and cages my body in.

“Listen up, baby. I love your sassy mouth and can’t wait until you talk dirty to me while I’m fucking your brains out.

But you need to watch your mouth so that Oly doesn’t repeat after you.

” He reaches between our bodies and cups my sex.

“When I get my bare cock into this pussy, I’m going to put my baby in it so that you can never leave me.

I don’t want our kiddos to have our dirty mouths. ”

I pause at his words, and my eyes flare wide.

Holy fuck. Did he just say that?

“Crue, did you just say you want to knock me up?”

“Yes, I do, Starlight. As soon as I get my ring on your finger and my property patch on your back, you’ll be mine completely.”

I shake my head, unsure I really heard him. He leans down and kisses me. My thoughts scatter as his tongue dominates my mouth and his lips consume me. When he pulls away, I open my eyes and stare up at him over my body.

“Okay.” It’s all I can say. I’ve always wanted a family to replace the one I thought I lost but now have back. He knows exactly what I want.

“In that order, Starlight. I’m going to put my ring on your finger, my property patch on your back, maybe tattoo my name on your ass.” He moves his hand and pulls my hips against his cock. “Then I’m taking you bare so I can put my baby in your belly.”

“Okay.” I think he fried my brain.

He pushes off the bed and holds out a hand to help me up.

We walk out of the room and head right outside to his bike.

His black Harley is mostly matte flat black, except for the glossy tank.

He has the high handlebars called ape hangers.

On the seat, two helmets rest side by side.

One is his bucket style, and the other is a sleek, modular one painted with swirling northern lights in green, blue and pink.

He picks up the helmet and moves to put it on me.

“I can do that. Why do I have a full face helmet?”

“Because I want to protect you completely.” He smirks before I allow him to put the helmet on me. I look up when he cinches the straps under my chin. “You have Bluetooth so we can talk as we go along.”

“Thank you.”

He closes the front opening, enclosing my face behind the shield.

Crue slips on his helmet next. I spot the mic and earpiece built into it.

Climbing onto his bike, he holds out his hand for me.

Once I’m settled behind him, he pulls me closer, his hand resting on my thigh.

The engine roars to life, and I lean against the backrest bar.

“You good?” His voice comes through the helmet.

“Yep, let’s go. Where are you taking me?”

“How would you like to go up to Hatcher’s Pass? We can’t go across to Willow yet, but we can go up to the mine and check it out.”

“Sounds like fun. Let’s go.”

I practically bounce in my seat as he turns us around, and we take off down the driveway. He heads out, and we turn onto Parks Highway, heading south into Wasilla. Music plays through the Bluetooth, but I’m enjoying holding tight to him as he weaves through the Saturday traffic.

He turns onto Main Street, and I’m excited.

He’s taking Wasilla Fishhook Road out. The two-lane road winds through neighborhoods, and I look around at how much has changed in the ten years I’ve been gone.

Some of the fields I remember are now dotted with houses.

I’m fascinated by the two-track trail running alongside the road, reserved for four-wheelers and off-road vehicles that aren’t allowed on the paved roads.