Page 10

Chapter Ten

M ac

“I’d kiss you as the lights went out! Swaying as the room burned down! Yeah, we were dancing! Like it was the first time, first time!” I belted out the lyrics of theTaylor Swift song with zero regard for my neighbors as I swung my hips to the beat, wielding my Swiffer duster like a microphone.

After three straight ten-hour shifts at the hospital, I finally had a day off, and I was making the most of it by doing the least relaxing thing imaginable—deep cleaning the apartment while Sarah and Chad were gone for the night.

The wireless earbuds pumped the music directly into my brain as I danced across the living room in my comfy cotton shorts and oversized t-shirt that had seen better days.

I was doing any and every thing humanly possible to avoid thinking about the fact that it’d been four days since I snuck out of Rage’s house, leaving nothing but a note behind. Four days of overthinking, over-analyzing, and absolutely refusing to text him first.

What was I supposed to say, anyway? Hey, thanks for the mind-blowing sex and sorry I bailed while you were out doing biker stuff?

When the song changed to another T. Swift jam, I cranked up the volume and spun around with the duster in hand and kept on shaking my booty as I sang along. “I go on too many dates! But I can’t make ’em stay! That’s what people say… mmm…“

My hip bumped the coffee table, sending a stack of magazines tumbling to the floor. “Shit!“ I laughed, bending to scoop them up at the same time a loud knock on the door cut through the lyrical pep talk Taylor was giving me about shaking it off.

Yanking out my earbuds, I tiptoed to the peephole and quickly jumped back after peering through.

Shit! Shit, shit, shit!

Rage was standing on the other side of my door with his arms crossed over his broad chest and a semi-pissed off look on his face.

Heart hammering, I looked down at my outfit and frowned. Of course, he’d show up when I was in a ratty clothes with no bra, and my hair a mess

The knocking stared up again.

Taking a deep breath, I flipped the deadbolt and cracked the door open, trying to pretend that my entire body wasn’t buzzing at seeing him again.

“Well, well, well,” he drawled, those full lips quirking into a knowing smirk. “If it isn’t Taylor Swift’s number one fan.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Oh, God. You heard me.”

“Baby, I think the entire building heard you.” His eyes traveled leisurely down my body, lingering on my bare legs.

I crossed my arms over my chest, painfully aware of my lack of support underneath the thin cotton. “What are you doing here?”

“Came to check on you,” he said simply, leaning against the doorframe. “After you disappeared.”

The accusation hung between us, making me squirm. “I left a note.”

“Four words,” he countered, holding up four fingers. “Four fucking words, Mac.”

I bit my lip as my heart plummeted into my belly. I had done that and it was cowardly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to say.”

“How about goodbye? See you around? Or maybe thanks for the orgasms, let’s do it again sometime?” His tone was teasing, but his eyes confirmed the irritation he was really feeling.

“I’m sorry,” I offered, really meaning it. “I just... I didn’t think you’d want me to stick around.”

That was sort of the truth. I didn’t figure he wanted his hook up to still be hanging out in his bed when he got home. He was a member of the Saints for crying out loud and it was pretty common knowledge how they operated.

Rage studied me, like he was trying to decide if I was telling the truth.

Finally, his expression softened. “You’re a shit liar, you know that?”

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. “So I’ve been told.”

His eyes traveled down my body again, this time with unmistakable heat. “As much as I’m enjoying the view, put some real clothes on.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Because I’m taking you somewhere, and as much as I enjoy seeing those long sexy legs, I don’t think that’s practical for where we’re going.”

My heart skipped. “Taking me where, exactly?”

His smile was slow and full of promise. “It’s a surprise. But I guarantee you’ll like it.”

“That’s not cryptic at all,“ I deadpanned, though butterflies were fluttering in my stomach. I loved surprises.

“Come on, Swiftie,” he teased. “Live a little. Unless you’ve got more dusting that can’t wait?”

I hesitated, glancing back at my half-cleaned apartment. I really did need to get the apartment clean, but I’d been thinking about the him for the last four days. There was no way in hell I was turning down his offer.

“Give me five minutes to change.”

His grin widened, revealing white teeth against the dark scruff of his beard. “I’ll be waiting.”

I let him in, trying not to feel self-conscious as I practically ran to my bedroom, aware of his eyes on me the entire way.

Once safely behind my closed door, I leaned against it, taking deep breaths.

We slept together once and I was acting like a teenager with her first crush.

Get it together, Mac.

One by one I slid the hangers in my closet across the rail. No.

No.

Nope.

Will make me look like I’m trying too hard.

No.

Yes!

I pulled the worn jeans with the perfectly ripped holes in the knees that made my ass look spectacular off the hanger and tossed them behind me on the bed. Then went back in for my green v-neck tee, and trusty leather jacket that hit right at my waist.

After dressing in record time I pulled a brush through my hair, swiped on a coat of mascara and tinted lip balm and dug out the only pair of shitkicker boots I owned.

Fifteen minutes later, I strolled out of my room to find Rage perched on the edge of my couch, examining a framed photo of me, Sarah, and my mom at my high school graduation.

“That was a good day,” I said, crossing the room. “Mom cried the whole ceremony.” I remembered it like it was yesterday.

He set the photo down carefully. “She proud of you?”

“Very.” I grabbed my phone off the coffee table and shoved it into my back pocket. “Though she’d probably be less proud if she knew I was running off with you to God knows where.” I smiled.

His eyebrows shot up. “You afraid of me, McKenzie?”

The way he said my full name sent a shiver down my spine. “No,” I answered honestly. “Should I be?”

He stood from the couch and closed the distance between us. Slowly he lifted his hand and cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing across my bottom lip. “Maybe.”

My breath stalled in my throat. I didn’t have a clue what I was supposed to say to that. Before I could think too hard on it, he dipped his head and captured my mouth in a sizzling kiss.

When he finally pulled away, my legs felt like jelly. “Ready to go?”

I stared up at him dumbly. Ready to go? If he meant to bed, then yes, please.

“Babe.”

My eyes jumped to his as my thoughts strayed away from the gutter.

“Are you ready?” He chuckled.

Right. He wanted to take me somewhere. I nodded, unable to speak.

I followed him out to the parking lot where his bike sate at the curb, the chrome sparkling from the afternoon sun. He handed me the helmet dangling from the handlebars and watched carefully as I adjusted the strap under my chin.

“Ever been on a long ride?” he asked, swinging his leg over the bike.

“First time was with you,” I confessed as I climbed on behind him with significantly less grace.

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his back as I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Hold on tight, baby. I like to go fast.”

Boy, wasn’t that the truth. Not that I was complaining. Being with Rage was proving to be exciting, something my life had lacked for a long time.

“Hold on.”

I tightened my grip and he cranked the motor, the engine roaring to life beneath us. With one twist of his wrist, we were off.

We rode for hours, leaving the city behind as we headed west.

I didn’t know how long we’d ridden, but the sun was already setting when Rage slowed the bike to take a turn onto a narrow road that led away from the highway. He hadn’t given me any hint of where we were going, but I didn’t mind. The view, the wind in my hair. Everything about being on his bike with him was perfect.

We rode for another few miles, winding through a secluded area, when he pulled up to a chain-link fence with a large NO TRESPASSING sign.

He cut the engine, and the sudden silence was almost deafening.

“Uh, where exactly are we?” I asked, sliding off the seat behind him. My legs started to wobble and like a shot, his arm came up and wrapped around me to keep me from falling flat on my face.

“Thanks,” I said sheepishly.

Rage grinned, nodding toward the fence. “Odin Beach Board Walk.”

Taking off my helmet, I squinted, peering through the fence. Beyond it, I could make out the faded colors of carnival rides rising against the darkening sky. “But it’s closed. It looks like it has been for a while.”

“To the public, sure.” He winked, pulling a set of keys from his pocket. “But I know a guy who knows a guy.”

Really? I know a guy who knows a guy?

I raised an eyebrow, unable to keep the smile from my face. “Is this legal?”

“Let’s go with... semi-legal.” He approached the padlocked gate, selecting a key. “The Kings of Anarchy own this town and everything in it. They’re friends of the club.”

That wasn’t ominous at all. And who owns a whole town?

“And they let you use this place?” I looked around at the boarded up booths. “For what?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

Rage paused, glancing back at me with a teasing smile. “Tonight? For having fun with my woman.”

The lock clicked open, and he pushed the gate wide, gesturing for me to enter with an exaggerated bow. “After you, milady.”

I laughed, stepping through the gate. “Who are you and what have you done with Rage?” Although, I quite liked this side of him.

“Get your ass in here,” he replied, voice dropping an octave as he closed the gate behind us.

That was more like it. I liked him sweet, but I loved him bossy.

The abandoned park was eerie in the fading light. Paint was peeling from the attractions, and weeds poked through between the boards that stretched over the beach.

“This is incredible,” I breathed, turning in a slow circle to take it all in.

“Just wait,” Rage said, taking my hand and leading me down the path. “It gets better.”

We made our way past food stands and dusty game booths until we reached a power station. Rage pulled out another key and unlocked the metal box that was mounted on the pole.

“Ready for some real magic?” he asked, hand hovering over a large lever.

I nodded, feeling anticipation bubble up inside me.

With a dramatic flourish, he pulled the switch. For a split second, nothing happened. Then, one by one, lights flickered on like dominos racing down the path.

“Oh my God,” I gasped, watching as the boardwalk transform before my eyes.

Rage’s arms slid around my waist from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. “What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, leaning back against his solid chest and staring down the stretch of wooden planks that led out over the ocean. It was amazing and I couldn’t believe he’d done all of this for me.

He pressed a soft kiss to my neck. We stayed like that for a moment, taking in the magical scene. Then he spun me around to face him, eyes bright with mischief. “Want to ride a roller coaster?”

My eyes widened. “Does it still work?”

“Only one way to find out,” he challenged, already pulling me toward a weathered wooden coaster.

“Are you insane?” I laughed, nervousness mingling with excitement. “That thing might fall apart!”

“Nah, it’s solid. The Kings keep it maintained” He squeezed my hand. “Trust me?”

And despite every logical part of my brain screaming that this was a terrible idea, I did trust him. “I do.”

At the coaster platform, Rage flipped another switch, and the cart mechanism groaned to life. He helped me into the front car before sliding in beside me, pulling down the safety bar with a quick yank.

“Ready?” he asked, reaching for a button on the side panel.

I gripped the safety bar, feeling my heart kick up speed.

Shit. We were really doing this.

Glancing up at him, I nodded. “As I’ll ever be.”

With a press of a button, the cart lurched forward, slowly climbing the first hill. The clicking of the track beneath us grew louder as we inched higher and higher.

“Having second thoughts yet?” Rage teased, his warm hand covering mine on the safety bar.

I turned to him, the wind already whipping my hair around my face. “Not a chance.”

The cart crested the hill, hanging suspended for one heart-stopping moment before plunging downward at breakneck speed. I screamed loudly as the world blurred around us.

Beside me, Rage’s deep laugh mingled with my shrieks as we twisted and turned, picking up speed with each drop. With my inhibitions thrown to the wind, I raised my arms high above my head, surrendering completely to the thrill.

When we rolled back up to the platform, I was breathless, my hair was a wild mess and my cheeks were aching from smiling so hard.

“That was amazing!” I cheered, turning to Rage with wide eyes.

He studied me for a moment, something soft passing across his features before he broke into a grin. “Yeah, it was.”

As he helped me from the cart, his hands lingered on my waist. “What next?”

We spent the next two hours running around the boardwalk like kids, trying every ride that didn’t have a sign declaring Beware - Out of Order. By the time we reached the carousel, night had fully fallen, and the park was lit up solely by the strings of lights and the full moon high in the sky.

“One more?” Rage asked, gesturing to the carousel with its faded painted horses.

I nodded eagerly, already climbing onto the platform. I picked a white horse with a golden mane, pulling myself up onto its back as Rage started the ride.

Instead of choosing his own horse, he came to stand beside mine, one hand resting on my thigh as the carousel began its slow rotation.

“Having fun?” he asked, looking up at me with those unreadable dark eyes.

I smiled down at him, feeling happier than I had in a really long time. “The most fun I’ve had in... maybe ever.”

His hand squeezed my thigh. “Good.”

As the carousel made its third round, I slid off the horse, landing squarely against his chest. His arms came around me, steadying me even as the platform continued to turn beneath us.

“Hi,” I said softly, tilting my face up to his.

“Hi,” he murmured back, one hand coming up to tuck a strand of windblown hair behind my ear.

I’m not sure who moved first, but suddenly our lips crashed together. His arms tightened, lifting me slightly so my toes barely brushed the platform.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, fully surrendering to the moment. This night had been perfect. He was perfect.

When we finally broke apart, the carousel had stopped, but I felt like I was still spinning.

“Hungry?” he asked, his voice rougher than before.

I nodded, suddenly realizing I hadn’t eaten since breakfast but had an appetite for something more.

“Ravenous.”