Shafted(Devil's Blaze MC 4)(22)

Her arms around me with her body pressed to my back is fucking perfect. I gotta admit I like the way I feel having her on the back of my bike.





Chapter Eighteen





Bree





There has to be something seriously wrong with me. That’s the only explanation I can come up with. What else could explain how I hate the way Jax bosses me around, yet love it too? Even upset and confused I find myself leaning into him as we glide through the streets of downtown London, Kentucky.

All too soon we’re outside his apartment. He doesn’t speak when he shuts off his bike. I get off, feeling the nerves pulsate through my body. He hops off right after me, still not talking and his face looks angry. I have a momentary thought of just running away, but before my cowardice can win, he grabs my hand—pulling me with him. His steps are hard, solid stomps against the cement, and I’m more convinced than ever he’s mad. I pull against his hold, trying to resist.

“Will you stop! You’re walking too fast for me,” I complain and he looks back at me and suddenly I think it’s not anger…his eyes are heated and the look in them instantly makes my legs weak. Instead of responding he adjusts his speed.

When we make it inside, it takes a minute for my eyes to focus in the dark apartment. Jax walks around me and turns on a lamp that’s by the old sofa in the room. His apartment really is in bad shape, but then it’s not that different from any other home I’ve seen where the man is the only one who lives there. Pop’s place is a real junk fest. There’s things that could be done to this place that would make it feel welcoming, almost homey even. Would Jax flip if I took it on myself to do them? Probably.

“You’re out of school in four weeks,” Jax announces and it takes a few minutes for my brain to catch up with him. Talk about a quick change of thought.

“Close to that. So?”

“I’m not touching you for four weeks, not until you’re out of school Bree. I’m a bastard, but I’m not that big of a bastard.” He deflates me like I’m a balloon.

“I don’t remember you giving me these terms when we discussed this earlier,” I tell him upset and depressed all at the same time. I could tell he was different at the party, and I knew he was doing his best to renege on our bargain, but to hear him state it so calmly makes me want to scream.

“I am now.”

“I see. What if I don’t like the terms?”

“You don’t really have a choice in the matter. They are what they are,” he states.

“I don’t have a choice?” I ask, taken aback.

“That’s what I said. Didn’t stutter, baby girl.”

“Maybe my choice is to just walk away,” I tell him and the very thought hurts me. My friends all talk about being in love and the need they have for their boyfriends. I’ve never had that, until I took one look at Jax. Then I knew. Instantly it hit me. He’s the one—even if he ends up destroying my heart.

He looks me over, not answering. Fear curls inside of me, gripping my heart. I shouldn’t have said that. Now, I’ll have to walk away, because I’m positive he’s not backing down. What’s four weeks? I can handle four weeks, right? I never even wanted sex before Jax.

“Fuck! Women are difficult at any age,” he growls turning away from me. I watch as he rakes his hand over his head. It’s a motion that even in a short time of knowing him I know it’s one he does in frustration. He throws his keys across the room, and I know without even asking that he’s not going to back down.

“I’ll just go,” I whisper, wishing I could rewind everything. What was I thinking? He’ll probably go back and party with that man and woman at the club. Jealousy burns deep inside of me. I make my legs move to the door, even with my heart screaming no.





Chapter Nineteen





Jax





A smart man would let her go. Hearing her footsteps behind me, I know the best thing to do would be to do just that— let her go. When I hear the doorknob turning, that fucking pain in my chest starts again. I don’t want to let her go. That’s my reasoning for turning around. Inside, I think it’s worse than that though. I don’t think I can let her go.

“Bree. Wait,” I tell her and she looks over her shoulder at me, her hand frozen on the doorknob. “Your chance to walk away from me baby came before you offered me that body of yours.” I’m an asshole, but fuck if I care.

“Jax—”

“I’m not giving you my dick until you’re out of school, that’s final.”

“I don’t see—”