Ties That Bind (Ruthless Sinners MC 1)

“I was just wondering when I’m gonna get it ‘slow and hard.’”

Delilah

My night with Zander was incredible. My morning with him was more of the same, but as soon as he walked out the door, a wave of guilt washed over me. My brother was fighting for his life, and I’d just had sex with one of the men who held his future in his hand. To make matters worse, it was the best sex I’d ever had. When I was with him, I’d never felt so alive, so consumed by a man’s touch, and my body was already aching for more. Hoping I might come to my senses, I got up and took a long hot shower. Unfortunately, I was still thinking about him even after I got dressed and was on my way to my car. I even found myself looking for him as I turned into the parking lot of my work, but there was no sign of him or his brothers. The same held true the following two days. There were no calls, no casual check-ins, or so much as a drive-by since we’d slept together, and I silently cursed myself for being disappointed by the fact.

I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. It wasn’t like anything could’ve come from our night together. We were from two different worlds, and there was just too much for us to overcome. Sadly, the thought didn’t ease the tightness in my chest as I got ready for another day of work. I grabbed my things and headed to nursing home; once I got there, I wasted no time making my rounds, checking in on my assigned residents and making sure they had everything they needed. I was pleased to see that both Mrs. Rice and Mr. McClanahan were both in good spirits. It seemed that Zander’s visit with Mr. McClanahan had made a lasting impression. As I thought about it, I realized Zander had made a lasting impression on me as well. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about him or why I hadn’t seen or heard from him, so much so that Krissy called me out on it. She walked up to me with a look of pure determination, placed her hand on her hip, and snapped, “What’s up with you?”

“Nothing is up with me. I’m ... uh, fine.”

“Um-hmm.” She crossed her arms as she stood there studying me. “The other day you came in here practically glowing, and now you look like someone kicked your dog.”

“I never had a glow, Krissy.”

“Oh, yeah. You most definitely did,” she argued. “I kept thinking you were going to tell me about the guy, but nope, you’ve just been walking around here keeping your little secret all to yourself.”

“What makes you think there’s a guy?”

“Because I know you, and it’s written all over your face. Your cheeks were all flushed and you had a little sparkle in your eye. So, who was it? Cameron?” Without giving me a chance to respond, she shook her head. “No, you sent that douchebag packing months ago, so it had to be a new guy ... Oh! Was it that fine ass who came by here the other day—the one who won over Mr. McClanahan? Oh, my jeez. Please tell me it was him! He was some kind of hot. I would’ve climbed that man like a tree.”

Reading my expression, her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. “Oh, my god. It was him!! You banged the hot guy from the other day!”

“I have no idea who or what you’re talking about.”

“Oh please.” She shook her head. “I don’t know why you’re trying to keep it a secret. You know you’ve never been able to lie to me.”

“I know. It’s not that I’m trying to lie about it. It’s just ... It’s umm ... complicated.”

“Why is it complicated?”

“Because he isn’t a good guy.”

“All the better,” she snickered. “Bad boys are always good in bed.”

“Krissy, it’s not that simple.”

“It could be if you’d just let it.” Krissy crossed her arms and smirked. “Just have a little fun with the guy and leave all the complicated crap out of it.”

“I don’t know if that’s possible, Krissy. Not with this guy. Besides, I haven’t seen or heard from him since that night.”

“Maybe he’s been busy or ... he doesn’t want to come off too eager.”

“Um-hmm.” I rolled my eyes. “I doubt that’s the case.”

A warm smile crossed her face as she said, “I tell you what ... let’s go out tonight. We’ll have a few drinks, dance a little, and we’ll figure this thing out together.”

I always had a great time whenever I went out with Krissy, but I’d never been able to keep secrets from her, especially when I was drinking. I was scared I might say something I shouldn’t. “I don’t know. I’m really tired and—”