Ride Hard (Raven Riders 1)

The sentiment poked at the ache that had been lingering in Haven’s chest. “Thank you, Phoenix.”

He nodded, then pulled the door closed behind him.

“Well, look at him being all sweet,” Cora said, her expression more than a little moved.

“You like him,” Haven said. “I’m not the only one crushing on a Raven. You like him, too.”

Cora rolled her eyes and busied her hands with the food. “He’s easy to look at and fun to tease,” Cora said. “But I’m not interested in him. Really. Besides, they say he’s a total player. No, thank you.” Haven eyeballed her, but nothing about Cora’s expression or behavior belied her words. “Now, what movies did you find? Because girls’ night in is officially on.”

THE KNOCK WOKE Haven from a dead sleep. “Was that the movie?” she asked, looking to Cora.

Her friend was already sliding off the bed. “Nope, but I’ll get it.”

“What time is it?” Haven asked, yawning and stretching on the bed.

“After ten.” Cora pulled open the door. “Oh, hi, Dare.”

“Cora,” he said, stepping into the room. “I’m sorry to bother you all.” His gaze cut to Haven and moved over her body, and she felt it like it was his fingers, not his eyes, that had caressed her skin.

She pushed herself into a sitting position, suddenly self-conscious about her appearance. After they’d eaten, she and Cora had slipped into pajamas, which for Haven meant an oversized T-shirt Bunny had given her. Cora at least had on a pair of men’s boxers rolled at the waist.

“Dare,” Haven breathed.

“I should’ve given you more notice,” he said, shifting on his boots. God, he was hot standing there in his cut, tattoos running over his biceps, his hair looking like he’d been running his hand through it.

“For what?” she asked.

He looked from Cora to Haven. “Bunny has a friend who runs a beauty shop, and she agreed to come over after she closed up tonight to do your hair.”

Cora’s eyes went wide. “You’re getting your hair done? Wait. Why are you having it done here and not at the shop?” She frowned at Dare. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, uh,” he said, clearly uncomfortable to be put on the spot.

“The Ravens thought it would be a good idea for me to change my hair. Too unique given the length. And it’s perfect timing, because you know I’ve been wanting a change.” She gave Cora a pointed look and hoped her friend got the message. Don’t contradict me.

“Uh-huh,” Cora said, not sounding very convincing at all.

But it must’ve done the trick for Dare, because he nodded and turned for the door. “Well, she’s getting set up down in the kitchen, so, if you want to get dressed and come on down?” His gaze lingered on her bare legs for a moment, and then cut back to her face.

“Yup. Be right down,” she said.

He nodded and closed the door behind him.

Waiting no more than five seconds, Cora turned and planted her hands on her hips. “What the hell, Haven?”

Haven flew off the bed. “I don’t want to do it, okay? But they think it’s too noticeable, and Dare’s pretty convinced there’s a good chance my dad or his men are nearby. They think I need a disguise, just until we leave here.”

Cora shook her head, her mouth opening and closing like she wasn’t sure what to say.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you speechless before,” Haven said, crossing to the chair and stepping into her jeans. She changed into a tank top so that her sleep shirt didn’t get all hairy.

“I want you to cut your hair when you’re ready to do it, not because you have to do it. Why didn’t you tell me?” Cora asked.

Haven hugged herself. “I didn’t want to be a baby about it.”

“Stop that right now,” Cora said, coming right up to her and fingering the loose blond wisps hanging around Haven’s face. “I know how much you love your hair. I’m sorry you have to do this.”

Haven waved a hand. “It’s just hair, right? It’ll grow out.” The words were for herself as much as they were for Cora.

“That’s right. And you would be gorgeous if you were bald.” She squeezed Haven’s shoulder.

Haven grimaced. “Let’s not test that theory.”

Chuckling, Cora nodded and headed for the door. “Give me a minute to throw on some clothes and I’ll come down with you.”

“I’d like that,” Haven said. Besides, Cora could talk a mile a minute and would provide the perfect distraction from the fact that Haven wasn’t really ready to do this. Her father hadn’t given her money or approval to go out to do things like getting a haircut because it didn’t serve him in any way, so the last time she’d had one she’d been sixteen. Or maybe it was fifteen? She couldn’t even remember.