Harley (Cerberus MC)

“He doesn’t make me uncomfortable,” I argue.

“I don’t want him flirting with you.”

“He’s only doing it to get a rise out of you.”

I cup his cheek, wanting to say a million things, but knowing in front of Landon isn’t the right time.

“I’ll be back,” I promise before darting back down the hallway to change.

I change quickly, but spend a few extra minutes in the bathroom, washing my face, trying to convince my heart to stop trying to pound out of my chest.

I turn to leave the room, grateful a million deep breaths have managed to drop my heart rate down a few notches, only for it to rachet right back up at the sight of Harley standing just inside his bedroom door.

“Come here,” he says, the demand making my feet move of their own volition. “I have to leave.”

I don’t say that I wish he could stay because his work is so important.

“Aria is still asleep, but I imagine she won’t be for long.”

I nod. “She’s in capable hands.”

“I know,” he says as he pulls me to his chest. “I wish I were in your capable hands.”

The suggestive tone of his voice isn’t surprising, despite him just holding me in his arms all night. He had to have known I was up for anything, but at the same time, I’m so happy he didn’t push for it last night.

His mouth lowers to mine, and I lift up on the tips of my toes to meet it as quickly as I can.

He chuckles against my lips but doesn’t try to embarrass me for wanting this connection so badly.

He simply opens his mouth the second I swipe my tongue across the seam of his lips, a low rumble emitting from deep in his chest.

The kiss goes from zero to a hundred in a matter of seconds.

I’ve wanted this every single second since I walked away from him at the clubhouse.

“I have to go,” he says, but then his mouth crashes to mine once again.

Where he finds the restraint not to lift me off my feet and carry me to the bed, I’ll never know. Honestly, I’m a little bitter that he managed to find it while also finding himself recently. I want him with every fiber of my being, and whine in disapproval when he backs away.

“I’m going to be late, but keep those exact thoughts while I’m gone.”

He brushes one more soft kiss to my lips before darting out of the room. I smile, imagining that he’s just as eager to end up naked and tangled together as I am, and if he doesn’t leave right this second, he’s not going to be able to maintain that restraint he’s been fostering.

Chapter 36

Harley

I shift once again in my seat at the conference room table. I have no doubt that I’m going to be in a state of constant arousal for this entire mission, and I’m a little peeved that everyone isn’t in the room already. Had I known I had more time, I wouldn’t have bolted away from Ali so quickly.

Wanting to make up for the times when I was too lost to help these guys, I’ve been trying to be a better team member. I go out to the bar when they ask, and no one gives me shit when I leave early. They seem supportive when I tell them I have an appointment with Dr. Alverez, and they don’t ask me questions I don’t have the answers to. I finally feel like part of the team.

I narrow my eyes when Apollo walks in looking freshly fucked and sated.

My cock reminds me that I’ve been denying it for far too long, but getting in a quickie with Ali isn’t part of my plan. I don’t want just that from her, and I don’t want her thinking for a second that’s only what I’m after. I think holding her all night without making a move helped with that part of things.

“Are we ready to get started?” Kincaid asks from the front, looking at Apollo and seeing exactly what I just observed. Our boss nods at him as if congratulating him on his recent orgasm before turning toward the large television mounted on the wall.

It makes me look around the room, something I’ve never done with this intent before.

Other than Boomer, who always looks like he’s twisted up tight, every other person in the room looks satisfied. They all got what they needed in preparation for the days they’ll spend away from their partners. I even catch Snatch and Itchy looking well taken care of and those two assholes aren’t even leaving the property.

I try to pay attention as Kincaid goes over what the plans are.

“It should take less than a week, but you’re heading back to South America, so it’s going to suck,” Kincaid continues.