“Oh, those are fighting words.” Conner looks between Jesse and me.

“What?” I ask Jesse when he pouts.

“You don’t think I’m funny?” He looks put out, but he knows his lines sometimes get me to crack.

“Sometimes. You’re definitely not as funny as you like to think you are.”

“Damn, I like this girl. Can I have your number?” Conner asks and the room goes quiet.

“Conner,” Jesse warns, the air changing between them.

“What? Bell told me you weren’t together.” He gives me a wink before turning to look at Jesse. “Unless you are?” he adds.

“Bell, we gotta head out.” Jesse ignores him and turns to me.

“Oh, okay.” I stand, expecting this kind of reaction. “Have you got a pen? I’ll give you my number, Conner. We’ll arrange a time to chat when Jesse isn’t being a rude jerk.” I move closer to his bed.

“You are not giving him your number, Bell,” Jesse stretches out his words and delivers them with a warning I’m not going to follow.

“This is too good.” Conner snickers between us.

“Why not, Jesse?” I ask, annoyed at his rudeness. He’s the one who brought me here, and now he’s acting like I’m doing something wrong.

“Yeah, Jesse, why not?” Conner repeats, clearly liking this exchange. He sits up a little more excited than he has been since we arrived.

“Bell, we gotta go, now.” He ignores both of our questions, but I’m not going to let him push me around. He brought me here, and for whatever reason, it’s not the outcome he wanted. I’m not going to let him pull away anymore.

“And I’m saying goodbye to Conner.” I scribble out my number. “It was nice to meet you.” I pass him the card knowing full well I’m playing with fire.

“You too, darlin’.” He winks and Jesse growls behind us. The undertone of his displeasure isn’t lost on me.

Ignoring Jesse I move toward the door.

“I’ll come back tomorrow. Betty just told me you’re getting fitted with your new prosthetics.” Jesse tells Conner who nods in reply.

“Yeah, can’t fucking wait. So don’t come back in a mood either.” Jesse doesn’t reply, just nods then turns.

“Bye, Bell.” Conner taunts as Jesse pushes me out the door. He doesn’t stop pushing as we head down the hall, and out of the doors we first entered.

“You’re rude,” I finally say when we make it out to his bike.

“I’m rude? I wasn’t the one trying to poach my buddy’s girl.”

“Your girl?” I pull on his hand, forcing him to stop.

“You know what I mean.” He brushes his slip up off, but I’m not letting him off the hook.

“No, I don’t know what you mean, Jesse. Please explain.” I fold my arms across my chest and watch him falter under my stare.

“Get on the bike, Bell.” He ignores my request, but that’s not enough for me.

“Jesse.”

“Bell, don’t push it.” I hate that he keeps pushing me away whenever we take one step forward. I know it’s hard for him, but all I ask is for honesty. If it’s too much, I can step back. But I don’t even know what he’s feeling, or where we’re at.

“You’re a confusing man, Jesse Carter.”

“I know, sweetheart. You’re learning.” I shake my head when he graces me with one of his my-way-or-no-way smiles. I climb on the back of his bike, wishing he would give me more, but knowing this is all I’ll get.

“Where are we going now?” I ask, checking the time. I still have a few hours before Mom will start to worry, and I’m glad. I’m not ready to go back yet.

“I want to take you back to the clubhouse, get you naked and taste that sweet pussy of yours again,” he says and my face instantly heats. “Any objections?” he asks and I feel my head shake no. “Good.” He smirks, then leans down and plants his lips on mine. I try to hold on to the kiss for as long as possible, but before I know it, Jesse’s pulling back and climbing on his bike. After placing our helmets on in silence, I wrap my arms around his middle and wait for him to take off. I might not be getting all of Jesse Carter, but from the get go, I’ve always said I’d be happy with whatever he’ll give me.

I need to let it be enough.

“Look who came back. Have a nice ride?” Sy asks when we walk back into the clubhouse.

“It was great thanks,” I answer, waving to Holly and Kadence. Jesse doesn’t answer and keeps moving us toward his room.

“You’re not going to hang and chat, Jesse?” Holly asks, her grin growing as Jesse’s scowl darkens.

“Need to get my own fucking place,” Jesse mumbles under his breath.

“We just have to get something,” I answer, not comfortable with letting the question hang in the air.

“She’s about to get something all right,” Sy says, and they all start laughing again, making Jesse pull me along faster. He keeps quiet as we move down the hall, his grip on me growing stronger the closer we get to his room.

“Jesse, what is wrong with you?” I try to pull out of his hold but he’s too strong.

“Fuck them.” He pushes the door to his room open and drags me inside. “On the bed, dirty girl. I need your pink pussy in my face now.” He starts toeing off his boots, barking his dirty words at me. Half shocked at his tone, half mesmerized by what they do to me, I stand frozen watching him.