CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Elaina—

When we arrive at Baja's house, it's drizzling.

Baja shoves his door open. "Guess I was wrong about the rain."

We dash up the steps to the deck, and when I would have headed to the apartment above the garage, he takes my hand and tugs me toward his house. "It's still early. I'll build a fire, and we can talk some more."

"Let me get Rosie." I hurry to the apartment, and she's excited to see me. I don't even have to put her leash on; she just follows Baja and me across the deck and into his house.

He leads the way to the living room.

"Sit down and curl up. This will only take a minute." He gestures to the couch, then goes to one knee in front of the fireplace and begins stacking wood. Lightning flashes a second before a boom of thunder sounds, and I jump.

Rosie whimpers and hides in the corner by the fireplace.

"That was close, huh?" Baja asks. "You okay, girl?" He pats Rosie's head, and she calms down.

I look out the window. The drizzle quickly becomes a downpour, water trailing down the glass. There's a chill in the air, and I pull a throw from the back of the sofa over myself.

"I'll have this fire going soon."

There's something about watching a man build a fire with his hands that really does something to a girl. Baja adds some kindling and twisted paper, then lights it, and soon flames lick up the logs and crackle to life. I watch the pretty colors dance and inhale the scent.

He leans a hand on the mantle, watching the flames, the glow reflecting on his face. "I've always preferred a wood burning fireplace. I never got the appeal of gas logs. There's nothing that can compare to the smell of cedar wood burning."

"It does smell good," I agree. "And you're right. Real fires are lovely. I love the snap and pop of the wood."

His head turns to me, and he takes me in with a sweep of his gaze. "You look real pretty in the glow of the fire."

"I was thinking the same thing about you."

The lines around his eyes crinkle. "Would you like a coffee? I don't have any pumpkin spice, but I do have a bottle of Bailey's."

"Sounds perfect."

It's not long before he returns with two steaming mugs and holds one out to me.

I cup it in my hands and inhale the fragrant Irish creme.

He moves to an old stereo on a bookcase and flips it on. Mellow music plays quietly, and he joins me on the sofa.

I sip my drink. "This is good."

"You sound surprised."

"I've never had it before."

"Really? Well, you missed out, didn't you?"

"I think I did."

He drinks his, then leans forward and sets his mug on the coffee table. He puts a hand on my leg. "Have you thought anymore about what you'll do?"

"I don't want to go back to Elliott."

"Good."

"But I haven't figured out where I go from here. It's a lot."

"It is, but there's no rush. Take as long as you need. I assume you must be good at what you do, or Elliott wouldn't have kept you at the company for long. There are other jobs. You seem to like Durango. You could look for something right here."

"It's a big decision."

"I'm not trying to push you. You get that, right?"

"I do. You've been so good to me."

"I only want the best for you, Elaina."

I stare into his eyes and find only warmth and sincerity. He takes the mug from my hand and sets it on the table, then cups my face and pulls my mouth to his, covering my lips. He's gentle, and I like that. I know if I pull away, he'll release me in an instant. But I don't want to pull away. And maybe that realization hits me like a ton of bricks or maybe it's been lurking in the shadows of my brain since we met.

Baja is everything Elliott is not. He's concerned about my feelings and interested in what I think. I know he'd never do anything to hurt me. But he's also a man who could have any woman he wants. The fact that he seems to want me is thrilling, but I'm not sure he wants the same things I do. Commitment, children, to build a real family.

He's a biker, and that means he walks on the wild side of life. How can he possibly be a fit for me? My common sense tells me he can't, and not to waste my time on what can only be another dead-end relationship. But my heart tells me I'm wrong. It tells me he's a good man and to give him a chance.

His tongue sweeps inside my mouth, and I'm lost in his kiss. It tastes like heaven. It tastes like the forbidden. It's a drug I'm instantly addicted to in one fix.

The man can kiss. Oh, my God, can he kiss. He takes possession of my mouth in a way that makes me want to give him everything, to let him have every part of me, anything he wants. Submission never sounded so good.

He breaks off and presses his forehead to mine. We're both breathing heavily.

"God, I've wanted to do that for so long," he rasps in a growly voice edged with hunger. "I shouldn't have, I suppose."

"Don't apologize. I've wanted it, too. Maybe that's wrong—"

"No." He cuts me off sharply. "Nothing you do is wrong, Elaina. You have nothing to feel guilty about. I crossed the line, but I'm not sorry. That sounds shitty, but it's the truth. My brother doesn't deserve you."

"You make me want to stay here. Not go back to Denver."

"You want the truth? The last thing I want is for you to return to Denver, and they're all selfish reasons. But you know who I am. What I am. That's not gonna change."

"Shh." I cover his lips with my finger. "I'm not asking you to change. I don't want you to change for me."

"You sure about that?"

"Can we just… take this slow?"

"Sure." He backs off. "I didn't mean to push you."

The moment he moves to his side of the couch and picks up his coffee mug, I feel the loss of his warmth, his touch. Maybe going slow is the last thing I really want, but I can't afford to make another mistake. This feels too important, like too much is at stake. I've picked the wrong men my entire life. I don't want to get this wrong again. I need to be sure this time.

The thunder booms, and Rosie curls up at my feet.

Baja smiles. "She doesn't like storms, does she?"

"She hates the thunder." I stroke her head.

"It's pouring. Maybe you should just stay here tonight. No sense getting soaked going to the garage apartment."

I search his eyes, wondering just what he's suggesting. He must see my confusion, because he clarifies instantly with a grin.

"Darlin', nothin' I'd like more than having you in my bed, but if we're taking this slow, you can stay in the guest room downstairs. I'd feel better knowing you were under my roof and not across the way."

"I could do that," I whisper.

"Good."

We curl up and watch the fire. Eventually, I set my mug aside, yawning.

I lay my head back and rest my eyes, listening to the patter of rain and the fire crackling.

Baja strokes my leg, and I crack an eye open. He's grinning. "Bailey's. Does the trick every time."

I smile and close my eyes, enjoying the moment.

I must drift off, because the next thing I know, Baja is patting my shoulder, and when I blink my eyes open, the fire has burned to embers. He passes me one of his t-shirts.

"Go on to bed, honey. It's late."

I yawn and stretch, and Rosie and I pad downstairs. I slip into Baja's t-shirt, and it makes me feel closer to him. Snuggling under the covers, with Rosie curled up on the bed at my feet, I immediately drift off.