She pushed him in his chest. “Stop teasing me! I mean it!”
He leaned backward, laughing and loving that he was laughing. “Easy, sweetheart. I’m a bikie, ya know?”
“Stop it!” she shoved him again, and he caught her around the waist, pulled her close.
“Or what?”
She glared at him. “I’ll bite you. I’m a good biter. Just ask Sam.”
“I’d rather find out for myself.” When she didn’t smile, he bent closer. “It’s okay. We don’t choose what does it for us.”
He’d meant to make her feel better, but she stiffened. “Is that how you feel about me? That you wouldn’t choose to be attracted to me if you could?”
Her face was challenging. She wanted him to brush the question off or stay quiet, but he sensed how much she wanted to know the answer. For the first time it occurred to him that she might have doubts. Insecurities. That was ridiculous, but why else would she ask? “You’re gorgeous, Nikki. It’s not hard to want you.”
“But you wouldn’t if you had a choice?”
He frowned. “You know we don’t go together. You said it yourself.”
“Because I’m uptight? Or because you’re a biker?”
“Ex-biker.”
“Ex-biker. I guess I want to know why you’re interested in me. You could have other girls, Daniella. Kelly. I just don’t know why…”
Why you want me.
He could hear the question as clearly as if she’d said it aloud. He opened his mouth and the tightness closed in, a metal snake. No. No words. No talking. Not without tearing his guts open so wide, he’d die. He cleared his throat. “You said you needed my help. What with?”
Nicole blanched. “I was wondering if I could borrow your van tomorrow.”
Noah frowned. “What for?”
“I need to drive to Adelaide and get my things. My clothes and my computer, all my photo albums and old diaries. All the important stuff. I’ll pay for petrol and a service if you’re due. I just need my stuff back.”
Noah’s heart gave a hard squeeze. “Does that mean you’re moving to Melbourne?”
His poker face must be going to shit because Nicole was suddenly wary. “I don’t know, but after that thing in the park, I know I’m done waiting for things to sort themselves out. I want my life to be different and I need to take a step in a different direction. I think this is it.”
“Isn’t there someone you could hire to get your shit?”
“Aaron won’t give anyone a key. He says it’s a security thing.”
Noah snorted.
“Yeah, he’s just holding my stuff ransom. I need to go get it myself while he’s at work. Avoid all the drama.”
“What if he’s changed the locks?”
“Then I’ll break a window.”
Noah raised his brows.
“It’s my house, too! Legally, he can’t do anything.”
Maybe not, but the legality of her breaking in wouldn’t mean her ex wouldn’t flip his shit, and what if he came home early? Found her while she was still in town? “You gonna head up there with Sam or Tabby?”
“God, no. They’ll want to confront him, or egg his car, or put dildos in the letterbox. I can’t worry about myself and them at the same time.”