Page 59 of Bad Attitude
“Just trying to get an idea of what I’m getting myself into. Did you mastermind this job, or is it being fed to you? How do you know about it?”
Kurt’s quiet for several seconds, while the tension builds. Declan’s knee presses against mine, his hands resting on his thigh. I don’t look at him, but I can tell he’s still relaxed, unbothered by the weight of Kurt’s gaze.
“Strange question for a rider,” Kurt says at last.
Declan doesn’t hesitate. “You know I’m more than that.”
Kurt nods. “I do. You want into the planning? Is that it?”
“For something this big, shouldn’t all of us be in at the ground level?”
“It’s a trust thing,” Kurt replies slowly. “Let me think on it. Meanwhile, the jewelry store. Are you in or out?”
Declan doesn’t reply. Instead, he turns to me. “Are you in?”
“Yes.” Why is he askingme?
“Good.” His hand comes down on my thigh, like he’s showing solidarity. And it stays there while he answers Kurt. “Then I am too.”
The eyes of everyone are on Declan’s hand, on my leg. Then they look away. Declan’s hand stays where it is, and it’s very warm through my leathers.
He hasn’t given Kurt his loyalty; with that simple act, he’s given it tome. What does that mean? Will Kurt accept it?
Half an hour later, the briefing is done, the plan for Sunday set up. Two nights from today. The rush of adrenaline of another job mingles with my background arousal that isn’t even background anymore, not with Declan’s hand on me for all that time. Even when he gestured to make a point, his hand came back, and I missed it while it wasn’t there.
“We done?” Cole asks, stretching his arms out. “I’m going to hit the gym.”
“I’ll come with you,” Dario says, getting up.
Kurt’s watching me, and Tasha’s making notes on her laptop. I’m not sure Cammy isn’t asleep; she’s sunk so far into that beanbag and her eyes are closed.
Declan doesn’t move while Cole and Dario collect their things and leave, his hand still on my leg, like he’s pinning me. Or claiming me. Marking me?
That image gets me up, and I carry my coffee cup back into the kitchen, stomach squirming as much as my thoughts. What do we do now?
Declan is talking to Kurt when I walk back out, but he breaks off, looking atme. “Ready?”
For what? To fall into bed with him again? For the pleasure he’ll bring me? To be hurt, again?
Not really, no. “Yes.”
“Grand. See you Sunday, Kurt, Tasha.”
Cammy’s definitely asleep. She looks kinda cute.
Tasha’s watching me with concern in her eyes, and I give her a reassuring smile back, conscious of Kurt’s gaze burning into me. I ignore him.
Declan leads the way down the stairs and I follow, heart pounding in my chest, palms sweaty. Do I know what I’m doing?
He stops outside, waiting for me. It’s gone eight, dusk falling, the shadows deep. Cole’s and Dario’s bikes are still there; the gym’s in walking distance.
“Would you like to come back to my place?” he asks, voice quiet in the still of the evening. “That way, if anyone leaves come morning, it’ll be you.”
He’s making every effort for me, and damn him if it’s not working.
But is this wise? I can’t think straight.
“I don’t know,” I say, avoiding his eyes. I’ll be lost if I look into them.
