Craving Rose (The Aces' Sons 5)

“Because he was screamin’ at you?”

“I didn’t give a crap before he started screaming,” I replied. “That’s why he was screaming.”

“Motherfucker,” Mack muttered.

“No shit,” I said unsteadily, lifting my hands to show him how they shook.

“Damn, baby,” Mack’s voice softened. “He really freaked you out.”

“I don’t even know why,” I replied. “He was just being his normal asshole self.”

“Come here,” he ordered softly.

Without hesitation, I walked into his arms and relaxed into him.

“He won’t bother you anymore,” he said, leaning his cheek against the top of my head. “He thinks you’re with me now, and I outweigh him by at least forty pounds. He might be an asshole, but he doesn’t have a death wish.”

“All he has to do is say something at the club and he’ll know we’re not together.”

Mack laughed. “You really think he has the balls to say your name at the club? He might be stupid enough to show up there, but he sure as hell won’t give your brothers any more reason to kick his ass.”

“True,” I mumbled.

“Let me know if he bothers you again,” he said, rubbing my back. “I’ll take care of it.”

I huffed and pulled away. “I’m not answering the door if he shows up again.”

“Plenty of places to run into him,” Mack replied.

“I’ll handle it,” I said, looking up into his eyes. “I’m glad you showed up tonight.”

“Me, too.”

“But what are you doing here?” I asked with a laugh.

“Kara’s spending the night at Will and Molly’s,” Mack replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Thought I’d see what you were up to.”

“I was watching a movie.”

“You want some company?”

“No,” I replied. His face fell. “I mean, I don’t think I could sit through a movie now.”

“Then let’s get out of here,” he said. “Go put some clothes on.”

“Are you asking me to ride on the back of your bike?” I asked, fluttering my eyelashes.

“Offer expires in three, two—”

“I’m going!” I yelped, hurrying toward the stairs.

“Getting’ chilly out,” he called. “Should probably layer up.”

“This ain’t my first rodeo,” I called back, smiling so hard my cheeks hurt.

I’d never been the little girl who asked to go for rides on her daddy’s motorcycle. I’d been too busy competing with my brothers and begging for my own. But there was something to be said about flying down the highway on the back of a man’s bike, no responsibilities or worry beyond holding on tight. The summer air and the sound of the road relaxed me in a way nothing else could have.

By the time we came to a stop, all of my worry and anxiety was gone.

“What are we doing here?” I asked, climbing off the bike.

Mack shrugged. “Nice spot for a break.” He motioned to the left. “Bathroom if you need it.”

I glanced through the darkness and scoffed. “If I wanted to pee in the woods, I’d go a hundred feet off my back deck.”

“Always bustin’ my balls,” he said with a smile.

“And you like it,” I shot back, pulling my helmet off.

“Go for a walk?” he asked, putting his hand out, palm up.

“Sure.” I laced my fingers with his and let him lead me off the pavement onto a little trail that wound through the trees.

“I love the quiet,” I said with a sigh.

“Love it, but have to fill it, huh?” he teased.

I elbowed him in the side, making him laugh.

As we ventured further into the woods, I held his hand a little tighter. It was so dark that, even with the full moon, I could barely see where I was walking. Eventually, though, the sky lightened and we reached a clearing with a lone bench facing in the opposite direction.

“This place is nice during the day,” Mack said as he led me to the bench. “Used to take Kara here to run her energy out.”

“Oh, yeah?” I replied, sitting down with one of my legs pulled up so I could face him.

“She had a lot of energy, and I was never real good at playing.”

“I find that hard to believe,” I replied. “I’ve seen you with her.”

“Well, yeah, now,” he said with a laugh. “I figured it out. But these days, she doesn’t really play.”

“I remember when she was little,” I argued. “I used to see you chasing her around and stuff. You played with her.”

“You were little,” he said with a laugh.

“Oh, good grief,” I replied, seeing where the conversation was going. “I’m not that much younger than you, and I’m a fully-grown adult.”

“Fully grown, huh?” he said, his lips twitching.

“Let’s not play that game,” I said seriously. “You know I’m old enough, or I wouldn’t be here right now.”

“Against my better judgment,” he said ruefully, pissing me off.

“Then take me home,” I snapped, getting to my feet.

“Hey.” He grabbed my wrist before I could storm off into the darkness.