Текст книги "Arrow's Hell"

Автор книги: Chantal Fernando

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Текущая страница: 10 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

 SIXTEEN 

DREAD fills my stomach as Rake and Arrow face each other. Why do these men have to act so barbaric? And screw Sin for making me watch it. Arrow pulls off his T-shirt, exposing his smooth, toned chest, and I perk up a little. Faye sends me a knowing smirk before her gaze returns to the two impressive men, staring at each other, waiting for the fight to begin. Rake pulls his shirt off as well, and they both face away from me, talking to Sin. I stare at the dragon tattoos on their backs, both staring at me.

These men live by their own rules, and there is nothing I can do about it. If I want Arrow I know I can’t change him. I have to accept him as he is, and I do.

That, however, doesn’t mean that I will stop being me. It just means that I have to think before I speak.

I’m trying.

Arrow looks over at me just before they get the go-ahead from Sin to start. He lets Rake hit him once, square in the face, then says something to him in a low tone. After that, he gets into the fight. I close my eyes as I hear the sounds of flesh hitting flesh, knowing that, to me, it doesn’t matter who wins this fight. The two men I care about the most are beating the shit out of each other, and all I can do is sit here and let them act like idiots. I hope after they work off all this aggression, Rake can forgive Arrow and let it go. This isn’t the olden days, where he needs to defend my honor because some man took my innocence. Arrow and I haven’t even had sex yet. I look up to see blood dripping down my brother’s face and Arrow’s lip cut open once more. I shoot Sin a dirty look, but he just grins at me.

Why do I want anything to do with these men again?

I stand up and yell at the top of my lungs, “ENOUGH!”

Surprisingly they both turn to me.

“Enough,” I say again, my voice shaky. I grab a first-aid kit from the bathroom, then tend to Arrow’s face. Rake already has two women fussing over him. I gently cup Arrow’s face, lifting it up for me to inspect closely. I don’t like seeing him hurt, even though I now know to expect this kind of shit.

“Fucking stupid,” I mutter to myself, wiping the blood away and checking out the cut. It looks painful, but he is acting like he can’t feel a thing.

He smiles, blood on his teeth. “Nothing like a good fight.”

I wrinkle my nose and look over his ribs. “Anything else hurt?”

He shakes his head and gets on his feet. “I’m fine; now let’s go to bed.”

My head snaps to him. “I’m sorry?”

He smirks. “I’m full of adrenaline, darlin’, and I won the prize. Now let’s go fuck.”

He’s so romantic.

Not.

I look around to see everyone watching us.

“Don’t you all have things to do?” I ask the peanut gallery.

Faye shakes her head and grins.

Arrow, apparently done waiting, lifts me in his arms and carries me bride-style to my bedroom. Throwing me on the bed, he braces himself over me and kisses me, wincing a little because of his cut lip.

“If you’re not up for this, Arrow . . .” I tease, lifting my hips up and feeling just how much he wants it. “I can take care of it myself.”

“No chance in hell, darlin’,” he replies with a smirk, then undoes my jeans and slides them off. Next to go is my black tank top, my bra, and then last of all my panties. I lie there, completely bare before him, but instead of feeling shy, I feel empowered by the look in his eyes.

He likes what he sees, and I like that he likes what he sees.

I lick at my bottom lip. He doesn’t miss the motion.

“So worth the wait,” he says in a low rumble. “So worth it.”

“Glad to please,” I whisper. “Now, your turn.”

He takes off his jeans. He isn’t wearing any underwear.

My mouth waters at the size of his cock, my eyes widening.

Now that is a cock.

Before I’m finished with my perusal, he lies down and rolls me on top of him.

“I want to enjoy this view,” he says as his thumbs swipe over my nipples. “Kiss me.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice.

I lean down and kiss his mouth gently, as his hands wander, not leaving any part of me untouched.

“Love this ass,” he sighs, feeling each cheek and slapping twice for good measure. “I want to be inside you, Anna.”

I want the exact same thing.

“Condom?”

He curses.

“I’m on the pill, if you’re—”

He exhales, eyes on my mouth. “I’m clean, Anna.”

“Jill?”

“Got tested after her, I wouldn’t put you in any danger, Anna.”

Staring into his brown eyes, I nod and take his hard cock in my hand and slide him into me. I’m dripping wet, but I go slowly, the wide girth of him stretching me. I push down, lowering myself on him until he’s completely inside me. His jaw clenches, but his eyes never leave mine, the connection between us stronger than ever before.

“Fuck me, Anna,” he demands, sitting up slightly and capturing a beaded nipple into his mouth. I move forward, my body doing as it’s naturally inclined, lifting myself up and down on his length.

I’ve never felt anything better.

My jaw drops open and my eyes squeeze shut as I just feel, surrendering to the pleasure. Suddenly Arrow rolls us over so he’s on top and starts to fuck me with an intensity that should scare me but doesn’t. It turns me on even more.

“Eyes open, Anna,” he commands as mine fall shut. “I want to see those beautiful green eyes as I’m fucking you.”

I moan in response, spreading my legs wider, silently begging for more, my eyes fluttering open. “Arrow—”

He kisses me, cutting off my begging. My nipples rub against his chest and he reaches down to play with my clit. When he starts to kiss and lick my neck, my orgasm builds to a point of no return. I come—saying his name over and over again, as he continues to pleasure my body with exquisite torture.

Too much.

Not enough.

I wanted more.

I never want him to stop.

When I come back to myself, I study his expression.

He cups my face, staring down at me as he comes, his body jerking above me.

I’ve never seen something so spectacular as his body.

Muscles rippling, covered with a light sheen of sweat, braced above me. His hair falling into his face, his eyes—filled with pleasure—drilling into mine. I pull his beard down, lowering his face so I can kiss his mouth.

He smiles then, and it lights up my world.

Grinding his hips into me, he says, “I want to stay here forever.”

I smile, then lower his head to my breast, which is waiting for attention.

There is no way in hell we are done with each other just yet.

*   *   *

It is official.

I need to increase my stamina.

“I can’t feel my legs,” I complain, sitting up and letting my eyes roam over his naked body. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of the view.

Arrow chuckles deeply. “You’ll get used to me soon enough.”

Gripping my waist with his fingers, he pulls me back to rest against his body.

“Do you think anyone heard me?” I ask quietly, the thought of Rake hearing me making me cringe. “If my brother heard me screaming your name I’m leaving this clubhouse and never coming back.”

“There’s nothing the people around here haven’t seen or heard, so don’t stress over it,” is all he says.

Was I that loud?

I kind of want to die.

I bury my face in his chest and groan. Arrow runs his hand through my hair, gently pulling apart the tangles.

“Does your face hurt?” I ask.

He sighs. “No, it doesn’t.”

“You lie.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Stubborn.”

“Babe, we get into fights all the time. It isn’t a big deal,” he says softly.

“It should be,” I mutter, then press my lips against his chest.

He kisses the top of my head. “You working tonight?”

I nod and pick up my phone. It is three o’clock already.

“Holy shit, we’ve been in bed for hours! Yeah, and Reid will kick my ass if I’m not there.”

“No one’s going near your ass except me.”

I roll my eyes at that, then slide out of bed. “I’m going to take a shower, eat something, then get ready for work.”

Arrow rolls onto his stomach, showing off his tight ass.

“Nice buns.”

He makes a sound of amusement, glancing up at me while I check him out. Moving from that delectable ass, I take in his dragon tattoo and the muscles in his back. “Not bad for an old man.”

He flashes me a boyish grin. “Who you calling old?”

“Not me, that’s for sure.”

He pushes up on all fours, grabs me and pins me underneath him. “Yet you’re the one who couldn’t keep up with me, hmmmm.”

I narrow my eyes. “I haven’t had sex in a while, so excuse me if I was tired after three rounds.”

He presses his lips to mine, his tongue licking—begging entrance. When I open for him, he kisses me hungrily, hands on either side of my face. When he pulls back he looks at me and says, “Can’t wait to be back inside you tonight.”

“Tonight? I’m going back to my apartment after work tonight,” I tell him.

“The fuck you are. You think you can give me one taste, then walk away?”

I purse my lips at his dramatics. “I’m not walking away, I’m going home. I have class tomorrow.”

He tilts his head to the side. “I’ll stay at yours then. After I pick you up from the bar.”

“Fine. What are your plans tonight?”

He lifts an eyebrow at my question.

“What?” I ask.

“You gonna try to demand that I explain my every move now? Because I think you need to know right now that that isn’t me.”

My mouth drops open.

What the hell?

“What are you talking about?” I ask, forehead creasing in confusion. “I just asked what you were doing tonight.”

He nods. “Yeah, a word of advice, darlin’, don’t ask. I’ll be where I tell you I’ll be, and that’s to pick you up after your shift.”

How did he go from sweet to asshole in 2.5 seconds?

I try to push him off me but he doesn’t budge. “I need to go or I’m going to be late.”

“You’re pissed?”

One point for him.

I ignore his question and just shove him again. “Arrow, get off me!” I demand through clenched teeth.

He lets me go, and I quickly get off the bed and head into the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

I guess I was wrong to think that Arrow considered me his equal.

I don’t know if I can be with someone like that.

Turning the shower on, I close my eyes and let the hot water wash over my body as I try to clear my head.

It doesn’t help.

And for the rest of the day, I avoid Arrow.

 SEVENTEEN 

LANA surprises me by showing up at the bar.

I hug her and get her a drink, waiting for everyone to be served before I return and stop in front of her. “I feel like I haven’t spoken to you in ages.”

“I know,” she says. “That’s why I decided to come and see you. What’s been going on?”

I give her a quick rundown, which has her brown eyes wide and a smile playing on her lips.

“So you’re dating Arrow?” she repeats for the third time.

I shrug. “I don’t think dating is the word. Fucking is probably more apt.”

Since apparently I couldn’t even ask the man a freaking question without it stepping over a line.

She downs her drink. “That’s quite a story.”

“I know,” I reply. “Do you want to go out for lunch tomorrow after my morning class?”

She nods. “Sounds good. I’m going shopping with my mother in the morning, but apart from that I have nothing else to do.”

“Why don’t you keep in touch with any of your friends from school?” I ask her.

She shrugs. “After you left I was kind of a loner; I don’t really keep in touch with anyone.”

I frown. “Why?”

She shifts in her seat and looks away. “I guess I just kind of kept to myself, I don’t know.”

Okay, there is definitely a story there, one she doesn’t want to share. I make a mental note to try and get her to open up about it another time. If anyone has hurt my Lana, they better run.

“Their loss,” I reply, meaning it 100 percent.

She smirks into her drink. “Your life is much more interesting than mine.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure that’s a good thing,” I reply, but a small smile plays on my lips. A seriously hot guy with violet eyes and dark hair comes into the bar and chats with Reid and Ryan. He has twin dimples that I find seriously hot, and the perfect amount of stubble on his jaw. I glance at Lana to see her checking him out as well.

“He could make my life more interesting,” she says with a grin.

I exhale. “I have no doubt of that.”

The man glances over at us, and Lana and I quickly look away, Lana’s cheeks burning at being caught. From the corner of my eye, I see him approach. Lana feigns noninterest, staring down at her drink, while I lift my head and offer him a friendly smile.

“Hello,” I say.

“Hi, I’m Dash,” he says, flashing a smile that I’m sure has dropped many panties.

“Anna. And this is Lana,” I say, nodding toward my bestie.

Lana looks up and smiles tentatively. “Hi.”

Dash nods at the seat next to Lana. “Can I sit here?”

Lana glances at me, then nods.

I hide my grin.

“Can I get you another drink, Dash?” I ask.

“I’m good, thanks,” he says, and I take that as my cue to leave, ignoring Lana’s pleading looks.

I go over to Reid and Ryan and stand between them. “Your friend is a hottie.”

Reid ignores my comment, but Ryan flashes me an amused look. The rest of the evening passes quickly. Thirty minutes before my shift is over, Arrow walks in. I’m looking down at the cash register when he enters, but I know he’s there.

It’s like I can feel him.

The atmosphere in the room changes, thickens. I raise my eyes and he’s standing there, arms crossed over his chest and his gaze locked on me. He takes a seat at the corner of the bar. I’m still angry with him, but at the same time I kind of want to rip his clothes off and have my way with him. Maybe the only way to survive Arrow is to be his fuck buddy? It’s clear that a deeper relationship with him doesn’t look like it will ever happen. He’s so closed off, and if he expects me to not even ask him any questions? Yeah, I can’t live like that. I want an open, trusting relationship. A safe place where I can say what I want and be who I am.

I want a partner, not someone who thinks he can control me. I understand with the club there are times I have to back away. I get that. I know that the club business doesn’t really have anything to do with me, but at the same time I’m the one who got kidnapped because of them. Knowledge is power, and without it, I feel like I’m stumbling around a room blind. And then there’s the fact that Arrow’s obviously carrying around some heavy emotions concerning Mary.

I don’t even want to touch that subject.

After ignoring him a few minutes, I walk over. “Beer?”

He nods, eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s how you greet your man when you see him?”

“I’m working,” I reply.

He rakes his teeth over his bottom lip.

I look away and grab him a beer from the fridge. “I’ll be done soon.”

He nods once, then turns to scan the bar. It’s not very busy tonight, with only a few tables filled with people. Lana left about an hour ago, Dash offering to walk her to her car. I wonder what happened there.

I’m wiping down the counters when Reid tells me I can go home. I throw the dishrag down and grab my bag, not looking forward to facing the tension with Arrow. He stands without a word and walks me to the door. He even opens it for me. We walk to his bike and ride back to my apartment in complete silence. I fumble with my keys while Arrow waits patiently for me to unlock the door. I finally get it open and walk in before him. He locks the door while I put the light on and lay my handbag on the table.

“You want something to drink or eat?” I ask, glancing at him before heading to the kitchen.

“No, I’m good,” he replies. “Faye fed me before I went to Knox’s.”

I know that shouldn’t annoy me, but it does. I should be the one feeding him. I push the ridiculous feeling away and head straight for the bathroom, where I take a quick shower and prepare for bed. Arrow is lying on my bed when I walk out, checking something on his phone. He puts it down as soon as he realizes I’m standing here.

“Come here,” he says. A soft, yet firm demand.

Dressed in a long T-shirt and nothing else, I climb up on the bed and crawl to him, then lay my head on his warm chest.

“If you’re pissed at me, you tell me why, Anna. I’m not a mind reader,” he says quietly. “I don’t like the silent treatment or your ignoring me. I know we’re still getting to know each other, so I’m letting it slide this time, but next time, I expect you to open that luscious mouth of yours and tell me what has your knickers in a twist.”

I swallow. “Arrow, I asked you a simple question, like one would ask anyone else, and you shut me down. If you want it that way, why bother to talk at all? Let’s just fuck and then go on our merry way.”

The tension in the room spikes. He’s quiet, but I can actually feel him silently fuming. He’s trying to control it.

“I don’t like being questioned,” he says after a few moments. “At least not by pussy.”

He did not just say that.

I lift my head and try to push myself off his body. “You fucking arrogant jerk—”

He puts his hand over my mouth. “I wasn’t finished. You aren’t just pussy, so you’re right, I shouldn’t have cut out like that. This is new for me too, darlin’.”

“How is this new for you? What about—”

I don’t even want to say her name.

“Mary was different. She didn’t ask questions,” he says softly, cringing slightly. “I’m not trying to upset you by saying that, you know? You’re a different woman—you’re a strong woman, and I like that about you, a lot. I can be myself with you and know you won’t go running scared. Instead, you will give shit back to me in full force. Fuckin’ love that, Anna. Obviously there’s shit I can’t and won’t tell you, and you can’t push me on that.”

I nod. “I get that.”

“Good, then there’s no problem here. Now give me the kiss that you should have given me when you first saw me tonight,” he demands.

I reluctantly give in, leaning over him and pressing my lips to his. He takes over the kiss instantly, taking control. His hand slides up my thigh, and he makes a growling sound when he realizes I’m wearing nothing underneath.

“Came to bed wanting to get fucked, didn’t you?” he rumbles into my ear, biting down on it gently before kissing my neck, licking and sucking just hard enough to not leave a mark behind. I make a needy sound, letting him know I need more. He lifts the T-shirt off me, throwing it somewhere on the floor, and gets up, standing next to the bed, removing his own clothes. I watch his every move, enjoying the view, licking my lips in anticipation. He knows it, giving me a little show, rubbing a hand down his abs and over his erect cock. I think of what Faye said about it “pointing like an arrow” and can’t help the giggle that escapes me. It is literally pointing in my face. Arrow lifts an eyebrow at me, then grabs me and kisses me greedily, wrapping my hair around his hand and pulling gently.

“What’s so amusing?” he asks in a deep voice.

“Nothing,” I pant.

He flips me over and pulls my back to his front. I groan at the skin-on-skin contact, how nice he feels pressed against me. Lips on my favorite spot, the crook between my neck and my shoulder, one hand plays with my breasts while the other one trails lower, stroking me intimately.

“So wet for me,” he murmurs, pulling back, holding my hips and pushing me forward so I’m on all fours. Without further preamble, he slides into me from behind with one smooth thrust that has me gripping the sheets and begging for more.

“Beautiful,” he grits out, and I look behind to see him staring down at where we’re joined. “Touch your clit, Anna.”

I reach down and touch myself, my thighs starting to tremble. Just as I’m about to come, Arrow pulls out, flips me over, and then his mouth is on me, devouring me as I come in his mouth.

“Oh my God,” I pant as I come back to myself.

He leans over me and smiles, his eyes dark and full of passion. “Not done with you yet, Anna.”

I smile as he slides back into me.

 EIGHTEEN 

IF you’re here to kidnap me again, I’m going to be really fucking mad,” I tell Talon when I see him on my front doorstep. “Do you have a death wish? Why are you here?”

I reach into my handbag and fumble for my hot-pink pocketknife.

Talon just smirks at me. “I was in the neighborhood.”

I blink slowly. “Do you visit everyone you kidnap? Or am I special?”

He wets his lips before he speaks. “Just wanted to make sure you were okay and say sorry about what happened. It was fucked-up to bring you into it, but it was my only choice at the time. Know that if there was another way, I would have taken it, okay?”

He looks like he’s serious, like it’s important that I believe him.

I move my hand from my pocketknife to my house keys. “Are you alone?”

He puts his hand in his pocket and nods.

“Why are you really here, Talon?” I ask, my eyes searching his.

He looks down. “I just wanted to talk to you about something.”

“About what?” I ask.

“There’s something I need to explain about—”

It’s then that I hear the rumble of a motorcycle and cringe. “You better get out of here, Talon.”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Just let me fuckin’ say this to you, Anna.”

I narrow my eyes. “Do you want Arrow to beat the shit out of you?”

He scoffs. “I can handle myself, don’t you worry about me.”

I exhale slowly, gathering patience. “It’s not about that. I don’t want any more drama. So please, for me, just go.”

A muscle tics in his jaw, betraying his anger, but he nods and walks off.

Why the hell did I just save the man who kidnapped me?

There is something seriously wrong with me, but my gut instinct is that Talon would never hurt me.

I sigh in relief when I see him disappear on foot through the side of the apartment complex, and unlock my door, waiting for Arrow. He swaggers up the pathway, dressed in all black, tight T-shirt with his cut over it and black jeans. His hair looks damp and combed back, and he’s holding something in his hands.

“Hey, beautiful,” he says as he reaches me, lifting me in his arms and kissing me sweetly.

“Hi,” I say when his mouth finally leaves mine. “What have you got in your hand?”

“Oh, right,” he says, looking down as if only just realizing. “I bought you something. A present.” He looks unsure, which I can’t help but find adorable. “I hope you like it.”

He takes my hand and places the box in my palm, closing my fingers around it. I open my hand and lift it up closer.

“Don’t open it right now,” he says, cheeks heating. “Wait until I leave.” He looks around. “Please.”

I nod and try to hide my smile. “Can you just turn around so I can open it now?”

“Anna—”

“Please,” I say, sticking my lower lip out and giving him my best puppy dog–eyed look.

“Okay,” he says, exhaling deeply. “Open it.”

I open the box and sitting in a bed of velvet is a bracelet. It’s gold and embedded with diamonds. I flip it over, where I see an inscription.

K.A. & A.W.

Killian Arrowsmith & Anna Ward.

Was Arrow a closet romantic?

I glance up at him, amused at his red cheeks and touched by his present. I didn’t need gifts, but the inscription really made it special to me.

“I love it,” I tell him. “Thank you, Arrow. It’s beautiful. Will you help me put it on?” He nods and relaxes, helping me put the stunning piece of jewelry on my wrist. He then guides me into the house with his hand on the small of my back.

“Got some business to take care of tonight, so I can’t stay,” he says. “I just wanted to see you before I had to leave.”

“Okay,” I reply.

“I’d prefer it if you stayed at the clubhouse.”

“Duly noted,” I reply, having no intention of going anywhere.

His eyes cut to me, and his mouth tightens. “Anna—”

“Lana’s coming over later, okay? So I won’t be alone.”

“Ask her to stay the night,” Arrow says, relenting. “Deal?”

“Are you making a deal with me, Arrow? With me? A measly woman? I’m shocked,” I reply in a high falsetto.

“Cute,” he replies, looking amused. “It takes more than a measly woman to get my attention, Anna.”

I take his hand and lead him to the living room, then put the gift he gave me on the coffee table. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was meant as one,” he replies, taking a seat.

“How’s Rake been?” I ask, sitting down next to him. I haven’t seen him since the fight, and even though I’ve called him a few times he hasn’t returned my calls. It hurts like a hole in my chest. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would shut me out after we’d only just reconnected.

Arrow’s eyes soften as he glances at me. “Don’t worry about Rake; he’ll come around. Let him sulk for the time being.”

“My brother doesn’t sulk,” I say, indignant.

“Of course he doesn’t.” Arrow smirks. “You want to go out for dinner?”

“Are you asking me out on a date?”

Arrow’s eyes widen.

He clears his throat.

“Fuck,” he blurts out.

“What?”

“I don’t remember the last time I went on a date,” he admits, looking a little sheepish. “I generally don’t have the time or the need to do anything but fuck.”

“Charming,” I mutter, pursing my lips. “I can see that I’ve picked a real winner here.”

He chuckles. “You didn’t pick me, darlin’. I picked you, and don’t you forget that.”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, please, I wanted you from the first time I saw you.”

“And I wanted you before that.”

“What?” I ask, searching his face. “What do you mean?”

He licks his bottom lip before he speaks. “Rake showed me a picture of you once. It was years ago. My dick got so hard and I knew that I wanted you even then.”

My eyes flare. “From a picture?”

“From a picture,” he deadpans. “You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. And it fuckin’ sucked you were his sister.”

I make a scoffing sound. “Didn’t stop you though, did it?”

He pushes me back, laying me across the couch. “I always get what I want, Anna. Best you realize that now.”

“It’s cute that you think so,” I tell him, feeling amused. “That was obviously before you met me.”

His lip twitches. “Full of sass, Anna. Maybe I should fuck some of it out of you?”

My heart races. “You could try.”

He lowers his face and kisses my jawline. “I think you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

My breath hitches as he kisses below my ear, then down my neck. When his warm breath blows over my nipple, through the thin cotton of my T-shirt, I moan out loud.

“Do you know what I want right now?” he asks softly.

Hopefully the answer to that involves his mouth and my pussy.

“What?”

He lifts his head and grins at me. “To go out to dinner. I’m fuckin’ hungry.”

I slap at his shoulder. “If you don’t make me come right now, Arrow, I’m not going to be very good company!”

He smirks. “I’m just playing, I’d never leave my woman wanting. Never.”

Thank goodness for that.

When he chuckles I realize I’d said that out loud. Sitting up I pull off my T-shirt and unclip my bra, throwing them both on the floor.

“Eager, are we?” he asks with a teasing glint in his eyes.

“Less talking, more fucking!” I tell him, throwing myself at him and kissing him passionately. He groans and cups my ass, pulling me closer against his body.

It hit me then.

It hit me hard.

I’ve fallen in love with Arrow.

I love him, but I know I shouldn’t.

Shutting my thoughts off, I concentrate on the man himself, on his tongue in my mouth, on his hand sliding down my leggings.

I lose myself in him, so I don’t question myself.

So I don’t ask myself if I think he can ever love me back.

Because I’m not sure I want to know the answer.

“Take off your clothes,” I practically growl as I take my mouth away from his. “I want you, now.”

“I give the orders here, Anna,” he rumbles deeply, then lowers his head to my nipple.

Okay, I could work with this.

Eventually, after he gives me the best foreplay of my life, he removes his clothes.

And then he makes love to me.

*   *   *

After dinner Arrow waits with me until Lana arrives. With a long kiss he leaves, and I turn to face Lana, who is watching me with a knowing look on her face.

“Now that was a kiss,” she says, pushing her glasses up on her nose.

“Indeed,” I say, watching Arrow’s retreating back for a moment before closing and locking the door. “What happened with Dash the other night?”

We wander into the living room, my face flushing slightly as I remember what happened in here just hours before. I sit down on the spot where we had sex, just so poor Lana doesn’t have to sit there.

“He walked me to my car and asked for my number. I gave it to him, and we’ve been texting and calling, but . . .”

She trails off. Who are we talking about again? Oh, Dash.

“But what?” I ask.

She cringes. “Tracker’s been calling me as well.”

My head snaps to hers. “That’s right. I wanted to ask you how you had each other’s numbers.”

She raises an eyebrow at me and plays with the end of her ponytail. “He got it from your phone. You must have left it lying around somewhere.”

“That jerk,” I grumble. “What does he message you? I love Tracker like my own brother, but he’s not done with Allie—she’s still living in the clubhouse. Don’t get involved in that mess; I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“He just needs a friend, Anna,” Lana says softly.

“Hey, I’m his friend,” I mutter.

She giggles at that. “We’re just friends, don’t have an Anna attack. I wouldn’t be with someone who has a girlfriend; I’m not a home wrecker.”

I start to laugh. “An Anna attack? I haven’t heard that since grade school.”

She leans back and grins. “Every time you lost your temper . . . There was no other word for it.”

“Ha!” I say loudly, making her jump a little. “Look who’s talking, little innocent Lana. I’ve seen you lose your temper, and it’s not pretty. Hell, even I’m scared.”

Her face goes red. “The difference between us is, you lose your temper every day. Mine is more like once a year.”

That was the truth.

“Well,” I say, crossing my legs under me, “your annual tantrum is worse than all of mine put together. Everyone runs for cover. Have you used up your tantrum quota for the year? I should sic you on Allie.”

We both laugh at that.

“What do you want to do tonight?” she asks.

I give her a Duh look. “Watch Outlander and perve on Jamie Fraser, of course.”

She grins. “Good thing I brought my pajamas for the occasion!”

“What pajamas?” I ask, perking up.

She gets her bag and pulls out a sleep top that reads “I’d rather be sleeping with Jamie.”

My eyes go wide. “I need that, like now.”

She rolls her eyes. “I got you a set. Obviously.”

“I love you,” I tell her on a sigh.

“I love you too,” she replies. “But I don’t think you should wear these around Arrow.”

I smirk, picturing his face. “I think you might be right on that one.”

We settle in for the night, some good old quality Lana time.