TORTURE ME_ The Bandits MC(120)

I gently stroked her arm and hand. “Nothing is going to change what happened, or how I feel,” I told her, sweetening my tone so she’d believe me.



“I know. I’ve told myself I’m just being silly,” she admitted.



“It’s okay, but wait for me to finish eating,” I told her. “I want to go down there with you.”



“I really think I should meet with him alone,” she said in a serious tone. “I think I stand a better chance getting him to talk that way.”



I stared into those deep green eyes, unable to tell her the real reason I was keeping her from going downstairs to resume questioning Dimitri. I knew if I told her I had a couple of guys persuading him to talk to her, she’d probably try to call it off again. Luckily, if it did come to that, I knew the sex would give me at least a little leverage. While I wouldn’t have to say anything, I hoped she would be a little less likely to just jump up and walk out now that we’d slept together.



“I certainly agree,” I told her, taking a bite of my omelet. “I just want to be down there in case anything happens. I want to be able to get to you quickly.”



“I’m flattered you want to protect me, but I can handle myself,” she said. “Especially in a room with a man tied to a chair.”



“Don’t underestimate Dimitri,” I warned her. “He’s not as compliant and weak as you think.”



“You keep telling me that,” she said, challenging me. “I haven’t seen it yet.”



“Yet being the operative word.”



She got up to leave. “Look, just come down there when you’re finished,” she said, starting to walk away.



I grabbed her arm, and the feel of her soft, delicate skin under my grip sent a jolt of pleasure through me. I wanted her again. “Sit down,” I told her, covering my full mouth with my other hand. “Why are you in such a hurry to go down there this morning?”



“Why are you trying so hard to keep me here?” she snapped back.



I realized I was all out of answers. “Just sit with me for a minute,” I told her.



She sat back down, but I could tell I was losing her.



“What’s with you this morning?” I asked her, knowing I was asking for a fight.



“What do you mean?”



“Why are you being so headstrong and argumentative?”



She cocked her eyebrow. “So, that’s what last night was about? Here I thought we’d connected, and you were just using the sex to make me more compliant.”



I laughed and shook my head. “No, that’s not why last night happened,” I told her. I opened my mouth to tell her that I’d wanted her since the first time I saw her. I wanted to tell her that I wanted her because she was so different from anyone else I’d ever been with. But the words were lost to me. I just shook my head and finished my breakfast.



“Let me guess. You don’t think you can tell me in front of everyone here,” she snapped.



Juarez and Chase walked up to the bar and ordered drinks, saving me from having to explain myself any further to her.



Julia stood up and narrowed her eyes at me in anger. “You’re a coward, Gage,” she said, storming off and going downstairs.



I didn’t try to stop her this time. I just hoped that what the guys had left her wasn’t too upsetting for her to find. I glanced up at the guys. Chase nodded and tapped Juarez on the shoulder as he walked over.



“It’s done,” Chase said, sitting down at the table.



“We’re pretty certain he’ll break down the next time he talks to your girl,” Juarez added, taking a sip of his beer.



“Well, let’s hope he gives us something soon,” I agreed. “Otherwise, we’re going to have to let him go.”



“Let him go?” Chase asked.



I ran a thumb across my neck.



Chase smiled. “I was hoping that’s what you meant.”



“Yeah, we can’t keep him around too much longer,” I said.



“You think your girl’s going to say something?” Juarez asked.



I wasn’t sure. I had hoped that by allowing the connection between us to grow, I’d be able to guarantee her loyalty, but it just made it seem like she thought she had me under her thumb. Not the other way around.



“Can’t trust her, can you?” Chase asked.



I sighed. “I don’t know, guys. I just don’t know.”



“That’s a damn shame, too.” Juarez looked down and shook his head.



“You’re telling me,” I said with a laugh.