Her blush deepened.
Lucas groaned and headed for the door. "I can see you're just as smooth as ever with the ladies."
"I do have a gift," Bear said amiably, reaching for Nessa's hand. When she tried to tug free, he just held on tighter. Man, she was fun to play with. He'd like to muss her all up-see that mass of dark hair spread out over a pillow. Or his lap. "Has it stopped raining?"
"Yeah. I have a four-wheeler around the corner but no top on it yet." Lucas grinned. "Had to cut the engine to sneak up on the cabin. Didn't know it was you."
"You did a good job," Bear said, all but dragging Nessa onto the porch.
"I'm not sure-" she started.
He stopped and looked at her shoes. Man, he'd love to see her in nothing but those dangerous spikes. "You're right." Leaning in, he lifted her against him. "Those things will stick in the mud."
She yelped and slapped a hand against his chest. "What in the world are you doing?"
"Walking." Bear ignored the curious look on his buddy's face as he strode down the worn steps for the trail. Man, she felt good in his arms. Almost too good.
Lucas followed behind. "You forgot shoes."
Bear looked down at the mud covering his feet. "Well, shit."
Chapter 5
Nessa settled on Bear's lap on the four-wheeler. The thing definitely had four wheels. The seats were leather, the engine quiet, and the mud-everywhere. His big frame encircled her, keeping her easily in place as Lucas drove much too quickly down an incredibly dark trail. "Don't you need shoes?" she asked, trying not to curl right into Bear's hard body. His muscle mass was already increasing to normal, but he had a long way to go internally.
"I have boots at the club," he said, his breath hot on her ear. "They're probably still where I left them."
She swallowed.
The night air whipped at them, but his body gave off enough warmth that she barely felt the chill. He tugged her closer, giving her no choice but to be right where she really wanted to be. She settled her face against his neck and let her body relax into his hold.
"There you go," he rumbled, tucking her more safely against him.
This was insane. She'd heard rumors that Bear was crazy-yet she hadn't seen that in him. And while he seemed to take his time, he was more deliberate than slow. How many people had he charmed with his easygoing facade? Did it really hide a killer? She stiffened.
"Relax, baby," he whispered, his big hand spread across her back. "You're safe."
She barely stopped herself from scoffing. Safe? Yeah, right. Not. Not even close. He had no clue. "Thanks," she whispered back.
What would it be like to really belong with a male like him-if he was a good guy? He didn't kiss like a good guy, and that's why the kiss had been so incredible.
Lights soon came into view. She turned her face just enough to see the back of Bear's sprawling clubhouse and garage. "I've never been to a motorcycle gang party," she said. Was her outfit all right?
"Club. Motorcycle club," Bear said, sitting straighter. "We'll grab my boots and then head to the party. Drop us by the office, Lucas."
Lucas nodded, yet another male of few words. He whipped the vehicle around the side of the building, and they landed on wet pavement. "There you go."
Bear stood, still holding her.
She looked around. Big garage doors took up nearly a block, while the wide-open windows of a clubhouse showed a party in full force: dancing bodies, loud music, and the smell of tequila. "Oh my."
Bear chuckled and moved toward a man-sized door that he nudged open with his hip. He set her down gently inside. "Give me a sec to wash off my feet with the hose. I'll be right back."
She found herself inside a room smelling of dust and paper. Fumbling for the light switch, she gasped when her fingers flicked it on and the area was illuminated. Papers, manila envelopes, and file folders covered every surface. A desk seemed to take up the far wall, with a couple of mismatched chairs stuck around it. A fan spun in the corner, and papers on top of a battered metal file cabinet ruffled from its wind. Even the floor was covered in loose papers.
Bear ambled inside.
She moved to calm him. "I think you've been robbed."
He looked around and frowned. "Robbed? What do you mean?"
She paused. "Well, this room." She swept her hand out at the complete disaster. "Somebody tossed the place."
Bear grinned. "Nope. This is exactly how I left it."