Page 51 of Tinsel & Chrome

His eyes blaze with something dangerous. “What the hell was that back there?”

I blink, confusion flickering through me. “What do you mean?”

He steps closer, the heat of his body radiating into mine. “Charging at Viper like that. You could’ve gotten yourself killed, Larissa.”

I set my jaw. “I had it under control.”

“No,you didn’t.” His voice is low, rough, each word a barely restrained snarl. “You think I can watch you put yourself in danger and just stand by? You think I can justlet that happen?”

I pull my hand free of his grip, my own anger rising. “I don’t need you to let me do anything, Tex. I’ve been fighting my own battles my whole damn life.”

He runs a hand through his hair, frustration carved into every line of his face. “Damn it, Larissa. I know you’re tough, but this isn’t just about you anymore.”

My breath catches, the meaning behind his words wrapping around my heart like a fist. This isn’t just about me. It’s aboutus— whatever the hell that means.

The room around us fades, the noise, the club, the rest of the world dissolving until it’s just Tex and me, locked in a silent standoff. His eyes soften, and he reaches out, his fingertips brushing the side of my bruised cheek.

“I can’t lose you,” he murmurs.

Something inside me cracks, the walls I’ve been holding up threatening to shatter. I close my eyes, the fight draining out of me. “I don’t want to lose you either.”

His hand slides to the back of my neck, pulling me gently toward him. When his lips meet mine, it’s not the hard, desperate clash of earlier. It’s slow, deliberate, the kind of kiss that feels like a promise. A claim. The heat between us smolders, building steadily until it threatens to burn out of control.

I curl my fingers into his shirt, needing more, needinghim. He groans softly, his other hand gripping my waist, pulling me flush against him. The hardness of his body, the steady beat of his heart, everything about him makes me feel safe and wild all at once.

Someone clears their throat behind us.

We break apart, breathing hard. I glance over Tex’s shoulder to see Mace leaning against the bar, arms crossed, a scowl on his face.

“Really?” Mace drawls. “You two want to get a room, or should we all just leave?”

Tex smirks, his hand still on my waist. “Jealous?”

Mace’s eyes narrow. “More like disgusted.”

Cyclops steps up beside him, his gaze cutting between the two of us. His jaw is tight, but there’s something else in his eye — something that almost looks like approval. He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Tex,” Cyclops says, his voice gravelly, “you take care of my daughter, or I’ll gut you myself.”

Tex’s fingers tighten on me. “You don’t have to worry about that.”

Cyclops nods, his gaze softening as it lands on me. “You’re back where you belong, Larissa. Don’t forget that.”

My throat tightens, and I swallow hard. “I won’t.”

Cyclops claps Tex on the shoulder, then heads toward his office, Mace following with one last glare in our direction.

I exhale, tension draining from my body. Tex chuckles, the sound low and rich. “Well, that went better than I expected.”

I arch a brow. “You thought my dad was going to shoot you?”

He grins. “Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s pointed a gun at me over a woman.”

I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at my lips. “Come on,” I say, grabbing his hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Where to?”

I lean in close, my lips brushing his ear. “Somewhere you can finish what you started.”