Imperfectly (Dante’s Nine MC #2)(26)
Author: Colleen Masters

By all rights, I should be livid. Who is he to decide that I’m going to be his from now on? Why should he get to make that decision? I’m sure that if it was anyone else, I’d already be long gone. But the thing is, I want to be Leo’s. I want to feel protected, and powerful, and lusted after all at the same time. I knew that from the second I saw him at the Forty-Five Club. And sure, there’s no way this can be forever. The second I find Kassie and smooth things over between the clubs, it’ll be back to Vegas for me. Back to the Nine.

But for now, for these few glorious days, I certainly don’t mind being the chick on the back of Leo’s Harley.

Leo draws us to a stop before his ride, an impressive and imposing machine. It’s a perfect reflection of the man who rides it: solid, dangerous, and sexy as hell. He swings a denim-clad leg over the bike straps on his helmet. I place a hand on the leather seat, marveling at the fine piece of machinery.

“You gonna just stand there fondling it, or hop on?” Leo asks, handing me a second helmet, “We’ve got places to be, baby.”

“Calm down, Stud,” I smile, lowering the helmet onto my back curls, “I was just appreciating the fine piece of work before me. Oh, and the bike’s nice too.”

“Funny,” Leo drawls, “You get that line from some frat boy ex of yours?”

“I wouldn’t be caught dead dating a frat boy,” I inform him, “Perish the thought.”

“What kind of boy are you dating, then?” he asks, training his eyes on me.

“No kind, at the moment,” I say, peering through my visor, “You checking to make sure I’m single, Leo?”

“Just making sure I won’t have to beat any skinny ass pretty boys when I finally give you what you want,” he says.

“What I want, right,” I reply, “I’m sure you’re totally indifferent about it.”

“I know what I want and I take it,” he grins, “You’re the one in denial.”

“I’m sure that’s it,” I laugh. We share the same sarcastic streak, the penchant for playing both the straight man and the joker, in turn. I’ve yet to see him crack a full, sincere smile, but I hope I get to see it once before my time here is through.

I climb up onto the Harley and press myself against Leo. My legs are spread wide around him, something that my wanting sex doesn’t let go unnoticed. I wrap my arms tightly around Leo’s broad chest, barely able to lace my fingers. I can feel each cut muscle ripple every time he shifts his weight. The black leather of his cut is cool against my skin. The wraith stares out at me with her sinister, temping eyes from between Leo’s shoulders.

“Guess you finally got me,” I whisper to her.

“Hold on,” Leo says, “I don’t go slow.”

“No, you’ve made that abundantly clear,” I say, daring to let my hands slip down toward his crotch.

“Easy there,” he laughs, “I know you’re trying to win this little standoff, but I’ll crash this thing if you start up with that mid-ride.”

“Fine,” I sigh, leaving him be. For the moment.

Leo starts the engine, and at once the bike comes to life beneath us. The way it vibrates is unbelievable—it’s far more powerful than Matthew’s. I hang onto Leo for dear life as the engine’s energy works its way through my body. I’m so surrounded by and run through with sexy, untamable power. It is possible to get off, just by the presence of so much greatness? I’m starting to think so.

We take off into the desert together, retracing the route I just took with Matthew. But it becomes very clear, very quickly, that this is going to be a very different ride. Matthew rode along like a sensible human being, his motion measured and reasonable. Leo is another story altogether. At his command, the Harley races across the desert like a bat out of hell. It’s moving so fast, we’re practically flying. We tear along the back trails, roaring past the sign of the wraith. Once we make it back onto the flat, unpopulated main roads, there’s nothing standing in our way.

The pavement stretches out in long, graceful lines before us. We roar along, alone beneath the infinite sky. I feel tiny and all-powerful, all at once. But then, that’s what Leo makes me feel when I’m with him—so small, but so mighty. How can I be both things at the same time? It’s a mystery I look forward to unravelling. Especially if that unravelling means undressing the mighty man in front of me, stitch by stitch.

I completely lose track of time, out on the road with Leo. After so many years away from this life, I should be sacred out of my wits to be in the hands of a speed demon like him. But instead, I feel more at home than I have in years. Maybe even a decade. I’ve only officially known this man for a few hours, but I feel so close to him. And not just because I’m clinging to him on as I balance on the back of his bike. He sees right through me, straight through all of the defenses and pretenses I’ve built up along the years. And I love it.

After what feels like no time at all, I spot the greasy spoon where I met Matthew this afternoon. Jesus. Was that only just this afternoon? It already feels like a lifetime ago. Leo guides his Harley up to the squat, dingy diner and cuts the engine. My car is waiting for me in the parking lot, nestled between two battered pickups. As I step down off Leo’s bike, I spot Mae peering through the diner window. She narrows her eyes at the massive form of Leo and turns away in a huff. Guess Declan filled her in on our little situation. She’s an unlikely sentry, but an effective one, I bet.

“Of course you drive the yuppiest cage on the planet,” Leo laughs, shaking his head at my little blue Prius.

“None of your shit, Leo,” I say, handing him my helmet, “Don’t ruin a perfectly nice evening, now.”

“Aww,” he coos, peering down at me, “Did you have a fun time with your big bad biker?”

“My big bad biker, huh?” I ask, making my way over to my car, out of sight from any diner dwellers, “I didn’t realize I’d made such an impression on you.”

“That’s right,” Leo says, following me into the shadows, “If you’re going to belong to me, then I’m yours, too.”

“Unless you feel like screwing someone else?” I say.

“Details,” he mutters.

“So if any of the other guys try to fuck with me…?” I begin.

“They wouldn’t dare,” Leo growls, “But if they did, I’d have every right to end them.”