Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78237 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Damn, I hate that she’s making an odd sort of sense. “So, basically, set a trap?”
“Exactly,” she smiles. “The key is using the right bait to lure the mole to the surface. The risk is too great otherwise.”
I hate the idea that someone we let close to our MC might be betraying us, but now isn’t the time to let sentimentality get in the way of finding out who that is. We can mourn him later. Right now, the goal is to identify the mole and his motives.
“You’re pretty smart, you know that?”
Her cheeks blush prettily in a way I didn’t even think women still possessed.
“I have my moments. I hope it helps.”
Unable to resist the way her pink tongue slips out to slick across her lips, I round the stainless steel table and cross to her, cupping her face in my hands.
“I think it will help. Thank you, Maven.”
Before she could tell me that she didn’t do anything, I take her mouth and kiss her soundly, deeply, and with all the desire I have for her, pouring it into her. I want this woman to know that she’s special, that she’s more than a few mistakes.
“Oh, God, will you two get a room?” Willow says, clearing her throat loudly.
Willow’s words pull us apart, but our gazes remain on each other, neither of us able to look away after another breath-stealing kiss.
“Technically, this is a room,” I tell Willow with a grin. and finally, we both turn to her.
“I’ll let you get away with that, but only because I want one of your biker brothers.”
I laugh. “Any one of them or a specific one?”
She shrugs. “I mean, you’re all pretty damn hot, so I don’t mind sampling a few before making a decision.”
Her words draw another laugh from me, and I fling an arm around Maven and drop a kiss on top of her head before returning to my unfinished dough.
“My advice is to be bold where it counts. If you see someone you like, tell him. Buy him a drink. Offer him a BJ.”
Willow laughs. “On-demand blowjobs isn’t what I had in mind this early in the game.”
“It’s just one of many options open to you. Better hurry, though. My brothers are falling like flies.”
Willow hip checks me out of the way. “I’ll ignore the comparison of women to shit, but only because that hot Viking is asking for you,” she smiles and shoos me toward the door.
Grateful for the escape from playing matchmaker for my brothers, I rush to the door.
“I’ll be back,” I say and leave with a smile on my face. Baking with Maven is more satisfying than I thought it would be when Ace gave me the job, but her treats are on point, and her company is all I crave these days.
I find Stone out in front of For Goodness Cakes, enjoying a smoke with a man who is at least ninety years old. He points his joint at me and grins.
“You must be Maven’s man if you’re here this early?”
“What makes you say that?”
He shrugs and points at Stone. “Like I was telling this young buck, Maven leaves leftovers in those fancy boxes for me in the alley, and I come around in the evening after I’ve gotten a few coins for cans and bottles. Seen a few sketchy sorts around.”
“What does sketchy mean?”
The old man shrugs. “Peeking around, not like robbers but like they were looking for weaknesses or somethin’. Casin’ the place. Don’t know, but it just didn’t sit right with me, and I know Maven can be too naïve for a woman her age. Figured you boys wouldn’t be.”
“Thanks for the heads up,” I tell the old man and hand him a twenty-dollar bill. “You see anything else that don’t set right with you, let me know.”
He pockets the cash with a grateful nod. “Just keep Maven and this gem of hers safe, and we’re good.” He pushes off the curb slowly and stands with a grin. “Thanks for the joint. Haven’t had grass that good since the seventies.”
Stone and I watch the old timer shuffle off across the parking lot. “You think it’s the Iron Kings?”
I nod. “I know it’s not Cyrus,” I confess and look over my shoulder just to make sure we’re alone. “Where’s Joaquin?”
“Around back to make sure all the outer cameras are still in place.”
“If this isn’t about your girl, it’s about you or the MC,” Stone says in his patented serious tone.
“Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking too.” Which means I have put my feelings on hold and focus on keeping Maven safe.
Then, I can focus on making her mine.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Maven
I look at the free-standing white brick structure and shake my head. “Oh, no, I don’t think so, Wilder.” I shake my head again and take a step back toward the street.