Page 13 of Savage Bond

I'm shocked she hasn’t complained about my arm around her waist, but she probably realizes it’s pointless to argue. I’ll get my way, just like I always do.

What she doesn’t realize is if I really thought it bothered her, I’d stay away. But I feel the lingering stares when she thinks I don’t notice. I catch the soft smiles she tries to hide after I make a joke. I see the way she tries to seem angry when I step in and help her, but it’s all fake. She enjoys being around me just as much as I enjoy being around her.

“I have to be at my first customer’s house at eight o’clock. Why?”

“How do you stay up so late all the time?” She peers up at me with a small furrow between her brows.

“I need to know you’re safe,” I murmur.

“Yeah, but how are you not exhausted?” She tugs me to a stop and stares up at me.

“I am exhausted, I'm just used to it, baby. Even the nights I'm not here to walk you home, I'm still awake until I know you’re home.”

“How do you know I'm home?”

“Well, the prospects text me, but even if they didn’t, I’d notice if your loud music didn’t turn on.” I smirk at her as her brows tug together.

“You can hear my music?”

“Yeah, our bedrooms share a wall. I can hear almost everything you do in your room.”

A light blush spreads across her cheeks. I could tease her and embarrass her, but I’d rather leave my comment hanging in the air and make her wonder what all I’ve heard.

“I can turn down the music or use my headphones.” She drops her gaze to the ground and begins walking again.

“Nah, I’ve become so used to it, I'm not sure I’d be able to sleep without it. Maybe that’s part of the reason you can't sleep.”

“No, I fall asleep easily, but I don’t stay asleep. I'm too light of a sleeper. I listen to music so I can't hear the rest of the noise around me. I put it on a timer and within five minutes of my music turning off, something wakes me up. It could be a dog barking or someone yelling, anything breaking through the constant noise is enough to wake me up.”

“Have you tried a sound machine?”

“Nah, that’s what music is for.” She rolls her eyes.

I stop outside of Roxy’s apartment and wrap my arms around her. I bury my face in the crook of her neck and breathe in her vanilla scent. I'm not sure how she always smells like vanilla, but she does.

“Leave the music on all night if you want, it doesn’t bother me one bit,” I murmur as I pull away from her.

“Ok… thanks for walking me home.” She offers me a small smile before turning her back towards me and unlocking her door.

As soon as she’s locked inside, I head inside my apartment and get ready for bed. I'm climbing under the sheets when a song I hate comes on and I let out a loud groan. She knows I hate this song.

Chopper: Change the song, Roxy.

Roxy: What’s wrong with this one? It’s my favorite. Maybe I should play it on repeat.

I chuckle at her sass. Sometimes she’s sweet and soft, other times she’s sassy and tough as nails. I never really know which version I'm going to get, but I'm happy with either one. I know I'm one of the few who get to see both sides.

Chopper: Please? I’m exhausted and if this song gets stuck in my head I’ll never sleep.

She doesn’t respond, but the song changes to one of my favorites. I smile as I close my eyes and think about the sassy woman who owns my heart. I don’t know how to make it happen, but I won't stop until she’s mine. I can’t resist her any longer.

Chapter 10

Roxy

“Hey, baby.” One of the new prospects from a local club, the Sinners, sidles up to the bar and aims a bright smile at me.

I guarantee someone put him up to this. One of the patched club members probably told him I was interested or kept looking his way. They encouraged him in some way to come flirt with me. They want to see how far he’ll get before either I punch him in the face, or he backs down.