His lips crash against mine. I almost melt into a puddle at his feet right here. It’s a toe-curling, commanding kind of kiss with the right kind of gentle. When he releases me, it takes me a second to re-open my eyes and remember to breathe again. “Oh fuck,” he mutters. He’s staring past me, so I look back over my shoulder to see Cree watching us.
“Eva, go inside,” whispers Lake.
“No,” I hiss. “I haven’t done anything wrong. Why is everyone so worried about upsetting Cree? He hates me.”
“Eva, go,” he repeats more firmly.
I roll my eyes and stroll back towards the bar entrance, passing Cree slowly and giving him my best dead eye. It’s a waste—he doesn’t bother to look at me, too busy glaring at Lake.
Back inside, I drop down next to Anna. “What’s wrong with you?” she asks.
“I kissed Lake,” I say, and Anna and Riggs exchange a look. “And Cree turned up and ruined the moment. How am I ever going to find my Prince Charming if Cree keeps turning up and grunting at anyone who so much as looks in my direction? He’s so rude,” I huff. Riggs stands abruptly and rushes outside. “Geez, where’s the fire,” I mutter.
“You know this will cause problems between Lake and Cree?” asks Anna.
“Why?” I groan. “Why is it that he thinks I’m not good enough for any of his brothers? Am I that bad, Anna?” I almost screech. “I know people have standards, but seriously, I’ve seen some of the skanks those guys bring home and I really don’t think I’m that bad.”
“Eva, I’ve told you before, he doesn’t think you’re not worthy. He thinks you’re too good. I think he’s sweet,” says Anna with a sad smile. “Give him a break. His heart’s in the right place.” A shadow falls over our table and Anna smiles awkwardly. “Hi, Cree.”
I huff out loud and fold my arms, turning my back to him slightly. “I’ll take you home,” he growls in a deep, sexy voice. I give myself a mental pep talk for thinking anything about Cree is sexy. “Eva,” he hisses impatiently.
I look up at him, surprised. “Me?” I ask. “I’m not going home.”
“You ain’t going back to Lake’s bed, so I’ll make sure you get home safe. Get up and walk or I’ll take you outta here screaming, makes no difference to me.”
Anna pats my knee and smiles sympathetically. “I was gonna head back now anyway, so it makes sense. I think we’ve drunk way too much.”
I raise a brow and give Cree a defiant look. “I choose to go screaming,” I say, knowing full well he won’t follow through on his threat. The guy can hardly speak two words to me unless it’s an insult or an order.
“Oh, Eva,” Anna says then sighs.
“Fine by me,” he grumbles, taking my wrist. Within seconds, I’m hanging upside down, looking at Cree’s ass. “‘Night Anna,” he adds.
“Put me down,” I hiss, holding my skirt over my butt. “Cree!” He ignores me and continues out into the cold air. A few of the guys standing outside whistle and call out to Cree. Clearly, they think this caveman’s behaviour is how all women want to be carried around. Not one of them steps forwards to ask if I’m okay. Traitors.
I spot Lake sitting on the ground with his knees apart, spitting blood onto the floor, and I offer a sympathetic smile. I know I said to live dangerously, but I didn’t intend for that to happen.
Cree stops and lowers me to the ground. He plops a bike helmet onto my head and bangs it on top until it slips into place. He climbs onto his bike and waits for me to get on. I look from the bike then down at my skirt. “I can’t go on the bike.”
“Sure, you can.”
“Cree, everyone will see my underwear.” His eyes roam over my legs. He takes my hand and pulls me to him. In one swift movement, I’m sitting facing him with my legs over his and my vagina practically pressed against his crotch. I blush, thankful that he can’t see my cheeks. He takes my hands and puts them on his waist.
“Just hold me here,” he says into a microphone through my helmet. “Don’t touch anywhere else.”
“You’re quite safe, Cree,” I snap. “I’m not going to ravish you.” What an ass! Like I’d want to touch him!
Cree manoeuvres through the London traffic with ease, and a few minutes later, he stops outside my house and turns the bike engine off. “I’ll come and check it’s safe,” he mutters, lifting me from him.
Inside, my house smells musty. Cree does a sweep of the place. He’s so over the top, but that’s how all the Kings are. I’ve only been gone a few weeks, but I haven’t been back here at all to open up the windows. “Did you hit Lake?” I eventually ask.
Cree opens my fridge and pulls out a bottle of water. He unscrews the cap and hands it to me. “Drink.”
I sigh. “I’ll drink if you answer me.” He’s always so bossy.
“Yes” is all he says.
“Why?”
“Drink,” he repeats, and I sigh again. I take a few mouthfuls of water.
“I gave an order and he broke it.”
“Because he kissed me?” I ask, outraged.
“Drink.” I take a few more mouthfuls and force it down despite my body wanting to repel it.
“I kissed him,” I say. “It was my fault. I encouraged him to break your stupid rule.”
“I know. I saw.”
“So why did you hit him?” I screech.
“Because I can’t punish you for it. Drink.”
I slam the bottle down on the counter and water splashes out. “I don’t want to fucking drink, Cree.”
“Watch your mouth,” he says sternly.
“Fuck you. You make me curse because you drive me nuts. What did I ever do to you? Why do you hate me? If I want to fuck Lake, that’s my business!” I yell.
Cree moves
