Page 19 of Savage Bond

Roxy

The ride back to the clubhouse is quick. I don’t want to get off Chopper’s bike when he pulls into a spot in front of our apartments. I like having my arms around him and I don’t want to give him his jacket back. It smells like him and it makes me feel like he’s wrapping me in a warm hug.

Climbing off the bike, I unsnap the helmet and hold it out to him. He eyes me for a few moments before he tucks the helmet into the saddle bag and does the same with his.

“Why do you look so sad?” Chopper murmurs quietly as he turns to face me again.

“I'm not. I'm just tired.” I lift my shoulder in a shrug as the lies roll off my tongue so easily.

“Nah, you’re not tired.” He cups my cheek and rubs his thumb back and forth over my skin. “You’re sad.”

“I'm fine, Chopper. There’s nothing you can do to change things.”

I take a step back and watch his hand fall to his side. It doesn’t matter what I want. I could want Chopper for the rest of my life and it still won't happen.

I shake my head as I spin around and rush towards my door. I need to keep my distance from him. Every time we’re alone and get a little too close, I forget where the line is. I need to keep those lines clear, blurring them won't help either one of us.

A large hand wraps around my bicep and stops me from entering my apartment. I keep my gaze forward as I feel Chopper step closer and his warmth press against my back.

“Come inside my apartment,” he murmurs against the shell of my ear.

“No,” I whisper.

“Stop, baby.”

“Stop what?” I make the mistake of spinning around to face him. He glances around before pushing me against the brick wall and pinning me there.

“Stop building more walls between us. Just let me in and stop making me work so hard for it.”

“Why?”

“Because I care about you, Roxy. You’re the most important person in my life and it kills me how you always keep me at arm’s length.”

“I keep everyone at arm’s length.” I roll my eyes. I don’t want him to see how much I want to let him in. I just don’t think I can trust him to stick around.

Like Dixie always said, I want a man who will put me before the club. Someone who will put me above everything else in life.

Dad always treated Mom like a queen. Even as the president, he still put her and us above the club. He made sure we had high expectations of any man we let into our lives.

“But you don’t have to, baby. You know I’ll always be here to listen to you and help when you need me. You can be raw and vulnerable with me. You just need to let me in.” He leans in and rests his forehead against mine.

He squeezes his eyes shut and sucks in a deep breath before blowing it out slowly. I know he wants this so badly, but I'm not used to letting people in. I even keep my sisters at a distance. How do I let him in?

“I don’t know how to,” I whisper.

“Stay with me tonight.”

I rear back and stare at him like he’s crazy. Is this all an intricate way to sleep with me? I can't imagine Chopper trying to trick me into doing something physical with me, but you never know.

“Not like that, Rox.” He rolls his eyes. “I just want to spend time with you when I know we won't be interrupted. Everyone is already asleep so no one will know you’re missing and you typically sleep until noon. Oakley will be gone before then so no one will be looking for you until tomorrow afternoon.”

“You have to work tomorrow.”

“Nah, I don’t have any jobs scheduled tomorrow. I had taken a few days off to finish Little Fox Café, but since we finished faster than I anticipated, I decided to keep the days free and use them as a little vacation. I’ve been working around the clock lately and I'm tired.”

“Shouldn’t you be sleeping then and not staying up to talk to me?”

“Probably, but I have priorities and sleep is low on the list. You’re number one.” A lopsided grin spreads across his face.