“I have no intention of messing up anything, Banshee. So, you can relax,” I assured her.
“Good,” she smiled as she stood up. “By the way, question.”
“What’s that?”
“What was the max we were allowed to spend?” She gave me a shit-eating grin before she turned and walked out of my office.
“Banshee!” I screamed after her.
“I told you it was a bad idea,” Kendra whispered.
“Trust me. It wasn’t,” Banshee replied. She didn’t bother whispering because she knew I could hear her.
“Should I go in there and tell him I’ll take it all back?” Kendra asked.
“Hell no. Why would you do that?”
“Because it was his money we used.”
How much did you troublemakers spend on my credit card? I wondered as I continued listening to my mate and Banshee talk outside in the hallway.
“Banshee, this is bad. I should just go talk to him and then you can take me back to the stores to return the clothes.”
“Kendra, relax. When he sees you in that lingerie, he’ll forget all about the money we spent,” Banshee assured Kendra with a giggle.
“We’ll talk business later,” I informed Crimson and the prospects as I leaped over the desk and halfway across the room. “Kendra! Let me see what you bought!”
315
Kendra
Banshee had been right. The second Roark saw the lingerie he’d told me I could go out with his VP any time I wanted. I grinned at the memories of how appreciative he’d been about my clothing choices the night before.
I had a feeling that things would take a while for us to learn the ins and outs of living together. But I was grateful for so much more than a place to stay. Roark had proven time and again how amazing of a man he was.
It started with how gentle he had been. Taking care of me – having Doc heal me. Then he sent Banshee and me out to buy the things I would need because he knew I wasn’t ready to go back to my shop. I’m sure there were a bunch of people looking for me, like the owner of the car in bay three, to the sheriff who I was sure had seen the broken windows. There was insurance on the place and I knew I needed to report it to the police and insurance company in order to start repairs and pay for the destruction of the car.
“What you thinking about?” Roark asked as he walked into the room we now shared.
“Banshee was right?” I giggled.
“What lies my VP tell you now?” he glared and reached for the door handle.
“Just that you have a dislike for grammar.” Grinning I watched as he fought with a desire to come after me while he felt the need to put his second in command in her place.
“She needs disciplined,” he muttered as he took a step away from the door.
I didn’t even notice his movement. He was right in front of me and had me trapped in my chair. His thick biceps flexed as he smirked into my face.
“And, if we weren’t going somewhere, I’d definitely show you not to make fun of the king of this jungle.”
“Isn’t the king of the jungle a lion?” I sassed.
He snarled, “Those lazy asses. As if.”
Laughter poured from me at his response.
“One day, I’d like to learn what all is out there.” I flipped my hand in the air.
Roark stroked my hair away from my face.
“Maybe…” His gaze grew distant for a second. Then he shook his head and smiled at me. “Ready for your surprise?”
“What surprise?” I asked with a sigh. “You’ve already given me way too much, Roark.”
“No such thing, beautiful. You deserve the world at your feet.” He stood straight and offered me his hand.
There was no thought necessary. I placed my hand into his and allowed him to help me up. I tumbled into his embrace and smiled up at him.
Roark lowered his head and nibbled at my mouth. Just as I was about to push for more he pulled away.
“Later,” he murmured at my whimper. “Now” – he spun me in his arms and gave me a soft shove – “go get dressed.”
“But–”
His hand firmly slapped my ass.
“No question. Just throw something on and let’s go. We’ll be on my motorcycle, so jeans and a jacket.”
He grinned as I puckered out my lip and rubbed my ass. But when he didn’t budge, I went off to search for the proper attire for a bike ride. Since that first ride – which ended so horribly – I’d wanted to go on another, so I was actually excited for the chance.
A short time later, Roark and a few of the other bikers revved their bikes through town. With a wave of his fingers, Roark parked in front of the five-and-dime. He helped me off first. I shivered as I looked up and down the streets. I didn’t feel safe on them anymore.
“I won’t let anything happen,” Roark whispered into my ear as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me into his side.
“What are we doing here anyway?” I asked with a frown as the other bikers surrounded us.
My shoulders loosened up immediately and I sighed.
“See, I got you covered, babe,” Roark led me up onto the sidewalk. The man was oozing confidence as he swaggered in front of the townspeople we passed.
I recognized a few faces as their mouths dropped open in shock. They quickly turned away at Roark’s soft growl which had me wondering how many of the people I’d spent so much time with were not human.
Roark chuckled and squeezed her tight to his side.
“They’re not all shifters, Kendra. You can relax.”
“How’d you…” When I stumbled to a stop and looked at him, Roark was still right at my side.
“Your emotions are broadcasted to me, sweetheart.” Roark stepped closer and leaned forward. His mouth only millimeters away from my ear. “I
