“Why not? If you’re feelin’ anything like I’m feelin’, then why not?” I question. “We’re both grown-ass adults. We can do what we want.”

“I don’t date,” she replies a little too quickly.

“Bullshit, I just ran your date off fifteen minutes ago,” I say smugly. The pansy prick high-tailed it out of there as soon as he got the hint.

“Yes, how could I forget?” Her eyes narrow, still pissed off at me.

“Let me take you out,” I blurt. What the fuck is wrong with me? She just told me she didn't date. When she kneed me in the balls, she must have made me lose some of my manhood because I don’t ask women out on dates. Sure, I love the chase, but that’s just to fuck, not what I’m asking of her now.

“Come on, baby. Don’t leave me hangin’. The one time I ask a woman out, she knocks me back,” I admit, prepared to begin begging. Fuck, this woman has me turned inside out.

“I find it very difficult to believe you haven’t asked a woman out?” If I didn’t know me, I would be skeptical too.

“It’s true. I don’t normally have to.” I give her a smirk and she scoffs at me.

“You’re a dick,” she snaps, turning her back to me.

“Come on, Kadence, one date,” I call out.

“Phoenix, you and I, it’s not going to work,” she informs me over her shoulder. I move closer to close the distance between us. Her friend hangs back, enjoying the show, but I’ve only got eyes for Kadence.

“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” I argue back, grasping her hand and turning her around. “I can see you fuckin’ want me just as much as I want you. Tell me you haven’t responded like this to someone before,” I push, hoping I’m right, and not alone feeling these things. “Just one date,” I repeat. I see her resolve starting to slip, her mind fighting her body. I can see the moment I have her.

“One date, then you’ll leave me alone?” she questions.

I smile at her, nodding my head. One date is all I need to get my fill.

“One date,” I repeat. Though deep down, something is telling me this will be more than one date. Women like her can break men like me. I’m already acting like a fool, begging for a date.

“Fine,” she agrees, nodding her head. She doesn’t look fine with it; her eyes flash with trepidation as she processes what she just agreed to, but I’m not about to give her time to think about it.

“Great, let’s go,” I say, grabbing her hand, pulling her to my side.

Pulling back slightly panicked, she yells, “What?”

“The date you just agreed to,” I say, making it simple for her, “it starts now.”

For all I know, she’ll try to blow me off next week, giving me some lame–ass excuse. If I’m getting a chance, I’m taking it now.

“Now?” Disbelief fills her voice.

“Yes, Kadence, now.” I pull her along as she fights me to stay.

“But Holly.” She looks back to her friend, no doubt pleading with her. The blonde just squeals in delight.

“Have a good night, Kadence. Text me.” She waves her goodbye.

“Hold on. Where exactly are we going?” she questions, turning back when she knows she isn’t being saved. Walking up to my bike, I motion her forward.

“We’re going for a ride,” I tell her, handing her the helmet.

“No, there is no way I’m getting on that bike,” she rushes out, shaking her head, her long dark hair flying out around her.

“Well, it’s our only form of transportation, baby.” I inform her, trying to hide my excitement of getting her on my bike.

“Stop calling me baby,” she snaps.

“Kadence, get your ass on the bike,” I tell her again with a touch more authority.

“Nix,” she sighs, using the name I prefer; however, after hearing her call me Phoenix, I think I’m beginning to like it more. “You can’t just call me baby, boss me around and demand me to get on your bike.”

“Yes, I can,” I say, walking up to her. I take the helmet out of her hands and plant it on her head.

“Nix,” she says as my fingers work on tightening the chinstrap. “I’ve never been on a bike before.”

“Trust me, Kadence; I won’t let anything happen to you.” She steps back shaking her head under the black helmet, and I hold back my frustration. She's gonna make me work harder for it. Pain-in-the-ass woman.

“Last chance, Kadence, get your sweet ass on my bike or I’ll put you on it,” I insist, done with the damn fight. It’s getting late and I’d much rather be doing something else than argue.

“Can’t you just tell me where we’re going and I’ll meet you there in my car?” Walking forward, I ignore her question and place my hands to her hips.

“Nix,” she screams as I lift her small frame up, turn and plant her on the back of my bike. Done, problem solved.

“This date is going great already,” she sasses, sitting further back as I climb on my ride. I laugh on the inside. I don’t know about her, but for me, a woman who gives just as good as she gets is what I call the start of a good date. However, I still feel obliged to let her know how I roll.

“Let me give you fair warning, Kadence. I tell you to get on my bike, you get on the bike. You give me sass, I’m gonna do what I told you I’d do. In this case, I planted your ass on my bike. Now, quit your bitchin’ and slide down, or your sweet ass will hit the asphalt when I take off.”

Letting out a breath in defeat, she slides forward, her short legs hugging my side. As much as I’d love to get her on the back with one of those tight skirts she wears, the tight jeans she’s wearing are enough to make this ride uncomfortable.

She doesn’t move close enough so I reach back, grab her hands and bring them around me. She gets the hint, her front now plastered to my back. Flicking the key over, I start my bike and let it come to life. The roar of my Harley’s engine growls low. The muffler builds louder, the sound filling the still night. Kadence’s grip tightens as I release the throttle, veering to the left. I take off steadily and ready to take Miss Turner on one hell of a ride.

Chapter Five

Kadence

The wind rushes past us, cool air bites at my skin and the ends of my long hair stream behind me. We’ve been riding for what seems like twenty minutes, and I’ve regretted every second of it.

Okay, not really, I freaking love it.

Nix’s body heat is keeping me warm, my front pressed into his back. It’s the only reason I’m plastered up behind him. If the wind wasn’t so damn cold, I’d be able to relax back a bit. Who am I kidding? His body feels amazing underneath my hands.

I am slightly concerned, however, that I’ve let this man push my buttons, kiss me senseless, speak to me dirty, demand a date and manhandle me all in the space of two nights. I know getting caught up with him could end badly. I’ve seen what men like him, and their clubs, are capable of doing. So if I know these things, know that one date with not only a biker but a parent will only end badly, then what the hell am I doing on the back of his bike, driving to who knows where, to do who knows what? I’ve lost my damn mind.

I think it’s the way he talks to me. No one has ever spoken to me the way he does, and I can’t control the reaction my body has to it. It’s not even about the bossy side of him. Zane used to be bossy but in a different kind of way, a way that left no room for argument. With Nix, it’s like his demands ignite the dirty part of me, the part that’s hidden but still leaves room to argue back. Maybe it’s not so hidden if he can ignite it with just one comment or one look. I sigh at the predicament I find myself in as I lean further into him. His hand comes down on my thigh, squeezing me, and I feel it go straight between my legs.

When he asked for a date, my first instinct was to blurt out yes. I nearly did. Holly would have loved that. I had to fight my body’s instinctive reaction to jump him right there in front of the bar, begging him to spank me just like he promised. Then I remembered I was trying to hate him and thought that would go against everything I’ve been saying to him every time he pushes me.