Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31905 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31905 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Baylor had left his hand on my thigh, so he gave it another squeeze. “You have no need to thank me, baby. I’m the kind of man who takes care of what’s his. And you are most definitely mine.”
I barely resisted pressing my thighs together to ease the ache in my core, only because with his hand where it was, he’d know exactly what I was trying to do. “Seriously, you need to stop it with those one-liners that would make perfect teasers for my books.”
He winked at me with a deep chuckle. “Can’t help it if I’m one of your heroes come to life. And even if I could, I wouldn’t.”
“How come?”
“It took a lot of effort to get you to agree to our first date. So I’m gonna take every advantage I can get when it comes to you, baby,” he explained, his dark eyes turning serious.
“There is just going to be no resisting you if you insist on keeping that up,” I mumbled, turning to stare out the passenger side window for the rest of the drive. The last thing I wanted was to arrive at the Hounds of Hellfire clubhouse for the first time with drenched panties.
He laughed again at my reaction but didn’t say anything else until we pulled through the gates of the compound and parked.
While Baylor got my suitcase out of the back of the extended cab, I climbed out of the passenger seat. Glaring at me after he rounded the truck, he growled, “Next time, wait for me. I’ll get your door.”
That confirmed it. He was like my biker kryptonite, impossible to resist. I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be long before I didn’t have to worry about being a virgin romance author anymore. Not when I wanted to throw myself at Baylor every time he said something like that. Which was often.
“Will do.”
I was very aware of the heat of his palm on my lower back as he led me inside the clubhouse. My gaze scanned the space, my lips curving into a grin when I realized it looked similar enough to the ones I had read—and written—about to feel comfortable to me. Then I spotted Violet and Echo at the far end of the bar, and their familiar faces eased my remaining nervousness.
Violet rushed over, her eyes filled with concern. Assuming her distress was twofold, I assured, “Don’t worry. I’m not mad that you told Echo what’s going on. And Baylor said he’ll take care of my stalker, so there’s no need to be freaked out. He’s only known about the guy for like half an hour and already knows more than I do about the situation. He’s got it under control.”
“I’m sure he does,” Echo agreed, wrapping his arm around Violet’s shoulders.
Baylor mimicked his club brother’s action, tugging me against his side. “Damn straight.”
Violet rolled her eyes. “Want me to show you around while Wizard takes your stuff to his room?”
My breath caught in my throat at the realization that I wouldn’t just be staying at the clubhouse while Baylor dealt with my stalker. I’d be sleeping in his room. With him, most likely.
Nodding, I murmured, “Um…yeah, that would be great.”
“I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” Hefting my suitcase higher, he added, “It’s been a while since we polished off those burgers. Need some fuel while I dig into this problem.”
Violet crooked her arm through mine. “You have perfect timing. Ink made his mama’s famous sauce and homemade pasta.”
“Guess I’m treating you to your favorite meal sooner than we planned, baby.” Baylor winked at me before walking away.
“Aw, you forgot to tell me that your second date was going to be Italian.” Violet led me past the row of stools lining the bar and through a door that led to a huge kitchen. Several guys were seated at the tables but only two women, who both stood and hurried over to us.
“You must be Thea. I’m Courtney, Blaze’s old lady,” the one with black hair said as the guy she’d been sitting next to gave me a chin lift.
“And I’m Stella,” the honey blonde added, jerking her thumb toward the other guy with dark hair. “King’s old lady.”
“Nice to meet you both,” I replied, wondering how they already knew who I was.
By the time Violet and Echo finished introducing me to the other Hounds in the kitchen—Ink, Ace, Kevlar, and Edge—Baylor joined us.
“You need us?” King asked him.
“After I take care of my woman,” he replied.
Their byplay was brief and cryptic, but it was just enough for me to guess that his club president had already heard about my stalker. Although I was tempted to ask about it, I remembered what he’d told me about club business and always being honest with me. If I was going to be in a relationship with Baylor, I needed to fit into his world. Which meant trusting him to tell me what I needed to know…and that anything he kept secret wouldn’t hurt me. So I kept my questions to myself while we enjoyed the best spaghetti I’d ever tasted.