“It doesn’t matter what I think. You’re right; it’s not my place to judge,” I reply, looking down.
He lifts my chin up. “I love you like a sister, Anna. Just don’t give me any shit, all right? I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you.”
“Then why are you?” I find myself asking.
He smiles then, a small lift of his mouth. “Because you’re one of my favorite women in my life.”
I lift my gaze to his. “Okay, I’m backing off. It’s just that . . .”
“What?”
“What if one day you and Lana get together, then . . .”
His eyes widen in realization. “That’s why you’re upset! Not because of what I was doing, but because one day you think I could be doing that to Lana.”
I nod. “I guess so. I’m judging you on the standards I would use on someone who was dating my best friend. I shouldn’t, I know, but that was why.”
He leans down and kisses my forehead. “If I had a woman as good as Lana, sweetie, I wouldn’t fuck it up. I promise you that much.”
I smile. “Thank you for telling me that, Tracker.”
“You want to tell me what’s going on with you?” he whispers.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“There’s some tension between you and Arrow, what’s that about?”
I purse my lips. “Nothing’s happening there. Didn’t you see him leave with that woman?”
“Yes,” he replies. “I saw that. I also saw your face as he did it. You looked crushed.”
I cover my face with my hands. “Was I that obvious? Great, now everyone knows.”
He pulls my hands from my face. “No one knows shit; I was watching you closely.”
“Don’t say anything, Tracker,” I plead.
“Hey, no judgment from me, Anna Bell. Just be careful, all right?”
“I’m taking Anna home,” comes a rumbly voice from behind me. The hairs on the back of my neck rise.
I thought he left.
I sigh into Tracker’s chest, then turn around and look at Arrow. “Back so soon? I thought you’d be spending the night with your guest.”
His mouth tightens but he stays silent. Tracker touches my back, rubbing it gently.
I suddenly feel drained and just want to get home to my bed.
“Whoever is taking me, can we please go? I’m tired and I have to get up early to study,” I say softly, rubbing my upper arms.
Arrow steps forward, pulling me closer to his body. He takes my arm and leads me to his bike as I say my good-bye to Tracker and wave to Vinnie and Irish—who aren’t going home alone.
The ride home is a little tense, for a reason that I can’t pinpoint. I shouldn’t feel anything for Arrow, and he could bed whomever he wanted—I had no claim on him. I don’t know why he came back; I guess he feels a sense of responsibility over me. I’m going to have a talk with Rake and tell him that as much as I appreciate his concern, this shit has to stop. I don’t need a group of men keeping an eye on my every move. What if I wanted to go home with someone? I’m old enough to do as I please. I want them to see me as an equal, not someone they have to look after. If Rake won’t give in to that, I’m going to ask for anyone except Arrow to pick me up.
That’s going to be an awkward conversation.
As we pull up at my house I murmur a thank-you and get off the bike as quickly as it comes to a standstill, but Arrow doesn’t let me get away that easily. To my surprise, he slides off his bike and pulls me to him. Taking the helmet from my hands, he leans down and stares into my eyes.
“Fuck,” he whispers.
“What?”
“This is a bad idea.”
“What is?” I ask, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion. I can’t think straight with him being so close to me.
Then, catching me off guard, he grazes his lips against mine. Subtly at first, a chaste kiss. A sweet kiss. But then that kiss changes.
And I become lost.
Arrow is kissing me.
I can’t count how many times I’ve dreamed of this moment.
How much I wanted it, and now it was mine.
Sucking on my upper lip and then my lower lip, his tongue begs entrance. I open my mouth to him, inviting him in, giving him everything he wants and more. His fingers grip my nape, and mine rest on his biceps. I knew it would be like this with him—passionate. Hungry. Greedy.
I knew it.
And now that I’ve tasted it, I want to keep it.
He pulls away much too soon for my liking, his gaze lowered onto my mouth.
I take a step back, shocked by what happened, but he reaches for me.
“Need to tell you something,” he says, grabbing my wrist firmly yet gently.
“What?” I whisper, looking up at him. The moonlight shines on his face, and he seems to be searching for the right words to say.
“I’m not the man for you,” he says quietly. “I’m not a good man, and I’m not saying that I’m bad, but . . . I’m bad for you.”
“Then why did you just kiss me?” I ask.
I should feel embarrassed about his acknowledging that he knows I like him, but I’m grateful for his candor. This needs to be out in the open no matter what the outcome.
“I needed to kiss you, even if it was just once,” he replies as he strokes my cheek. “I’m a selfish fuck.”
“I know you did time,” I blurt out. “Is that what this is about? You being in prison?”