an easy feat to get through me, but I dare a motherfucker to try.”
Oh, wow. Chills cover my body, sending a jolt of pleasure at his blatant display of alpha. What is wrong with me? I shouldn’t be turned on by all of this! My core clenches, and I swallow tightly, wishing the zing between my thighs would stop.
My other guards’ eyes widen, staring down Richardson. They’re waiting for their lead to give them the order to take me out of here, away from Ripper. I’m not sure what good it’ll do. The bikers at the gate took sidearms, and while my team is trained in hand-to-hand combat, these bikers are loaded with weapons. It wouldn’t be pretty, that much I know, and it’s the last thing I want to happen. I’m all for keeping the peace and not fighting.
I speak up before Richardson can stir up anything else. “It’s fine, really. We discussed this already, and you can get to me if I need you.” I pinch my ear, signaling the mic, and essentially telling them to remember the plan we have. If I need them, I’ll say the code word, and they can jump in to rescue me like they’re so handsomely paid to do.
Ripper completely ignores them after that and steers me around, heading for the back door. “Weather’s too damn good in Texas right now to have you cooped up in my office. Unless you’d like to go to my room?”
“Ha-ha, no bedrooms,” I reply sarcastically, and his chest rumbles with an amused chuckle. He may be all rough and tough, but he doesn’t hesitate to laugh or smile. Maybe that’s why I feel at ease being alone with him. I can’t imagine a guy who wanted to hurt me would naturally act the way he does with me.
“Can’t blame a brother for trying. Hell, if I didn’t, I’d be just plain stupid.”
We make it to the back, out by the fire pit again. He moves to sit on the biggest stump. Rather than release my hand, he tugs me to sit on his lap. I try to spring free, but he holds firm, his strength even more apparent in the awkward position.
“I’m not sitting on your lap.”
“Mm, looks like you are to me.”
“Not willingly,” I sniff, playing the part of the perturbed female.
He snorts, not buying it. “I have no doubt in my mind that if you really wanted up, you could make it happen.” Ripper grabs my hand, folding it until the heel is pushed out more than the rest. “You ever need to, you hit someone in the nose with this.” He lightly taps the heel. “It’ll get ‘em to release you really quick. Give you enough of a chance to run.” He ends his lesson with a wink, and my belly flutters with his sweetness in taking the time. He doesn’t need to help me feel safe, yet he does so anyhow.
I’m trained in necessary self-defense, including a way to escape his hold, but he doesn’t know that. Rather than admit he’s called my bluff, I relax into his grasp. Maybe I don’t really want him to let me go, but I feel like it’s the right thing to do to ask him to let me up. I’m in the middle of Texas, alone, and still doing what I believe is expected of me. Fighting him won’t lead me to my sister. I have to remember that, above all else.
“This isn’t normal weather?” I go for a subject change, gesturing to the bright, sunny sky. I’ve never seen such beautiful weather during this time of year. Where I’m from, it’s still pretty chilly, and you’d freeze at night without a jacket on.
“Hell, no. This is Texas. It’s hot at least seven months of the year. The other five is bipolar; you never know what to expect.”
I grin. “Bipolar weather, huh? I thought every state said that.”
He shrugs. “Fuck if I know. I pay attention to my state. If we’re on a run, then my brothers pay attention to that other shit. Part of the benefit of being prez.” His brow raises, and I find myself smiling wider. I feel all giddy inside being this close to him, and that’s a dangerous sensation. “How you been, Gem?” he finally asks, tilting his head to the side all cute like. He says the question in such a way that it’s like he genuinely wants to know; he’s not trying to make small talk for