She reaches out to take my offered hand and as soon as our skin touches, I have the weirdest warm feeling wash over me. Her eyes widen and I know she feels something, too.
“Larken.” She’s a touch breathless and I can’t look away from her as she looks into my eyes. She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.
“You need anything before I leave?” DoRight asks her when we fail to say anything else. Thank fuck he’s interrupting or else I’d continue to stand here holding her hand like some kind of sicko.
She gives her attention to him and her hand slips away from mine. Immediately, my cat isn’t happy with the situation. He wants her completely to himself and I can’t blame him. She’s spectacular.
“I think I’m good,” she smiles and wraps her arms around his waist. My animal doesn’t like how he’s holding her so close, family or not, and I’m doing my best to keep from tearing them apart. Much to my irritation, X notices how tense I am and nudges me with his elbow, a wild grin on his face. Asshole’s watching this whole situation in delight.
“Everything’s all set up, but if you need anything and can’t reach me, these guys will help you.” He nods to the two of us, but only locks eyes with mine. It’s clear he’s picked up on the exchange between me and Larken and is giving me a warning not to fuck up with her. It’s a warning I don’t need.
“Okay,” she agrees quietly. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me. I couldn’t have done this on my own.”
“Sure, you could,” he smiles and tweaks her nose. I don’t like that. “You’re going to be just fine.” He glances at me once more and says, “More than fine.” He steps out of her embrace and clears his throat. “We’d better head back.” He turns to me and the other brothers who’ve made their way to us. “Let’s roll, boys.”
His club heads out, with the exception of those driving the moving truck who are taking their own quick break before we head out ourselves. With Larken riding in the truck without me, this is going to be the longest, most grueling ride of my life.
347
Larken
“I like him,” my inner animal purrs in my mind. “He’s big, strong. We need him.”
I’m stuck between the two prospects once again, both of them larger than life, but I can’t focus on anything other than him. Hacker. From the moment he touched me, I felt so much peace and serenity, I can’t describe it. It is as if my kind went completely silent. If Etienne hadn’t interrupted our silent exchange, I more than likely would have melted right into him, like cream cheese on a freshly toasted bagel. He simply had that effect on me.
“We don’t even know him,” I mentally argue, not oblivious to the pull I feel toward him.
You know I’m right. He’s what we need. He’s the one.
“What if he doesn’t feel it like we do?” I know better than to argue with her, but my animal is jumping on the Hacker bandwagon way faster than is rational.
Are you blind? He was just as infatuated as we were.
Maybe she’s right, but I can’t trust my feelings right now. I’m feeling too much all at once and can’t decipher it all. I’ve been this way my entire life and still haven’t figured out a way to cope with it without withdrawing from people completely.
“You aren’t hiding away this time,” my cat warns with a hiss.
I close my eyes and try to ignore her and everything swirling around in my head with sleep, but it never comes. Knowing Hacker, all six plus feet of dark-haired tatted deliciousness is out there riding in front of us only keeps me more alert.
Without my knowledge, three hours pass and we’re pulling into the compound’s gated parking lot. I’ve been so preoccupied with my thoughts I didn’t notice the impending sunrise, nor the change in scenery.
“Thank fuck,” I hear one of the prospects mutter when we’re parked. They both stretch as much as possible considering there are three of us inside the tiny cab. How there’s even room for me I’ll never know.
“Mmm,” my cat purrs. “He’s coming for us.” Sure enough, when I glance out the windshield, I see Hacker approaching the truck, his eyes locked on mine. A ripple of anticipation runs through me and I find my breath speeding up. My bobcat is just as excited.
My riding companions are out of the truck faster than I expect, leaving the object of my attention standing in the open doorway of the truck staring at me with intensity. He’s so tall I feel like a child compared to him. Even sitting in the truck, he towers over me. Strong hands and bulging arms reach out to unbuckle me from my restraints. The warmth emanating from his powerful frame as he reaches across me seeps through my coat to warm me up from the inside out, and I swear I can hear a quiet purring coming from deep within him.
“Thanks,” I mumble when he lifts me from the truck and places me on the ground facing him.
His eyes roam over me and I find myself wanting his approval. “I like the way he’s looking at us.”
“Calm down, hussy,” I scold.
“You know you agree.” Whatever.
“Are you alright?” he tilts my head upward with his forefinger under my chin. Concern oozes from his dark-haired frame and I can’t help but lean into his touch, my bobcat basking in his attentiveness.
Unable to speak, I nod and lean further into his space. I can’t help myself.
“Hack,” An even larger biker barks from the clubhouse door, calling his attention away from me. He looks angry and I find myself hiding behind Hacker, clutching the back of his leather jacket, when he turns to answer.
His hand moves to grasp
