I bit back a smile as Cade seized my hand, pushed past red-faced Steg and directed me towards his truck. I wondered why we weren’t taking the bike, then I glanced down at my dress, reasoning that it wouldn’t travel well in daylight. I wondered if Cade had thought of that, if so, that was pretty darn considerate.
“Get in,” he ordered, opening the door for me.
He slammed my door shut once I was in, rounded the truck, hopped in, started it and roared down the driveway. We drove in silence for a bit, a very loaded silence. I could feel Cade’s anger taking up all the room in the cab. I fidgeted with my hands, trying to think of something to say. I knew mentioning, whatever just happened was not the best idea, but I struggled to think of another topic of conversation. I doubt he wanted to discuss Karl Lagerfeld’s latest collection.
“What the fuck was that Gwen?” Cade yelled, breaking the silence.
“What was what?” I asked back, with false confusion.
“You know what. Whatever the fuck passed between you and Steg just before. You don’t even know him and you looked at him like he just ran over your puppy. Granted, he is not a good man, but fuck that was the first time you laid eyes on the fucker.” His eyes turned back to the road, waiting for an answer.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said defiantly.
“For fuck’s sake Gwen, stop fucking lying!” he bellowed, hands tightening on the steering wheel.
I sighed, letting my ignorant act fall. “I know what bad looks like Cade. And I know what he is, and it’s bad that lies behind his eyes,” I whispered, my eyes on the road.
I felt Cade’s gaze on me. “How do you know what bad looks like Gwen?” he asked, his voice low and gentle.
I ignored him and looked out my window, wishing I hadn’t said anything, but I couldn’t help it, Cade was already consuming me. It was like I didn’t have control when I was with him. He seemed to be able to make me say anything, do anything. I needed to get that control back.
“Gwen,” he said my name firmly, demanding attention.
I turned my head to stare at him. “I just do.” I didn’t elaborate.
“That ain’t an answer, baby.” His eyes were locked on mine. I wondered how long he could drive like that.
I held his eyes. “It’s all you’re getting, baby,” I mimicked his tone, sarcastically.
His eyes went back to the road. “For now,” he muttered under his breath.
We finally got to my house; the rest of the ride had been silent. As he pulled into my driveway, I got all my stuff together, ready to jump out of the truck, dash to my door and lock any and all men out for the rest of eternity. But bad ass alpha bikers have the sixth sense, he grabbed my arm, firmly, but not enough to hurt.
“Not so fast, baby.” He moved his hands to frame my face, pulling me forward and kissing me so intensely I momentarily lost all coherent thought. He drew back, not too far, hands still on either side of my head. “Got shit to do babe, don’t know how long it’s going to take, but I when I’m done we gonna talk. About how you know ‘bout kinds of bad and why you go as white as a fuckin’ ghost when men wearing cuts get within five feet of you.”
His icy grey gaze looked determined. Shit.
Rage started to boil up within me. How in the fuck does he think after sleeping with me once he has the right to order me to tell him anything? I opened my mouth to tell him to go and fuck himself but paused. I had been fighting him, cursing at him since this whole thing began and look where it got me, screwed in more ways than one. And only in one way I liked. Did I not read enough romances to know that the badass alpha males liked the sassy women who threw attitude? They liked the challenge. I decided to play this a little differently.
I leaned into Cade, who was still holding my head, and touched my lips lightly to his. “I’ve got to go honey,” I watched as he gazed at me in surprise. “Do whatever you got to do, I’ll see you later,” I finished sweetly.
I hopped out of the truck, walking towards my door without looking back. Only when I got inside did I hear him leave.
After taking a lightening quick shower and getting ready faster than I thought I could, I made it to town just before lunch. I stopped by the local deli to grab me, Amy and Rosie some sandwiches. One of the many things I loved about America was their sandwiches, Americans did not fuck around with their sandwiches. Arms full, I braced myself as I entered my store, expecting a full inquisition the moment I got my foot inside. But luckily both girls were busy with customers.
“Hi everyone,” I chirped, smiling at the customers, recognizing them from last night.
I strolled towards the counter, intending to dump our lunch on it, when a perfectly groomed woman stopped in front of me. She had chocolate brown hair, which was styled in a complicated but totally awesome updo. Her makeup was outlandish and almost over the top, but somehow she made it tasteful. She was wearing head to toe pink. Don’t ask me how, but she made it work. Looking to be in her early thirties, she was curvy and gorgeous.
“Girl, I heard you were in a tug of war with the two hottest men in this town, both on opposites sides of the law.” She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at me before continuing. “Not that I am judging. I would so go there, either way. I would have paid to see the face-off between those two boys. It looks like Cade’s pretty much staked his claim on you, considering you were on the back of his bike last night and you’re rolling in here at this time.” Her southern twang was so slick it was a miracle I could understand her.