“Among other things.”
I want to ask more about the MC lifestyle, but our drinks arrive, and Tracker slides me my water bottle before grabbing his soda, taking a deep drink. I watch his throat work, my gaze dropping down his neck to the expanse of his chest visible behind his undershirt. “This isn’t how I expected our first date to go, but I’ll take it,” he says.
I smile, shaking my head. “This isn’t a date. If it is, you have to up your game, Tracker.”
He lifts his head back and laughs. “You know, I think you’re right. You’re not what I’m used to, and before you start throwing sass around, I meant that in a good way.”
We stare into each other’s eyes for a few seconds.
“You’re serious about this,” I finally say.
He presses his thigh closer to mine. “Wouldn’t mess around with something like this, Lana. I want you. It’s that fuckin’ simple to me.”
If only it were the same to me.
“You thought you wanted Allie,” I point out. “What if you think you want me, but then you realize that you were wrong again?”
Where would that leave me? Like Allie? Begging for any attention from him? Ruined for other men? Yeah, no thanks. I’d like to keep my dignity. No man is worth that kind of drama.
He takes my hand in his, then brings it to his mouth and peppers kisses all over my knuckles. The sweet move has my breath hitching.
“You’re not Allie. Nothing about this is the same. Nothing. You don’t have to overthink it, Lana, just let it happen.”
I think that over, doing what he just told me not to do.
“You’re overthinking it, aren’t you?” His eyes sparkle with amusement. “Sometimes you need to just let things unfold, Lana. Don’t have any regrets.”
“You don’t have any regrets?” I ask, studying him attentively.
“I never regret things I’ve done, only things I haven’t done,” he states. “Life is too short for that. No one is perfect, sometimes shit happens, but you need to get back on that motorcycle and ride the hell out of it.”
I smile at that. “Not all of us are that easygoing.”
He grins wolfishly. “Maybe we can balance each other out then. You rein me in a little, while I can set you free.”
Our eyes stay connected, something passing between us.
“Christ, you’re beautiful,” he says softly. “I don’t think you know just how much. The things I’d do to you . . .”
Our food arrives, thankfully shattering the moment. It’s too much for me.
Too intense.
Too tempting.
Tracker eats some of my nachos and offers me some of his burger. As I take a huge bite, I realize that anyone looking at us would think we are a couple. The way Tracker’s attention didn’t waiver when I spoke, the laughter, sexual tension, and casual touching of hands. I can’t deny that I like it. Little do they know we certainly are not in a relationship, argue more than most, and he’s a member of a ruthless MC. We also aren’t having sex, but I suppose they don’t know that. Or would that make us a married couple? I giggle at my own joke, getting me an adorably confused expression from the big biker next to me.
“Wanna explain that cute little giggle?”
“I made a joke. In my head.”
His eyebrows rise. “Wanna share?”
“Not really,” I reply, stealing a fry and shoving it in my mouth.
“You know,” he says, dipping his fry in ketchup. “One day you’re going to trust me enough to share every one of those little thoughts and jokes of yours. One day, you’re going to get out of your head, and you’re going to let me in.”
“Is that so?”
He nods, chewing thoughtfully. “Yep.”
“And one day, Tracker,” I tell him. “I’m going to ruin you for all other women.”
My comment was meant to get a reaction out of him, to scare him.
But all he says is, “I believe that too.”
Shit.
* * *
I drive Tracker and Anna back to the clubhouse, and Tracker doesn’t take no for an answer when I tell him I don’t want to stay.
“It’s easier,” he says. “I don’t want you driving back alone in the middle of the night.”
“I’ll be fine,” I argue. “I drove to Rift alone.”
“And I didn’t like that either.”
“Are you serious right now?” I grumble. “You’re used to getting your way, aren’t you?”
He smiles what I’m sure is his most charming smile. “With women, yes.”
I grit my teeth. “Maybe that’s your problem. You need to be taken down a notch. Brought back to reality.”
He leans closer to me almost pressed up against my body. “You going to be the one to do that?”
“No,” I reply. “But I’m sure many others will try.”
“Don’t want them; want you.”
“You can’t always get what you want,” I throw back at him.
“Please,” he says, eyes pleading with me. “I’ll be on my best behavior. Stop being fuckin’ stubborn and just stay the night. Christ. I’m being a gentleman here, wanting you safe and not driving around alone when it’s pitch-black out there.”
I sigh. I can’t deny that I want to stay with him as much as he wants me to. Maybe even more. “Fine.”