Chapter 2

JoeJoe

Holy shit, that was close. I lift my glass of ice water and practically drink the entire thing down, trying to cool myself off. Riff is dangerous. He's one of the few Savage Knights I haven't slept with for good reason. I don't want to get burned. And I'm not just talking about getting burned by the sexual heat that radiates off him 24/7 like a blazing fire. I'm talking about my heart getting incinerated into flames.

Riff does something to me. Every time I'm around him, my stomach fills with butterflies. My heart starts beating faster. And I find myself craving his attention. And craving to be around anyone for longer than a couple of hours is an anomaly. But I know him all too well. He's a manwhore in the most positive sense of the word. He doesn't believe in marriage or commitment. He believes in trying out as many of the 31 flavors as possible and going back for seconds, depending on his mood on any given night.

Being a sweet butt and living at the club, I get to witness it. And every time I do, feelings I don't like creep in. Envy, jealousy, sadness. And that is why I stay away. That is why I've always turned him down before. But tonight, I don't know why it was so hard to say no. Maybe because his smell is more intoxicating than any booze they serve in this bar. Or maybe it's because he looks so freaking good right now. He's sporting some serious scruff on his chiseled jaw, and the feel of it against my skin when he whispered in my ear made me all kinds of tingly. And those crystal-blue eyes of his. They're so light and sweet. A total contradiction to the rest of him.

Riff is tall, dark, and dangerous. He's sculpted with solid muscle. Painted in skulls and demons, showcasing the darkness that lives within him. The demons he carries from his past. And he's trouble in every sense of the word. Right now, he's trouble on my senses. I know if I let him get too close, he'll be trouble to my heart. I'm not going to follow in my mother's footsteps and fall for a man who will never give up his whoring ways, even if there's a ring on his finger. Therefore, I'm so thankful for Axle at the moment. He snapped me awake and stopped me before I made what no doubt was a big mistake. Possibly the biggest mistake of my life.

But man, does my body want to give in. My pussy is screaming and literally weeping right now at the fact that I won't let myself have the one man I've been wanting a feel of ever since the day I came to the club and met him.

He scoots closer to me once again, removing the distance I just put between us as a buffer zone, and once again, my body floods with heat and need. Damn, he's potent. His hand brushes against my thigh as he nibbles on my ear. I bite back my moan this time so Axle doesn't get sexually frustrated again. I'm not about to ruffle his feathers, considering he lets me live at the clubhouse for free and gave me a job.

"Ignore them, babe. Let me finish you off. I'm not going to leave my girl hanging."

I jerk away from Riff as the two words hit their unintended target—my heart—like sharp daggers. He's only saying "my girl" because he's trying to smooth-talk my pussy and get me into his bed tonight, but my weak little heart loves the way those words sound and would love to be his. Which will never happen. That's why I slide to the edge of the bench and put space between us. If he decides to come any closer, I'll be standing and heading to the bar to get that drink of mine that still hasn't shown up because Grit is undoubtedly outside claiming his girl.

As if just thinking his name conjured him up, Grit arrives back at the table, looking happier than I've ever seen the man. I knew he would cave. He asked me to come with him to the bar tonight to keep him from making a mistake. But with one look at Hailey, I knew she wasn't a mistake. Based on his request, I thought maybe the girl was an evil temptress who would lure him in, use him and chew him up, but she's not. She's sweet, and it's more than obvious that she's madly in love with the man. She looked hurt when she saw me, and her hand was shaking like crazy when I introduced myself. After seeing her reaction, I was thankful Riff played his part and pulled the jealous beast straight out of Grit. He needed a good kick in the pants, and he got one. And now, he looks like he's thankful for it.

But, of course, he's still glaring at Riff for the stunt he pulled earlier.

"You're welcome, fucker." Riff grins in Grit's direction, and I can't help but smile.

For some reason, Riff, although not a believer in relationships himself, made damn sure Grit fought for his. I'm not sure why Riff's a big proponent of his friends getting tied down when he isn't. Nonetheless, it's sweet to know he likes it when his friends find love. Granted, it was a douche move on his part to pretend he was going to steal Grit's girl. But his plan worked. And now the happy couple looks just that: happy.

Hailey walks over to our table with a big blushing smile and finally delivers my drink. "Thanks," I tell her and suck the entire thing down. "Can I get one more when you get a chance?" She nods, and before she can turn and head back to the bar, Grit is reaching for her and kissing her like his life depends on it. And that little pang of jealousy hits home. I wonder what it's like to be kissed by a man who actually cares. Who actually thinks you're his world and that the sun doesn't set anymore because you are their sun. I wonder what it feels like to be the one on the receiving end of the obsession… of the need. To know that you're their happy place, and that your heart is safe in their care.

The image of Riff's face pops into my head, but I shake the thought away. That man would lure me in, crush me up, and blow me away like the dust in the wind. Then he'd be onto the next sweet butt the very next night. Nope. He's never going to be the one. So I need to stay far away from him.

Knowing I need to keep a safe distance from the man who stirs up too many unwanted emotions, I turn toward Trigger. "Hey, Trig. Any chance you could give me a ride home tonight? I'm sure this one has plans with his woman now, and I don't want to be a third wheel." I'm sure Grit will be spending time with Hailey tonight, and I don't want to interfere with their time together.

Trigger glances to his right, in the direction of one suddenly angry Riff whose shoulders are now stiff as a board and whose jaw is ticking like a time bomb. I guess he's mad I'm not going to jump in his bed tonight. Last night, he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Oh well. He can be mad all he wants, but I'm all about self-preservation. Besides, there are plenty of other girls who will gladly keep him company.

Again, that horrible feeling of jealousy takes a stab at my chest.

"Sorry, babe," Trigger says, his voice a welcome distraction from my thoughts. I was staring at Riff and hadn't even realized it. Shit. He was staring at me, too. Well, more like glaring, and the moment had gotten away from me. "Riff's going to have to be your ride back. I'm staying late and dealing with some paperwork. Got to get a new girl on board before Axle's old lady gives her notice."

Since when does Trigger handle anything with the bar? Usually, his manager, Max, deals with everything, and Trigger just handles club business.

"Okay." I nod, my nerves taking a nosedive right into my stomach. I'm tempted to call a taxi, but then I'd be revealing my truth, and I'm not going to do that. Because everyone at this table will be wondering why I won't ride back to the clubhouse with the man I was just making out with. They'll wonder why I'm going out of my way to avoid him, and the answer to that question is an obvious one— and one I'd rather not have anyone knowing.

"You mind taking me back, Riff, or do you plan on finding yourself some fun for tonight?"

His jaw seems to clench even tighter, and I wonder if he's going to pop the vein that's throbbing at the side of his head. Suddenly, his features smooth out as if whatever he was mad about just disappeared. Either that or his emotions have been masked, and his poker face is now set. "I'll give you a ride, babe. No problem." I think there's a double meaning in his comment, or at least my pussy seems to think so because she's now aching again.

"Great, thanks." I smile, mentally planning to do whatever I can for the rest of the night to avoid getting lured back into his trap. But man, is he hard to resist.

Grit takes his seat, forcing me to slide back over toward Riff, putting me within reach of the man who can't seem to keep his hands off me. His heavy palm has already found its way back to my thigh, but instead of getting between my legs which are now sealed tight, his fingers torment me with their light brush across my skin. Up… and down.

My hand cups over his, stopping the sweet torture, and a low growl rumbles from his chest. I look over to see if I'm the only one at the table who heard it, but all the guys are now staring at him with looks of curiosity knitted across their brows. Except for Grit, who can't take his eyes off his woman and isn't paying attention to anyone but Hailey.

Riff shifts in his seat until his body faces mine, and then his mouth is right back at my ear. "You want to explain why you're fighting this so hard, babe? You were wet as a juicy grapefruit when I was touching you. Your nipples are ready to poke holes through that top you got on. And that damn bottom lip of yours is getting abused by your teeth as you keep your sexy little sounds from falling from your mouth. Now, why the fuck are you denying what your body obviously wants?"

Damn, he's really good at reading people. Maybe a little too good. I don't have an answer for him— not one I want to give anyway. He's obviously a man on a mission tonight, and I'm not sure anything I do or say will stop his efforts. But maybe throwing another sweet butt in his face will get him to back down. It's the only defense I have at the moment so it's worth a shot.

"Because I'm not interested in Mandy's sloppy seconds, Riff."

His smirk is both sly and cunning, and has me wondering what's going through his gorgeous head. Unfortunately, I'm not as good as he is at reading people.

"You jealous of that girl?"

Shit. NO. Yes. Maybe, but I don't want him to start asking why. Though, honestly, Mandy's the last person I should ever be jealous of. She has quite a mean streak and has run some of the other girls off. I'm not one to be intimidated, so she can't get rid of me, but that doesn't mean I'm not void of envying the girl.

"She's a bit possessive if you haven't noticed, and I don't need to stir up trouble in the house."

"Well, you can rest assured, babe, I am definitely not looking her way anymore. And if she gives you any shit, I'll kick her ass out of the clubhouse."

Well, that's good. But maybe too good of an answer because now I'm contemplating letting him do whatever he wants to me right now. My thighs are trying to pry past my rational thought and give into his sexy abuse.

"Are you locking those legs together, babe, because you're afraid of how good I'll make you feel when I get my hands back on you? Or are you trying to be a lady and resist the urge to come in a room full of people? Which may be a first since you don't usually give a shit who's watching."

A shiver runs down my spine at the reminder of when he was watching me with Shiv a few weeks ago. Mandy was on her knees sucking Riff off, yet his attention was not on her. It was on me. His eyes were glued to me as I rode Shiv reverse cowgirl, directly across from where Riff was seated. He stared at me the entire time, and when I came, he followed. It was as if he had come with me, had gotten off on me, as if we were the ones who had just fucked. At least for me, that was the case.

That night, it wasn't Shiv I was fucking. It was Riff. In fact, most of the time, it's not the person I'm actually with who's on my mind when I'm getting off. Which is another reason I need to keep my distance. I know that once I have Riff, I'll never be the same. It's one thing to conjure up a fantasy. But it's another to have that fantasy come to life and then have it ripped away like Cinderella's dream at the stroke of midnight. It's like tasting chocolate. If you never have it, you never know what you're missing out on. But once you get a taste… you're always going to crave it. And if you knew you'd never have it again, you'd be like me and want to avoid ever having a taste in the first place. Because man, do I love chocolate.

"Or is there another reason you won't let me touch you right now, Joe?"

Damn him. Why is he trying to push this? Fine. If he wants an answer, I'll give him one. One close enough to the truth that he'll hopefully let this go.

"Because you're a really good friend, Riff. I haven't had too many of those in my life, and I don't want to ruin it. I don't want things to become weird between us. I don't want to alter what we have in any way. And whether intended or not, sex always changes things. Always."

His silent stare is making me nervous. The way his eyes are looking at me is a little too deep for my liking. I don't want him to see past my words.

"Fine, babe." He finally breaks his silence. "Have it your way. But I think sex would only make what you and I have that much better."

He says it as if I'm going to be missing out on something incredible, and I know he's right. But one thing I know I'm not going to be missing out on is the heartache. The heartache that will inevitably come when I've gotten a taste, grown addicted, and then have to watch him move on to the next flavor he's craving. Our friendship will feel the backlash of my resentment and my anger, and I'll lose him. So nope. I'm not willing to risk it.

I'd love to know why he's suddenly pushing so hard, though. He can go back to the clubhouse and take his pick, fuck any of the girls he wants. All he has to do is snap his fingers, and they come swarming. But these last two nights, he's been determined to get in my bed, and I want to know why.

"You know what I think, Riff? I think you only want to fuck me because you're jealous that your brothers have had me and you haven't. I think it has little to do with you wanting us to become fuck buddies and a lot more to do with the fact that I've fucked your buddies and you feel left out. I know you're not used to girls turning you down, and I'm sure that's bruising your ego. But it shouldn't be bruised. You should take it as a compliment. I care about you so much that I don't want to ruin us."

His head cocks to the side, and the crooked grin that forms causes my chest to pound. "So? You got feelings for me?" His question is teasing, so my answer will be as well. I just hope he doesn't read between the lines and call my bluff.

"Damn straight I do, you big lug. I love you. As a FRIEND," I emphasize the word. "And I'm not about to mess with that. So sorry, bucko, but you've been friend-zoned. Which I'm sure as bitter as that may feel at the moment, come tomorrow, when Mandy is riding your cock again, you'll be long over it, and we'll be past all this."

I smile and give him a wink, but on the inside, I am far from smiling. Thinking of him being with Mandy again makes me sick. Dammit. I need to get away from him. Fast. In fact, I'm ready to leave. I need to be back in the safety of the clubhouse. Maybe even in the safety of Shiv's arms, so I don't cave and go running into Riff's arms instead. Shiv's an amazing fuck, but he's so messed up in the head over women, actually over one woman, that he's easy to walk away from. There's no chance my heart will fall prey to the man whose heart still belongs to someone else.

"You think we can head out now?" I ask.

He grimaces, but nods. "Yeah, we can head out."

The moment I'm seated on the back of his bike, my arms wrapped tightly around him, I regret my decision. I should've called a taxi because this ride is going to be the death of my restraint.