Page 15 of Bad Luck, Hard Love (Heaven’s Rejects MC #6)

CHARLOTTE

Thor's lips are like salvation, making me forget we're in a hotel hallway where anyone could see us.

The way he kisses me should be illegal in at least forty-seven states—deep, possessive, hungry.

My back presses against the wall beside my door as his massive frame cages me in, one tattooed arm braced above my head, the other gripping my hip like he's afraid I'll disappear.

“I should get inside,” I murmur against his mouth, not making the slightest move to leave.

“Should you?” he growls. His teeth graze my bottom lip, tugging just enough to make my knees weak. “I'm not done with you yet, Charlotte.”

The way he says my name—my full name—still sends shivers racing down my spine. No one's ever made those three syllables sound like both a prayer and a sin.

“You've had me for the past twelve hours,” I remind him, though my body betrays me by arching closer. “Minny's probably wondering if I've been kidnapped.”

Thor's laugh is wicked and low. “That's not kidnapping, sweetheart. That's called making you come so hard you forgot your own name.”

Heat floods my cheeks, “Thor!”

“What? Just stating facts.”

I press my palms against his chest, feeling the solid wall of muscle beneath his shirt. His heart pounds against my fingers, a steady, powerful rhythm that matches the thrumming in my veins.

“I need to check on her,” I say, but my voice lacks conviction. “Aren’t you in town for biker business?”

“Yeah,” he shrugs with a smirk. “But, getting you back into my bed seems like a better idea.”

“Is what you have to do that bad? Maybe I can help you.”

Thor studies me for a long moment. “It's complicated, Charlotte. And the less you know, the safer you are.”

I tilt my head, reaching up to trace the hard line of his jaw. “I'm not made of glass, you know. I can handle complicated.”

His thumb brushes across my cheekbone, so gentle it barely touches my skin.

“Trust me when I say this isn't your kind of complicated. It's the kind that puts people in the ground. You need to stay far away from this part of my life, sweetheart. For now, at least.”

I'm about to respond when the door behind me swings open. Thor's hand instinctively tightens on my hip as we both turn to find Minny standing in the doorway.

“Oh my God!” she exclaims, a hand flying to her mouth. “I thought I heard voices out here!”

Before I can stammer out an explanation, Thor's mouth crashes down on mine again, his kiss even more possessive with an audience.

His tongue sweeps past my lips, claiming me thoroughly as his hand slides to cup the back of my neck.

The world tilts on its axis as he devours me, making it crystal clear to Minny exactly what we've been doing.

When he finally releases me, I'm breathless and dizzy, clinging to his shirt just to stay upright.

“Lord have mercy,” Minny coos, fanning herself dramatically. “No wonder you didn't come back last night.”

Thor's satisfied smirk should irritate me, but instead, it sends another wave of heat flooding through my body. “Sorry about that,” he says, not sounding sorry at all. “I needed to make sure Charlotte got back safely.”

“Oh, is that what the kids are calling it these days?” Minny quips, leaning against the doorframe with a knowing grin. “Are you coming in, or are you two going to continue giving the hotel guests a show?”

I glance around, mortified to realize we've been practically devouring each other in plain view. An elderly couple shuffles past, the woman tutting disapprovingly while her husband gives Thor a subtle thumbs-up.

“I should go,” Thor says, though his hand remains, “I need to take care of a few things. Dinner? You’re invited too, of course, Minny.”

“Thanks for the invite, but I'm actually meeting some colleagues for drinks tonight,” Minny says with a diplomatic smile. “Conference networking and all that boring stuff.”

I shoot her a grateful look, knowing full well she's giving us privacy on purpose.

“Seven o'clock then? I'll pick you up.”

“Perfect,” I reply, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach at the thought of seeing him again tonight.

Thor swoops down, capturing my lips in a kiss that makes my toes curl inside my shoes.

His tongue traces the seam of my mouth, demanding entrance that I willingly grant.

His hand slides up to cradle my face, thumb brushing my cheek with unexpected tenderness that contrasts with the hungry possession of his kiss.

When he finally pulls away, I'm breathless and dizzy.

“That should hold you until tonight,” he murmurs.

Before I can respond, Minny's hand clamps around my wrist and yanks me inside our room. The door slams behind us as she practically drags me toward the sitting area.

“Holy shit, Charlie! Spill everything right now!” I barely take off my purse, placing it on the dresser, before she pushes me onto the couch and stands over me, hands on her hips.

“And I mean everything. Don't you dare leave out a single dirty detail. I have been married far too long, and I need this, Charlie.”

“I—”

“Nope. Don't even think about being coy.” She flops down beside me, tucking her legs beneath her. “That man just kissed you like he owns you, and judging by the way you melted, I'm guessing he earned that right. So, start talking.”

My face burns hot enough to set off the smoke detectors. “We...connected.”

“Connected? That’s all you're going to give me.”

Minny gives me a look that could melt steel. “Charlotte Elizabeth Myers, I've known you for fifteen years. I can tell when you're holding back. That man just made you forget how to breathe with a single kiss, and you're giving me 'we connected'? I want details. Real details.”

I sink deeper into the couch cushions, my face burning. “Fine. We...we spent the night together.”

“I knew that already. What happened?”

“It was...” I search for words that won't make me spontaneously combust. “It was incredible, Min. He made me feel things I didn't even know were possible.”

Minny's expression softens, her teasing replaced by genuine concern. “Good things? Because after what that bastard Terrance put you through?—”

“Good things,” I interrupt. “Amazing things. He was so gentle, so careful with me. He made me feel like I was precious instead of...” I trail off, unable to finish.

“Instead of worthless,” she completes softly, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “Oh, honey. I'm so happy for you.”

“I didn't know it could be like that. I thought what I had with Terrance was normal, that I was broken somehow. But Thor...he made me feel beautiful. Desired. Like I mattered.”

“You do matter,” Minny says fiercely. “You always have.”

I duck my head. “I know. It's just...with him, I believe it.”

Minny studies me for a long moment, her expression shifting from concern to something more calculating, “You're falling for him, aren't you?”

“What? No!” The denial comes too quickly, too forcefully. “I've known him for like two days. That's ridiculous.”

“Is it?” She raises an eyebrow, “Because you've got that look.”

“What look?”

“That dreamy, just-been-thoroughly-ravished-by-a-Viking look. I've never seen it on you before, but it suits you.”

I groan, burying my face in my hands. “It's just chemistry. Really, really good chemistry.”

“Mmhmm.” Her tone drips with skepticism, “And when we leave tomorrow? What then?”

The question hits me like a bucket of ice water. Tomorrow. Minny flies back home, and I drive back to San Simeon. Away from Vegas. Away from Thor.

“I don't know,” I admit, my stomach knotting with anxiety.

Minny watches me carefully. “Do you want to go home? It’s not like you have anything tying you there except for the cat. He’ll be okay for a few more days if you want to see where this goes.”

“I...” My voice falters. “Maybe? I mean, he lives in California too, but his life is so different from mine. And he's clearly involved in something dangerous here. He basically told me to stay out of it.”

“Wait. What?”

“Yeah, um, Thor is in a motorcycle club. He’s here in Vegas taking care of something for his boss. I mean, president. It’s president, right?”

“Hold up. A motorcycle club? Like, Sons of Anarchy motorcycle club?”

“He said it's not like that,” I say quickly, though doubt creeps in. “He said they're trying to move away from their past, whatever that means.”

“What exactly did he tell you about this club business?”

I fidget with the hem of my dress, suddenly feeling naive. “Not much. Just that it's complicated, and I should stay away from it. He said the less I know, the safer I am.”

“Jesus Christ.” Minny runs her hands through her hair. “And you're considering staying here? With him?”

“I don't know!” The words burst out of me, frustration and confusion warring in my chest. “I know it sounds crazy, but Minny, when I'm with him, I feel alive for the first time in years. I feel like myself again. Like the person I was before Terrance crushed every bit of confidence out of me.”

“I get that, honey. I really do. But you just got out of one horrible marriage. Are you sure you want to walk into another one?”

“It's not the same thing,” I protest. “Thor would never hurt me. He's different.”

Minny sighs, her expression softening. “Charlie, I've watched you rebuild yourself piece by piece after what Terrance did.

You're finally finding your voice again.

I just don't want to see you lose yourself in another man—especially one who admits he's involved in something that he’s keeping you away from.”

I stand up abruptly, pacing across the hotel room. “You think I don't know how this sounds? That I'm not terrified I'm making another mistake?” My voice cracks. “But what if this is my chance to actually experience something real? Something that isn't built on lies and manipulation?”

“And what if it gets you killed?” Minny counters. “Motorcycle clubs aren't book clubs, Charlie. They're involved in things that put people in prison—or worse.”