“Magic comes out here a lot to practise. But Magic also cares for the wildlife, so tarpaulins surround the log to catch the glass or shards. Then Magic just gathers them up and empties them into the bin safely. No critters get hurt then,” Pyro revealed. I smiled at this softer side of my boss and loved that Magic cared for the surrounding animals.
“Okay, so what do we do first?” I inquired. Two hours later, I wished I’d never asked that question. Pyro introduced me to the gun we’d be using and explained how to load it and where the safety was. He then took me through cleaning and maintaining it, which took forty minutes. Pyro decided I was good to start using the weapon only when I could repeat everything back. Now, my arms ached from holding the firing position, and I was sure that I’d have aches and pains in my shoulders tomorrow.
But towards the end, I hit one out of three jars, and Pyro was satisfied with my progress. Shooting a gun was far different from what I had believed it would be. The first few times I squeezed the trigger, I’d sealed my eyelids and jumped every time the bullet left the chamber. Honestly, I was surprised at how patient Pyro was, and his teasing took me back to when we were children.
Pyro howled every time I shut my eyes and told me I’d not even hit a barn. I huffed in reply and finally kept my eyes open. Instead, I started squealing when I fired the gun, making Pyro laugh harder. After the last shot at the jars, I flicked the safety on and turned to Pyro. My breath caught in my throat. His blonde hair hung around his face, falling just past his shoulders. Pyro’s blue eyes twinkled, and his lean body was at ease. Pyro’s thin lips quirked up in amusement as he chuckled.
“Well, Bunny, don’t think we ever have to worry about you being a serial killer,” Pyro teased, and I frowned.
“No,” I answered, handing over the gun. Warm hands closed over mine as Pyro pushed the weapon back at me.
“That’s yours to keep. I registered it in your name, so put it in your purse.”
“Mine?” I said with a distasteful look at the gun.
“Yes.” Pyro chuckled again.
“Okay, I’ll keep it in my bag.” I sighed as I began walking back to the gate in the fence.
“Bunny, I’ll come here tomorrow to show you how to use the shotgun,” Pyro mentioned, falling into step with me.
“Magic can show me,” I replied.
“No, if today was this much fun, I’d love to see how you handle that monster.” Pyro snickered.
“Okay, Mr Domineering Dakota,” I hissed, and Pyro froze. As soon as the words left my lips, I wished I could drag them back. Shit, I’d spent too much time thinking about the past, and my guard had slipped. Pyro reached out and gently turned me around.
“What did you say?” Pyro whispered. His voice was both harsh and soft.
“Huh?” I tried playing dumb, but Pyro’s finger was under my chin, forcing me to look up. His gaze raked my face, and I guessed Pyro was trying to place Janey with me. My heart hammered in my chest.
“That name, don’t deny calling me it, Bunny. Where is Janey?” Pyro said more harshly, and my shoulders sagged. My pulse slowed, and I felt relief swamp me. Pyro thought I knew Janey, not that I was her.
“Don’t know. Janey’s gone. I’ve not seen her for months,” I answered. Pyro’s eyes narrowed.
“You were friends?”
“Once, yes. Not for a while, years actually.” I prayed Pyro would buy my story. But I felt a sinking sensation in my gut as Pyro studied me closely.
“Bullshit. Janey didn’t trust easily, and if she told you that nickname, you were close.” Pyro stepped right up into my space, and I gulped. “Where is Janey, Bunny? Why didn’t you admit to knowing her when you saw that poster?”
“Because I’ve not seen Janey for years!” I cried and wrenched myself away. I darted through the gate and headed for the bar. Magic and Alice glanced up, surprised, as I dashed in. Boots bounded behind me, and I stopped and looked over my shoulder. The sun hit me just then, and Pyro froze. I didn’t know what Pyro saw, but I hated the sudden surprised expression that crossed his face. Magic coughed, and I spun before walking fast towards him. Arms slammed around me, and I was slung over Pyro’s shoulder.
“Magic!” I shrieked. The big man stood there watching as Pyro carried me out of the bar, to my horror. Determinedly, I struggled to make it hard for Pyro to hold me. A large hand slapped my ass, stealing my breath, and I flared up moments later and hit Pyro straight back. Pyro dumped me on my feet, and I kicked his shin and began tearing towards the bar. Arms caught me and swung me over a bike. I landed so heavily the breath wheezed from my lungs, and by the time I recovered, Pyro had mounted, arms encircling me.
“Let me go, Pyro!” I yelled, my temper rampaging. Pyro revved the bike and placed his mouth near my ear.
“Oh no, honey. You and I are having a fuckin’ talk. And we’ll be discussing how librarian Janey morphed into fuckable Bunny.” Pyro revved the throttle once again and sped out of the parking lot. Hell, I was gonna kill him! If I survived my first time on a motorbike.
???
Chance was walking from a bay on the forecourt when Pyro and I rode up. He talked to Diesel, who watched open-mouthed as Pyro skidded to a halt outside the Hellfire clubhouse. Pyro swung off the bike and grabbed me, and I got slappy. Pyro rolled his eyes and tried to catch me again as I slapped his hands away.
“What the fuck, Pyro?” Diesel asked, as he and Chance approached at speed.
“Magic’s going to fucking kill you!” I hissed at Pyro, who smirked.
“Baby, if Magic were gonna do anything, I wouldn’t have left the parking lot.”