Page 112 of Intolerable Bishop

“I’m Shiver.”

He smiled and glanced at my outfit. “Yes, you are.”

“Okay, enough of that shit. Get away from my girl,” Theo said, tucking me into his side. Rip smirked and then laughed.

“And protective. This one is serious business. I’ve got a spot over there by the stage. All the guys are there,” Rip yelled and pointed. Theo nodded. “You better not leave this one alone. She might just get scooped up by a real racer.”

“Get the fuck out of here. I’ll wipe the streets with you any time,” Theo said, and Rip wiggled backward, his hands up before turning around and walking away, his girls scampering after him. “Fucking dick. He doesn’t mean that, you know, he’s all talk.” I nodded. “You thirsty?”

“Sure,” I said, and he laughed. Holding my hand, he walked ahead of me, making a path as we snaked through the throngs of people. This place was way over fire code. Another round of cheers went up as a Calvin Harris song was incorporated. There was a small gap at the bar, and Theo let go of my hand so he could lean in and order drinks. I turned to look at the stage and was sucked in by the music as I wiggled back and forth. I loved it when new and older songs were blended like this.

I feel so close to you right now. It’s a forcefield. I wear my heart upon my sleeve like it’s a big deal.

I mouthed the words and found myself entranced by the DJ, who was now jumping around as I tapped my fingers on my leg along with him. The music was so loud that it practically vibrated right through me. At any other time, I would’ve worried that was bad for me, but not tonight. Tonight was all about just having fun for a change.

Lady, I just feel like I won’t get you out of my mind. I feel love for the first time, and I know that it’s true by the look in your eyes.

I finally gave in, put my hands in the air, and began to dance. A hand grabbed my ass, and I jumped, knowing it wasn’t Theo. That wasn’t his style. My hand was on the move as I whipped around and smacked the guy across the face as hard as I could. My hand stung, and I could see the disapproving look Nash would give in my mind for not doing it the way he showed me. But the guy’s head still snapped to the side as he took a half step back. Balling my fists, I glared at him, ready for him to try it again.

“Bitch,” he said loud enough that I heard him over the music.

“Don’t touch me,” I said.

Not getting the hint, he reached out to grab my arm, and I jerked away. The tips of his fingers brushed my skin. I was so focused on the dickhead who thought he could just assault people that I didn’t notice Theo until his fist connected with the asshole’s jaw.

Did I know that Theo was as deadly as the other guys? Sure. But, like his Murk image, it was hard to picture him in a fistfight until you saw it. The fight with Blake didn’t count. This was feral Theo as he grabbed the front of the guy’s shirt and landed three more blows, walking him backward before riding his body to the ground and continuing to hammer his face. The group around us stared at what was happening, but no one made a move to interfere. Jesus, he was going to kill him.

I grabbed his arm, and he snarled at the barely conscious guy but stopped hitting him. He wiped the blood on his hand off on the asshole’s shirt and then pointed at him. “Don’t fucking touch my girl again.”

Theo stood and wrapped his arm around my waist, his eyes never leaving the guy as his buddies helped him to stand.

“Fuck, that’s Murk,” one of the guys said. “Apologize.” The friends looked mortified, and I now had to wonder just how famous Theo really was in this world I knew so little about.

“Sorry, man, I didn’t think she was with anyone.”

“I don’t give a fuck what you thought. Do it again, and you’ll find out what happens to those who touch what’s mine.”

My throat ran dry as I looked up at Theo, who was the biggest mystery I’d unraveled so far. He was a complex combination that needed a hundred adjectives to describe and still wouldn’t come close to the truth behind the fake glasses and the intelligent green eyes.

As the small group turned and walked away, Theo took me by surprise again. He cupped my face and kissed me like a man possessed. The room was spinning by the time he stopped.

“Sorry about that. No one will touch you again.”

I could only nod. He picked up the two drinks on the bar that I’d completely forgotten about and handed me mine before taking us toward Rip and his friends. I roughly counted sixteen guys and almost double that in girls. Some looked like racers from the way they sat and carried themselves. There was a real distinction between the racers and people just along for the ride.

A couple who had been lounging jumped up when Theo walked over, and as he sat down, he pulled me onto his lap. Everyone was parked on brightly colored bean bag chairs, chatting with those around them, but Theo ignored most of them unless asked a direct question. He alternated between sipping his drink and kissing me the entire time. By the time we left, I felt drunk, but it wasn’t off the single fruity concoction Theo had ordered me. My mind was fuzzy with desire while my body tingled, my ears rang, and my lips were tender and swollen from the constant abuse.

I screeched as we reached the car, and Theo pushed me up against it, his body trapping mine as he kissed me again.

“When we get back to the hotel. I’m going to fuck you hard, and then we’re going to enjoy the jacuzzi. Any arguments?” I shook my head. “Such a good girl,” he growled, and I practically melted into the pavement.

Holy Hell.

AUGUST 15 – MONDAY 3:30 AM

Theo

I needed to get myself one of these things. The endless supply of hot water that filtered in through the jets set on low massaged my back in all the right places. Ren sat between my legs with her head on my chest.