go over there ‘cause I’m being real with ya. I want you here. You don’t have to straddle me if you’re uncomfortable, but I like you in this spot, this close. You make a good lap warmer.” He attempts to make the situation lighter, and I could kiss him for trying to set my mind at ease. Madison’s right. I’m uptight, even though I never realized it in the past.
He winks, and my cheeks burn again. I’m not a virgin by any means, but his attention makes me feel like one. This isn’t prom, and I’m not on my first date, damn it. I’m a grown woman, and he’s just…so much man, it’s a lot to take in. “Okay, I can handle that,” I relent. But can I really? I’m not so sure I could stave off his advances if he initiates another kiss. I shift, moving my leg over, so I’m no longer straddling him but sitting with my side to him.
“See, not so bad.” He offers me a smug grin, eyes twinkling.
I huff out a laugh, placing my hands in my lap, not really sure what to do with them anymore. “Says the biker wanting to take me to his bedroom.”
His grin expands. “I won’t deny that; not ever, babe. Now, your sister was okay the last time I saw her.”
My hopes skyrocket at his words. Especially since he’s giving me information without any of my father’s money in hand. He could’ve held off and waited until he was paid to say as much. “And when exactly was that?” I press on, praying he won’t stop there.
He looks away, staring off into the trees for a beat before admitting, “This week.”
I gasp, not expecting it to have been so soon. I was beginning to believe she was on her way to another location entirely. I was hoping one of the guys here would have a way to get in touch with her at the very least. To hear that she could still be in the same area as we are, fills my chest with excitement. I haven’t felt this light since she was home and safe. “This week?” I repeat, wanting to hear it again.
He grunts. “Yep. I’m telling you, Gem, you shouldn’t worry about her like you do. She doesn’t deserve it.”
My brow wrinkles. “Of course, she does; she’s my sister.”
He cracks his neck and rumbles. “Not how I meant that to come out. She was partying and getting down with the brothers. I don’t think it’s fair for you to be worrying your pretty little head over someone who’s been having that much of a good time is all.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. It hurts to hear she wasn’t worried about upsetting her family, but I’m not surprised. My sister has always been selfish. “I understand, but it’s something I can’t help. I’ve always looked for her, so it’s in me to worry about her. Madison doesn’t always make the best decisions, and I’d hate for something bad to happen to her.”
“I got you, babe. Now, tell me what your dad has to offer for her.” I go to shift off his lap again, and he holds firm. He grows serious, staring me down. “Not being a dick or anything. You said he’d pay, and I’m a businessman.”
I nod, still not happy that he’s willing to blackmail my father for my sister. “He will. I wasn’t lying.”
“Didn’t think you were, or I wouldn’t have said shit until I spoke to Maddy about it. We may seem to be a bunch of scoundrels, but we do have a sense of loyalty. Where your sister is concerned, she’s an adult, so it’s not really my place to give her up if she doesn’t want that. However, I’m a businessman and money talks. If your pops wants to pay, then who are we to not point him in the right direction—for a friend, that is.” He shrugs with the last part, staring me down. While he says he’s doing this for money, something tells me it’s not that at all, that maybe—just maybe—it’s because of me.
“What kind of businessman?” I venture, wanting to dig a little deeper into the man himself. I shouldn’t care, but something propels me to want to know anything about him I can. Ripper is a bad boy enigma where I’m concerned, and it’s got my mind going wild for any information I can get on him.