Goldie(Night Rebels MC Romance Book 4)(24)

The rustling grew louder. She pulled at the door, flung herself onto the driver seat, slammed the door, and locked it. Rushing blood to her temples made her head feel like it was about to explode.

A burst of movement frightened her, and she cried out just before she saw the white tip of a tail peeking out from the bushes. Glowing honey-colored eyes stared at her as the fox scurried across the street, disappearing into the darkness in a flash. Nervous giggles erupted from her as she loosened her grip on the steering wheel. It was only a fox. It must be the wind that's spooking me. Gulping in and releasing a couple of deep breaths, she turned on the ignition and pulled away from the curb. As she made a U-turn, a smudgy outline of a man stepping from the bushes filled her peripheral vision.

After clearing the turn, she stopped her car and looked at the bushes across the street. No one was there. Were my eyes playing tricks on me? I could've sworn I saw someone coming out of the bushes. Icy chills spread through her as she slowly drove away. Someone was there; her gut told her as much. But who? Nolan? The guy was shorter than Nolan. Why was he there watching me? He was probably a perv. The thought of a stranger staring at her from behind the greenery made her stomach twist.

When she reached the house, the wind had picked up substantially, howling around the darkened neighborhood. Shadows she never noticed before at night loomed everywhere, taunting, teasing, and scaring the hell out of her. Even the Victorian, which she loved, appeared gloomy and foreboding that night.

Taking out her phone, she dialed Goldie's number.

"Hey." He sounded surprised it was her; detachment laced his voice.

She didn't care. "I'm like super spooked right now."

Immediately his tone changed to concern. "What's going on?"

"I don't know. Nothing, probably, but I'm in my car in front of my house, and I'm petrified to get out and walk to the front door. I wish my aunt would've added a garage."

"Okay. Is it the wind that's freaking you out?"

"Maybe. But that man watching me from the bushes started all of this."

"Whoa. What man? What bushes? I'm on my way. Keep talking."

"I was super busy at the floral shop and ended up staying later than I normally would. When I was trying to find my car keys, I heard a lot of noise and stuff from the park. I had a real strong sense someone was watching me. It creeped me out. As I was getting ready to leave, this fox ran out from the bushes, and I thought that was the end of it. I hung a U and then I saw a man standing by the bushes as I passed the park. It totally freaked me out. When I turned to get a better look, he wasn't there, but I know I didn't imagine it."

"Did it look like your ex-asshole?"

"No. Nolan is really tall, like over six feet. This guy looked about five nine or so." The rumble of his motorcycle broke through the groaning wind and washed over her, bringing comfort. She jumped from the car and rushed over to Goldie, throwing herself into his waiting arms.

He rubbed her back and held her close. "Fuck. You're shaking like a leaf. Did you get a good luck at the fucker?" She shook her head and buried it into his chest. "Let's go inside. I felt a couple of drops on me." He led her up the stairs and she opened the door.

Sitting on the couch, she watched him as he walked around the main floor, tugging at the windows. "What're you doing?"                       
       
           



       

"Making sure everything's locked up." When he pulled at the side window in the dining room, she gasped as it flew open. He turned around. "You left this one unlocked."

"I didn't. I always check before I leave. I kind of got in that habit when I lived alone in Albuquerque. I could swear the window was locked this morning." Her mind reeled backward to that morning. She'd been in a big rush since she'd overslept and had to meet a bride-to-be and her mother. Did I check the windows this morning? She couldn't remember. Stretching out her legs on the couch, she said, "Maybe I forgot to do it this morning. I was in a hurry. But even so, I never open that window, and I know it's been locked every time I check it."

"Do you know how easy it is to break into this old house? I could get in here in less than a minute. I'll send Army, Skull, and Chains over in the morning to help me change all the locks on the windows and doors. You really need an alarm, but I know that's your aunt's call. Talk to her about it. In the meantime, we'll make it hard to break in here. I bet the windows in the basement are for shit. I'll run down and check."

"Don't go down there," she said, goose bumps carpeting her skin.

He jerked his head back. "Why not?"

She pulled at a loose thread on the couch. "I don't know. I guess I watch too many horror movies, but whenever someone goes in the basement on a windy, dark night, something always happens."

He came over to her and leaned down, tipping her head back with his finger. "You're too damn cute. Nothing's gonna happen to me. If the bogeyman's down there, he better be scared of me." He brushed his lips across hers. "I'll be right back."

She watched him go, nervousness and fear crackling around her. After what seemed like a very long time, Goldie came back into the living room. "All secure in the basement and here. I'll check upstairs." He rushed up, then came back about ten minutes later. "Seems like the only one unlocked was the window in the dining room. You feeling better?" He went over to the window and glanced out.

"Do you see something?" she whispered.

"No. The rain's coming down hard. You got any beer?"

"I'll get you one."

When she came back into the living room, Goldie had a fire sparking in the fireplace. She smiled and handed him the beer. "I love a good fire. And tonight I'm chilled to the bone. I'll be right back. Make yourself comfortable."

"I haven't been in here since you guys moved to New Mexico." He went over to the couch, kicked off his boots, and plopped his feet on the coffee table.

Aunt Patty would freak out if she saw him. She went upstairs, peeled off her clothes, and took a quick shower. She slipped a long fuzzy nightshirt on and padded down the stairs. She loved seeing him in her space. He made her feel comfortable, safe, and breathless all at the same time. Hailey sat on the couch and tucked her feet underneath her.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

She nodded. "I really did think I saw someone. Though the streetlights were so dim that it was hard to see much."

"There's been power outages all over town. Every time we get a bad storm, the streetlights start acting up. It's so weird. And I'm positive you saw someone. One thing I've learned over the years is that you gotta listen to your gut. You know, that inner voice that tells you when things aren't right. The question is who was it? Was it just some damn perv who gets off on watching women, was it someone who was going to harm you, or was it someone you know?"

She rubbed her arms up and down. "I only know one thing-it wasn't Nolan. Whoever it was made my blood run cold. I got a real bad vibe about him. I don't know." She shuddered.

He grasped her arm and tugged her to him. She willingly went, and he cocooned her in his embrace. She nestled into him, inhaling the scent of leather, wind, and antiseptic. Her hand fell loosely around his waist. She couldn't believe how taut his muscles were. "Were you working when I called?"

"Yeah." He kissed the top of her head.

"I'm sorry if I interrupted you."

"You don't need to ever apologize for my help. I told Ryan I'd watch out for you."

See? You're making his kindness to be much more than it is. Again. When are you going to learn? Him being here is all about Ryan and their friendship.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

She froze. There was no way he could read her thoughts. "Nothing. Why?"                       
       
           



       

"You stiffened up on me."

"Oh. I was just thinking that it's probably a drag for you to keep watch over me. I mean, I don't hold you to your agreement with Ryan."

"Did I say it was a drag?"

"No …  but I'm sure there are women you'd rather be with right now. You don't have to stay. I'll be fine."

"I want to be with you. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep."

"Just to make sure I'm safe, right? Of course. That's why you're here."

He tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her head back so she was looking straight into his smoldering gaze. "You know that's not the whole reason."

The intensity of his stare sent shock waves straight to her core. "It isn't?" she breathed.

An intense heat sizzled between them. "No. It isn't." He pressed his mouth on hers, his kiss searing her lips. Letting go, she fell into the kiss, parting her lips, coaxing his tongue to invade. Whimpering in anticipation, she trailed her hands around his body, feeling each line, each ripple of his perfect physique. He delved his tongue inside her mouth, tangling it with hers in a fiery, passionate, and demanding dance. Running her fingers down his spine, she drew him closer until there was no space left between them.