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He’s on his back, staring up at the ceiling. “You don’t want me to answer that question.”

When he angles his face to me, his gaze falls to my lips, and I can’t help wetting them. We’re so close, but so far with this empty space between us. Usually, I’m tired by the time we climb into bed, so I fall asleep before I can overanalyze what we’re doing. But after the shooting today, I’m keyed up, and my nervous system is in overdrive.

There’s a long beat of silence that neither of us bothers to fill, and I wonder if Shane is thinking the same things I am.

Truths we can’t outrun. Secrets we’re keeping. Responsibilities that will inevitably come between us. Our lives are like the intersection of two storms. We can chase the wild excitement of it now, but eventually, if we don’t walk away, we’ll destroy everything.

Including my heart.

I returned to Lanceleaf for my family. For some permanence after years of running. And Shane is here to do a job and be done. There’s no point entertaining something more.

“What’s on your mind?” I ask when he’s yet to take his dark eyes off me.

“You.”

A smile cracks in the corner of my mouth. “Not even going to lie about it?”

“Should I?” His grin widens my own smile, and I shake my head.

Pulling my lower lip between my teeth, I dare to glance down at Shane’s bare chest. He’s littered with scars and tattoo ink. Solid muscle. The moonlight draws out every hard cut of his abs.

“You keep looking at me like that, and you’re going to make it very difficult for me to continue being a gentleman, Harloe.”

My gaze snaps up to his as my heart races. “Then don’t.”

“Fuck.” He looks back up at the ceiling, wiping his palm down his face.

I brace myself for his speech. For him to tell me all the reasons we’re a bad idea.

We live completely different lives.

My ex has put a target on his back.

He’s a biker with trouble tailing him at every turn, and I’m barely keeping things together.

But when he looks at me again, he says none of those things. There’s the slightest pause, tugging this electricity taut between us.

“Fuck it.” He rolls to his side, and his lips land on mine with such fervor that he steals my breath.

Shane’s fingers slide into the hair at the side of my head, his thumb tracing my jaw as my mouth parts for him. He claims me with the fire of the sun beating down on me that first day we met. Our bodies are an inch apart, but his kiss steals my soul.

His hand moves down my neck until he’s wrapping his fingers around the front of my throat to pull me closer. And I swear I purr. The sound that comes from my throat is unlike any sound I’ve made before because this man claims me.

He nips at my lower lip. Explores my jaw in kisses.

He moves closer, flushing his body against mine. Hard planes against soft curves. I dig my nails into his shoulders, like that can stop me from climbing on top of him. My hips shift against his, aching for relief.

The growl that filters from him is intoxicating.

Shane’s hand slips from my throat, down between my breasts but not grabbing one, even when his thumb grazes the peak of my nipple. He toys and teases. Tracing his fingers along the underside of my breast.

Back and forth. His fingers curl so he can drag his nails over my skin. My nipples pebble. My skin tightens.

“Shane.” I arch my neck as he kisses a path downward.

He takes his time exploring me. I shouldn’t be surprised when that’s how he is. Patient and calm, but lethal when he strikes. Like the snake inked on his arm, he coils this need and takes his time. And when he finally makes a move, there’s no going back.

Shane shoves one of his knees forward, forcing my legs to straddle his. On instinct, I rock, stoking the need between my legs.