“I don’t need to think about anything, Chris. It’s beyond over.” She jerked her head back, very aware of Zach observing the entire exchange.
Chris righted and gave up whispering. “We can do things the easy way or the hard way, Toni. Your choice.” He walked through the open door, knocking into Zach’s shoulder in the process. If she wasn’t so fed up with men at the moment, she’d have laughed. The shove didn’t even budge Zach, but Chris bounced back as though he’d run into a rubber statue.
When she heard the screen door close, Toni dropped her head and massaged her temples.
“What the hell did he mean by that easy way or hard way shit?” Zach asked.
Without opening her eyes, she asked, “What are you still doing here, Zach?”
“Told you. You weren’t on the porch. I saw that asshat through the window. Thought you could use some backup.” She heard the heavy tread of his boots approaching, then he gripped her wrists and pulled her hands from her aching head. “Let me do that.” Strong fingers replaced hers, rubbing gentle circles on the sides of her head.
Tension relief was immediate. As was arousal. Warmth spread from his talented fingers down her shoulders and to her nipples, drawing them tight. Her sex heated too. Anticipation. Desire.
Damn him.
“As you can see, I’m fine. Annoyed, but fine. You can go.”
“Come with me.” His magic hands moved to her neck where he dug those long fingers into the tense muscles. Toni bit back a groan. Letting him know how unbelievably wonderful his touch felt would only grow his already too-healthy ego.
“Where? To your bedroom for fifteen minutes of fun before you move on to some biker bunny who’ll hop along after you with her tits and ass hanging out?” Her fear of being intimate with Zach had way more to do with herself than her worry about other women. But that was a personal tidbit she didn’t share with anyone.
His hands fell away and her eyes popped open just in time to witness him throw his head back and burst out laughing.
Even his throat is sexy.
“First of all, babe,” he said, after the hilarity ended. “Fifteen minutes? No wonder you’re taking out stock in batteries. It would take all night just to scratch the surface of what I want to do to you.”
She swallowed. Hard. All night? She hadn’t had all night in a very, very long time. Before it all went bad.
“But I’ll settle for a bonfire and some light flirting.”
“Huh?” She blinked.
He smiled. Throwing her off her game seemed to amuse him to no end. “Our VP’s ol’ lady’s birthday is tonight. Club is throwing her a party complete with a bonfire. I want you to come with me.”
“Ol’ lady, huh?”
“That’s what we call—”
She waved him away and took a step back. The closeness, the manly smell of sweat and nature was weakening her resistance. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’ve seen Sons of Anarchy.”
Zach snorted and rolled his eyes. “I’m no Jax Teller, sweetheart.”
“Never said you were.” They stared at each other for a few heartbeats. If things were different. If she didn’t already know how choosing the wrong man, letting hormones and pheromones overrule her brain could destroy her life, she’d jump him right then and there.
“Come with me.” He stepped closer to her.
“A wild biker party, huh?”
He smirked. “Not too wild. Ol’ ladies will be there. Viper’s ol’ lady is pretty…well, let’s just say she’s pretty uninhibited, so it’s probably middle of the road as far as our parties can get. Probably a step above family barbeque and a step below naked frat party.”
That got her laughing. Going would be such a mistake. But it would also distract her from her annoyance at Chris. And she’d meet some new people. Have some fun. Maybe Shell would even be there.
“Come with me,” he said, running his hands up her arms until he cupped her shoulders.
She couldn’t help it, she shivered and her gaze cut to those tanned hands where they rested against her lighter skin. They were strong, roughened, and felt heavenly coasting over her. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“No funny business, I promise.”
She tilted her head. “Just some light flirting, huh?”
The playful grin was back. “That’s right. Scout’s honor.”
Toni snorted. “Right.” Say no. Say no. “Okay.”
Now his grin was one of victory. “You ever been on a bike?”
She shook her head and bit her bottom lip to keep from telling him how much the thought of it excited her.
“You’ll love it. Not that I want anything to cover those sexy stems of yours, ever, but you’d better throw on some jeans. Riding in shorts isn’t fun, especially the first time.”
“Okay.”
“And make ’em tight. If we’re gonna have a look-but-don’t-touch rule for that ass, I want to at least have the best visual possible.”