Sweet Perdition (16 page)

She couldn’t believe she’d actually had sex with Ryker in public. Sure, it had been sexy at the time and she’d wanted him, but afterwards she felt humiliated. What if someone had seen them? Thank God, the crowd had been several hundred yards away at the pavilion. He hadn’t even worn a condom. Sure, it had been hot at the moment, but he hadn’t even asked.

Running into Carl at the fair had been a disaster too. He’d been a creepy, horny stalker, but she could handle that. She’d never been one of those women who depended on a man to fight her battles. She would handle Carl herself. The real problem was Ryker turning into some kind of possessive asshole.

But the absolute cherry on this cow pie had been when he decided she would be faithful to him, while he screwed half the women in Texas. What the hell kind of chauvinistic crap was that?

Good luck making that happen, buddy.

After he dropped her off, she’d stalked inside and slammed the door shut in his face. She’d been grateful for the break so she could clear her head. She didn’t seem to think straight around him. Though, he had still kept tabs on her. He’d sent her a couple of texts today, which she had ignored.

Her phone buzzed and she pulled it from the pocket of her black dress. She peered at the screen.
Oh, perfect.
Ryker. Again.

Ryker:
Meet by your car in the parking lot. It’ll only take a minute.

She hesitated a moment. Should she tell him to go screw himself? Go to the parking lot and tell him that in person? Ignore him altogether? She’d managed to use her willpower all day to not respond, but knowing he stood outside the building presented an altogether different sort of temptation.

Oh hell. I must be crazy.
She walked to the door.

Outside, she found him standing in front of her silver sedan. God, he looked amazing and somehow it pissed her off even more. He hadn’t worn a shirt under his cut, just a pair of tight blue jeans and all the leather. She bit her lip to hold back a little moan. Every time she saw the man, her lady parts did the thinking for her. She couldn’t help but think about last night, about how his cock had felt nudging into her ass.

Focus!

She mentally shook herself. He had the hood of her car popped open and bent over the engine, hands on either side of the vehicle, which gave her a superb view of his tight ass, hugged by a pair of worn jeans. Every single curve outlined.

She stopped and took a long, deep breath, trying to find the cold fury she’d felt last night.
I am not turned on, dammit. I’m pissed!

He stood up and smiled when he saw her. “Hey, Pinky, thanks for comin’ out.”

She noted he had smudges of grease on his hands, and a big one on his chest. “What are you doing to my car?” she asked.

He grinned. “Checking your oil. You’re low.”

“And how exactly did you get the hood open?” she asked, puzzled. He would have had to hit a lever inside to pop the trunk.

With a smug smile, he produced her magnetic hide-a-key box, which she kept under the right front bumper.
Asshole.
Who breaks into someone’s car to only change the oil? Knuckle-dragging alpha males who want to prove they can, that’s who.
“Don’t worry, darlin’, I’ll put it back when I’m done.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “And why did you decide to break and enter in order to check my oil?”

“I noticed the oil stain on your driveway the other day, so I brought you this.” He grabbed a bottle of motor oil from his saddlebag and pressed it into her hands.

She stared at it, frowning. He’d gotten her some Pennzoil?
Odd.

He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “Oil leaks can be the sign of serious car trouble, you know,” he muttered. “It’s important to stay on top of these things.” He seemed uncomfortable and he usually had such a self-assured demeanor.

Then it hit her.

This was an apology. He didn’t actually say the words, but he’d come here to make amends via some car maintenance.

She bit her lip. God help her, the man knew
nothing
about relationships. Sure, she’d only had one long term stalker boyfriend, but she still knew more about being in a couple than he did.

“Um, thanks,” she murmured, lifting the bottle. It was a sweet gesture and some of her anger subsided, although they had a lot to straighten out. If she continued seeing him, they needed to establish some serious ground rules. Namely, the concept of monogamy.

Ryker plucked the bottle from her hand, and proceeded to refill her oil, replace the dipstick, and shut the hood of the car. He wiped his hands off on an old rag he yanked from his back pocket and turned to face her once more

“Oh! I almost forgot.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, handing it to her. It was for a local garage, Seventh Circle Motors, which happened to be owned by the Four Horsemen as well. “Axel runs the place,” he explained. “I already called him and he’s going to inspect your car whenever you can find time to bring it on.”

“I appreciate it, but I can’t afford any car repairs right now.” Trying to pay her living expenses and the rent for the tiny house she lived in proved to be a challenge in itself. Librarians don’t make much, especially ones fresh out of grad school with a student loan debt that she’d pay off for a good thirty years.

“That’s why I’m paying for it,” he announced.

“That is really generous of you, but I can’t accept.” She was really touched that he’d offered. “What if it turns out to be something serious and really pricey?”

“I don’t give a fuck how much it cost. Hell, I’ll have Axel find a lead on a whole new car before I let you drive some rusted out death trap.” His voice lowered and he captured her gaze with his own. “I want you safe, Pinky.” He held out his arms and his eyes were wide, softer somehow.

She could read between the lines of his statement. He’d said he cared about her, albeit in some kind of biker man code. She couldn’t help the stupid grin spreading over her face. She’d begun to think she’d started to fall for him.

She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him.

“Good. That’s all settled then.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, reaching up to brush a kiss across his lips.
Damn, he smelled good.
A hint of the pine-scented aftershave he wore, motor oil, and man.

He kissed her mouth softly, both cheeks, and then the top of her head and she thought, for just a moment, she could read the relief in his eyes. “How about I come over to your place tonight, after you get off work? I’ll bring a pizza and then?” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I’ll lick your pussy until you pass out.” To make his point, he sucked her earlobe into his mouth.

Oh God.
She instantly got wet, imagining his dark head moving between her splayed thighs once more.

When she spoke, her voice sounded hoarse, even to her own ears. “You think you’re
so
hot that I’ll give in and forget about being pissed at you, don’t you?” she grouched.

“Pretty much.” He cocked a brow. “Is it working?”

“Yes, damn you.” She shook her head, thinking maybe she should have the damn thing examined, by a professional.

He flashed a triumphant grin.

She rolled her eyes. “Come over around ten thirty or so. I’m going to take a bath after work.”

“Need any help washing your back?” he offered.

She scowled. “No. You need to understand something. There will be no sex until we have a long,
long
talk. We have some serious stuff to hash out. For example, there is no way I’m being faithful if you aren’t,” she whispered fiercely, mindful of a couple of women rushing past them in the parking lot. “That is a two way street, buddy.”

“Anything you say, Pinky.” With a quick kiss, he strutted over to Lucy, looking far too pleased with himself. He hopped on the bike, started her up and then with a smug wave, he roared out of the parking lot.

Stupid, sexy jerkface

***

Later that evening, Elizabeth indulged in a bath. The rest of her shift had passed in a haze, mostly because she’d been fantasizing about make up sex with Ryker. But she would be strong. Pizza, a “come to Jesus” style relationship talk, and then incredible make up sex. In that order.

The bath felt good and the stiffness left her muscles. She didn’t usually pamper herself on a weekday, but she totally deserved it. She’d lit a few candles, added some lavender bath oil to the tub, and then settled in for a good, long soak. The heated water felt amazing on her neck and shoulders, easing some of the tension she’d been holding in

Her phone buzzed and she picked it up from the toilet seat lid. Ryker:
On my way. Hope you like sausage, Pinky.

He’d sent the text with a horny devil emoticon and she couldn’t help but laugh.
Such a pervert.

She grabbed the loofah with the long wooden handle and scrubbed her back, suddenly feeling better about her day. She’d set him straight and then spend a glorious night in bed with him.

Ten minutes later, she heard the front door open and shut. Ryker already? Talk about fast delivery. Had he even stopped for red lights? For a second, she considered quickly toweling off and running out to meet him, but the siren song of the warm, scented bath water wouldn’t be ignored.

“Hey, I’m in here!” she called.

Minutes later, the bathroom door swung open, but instead of Ryker, Carl strolled in like he owned the place.

“What the hell are you doing in here?!” she shrieked. She sat up in the tub and grabbed the towel she’d placed on the toilet seat lid. She draped it around her upper body, though the bottom half of the towel got soaked. Then, she held the loofah against her chest, like it would ward him off or something.

“Oh, don’t get dressed on my account. I’ve seen it all before, babe.” He chuckled.

His smile chilled her blood.

Once again, the reptilian side of him appeared. Something about the way he stared at her freaked her out. She’d gotten a taste of it at the library. She’d never imagined he’d show up here after Ryker had threatened him at the fair. And it scared the hell out of her. Clearly, Carl didn’t seem to be thinking straight. She’d never considered he might actually pull something like this.

“Why so quiet? Expecting someone else? Maybe your biker boyfriend?”

She wouldn’t give in to the panic, though her heart hammered in her chest. She collected herself, breathing deeply in and out.
Remain calm and figure a way to get away from him.

“Carl, I need you to leave.” She kept her tone composed and not confrontational, but laced with authority. “You are married now. You shouldn’t be here.” She didn’t want to set him off, but she needed to make it clear he didn’t belong in her house.

He got closer and she pressed against the back of the tub, as though she could somehow escape through the porcelain. He trailed his long fingers in the tepid bath water, starting at the foot and moving slowly, edging closer to her bare skin. “I don’t believe you, Elizabeth. You’ve been in love with me for years. You even agreed to be in my wedding.”

She clenched her jaw, clamping down on her anger. “I did that for Lisa. Not you. You and I didn’t work out, but I still considered her a friend.”

Carl ignored her reasoning, listening to his own lust. “I know you are lying. The way you kept staring at me during the wedding. You wanted me. You
still
want me. Don’t you? Hot for me, even though I’m married.” He grabbed the loofah from her and set it aside. She didn’t fight him, saving her strength for the real battle about to come.

“I think you are overestimating your charms.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back.
Dammit.
Her temper had gotten the best of her.

He knelt beside the tub, his face right against hers. He grazed her cheek with damp fingertips and she reared back, and then he settled two fingers against her lips. “Shh. No more lies. Not between us.”

Oh yeah. His cheese had slipped off his cracker for sure.

He stroked her face, regardless of her obvious revulsion. “You don’t have to pretend, babe. I know what kind of a girl you really are now,” he whispered. “And I like it.”

Pushed out of fear by sheer fury at this violation, she glared at him. “Oh? And what kind of girl do you think I am, Carl?”

That reptile smile again.

He grabbed her hair, gripping it tightly and making her cry out in pain and then, tilted her throat. Leaving it exposed. She thought for a crazy second, he intended to bite her or something. “I told you in the library. A dirty girl. That’s why you are hanging out at the bar, banging a biker and strutting around town with your ass hanging out.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not begging for yours,” she ground out. She tried to move, but he held her firmly in his grip.