Caught by his glare, I hesitated before admitting, “My head’s throbbing a bit.”
He put his hands on my shoulders, grounding me. “You could have a concussion,” he grumbled, concern lacing his words.
“I’m okay,” I managed to say. “Just shaken up from the deer.”
His eyes examined me, checking for injuries. As his gaze slid down, my veins buzzed. He reached out, his hands finding my waist. “I need to make sure you’re okay everywhere else,” he said, his voice a husky whisper.
His touch sent warmth through me. I struggled to keep my composure as he slowly moved his hands along my body, amplifying the charged atmosphere between us.
He stopped at my knees, his gaze seeking mine. “I need to check your legs, too. Is that okay?” His question hung in the air, filled with unspoken meaning.
I nodded, silently agreeing to his request. As he checked me over, the force of the moment was almost overwhelming.
Finally, he pulled back. “You might be sore tomorrow, but it looks like you’re okay. Let’s go look at your truck,” he suggested. I watched him, drawn to the effortless strength and grace in his movements.
“Damn, this is pretty bad,” he remarked, straightening up and turning to face me. “Your axle is shot. Your engine is beyond repair. You’ll need a tow.”
Fuck. More expenses. More bills.
“Thanks. I’ll call for help,” I replied, frustration etched on my face.
Declan noticed my expression and tilted his head, studying me intently with his dark, penetrating eyes. “You look like you could use a drink,” he suggested, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. “Or maybe a visit to the hospital. I’m still worried about a concussion.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “A drink won’t solve my problems right now. I need a ride,” I said, glancing at his motorcycle, an idea forming in my mind.
He raised an eyebrow, genuine concern furrowing his brow. “To the hospital?”
I shook my head, dismissing the thought. Hospitals meant bills I couldn’t afford. Plus, I wasn’t in terrible shape. “To my friend’s house.”
“A friend’s house,” he repeated, skepticism lacing his voice. He glanced at his watch, a flicker of jealousy crossing his face. “At this hour? What kind of man makes his woman come to him?” His voice quivered with an undercurrent of anger.
Bewildered, I furrowed my brow. “It’s not like that.”
A cynical smile played on his mouth, possessiveness seeping into his voice. “Are you sure about that?”
“Why does it matter to you?” I asked, curiosity piqued.
He stepped closer, his dark eyes locked onto mine, holding me captive. “If you were mine, I’d come to you,” he growled seductively. “Hell, I’d probably never leave your side. I certainly wouldn’t have let you drive this beat-up truck without airbags.”
Embarrassment mixed with excitement, and a flush crept up my neck. “Well, I’m not yours. I love this damn truck, and my friend has a little boy,” I revealed. “It’s hard for her to go out on school nights.” It was odd that he was jealous when Tara was half-dressed in his RV just a few days ago.
His expression shifted to a look of surprise before his eyes narrowed again. “I see. It doesn’t change the fact that you shouldn’t be driving in your condition. Let me give you a ride. I promise I’ll get you there safely.”
I hesitated, weighing my options. Deep down, I knew I couldn’t refuse his offer. “I could call someone else—”
“Clover. Get on the damn bike,” he commanded.
I scoffed, not willing to be swayed so easily. “I barely know you. What if you’re some kind of psycho?”
Declan’s eyes darkened, his fist clenching as he leaned in, his breath tickling my ear. “Even psychos take nights off,” he whispered, his words laced with both heat and peril.
My heart raced, uncertain if he was serious or if I was playing with fire. The gleam in his eyes stirred a blend of fear and desire within me.
“Come on, Clover,” he said, his voice taking on a more earnest tone. “I won’t harm you tonight. I just want to help.”
I hesitated, the weight of his intentions still hanging in the air. But the sight of my battered truck pushed me toward a decision. “Fine,” I relented, mustering a feigned confidence. “But don’t you dare try anything funny,” I warned, crossing my arms defensively.
Declan raised an eyebrow, an arrogant grin playing at the corner of his mouth. “Who, me? I’m the epitome of innocence,” he teased, although the mischievous glint in his expression betrayed his words.
“I’m not joking,” I retorted, my voice firm. “I’ve had a rough night, and the last thing I need is more trouble.”
He held up his hands in surrender, his voice tinged with sincerity. “Alright, I promise, no funny business. I just want to make sure you’re taken care of. You’re in no condition to be wandering around alone.”
I regarded him skeptically, the wariness still lingering within me. “Why do you care so much, anyway? You barely know me.”
Declan’s expression softened, and he sighed. “I’m not a monster. Any decent guy wouldn’t leave a woman out here alone.” But I knew Declan wasn’t the typical decent guy; there was an aura of danger emanating from him that was hard to ignore. He stepped closer, his dark eyes filled with a fierce rush of power. “I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
I considered his words for a moment, torn between the logical choice and the captivating pull of the unknown. In the end, practicality won over curiosity. “Fine,” I relented. I really needed to get to Laura’s house. Not to mention, I didn’t want to be stranded here while Avery was out at a party. “Laura lives off Dire Lane by the grocery store and that rundown bar. You know where that is?”
“Sure, Wildflower,” Declan replied, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
As I climbed onto the back of his motorcycle, a mixture of apprehension and excitement coursed through me. The engine roared to life, vibrating against my body as I tightly gripped onto Declan. The night air whipped against my face, blending with the adrenaline rushing through my veins.
Casting one last look at my battered truck, we started moving into the cloak of darkness.
CLOVER
As we twisted and turned along the road, I found myself clinging tighter to Declan. The heat from his body seeped into mine, igniting something new within me. I felt a wild sense of curiosity bubbling up, testing the line between caution and recklessness.
Our ride was quiet, filled only with the sound of our breaths and the steady rumble of the bike. Everything else seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us wrapped in the thrill of the ride and the strange attraction pulling us together.
I couldn’t resist running my fingers along his back, feeling the hard muscles underneath his shirt. Our silent connection deepened with each new discovery my hands made. His body’s subtle responses were a clear warning sign—we were crossing into terrifying territory.
When the headlights of the bike revealed a local bar instead of Laura’s house, I was taken aback. “Why are we here?” I asked, trying to keep my annoyance at bay. We were just a couple of blocks away from Laura’s place, my original destination.