Page 2 of Sinful Skulls (Rebel Skull MC #9)

Chapter Two

Brody

I ’m such a dumbass. Of course this girl would be frightened of me. I didn’t even think about it when I offered to help carry her shit. I guess I’m used to the women of the club.

Not a goddamn one of them is scared of me, but there are a few of them that terrify the living fuck out of me.

Jesse being one, followed closely by her crazy as fuck little sister.

I’ve seen her set fire to a man’s junk before.

Yeah, no fucking thank you. I don’t have big enough balls to handle women like them, and mine are plenty big.

I hover in the entryway. She takes the painting from my hand as she passes me. My eyes trail her as she reaches out and flicks the lights on. Her dark hair is tangled up at the back of her head. That fucking asshole. Who grabs a woman like that?

She moves farther into the little apartment and sets the painting on the easel in the corner of the room. I can’t wait until she turns around. She’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. I can hardly look away from her, and that right there is the reason I sat on that fucking beach all damn day.

I see her pull her shoulders back and take a deep breath. Then, she faces me.

Fuck, she’s a beauty. Her eyes are hazel, but there’s this striking ring of gold around her pupils.

Pair that with her dark hair, and she’s flawless.

She’s not very tall, but I don’t know if you could call her short.

I have to think that the good lord was really striving for perfection when he created her.

She licks her lips before speaking, and I have to shove my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching out and pulling her toward me.

“All I have is wine, but I could order something else and have it delivered.”

“Wine is good.” Especially if I can drink it off your body.

The way she tucks her hair behind her ear and blushes makes me wonder if she’s a mind reader.

“Please, make yourself comfortable.” She waves her hand over her living room before slipping behind the counter.

I walk around her space, studying the artwork on her walls. “Did you paint all of these?”

“I did,” she says as she fills two glasses with red wine.

She’s beautiful and talented.

Her apartment might be small, but it’s cozy and clean, and it smells like her. A scent that will forever be my favorite. It’s salty and sweet. An ocean breeze with a hint of caramel and raspberries.

I lower myself to the couch, and she joins me seconds later. After she hands me a glass, I see her internally debate on where she should park her fine ass.

Lucky for me, she’s a bit of a risk taker, and she settles next to me. Not too close, but close enough for now. She’ll warm up to me. I’m going to make damn sure of it.

“Again, I’m sorry about the trouble I caused. I was listening to my dad in my head. You know, stranger danger and all that.”

“Hey, no need to explain. You were doing the smart thing. I’m the one who should apologize for jumping out of the gate too fast.”

“I’m not sure what that means.” She sips her wine, and damn if it isn’t the cutest thing.

“You know, like a racehorse.”

She laughs lightly and settles back onto the couch. Finally, she’s starting to relax a little.

“I’ve heard the phrase. I’m just wondering where you were rushing off to.”

I chuckle. “Well, I guess I was hoping to get to know the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

This makes her cover her face with one hand, peeking at me between her fingers. “Oh my gosh, really?”

“Why does that seem like such a strange thing to you? I’m sure you’re approached all the time.”

“No, but maybe that’s because I don’t realize it when it’s happening.” She drops her hand and laughs again.

“Humble too? Where have you been all my life?” I tease.

She tips her head, studying me. “I love that you haven’t asked me what I do for a living.”

“It’s such a boring question, isn’t it? I don’t know about you, but I breathe for a living.”

The smile that lights her face brings one to my own.

“That’s such a good answer.”

Her hand roams over the back of her head, and she winces.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I can run you over to the emergency room.”

“Oh, heavens no. I’m good. It just smarts a bit. I thought he was going to rip my hair out, but it was totally my fault.”

“Fuck, no it wasn’t. No man should put his hands on a woman like that.”

Her tongue runs over her top lip, and she shivers. “I’m sure he’ll remember your lesson the next time he thinks about it.”

“We can only hope.”

We stare at each other, neither of us flinching. There’s a strange energy humming between us. I’ve never felt anything like it before. I’m not sure where to go from here.

“I’ve never seen you around here. Are you on vacation?” she asks, breaking the silence.

I snort, because fuck no, I’m not made for this place. “Naw, I was just down here helping a buddy of mine.”

“I see.”

I’m trying to make this glass of wine last forever, but I’m nearing the bottom.

“Would you like more?” she asks, proving that she can read my mind.

“Sure.”

I finish it off before she takes the glass from me and heads back to the kitchen. When she returns, I remember we haven’t even exchanged names.

“I’m Brody, by the way.”

She hands me the wine. “Daisy.”

“That’s a pretty name.”

The way she wrinkles her nose tells me she doesn’t agree. It makes me laugh. “No?”

“It sounds too frilly.”

My eyes roam over her. “What kind of name should you have?”

I love the way she taps her finger over her lip to think about it. “What’s the opposite of Daisy?”

My gaze roams over her paintings. They’re light and airy. If that’s any indication of her personality, I think her name is spot on.

She trails my gaze, and sighs quietly.

“I don’t think there’s an opposite for daisy,” I say. “It’s a flower.”

She surprises me when she reaches out and runs her fingers over the black dahlia tattoo on my arm. “All of your tattoos are dark with no color. Why?”

I shrug. “A preference, I guess.”

“You prefer dark things?” she asks, those hazel gold eyes pulling me in as her fingers roam higher up my arm, tracing a spider.

“Sometimes, but not always. There’s got to be a balance, don’t you think?”

When her touch leaves me, I instantly ache for its return. “How so?”

This is the strangest introduction to someone new I’ve ever had, but I have to say I’m enjoying it immensely. Daisy is unique.

“Well, if you spend too much time in the light, I think you lose empathy for the darkness. But, if you spend too much time in the dark, you forget about the light. The dark can pull you into its void and suck you right out of this world.”

I can tell how my words affect her by the way she plays with her necklace as she continues to take me in. Her eyes roam over all of my artwork.

After a few minutes, she smiles. “I think I like you.”

A laugh bursts from my chest. “It took you a long time to come to that conclusion.”

“Well, a girl can never be too careful.”

I nod, leaning toward her. “You’re right, but I’ll let you in on a little secret. I liked you the minute I saw you.” I’m being bold by touching her, but I run my finger over her arm like she did mine. Her skin is flawless. There’s nothing to trace, so instead I draw an invisible daisy over it.

When I’m finished, I wrap my fingers around her wrist and raise my eyes to meet hers. “I should probably go.”

She’s holding her breath.

A little more coaxing and I’m confident she’d invite me to spend the night, even though I can clearly see she’s not that type of girl. She’s innocent. And, for the first time in my life, I want more than one night.

Daisy is an enigma. I want to peel back her layers and explore every one of them.

“Will you be at the beach again tomorrow?” I ask her.

She nods, slowly releasing a breath.

“May I join you there?”

Again, another nod of her head.

“Good.” I smile, releasing her wrist and standing.

She follows me to the door.

When I step out, she stops me. “Wait. We didn’t set a time.”

I turn, walking backward. “I’ll sit there all day waiting for you.”

She clasps her hands in front of her. “I’d never make anyone wait on me.”

“Maybe you should. You’re worth it.”

My words make her smile shyly. “How about six? It will be cooler then. I wouldn’t want you to sweat your balls off for me.”

I shake my head and laugh. I really do like this one. “Again, worth it.”

She giggles. “Goodnight, Brody.”

“Goodnight, my little flower.”