Page 6

Chapter Six

M ac

“What the hell?“ The words tumbled from my lips before I could stop them as the door clicked shut behind.

Four heads swiveled in my direction. Chad and three men I’d never seen before were loafing on my couch with controllers clutched in their hands and beer cans scattered across the coffee table I’d picked up at a yard sale last summer.

My temper started to flare when I got a whiff of cigarette smoke. These assholes had some nerve smoking in my house when Chad knew I was allergic.

“Well, look who finally made it home,“ Chad drawled, that creepy smile spreading across his face.

Heat crawled up my neck as every eye in the room tracked over me.

I clutched my bag closer to my chest, suddenly aware of how vulnerable I was being alone with four men who could easily overpower me.

One of Chad’s friends—a guy with a patchy beard and bloodshot eyes—leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Damn, Sarah didn’t mention her roommate was such a hot piece.”

Another guy, this one with a faded tattoo creeping up his neck, openly ogled me. “Nice tits, Doc.”

My stomach lurched.

Every instinct screamed at me to get out, but I forced myself to calmly walk toward my bedroom, keeping my eyes fixed on the hallway.

“Where are you going, Mac?“ Chad called after me. “Come hang with us. We ordered pizza.”

I didn’t turn around, didn’t acknowledge him. Just kept on walking, one foot in front of the other until I reached my door, slipped inside, and locked it behind me.

“You’ve got to be kidding me, I whispered, sagging against my door as my heart hammered against my ribs.

What the actual hell was Chad thinking, bringing his creepy friends into our apartment? And where was Sarah?

Through the door, I could hear their muffled voices, followed by laughter. My skin crawled when I caught fragments of what they were saying.

“... tight little body on her...“

“... bet she’s a freak in the sheets…“

“... wouldn’t mind getting a piece of...“

I dug my fingers into my palms, anger replacing my initial shock.

This was my home. I paid half the rent. I shouldn’t have to hide in my bedroom like a prisoner.

I grabbed my phone from my bag, ready to call Sarah and demand she deal with her loser boyfriend, but my thumb hesitated over her contact. Shit. She was at work. There wasn’t anything she could do from there.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I scrolled through my recent calls and hit a different number. It rang three times before his deep voice filled my ear.

“Miss me already, baby?“

The teasing warmth in Rage’s voice made something flutter in my chest, despite the jerks loitering in my living room. I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could get a word out, a loud bang on my door made me jump.

“Mac!” Chad’s voice carried through the wood. “Come on, don’t be stuck up bitch. The guys want to meet you.”

“I’m on the phone!” I shouted back, my voice snappier than I intended.

There was a pause, then another knock, gentler this time. “Just for a minute. We’re not gonna bite... unless you ask nicely.” The crude laughter that followed made my skin crawl.

“Mac?” Rage’s tone had shifted, the playfulness evaporating. “What’s going on?”

I hesitated for a split second before telling him the truth. “My roommate’s boyfriend is here with some of his friends. I just got home from work and they’re all in my living room.”

“Where’s your roommate?” His voice was suddenly hard, all business.

“At work,” I said, moving away from the door when another knock came. “She won’t be home for until later.”

And when she got here we were going to have a long talk about Chad being here while she was at work.

“Give me your address.”

I blinked, surprised by the demand in his voice. “What? Why?”

“Because I’m coming to get you.” It wasn’t a question or an offer—it was a statement of fact.

Part of me wanted to argue, to insist that I could handle this on my own. But another part—the part that was exhausted after being on my feet for ten hours and just wanted to get some sleep without having to keep one eye open—gave in.

So, I rattled off my address

“Stay put,” he ordered, and I could hear the loud rumble of his bike starting in the background. “I’m on my way.”

Then the line went dead.

Shit.

I stared at my phone a little bit relieved and a whole hell of a lot panicked at what I’d just done.

I mean, we’d been texting randomly back and forth for the last week and twice I’d dropped by more goodies for Diesel. But, this felt different. My thoughts jumped to Jack. Why hadn’t I called him instead. Jesus, he was going to lose his mind once he found out I called Rage instead of him.

I couldn’t be bothered with that fight right now. I didn’t have the energy for it.

What I did focus on was getting out of my work clothes and changing into a comfy pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Ah. So much better. I’d just slipped on my Hey Dudes, when a loud knock at the front door came.

“I got it!” Chad called from the living room.

I yanked my bedroom door open and rushed down the hallway, determined to reach the door first.

Too late.

Chad was already swinging it open, his back going ramrod straight when he saw who was on the other side.

There Rage stood, filling my doorway. All six foot three of pure intimidation.

Even with the situation being tense as hell there was no denying how hot he was. I watched as his dark eyes scanned the room before landing on me.The relief of him being here was immediate.

“Who the fuck are you?” Chad demanded, trying to puff up his chest but looking pathetic next to Rage’s imposing frame.

Rage’s gaze never left mine as he responded. “I’m her man.”

My breath caught. That was the last thing I’d expected him to say but I sure as hell wasn’t about to correct him in from of the assholes watching with wide eyes. Especially not when I saw the way Chad’s face turned sour. He was so damn weird.

“Ready to go, baby?” Rage asked, his expression softening just slightly when he looked at me.

I stood frozen for a moment, caught by the intensity of his stare, before I finally snapped out of it. “Uh... yeah, honey.” I slung my bag over my shoulder and moved toward the door, slipping past Chad without looking at him.

Rage’s hand found the small of my back as I stepped out into the hallway. In a move I wasn’t expecting, he tugged me flush against his body. A startled gasp left my lips, my eyes shooting up to meet his just as his mouth crashed down onto mine.

Holy. Shit. He was kissing me.

I remained frozen for half a second before the heat of his body against mine woke me right the hell up. My fingers instinctively fisted in the front of his black tee. His tongue swept against mine, commanding, consuming, and holy shit—the man could kiss.

A low, satisfied groan rumbled in his chest as he deepened the kiss, his grip tightening like he had no intention of letting me go anytime soon.

Chad made a disgusted noise behind us, but Rage didn’t pull back until he was ready.

He nipped my bottom lip teasingly before finally breaking the kiss, his dark eyes locked onto mine. “Let’s get the fuck out of here, baby,” he murmured.

Lips still tingling, I nodded my head in agreement because seriously, words were hard after being kissed like that. Damn, he could really kiss.

It wasn’t until we reached the parking lot that I finally allowed myself to breathe.

Gather your lady balls, Mac. You’re going to have to say something.

“Thank you,” I settled on, finally meeting his eyes. “For coming.”

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, though I wasn’t entirely sure if he meant because of Chad or because he kissed me with in an inch of my life. The adrenaline was beginning to fade, leaving me shaky and more exhausted than before. “Just tired.”

His jaw tightened, a muscle jumping in his cheek. “That the boyfriend who gives you problems before?”

“Yeah.” I glanced back at the building, half expecting to see Chad watching us from the window. “That’s him.”

When I looked back at Rage he seemed to be considering something, his eyes darker than before as he gestured toward his bike. “Let’s get out of here.”

I hesitated, staring at the motorcycle. I’d never been on one before, but after the morning I’d had? I’d do anything to get far away from Chad and his buddies.

“Where are we going?”

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Wherever you want, baby.” I was thankful for his teasing to return. That I could deal with.

I smiled back. “Lead the way... man of mine.”

His low chuckle warmed something deep inside me as he handed me a helmet.

Maybe calling him hadn’t been such a bad idea after all.