Hadley Chapter 11

I tried to keep the smile off my face as they all agreed to the bet, but it was impossible. This was gonna be hilarious. Even if I did lose, the fact that so many of these big badass men would have to get up there with me to sing and dance made it the perfect bet. I’d done this once before, and it was always worth the entertainment, no matter if you were the winner or loser. Of course, I’d never done it with a group of bikers. In the past, several military guys had joined in, not knowing what they were gonna get.

Daddy had not only been my first and main instructor in firearms, but, like everything else, he ensured I had the best trainers. I’d been put through training equal to what a sniper in the field and survivalists would get. I’d had special forces men, top survival experts, and even an Olympic gold medalist teach me.

Since we couldn’t all shoot at the same time, we had to do it in two groups. It was agreed we’d get three shots to sight in our guns and then five shots that would count as done. Paper targets were the only way to make this doable, so Micah and Tony went to put them up down range. I was in group two.

I had to admit the first group was good, but my confidence didn’t dwindle. And group one didn’t have any of the military-trained guys. I wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not. It was King, Crow, Micah, Cujo, Sinner, Rage, Beast, and Animal in that group. When they were done, the targets were gathered, and then it was our turn.

The feel of the gun in my hand felt great. Dad and I tried to go shooting at least monthly, although lately, that hadn’t happened. It was kinda intimidating yet thrilling to go up against four military men plus badass bikers. After sighting in our guns, I breathed and cleared everything from my mind. I took control of my breathing, which was key, and let everything else fade away as it came down to me, the target, and my gun. I vaguely heard the order to shoot. Even the pound of bullets, which you could still hear through the protective ear gear, was distant for me.

We’d agreed we could have up to five minutes max to fire all five shots so we could sight in and give our best shots. I heard them firing fast. I took my time. I knew how to rapid fire and I practiced it so it would be muscle memory, but when I did that, it was to simulate going for a body shot, not precision like now. This was like sniper work, where you could take your time to shoot your target.

They were all standing there waiting for me when I fired my last shot. I cleared my gun and laid it down. We all went to get our targets. When we got back, it was hard for sixteen of us to gather around to see the targets spread out with our names on them. It took a while to compare them. It had been agreed that the four military guys would be the ones to judge.

When they eliminated all but six, I was thrilled. Mine was one of the six. The eliminated targets were good, don’t get me wrong. Whoever they shot would be hurting, if not dead, which seemed likely. It wasn’t easy to eliminate them. They studied the six more intently. Finally, they removed two. One more. I was still in the running to be a winner, which I was kinda shocked to see. I was good, but they were experts with real-life experience. It was down to me, Griffin, Sarge, and Styx.

I held my breath. In the end, two were set aside. “These are definite winners, but these other two are too damn close to pick. We need these two to shoot three more rounds to determine the third winner. Hadley, Wraith, get to it,” Sarge ordered.

I gulped. Shit, it had to be him. My life sucked. As we got new targets up and ready, I debated. On one hand, I wanted to win something fierce. My pride as a shooter and even as a woman was riding on it against these guys. On the other hand, if I beat him, would it make him even more standoffish with me? Although why I cared was stupid.

My attraction toward him hadn’t abated a bit. In fact, it was worse. The way he was avoiding me gave me little hope he’d suddenly find himself interested in me, but a girl could hope. However, if I beat him at this, would his male pride make sure there was zero chance? I argued with myself as I got ready. In the end, I had to fight to concentrate. I took several deep breaths and held them to steady myself and slow down my racing heart.

This time, the shots were over faster and I was shaking when the targets were grabbed by the prospects and brought to the table. As I leaned over mine to look, a hand on my back rubbed soothingly. I glanced around to find Animal standing there. He smiled.

“Honey, relax. No one is gonna be pissed for real if you win, let alone Griffin.”

“Yeah, you say that, but he doesn’t like me as it is,” I whispered so no one else would hear me.

He gave me a knowing smirk as he replied. “Babe, he’s far from disliking you, believe me. That man wants you, and he’s fighting it for some damn reason. If you want him, then go get him. Make sure he knows you’re interested. If you’re not into him, then there are plenty of guys here who wouldn’t say no to a chance to see if something permanent could grow.”

“And would you be one of those men?”

“I would, but only if you’re interested, but I think there’s already a man who has your whole attention. Don’t let him slip away out of fear. What’s the worst he can say? He’s not interested, and you already think that.”

I nodded but didn’t say anything. I’d have to think about it. While we were talking, the judging had happened. Jinx announced the three winners: “Alright, the winners are Styx, Sarge, and… Griffin.”

I couldn’t hold in my groan of disappointment. Griffin gave me a sympathetic smile. “It was damn close, Hadley. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I’m damn impressed. You’d give Harlow a run for her money, and that’s saying something.”

The others all chimed in with how great I did and agreed about this Harlow chick. I felt jealousy flutter in my stomach. Who was this woman he was admiring? She had to be someone significant if they all knew her. Maybe Animal was wrong. I had no idea if Griffin had a woman he was involved with. I swallowed my new disappointment and forced a smile on my face. Years of practice made it convincing, I had no doubt.

“Thanks, guys. It was great fun. I didn’t think I’d win. If you don’t mind, can I stay and shoot some more? I promise later tonight when it’s time to pay the bet, I’ll be there.” I couldn’t contain my curiosity, though. “So, may I ask who this Harlow is you all mentioned? She sounds interesting.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about,” Animal whispered in my ear. I ignored him although I saw Griffin frowning at him.

“She is. She’s Terror’s woman. He’s the president of the Dublin Falls Archangel’s Warriors. She’s his old lady. Her dad is Bull. He’s the president of not only the Hunters Creek Warriors’ chapter but the whole Warriors’ charter. She’s the first old lady in all the clubs, well not counting Sherry. Harley started the whole settling down epidemic. She’s a badass. Before she married Terror, she was a Marine sniper. She’s one woman no one wants to mess with,” Jinx explained.

Admiration for her was clear as well as affection. She had to be special to get that kind of response from these men. My jealousy over thinking Griffin was involved with her settled, but my desire to have this bunch or ones like them seeing me the same way hit me. I guess I was still trying to find people who liked me for myself and not who I was. It was rare to find ones who knew my identity, and the small number over the years who did, I could never trust they wanted or liked me.

Even men in my past wanted things from me, even if they didn’t know who I was. I worked in a very desirable setting. I had money, even though I tried not to be obvious about it. The men I’d been involved with had tried to figure out how I had it or to get me to get them a job at Gerard’s. Eventually, we would break up since I couldn’t tell them the truth. If I’d found someone who wanted only me, I would’ve told them the truth. Not that there had been a ton of men, but there had been a few.

Case in point, my last relationship ended when the guy got mad at me for not getting him into Gerard’s. He accused me of being afraid of competition. He then went on to tell me how there was no way I could be anything more than a secretary because everyone knew women weren’t smart when it came to science. I’d told him I was a scientist, but he didn’t believe me. He thought I was lying, and if he got a job there, he’d know it. He was gone from that moment.

Oh, he tried to come back and say he was kidding, and he begged me to take him back. I’d been pissed enough to have him over one more time, and I introduced him to Dad, although he had no idea he was my father. Dad told him I was a scientist at Gerard’s and the best they had. Yeah, petty, but it felt good. It took a while for him to give up trying to get me back. but he finally did. The last I heard, he’d moved outside the States and found a low-level job in a similar industry.

Thinking of him made me wonder. Surely, after all this time, he wasn’t still butt hurt, but what if he was? I needed to add him to the list of possible suspects. I added him to my mental list to talk to one of the Patriots about later. Maybe I’d get Dad to mention him to Undertaker.

“Oh, we’re not done shooting yet. Come on, let’s try out more of these guns,” Styx hollered. I got lost in the comradery of it and had a blast. Griffin tried to talk to me a couple of times, but I was with the other guys. I wondered why.

It was a couple of hours before we headed back. We had time to get ready, and I was going to spend it doing some soul-searching before the big dance and sing-off. Back at Jinx’s, I excused myself as soon as I got there. I told him and Griffin I needed a shower and to work.

???

Walking into the clubhouse hours later, I felt like I was ready. Not only was I ready to pay the bet, but I planned to have a talk with Griffin. Animal was right. What did I have to lose? As I walked in, I held my head up high, and I made sure I was dressed for my performance. I might’ve lost the shooting match, but I was determined to win the dance and singing part. I saw the reaction I got from Griffin and even Jinx when I came out of my bedroom.

I hadn’t packed much other than comfy clothes, but for some reason, I’d thrown in a pretty dress, like you’d wear out to a nice dinner, and this outfit. It was one I’d gotten a while back but hadn’t worn, and I hadn’t gone anywhere appropriate to wear it.

It was a pair of tight leather pants and a top that had crisscrossing straps across the chest, coming from the shoulders. It showed my cleavage through a keyhole opening. To top it off was a pair of strappy four-inch heels. Everything was black, with silver studs placed tastefully. It made me think of a biker chick.

I left my hair long and just curled the ends. My jewelry was black and silver, and I put on makeup tonight. It had an edgier look to it. There was lots of black and gray in the eyeshadow, and my lips were dark rather than neutral like I typically wore. There was no need to get fancy at work or around the house.

The whistles I got when I walked in told me I pulled it off. I smiled and turned in a circle so they could see all of me. When I was done, I had to say something smartass. “I know I’m gonna smoke your asses at this dancing and singing bit, but it never hurts to dress up. Now, we’ve all got leather on. Well, except Griffin.”

“We can’t have that. Grif, hang on a minute,” Jinx said. He hurried out of the room. As we waited for him, the guys mobbed us and were talking excitedly. They teased Griffin about his leatherless state and me about the performance. Jinx was back in a few minutes. In his hand was a leather cut. He handed it to Griffin. It didn’t have any patches on it yet.

“I just got a few new ones in and haven’t sent them off to get patches put on them. That way, no one can say you’re lacking.”

Griffin laughed and slid it on. “I like it. Okay, how about we get a drink and then get this show on the road? I want to see how they do,” Griffin said.

It took a bit for us all to get a drink, then actually drink it and get the music cued up. I found out the winners had conferred at some point, and they had a song ready to go on the stereo system in the common area. All of us who lost gathered in the middle of the room where we’d have plenty of room to dance. I could tell some of them weren’t confident.

As the song started, I laughed. It was an old song by Aerosmith. “Janie’s Got a Gun” filled the room. It wasn’t the fastest song, but it fit the bill. The guys all hooted. I threw myself into dancing to it and singing my heart out. We weren’t all on key, but it didn’t matter. The guys didn’t shake it much, well, except for Mad Dog. He shocked me with how good he was. The man was a hot-ass dancer. Soon, we were in a dance-off against each other.

When that song stopped, a new one came on, and we kept going. This one had a much faster beat. It was “Never Again” by Nickelback. Mad Dog shook his ass and then grabbed me to dance seductively when the third song started. It wasn’t until after that one that the music was cut off. I glanced around. The room was quiet. Griffin didn’t look happy. The others appeared to be slightly stunned. Finally, it was Sarge who broke the silence.

“Hot damn, Mad Dog. How many years have we known you and never knew you could dance, especially not like that? Shit.”

“He’s great. He’s the best partner I’ve ever danced with, to be honest. That was fun. Thank you,” I said. I gave him a hug. He squeezed me. As he let go, I was stunned when Griffin got up and came over to me. He grabbed my hand.

“If you want to dance, I’ll show you dancing. Give me a minute to get something cued up.” He walked off to the stereo before I could say anything. I caught Animal’s eye. He winked at me.

When Griffin came back, he took me in his arms, which surprised me a bit. He tugged me close, and his eyes bore into mine. My temperature spiked at the heat I thought I saw there. When the music started, I gulped. It was “Pony” by Ginuwine. His hands landed on my hips, and he started to sway.

It was all I could do, not to moan and melt. I had to fight to pay attention and move. As he held my gaze, he began to sing the words to me. My nipples hardened, and I could feel myself starting to get slick down below. I had to work not to rub my thighs together. Shit, I had no idea he would even know this song.

As he sang and we danced, his hands slid further down to cup my ass. He tugged me hard against him, and I felt his erection. Oh my God, he was turned on by what we were doing. Knowing we needed to talk but unable to resist, I rubbed against him harder. He stumbled over the words, which made me smirk. The song seemed to last forever, yet at the same time, it was done too quickly. As the music stopped, the room was dead silent.

Suddenly, I was whisked toward the door. He didn’t let me look around or say anything. When I hit the cold air outside, it was a relief—until he pushed me up against the side of the clubhouse and kissed me. The way he took command of my mouth spiked my desire again. I grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him back.

Our teeth clashed and our tongues were frantically trying to twist around each other. In between the tongue movements, he nibbled on my lips, and I did the same. I had no idea how long that lasted before he broke away. He was breathing hard like I was.

“Fuck, Hadley, I shouldn’t have done that. It was a mistake.”

“What was? The dance, the singing, or the kiss? If you just need someone to get off with, then you’re right. I’m sure they can find you someone to fuck tonight,” I said before I turned my back and began to walk off. I was instantly mad and sorrowful. I’d walk back to Jinx’s and then find some alcohol to drown my sorrows. For a couple of minutes, I could’ve sworn he felt the same way I did. Guess I was an idiot. Any woman would’ve done it for him. No thanks, I wasn’t that desperate.

I was whirled around and then slammed into his chest. His arms wrapped around me, and he held me tightly against him. I went into pissed-honey-badger mode. I tried to shove him so I could get room to punch or kick him. When I couldn’t, I yelled at him.

“Let go of me, Griffin! I’m not in the mood for any more of your games. I’m going to the house. I suggest you stay and get laid.”

“I’m not staying and getting laid by some random woman who might show up later. Calm down and tell me why you’re acting like this.”

“Because you’re an asshole. You do all that then you have the nerve to be sorry. You know what, fuck you, I’m staying. You might not want to get laid, but I do. I’ve been guaranteed there’s more than one taker in there. Maybe I’ll see if more than one will be up for it tonight,” I snarled.

I was startled when he let out a roar, then I was in the air and landing over his shoulder. I tried to kick, but he had my legs pinned to his front. Not having a choice, I pounded on his back with my fists. He was moving as I screamed at him. “Put me down right this minute!”

“Not on your life. If you think I’m gonna stand back and let you go in there to fuck one or more of the Marauders, you’re delusional. Now settle. We need to talk, but it’s not gonna be here.”

“I don’t wanna talk to you!”

“Well, that’s too bad.” He smacked my ass. It stung, but it also felt good. Get your head out of the gutter. You’re pissed at him, remember? Stop thinking of jumping his bones and riding him raw, I reminded myself.

My devil side argued, “Yeah, but just imagine if you could work off all your frustration with him? I bet he’s an animal in bed.”

But you don’t just want meaningless sex, my angel side argued back.

I got so caught up in arguing with myself I didn’t realize what was happening until my ass landed in the car we used to get here. He didn’t put me in and then go around to get in on the other side either. No, he slid me in from the driver’s side and followed me. He didn’t let go of my wrist, so I couldn’t go out the other side. I yanked on my arm.

“What’s your problem?”

“You and I are solving it tonight. You can fight it, but we’re gonna talk without an audience,” he growled as he started the car.

He didn’t let go of me the entire time. When we pulled up in front of Jinx’s, I tried to get loose to run inside ahead of him, but he had me secured. He pulled me out of the vehicle on the driver’s side then I was up and over his shoulder again. I decided to save my strength. He’d have to let go at some point, then I’d kick his ass and be done with it.

He didn’t slow down as he headed to the porch. Damn man, why couldn’t he be struggling to carry me or something? He acted like he wasn’t even carrying anything. It pissed me off more.

He didn’t put me down until we entered the house and he got to the living room. When he did, my feet barely touched the floor before I swung. He wasn’t expecting it and it landed square in the side of his face. Of course, it was rock hard, like the rest of his head, and it hurt like a mother. I refused to cry out, though. I’d break my hand before I let him know it hurt. I swung again. This one, he stopped by grabbing it in the palm of his hand.

He looked at me sternly. “Stop it, Hadley. I don’t want to fight. We need to talk.”

“No, we don’t. You need to learn not to haul women around like we’re a sack of potatoes. Just because you’re stronger doesn’t make it okay to use it against us!” I shouted.

“I’m sorry, but you have it all wrong, and I need you to listen.”

“What do I have wrong? You’re looking for a fun time. You can get that at the clubhouse. I’ve heard the stories about the women who come to party and sleep with bikers. Don’t tell me you’ve never done it when you’ve been with your biker buddies before.”

He remained silent. I had my answer. I didn’t know why it bothered me so much. It wasn’t like I expected him to be a virgin. I wasn’t, but it made me feel unhappy, and I wanted to cry. It was either fight with him or cry, and whenever that was the case, I’d rather fight.

“That’s what I thought. Go back and do whatever you like. I’m going to bed. Tomorrow, we’ll talk about the new plan.”

I turned my back on him to leave, but the suicidal man grabbed my arm. I swung at him when I whipped around. He used my momentum against me, and I slammed into him. His arms came around me and secured me tight against him again. He was scowling.

“What new plan? You’re not making sense, and it doesn”t make sense why you’re so upset.”

“It doesn’t matter. Forget it. I’m tired.”

“No, you’re not going anywhere until we resolve this.”

“Fine, let go of me, and I’ll tell you.”

He studied me for a few moments before his arms eased. As soon as I could get loose, I did. I took a seat in the one chair in the room, which left him on the couch. He sat, too.

“I don’t like to be used and messed with. That’s why I’m upset.” He opened his mouth to argue, but I stopped him. “Let me say what I have to say, or I’m done,” I warned him. He shut his mouth.

“On top of it, your displeased attitude around me is wearing on my last nerve. First, you can’t stand me, then you dance with me and kiss me, then get upset that you did. I don’t have to put up with it, nor have I done anything to warrant it. The new plan is to have someone else from the Patriots stay with me. If it can’t be here, I’ll go wherever they think is safe. Hopefully, this will be resolved very soon, and we won’t ever have to see each other again. You can go back to your life, and I’ll go on with mine. There, that’s it, end of story. We can hash out the details tomorrow.”

I went to stand, but his words stopped me. “Now that you’ve finished, I have some things to say. Let’s start first with your new plan. There won’t be a changing of your bodyguard or location. There’s no need.” He paused. I wanted to argue, but I kept quiet.

“I don’t have an issue with you, Hadley, like you think. I don’t want to get rid of you. That’s the last thing I want.”

I couldn’t help it. “Bullshit” slipped out before I could stop it. I bit my lip, not to say more.

“It’s not bullshit. I couldn’t let someone else guard you even if I wanted to. I have to be the one to ensure your safety.”

Again, I slipped up. “Why?”

“Because you’ve fucking invaded my every thought and even my dreams. Not being near you or able to keep you safe is impossible for me. And being around all these men who’d give their arm for a chance with you is making me insane. I thought this was the best place for you, and from a security standpoint, it is. From a personal standpoint, I want to scoop you up and run. Find a remote cabin like your dad is in and keep you there with me alone. I said I shouldn’t have kissed you, not because I regret it. It’s because it made me want you even more, and I don’t even know if you’d want a man like me. What can I give you? You have everything.”

To say I was stunned and speechless would be an understatement. I sat there trying to process what he had just said. I couldn’t believe it. He thought he had nothing to give me, but what did he see in me? If you stripped away my wealth and who my dad was, I was a boring research scientist and engineer who liked to travel, read, and learn new fighting skills. I was decent-looking, but I wasn’t a beauty queen. There were women much better looking with great things about them. Why not be with one of them?

I must’ve been quiet too long because he came to his feet. He was scowling. “See, that’s why I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not possible, and I know it. I swear, despite my attraction to you, I can keep this professional and protect you. I don’t want you to get a new guard. I wouldn’t be able to leave anyway. I promise I won’t touch you again or do anything to make you uncomfortable. I’m sorry. I think it’s best if I get out of your hair and go have a drink with the guys. Goodnight.”

As he went to walk away, I launched myself at him and grabbed his arm. He jerked to a stop and turned his head to stare at me. I gulped. Was I going to do this? I was crazy because the answer I gave myself was to go for it. What did I have to lose? At least I knew he was attracted to me. No one said it had to be a forever kind of thing. He hadn’t mentioned that was what he was looking for. Maybe it was time not to get involved with a man whom I only thought long-term was an option. None of them worked out anyway.

“Don’t go. You didn’t let me respond to what you just said.”

“There’s no need. Your silence said it.”

“No, it didn’t. God, are you going to make me beg you to stay and hear me out? Do you want me to plead on my knees?” I asked a bit snarkily, and then, to make my point, I sank to my knees.

The groan he let out sounded tortured. That’s when I realized what I had done. I was at the perfect height to give him a blowjob, and based on his groan and the way his crotch was growing, he was thinking the same thing. It was naughty of me, but I couldn’t help but tease him a bit. I slowly licked my lips before I glanced up at his face. His eyes were burning.

“Will this work?” I asked.

“Hadley, I swear to God, if you don’t get up off your knees, I’m gonna lose it. You can’t do this to me. I’m only human.”

“And so am I. I can’t seem to make you listen, so I thought this would help.”

“All it’ll help is to find yourself naked on a bed with me tasting and touching your entire body and making you scream,” he growled.

He said it like it was a deterrent. I had news for him. It wasn’t. The thought spurred me on, and I smiled at him.

“Good,” I said.

He frowned. “Good? What the hell does that mean?”

“It means we might get on the same page if that happens. You said you want me. Well, I want you, too. I’m not asking you to promise me forever or anything. You affect me like no other man ever has. As for you not having anything I need, and I have it all, you’re wrong. I want someone to want me for myself, not my job or the fact I have money, even if they don’t know why. The few who knew who my dad was wanted me for what it could get them from him. I’d love to be the center of a man’s world, but it’s not realistic, so I don’t expect it. I want someone who doesn’t lie, cheat, be abusive, or use me.”

He was the one to go quiet this time. After a couple of moments, he held out his hand. I took it, and he lifted me to my feet. As I straightened, I was surprised when I was tugged against him. His hand came up to grip the back of my head, and before I could say a word, he kissed me. I thought the one outside the clubhouse was amazing. This one was even better.

The fire he lit inside me made my entire body burn. My skin tingled, my legs trembled, my nipples hardened, and my panties were dampening again. His hand tightened and tugged on my hair a little, and it made me hotter. I moaned long and low as our teeth and tongues battled to conquer each other. Suddenly, his hand dropped, and the next thing I knew, he grabbed my ass and hoisted me up. I reflexively wrapped my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. He kneaded my ass.

I felt him move, then I was on my back on the couch, and he was over the top of me. My legs fell open, and he lay himself between them. He didn’t crush me with all his body weight, thank goodness, but he did press his lower half into me, which had the lump in his pants pressing into my heated pussy. I tore my mouth away to cry out.

“Am I hurting you?” he asked hoarsely.

I shook my head hard. “No, you’re not.”

“Good,” he said, then he went back to kissing me.

I have no idea how long we kissed, but it seemed like forever in one way and only a second when he lifted away again. I whimpered and tried to follow his mouth. He shook his head.

“I need to tell you something and then ask something else. First, I love that I affect you like no one else ever has. You do the same to me. Second, I know you’re not asking for forever, but I fucking want it, and I pray this is the beginning of that for us. All those things you said you want. A man who wants you for yourself, not your money, job, or your family connection, I can give you. I don’t give a shit about your money or fame or whatever you call it. I won’t ever lie, cheat, or use you, and I most certainly won’t abuse you. You might think it’s unrealistic to be the center of a man’s world, but, baby, I can promise you, if you’re mine, that’s exactly where you’ll be. There would be nothing I wouldn’t do except hurt innocent people to give you what you need and to keep you happy.”

My heart stuttered. This was what I dreamed of a man saying to me. The expression on his face, I would swear showed him as being nothing but honest. I ran my hands up his chest until I could cup his face. Staring at him hard, I said, “Then I’m yours.”

“You mean that? I can’t have you change your mind tomorrow.”

“I won’t,” I promised.

“Then come with me,” he said as he eased away from me. I shakily let my legs down with his help. Holding my hand, he led me up the stairs and down the hall. We passed my bedroom and didn’t stop until we were standing inside the one he’d been given. Seeing the bed made me suddenly nervous.

He saw my look and must’ve known what I was feeling because he reassured me. “Baby, nothing has to happen other than I need you to sleep in my arms. I’d love to continue to kiss you and do more, but we have time. I just can’t face sleeping alone again. Will you stay in here tonight with me? I should’ve asked you first, and if you agreed, stopped to get you some things from your room.”

“I’d love to stay here with you, and although my things would be nice, I don’t have to have them. I assume you’d lend me a shirt if I needed one, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes, I can lend you one to sleep in.”

“Or I could just sleep naked. That wouldn’t offend you, would it?”

“Only if you’re ready for me to lay full claim to you. If not, putting something on is required.”

“Well, I guess I have my answer. Do you mind if I use the bathroom?”

“Go right ahead. I’ll get you that shirt.”

I didn’t say anything while he rummaged in the drawer and found me a T-shirt. As he handed it to me, I saw the way he was checking out my body. I felt desired as I strutted to the bathroom. Closing the door, I began to strip off my clothes.