“That’s most likely it,” he says stiffly. “Good thing I decided at last minute to wear pants.”

“You can take them off,” Anne says quickly.

“We don’t mind,” Ellie adds in. “Not one bit.”

My stomach knots up at the thought of Anne and Ellie getting a chance to see what’s under Royal’s jeans. It makes me sick with unwanted jealousy.

Royal must notice my discomfort, because before I know it, his arm is around my waist pulling me to him.

Wrapping his hand into the back of my hair, he slams his lips against mine, roughly sucking my bottom lip into his mouth as he pulls away. “You left last night,” he says tightly. “Don’t fucking do that shit again without me knowing that you’re safe. Got it?”

The intense look in his eyes has me nodding my head in agreement. “Yes.”

“Good.” His eyes search mine as if he’s trying to tell if I mean it or not. “Come on.” He grabs my hand and pulls me outside, leaving everyone watching us through the window.

He notices me watching them, so he places his hand on my chin, bringing my attention back to him. “Why did you leave in the middle of the night?”

I close my eyes as he rubs his thumb over my bottom lip. “I couldn’t sleep,” I admit. “So I left to sleep in my own bed.”

“Why couldn’t you sleep? And no bullshit, Avalon.”

I swallow as I watch him watching his thumb as it slides across my lip again. “Because I wanted to touch you,” I admit. “But I didn’t know if you wanted me to.”

He inhales deeply and slowly releases it, looking taken aback with my response. “You still hungry?” He asks, changing the subject.

I nod my head, glad for the change of topic. “Yes. I’m starving.”

He releases my chin and grabs for a brown paper bag that is sitting on the seat of his bike. “It’s the biggest, juiciest steak sandwich that I could get. It should help you get through the day.”

Opening the bag, I place my nose in the top and sniff. “Oh my god . . .” I take another quick whiff, feeling my stomach rumble in anticipation. “It smells like heaven. Thank you!”

Feeling thankful that he came here just to bring me lunch, I grab him by the back of the neck and pull him to me, kissing him.

My heart goes crazy as he kisses me back, his lips tasting me just about as desperately as I need to taste him.

Without breaking the kiss, he grips my thighs, pulling me up to wrap my legs around his waist.

I feel him growl into my mouth, before he bites my bottom lip and roughly grips my ass, as if he wants nothing more than to fuck me roughly right here.

“Come over tonight,” he demands, against my lips.

Every part of me wishes that I could say yes. This is such a shitty feeling.

“I can’t,” I breathe. “I told Madison that I’d go out with her tonight.”

“Where?” His jaw clenches as he pulls me closer against him, slightly grinding his hips into me.

“Oh fuck,” I whisper, barely able to keep my control. “Hooligans. She needs a night out of dancing and doesn’t want to go alone.”

He grabs the back of my neck and meets my eyes. “You two are going alone?”

“Yes. We usually do.”

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, slowly releasing it against my lips. “Call me if you need me.”

“Alright,” I agree.

“Okay,” he says, setting me back down to my feet and looking me over in my jeans and white tank top. “Eat your lunch before your time is up. I need to go before I take up all of your time.”

I stand here with my lunch in hand, watching as he walks over to his bike and straddles it. “Thanks for lunch. I’ll let you know how it tastes.”

He nods his head and starts his bike, before quickly taking off, leaving me standing here with a racing heart and a sore lip from his bite.

I’ve never craved to be bitten so badly in my damn life. This man makes me want to be tied up to a bed and have every inch of my body bitten by his glorious fucking mouth.

That’s the power he has over me, and I could care less what anyone thinks about him.

I’ve never felt so alive in my entire life . . .

WE’VE BEEN AT HOOLIGANS FOR less than twenty minutes and I’m already in the mood to just go home, strip out of this stupid dress that Madison talked me into wearing, and text Royal.

I’ve never really been comfortable in dance clubs to begin with, so having Royal on my mind is making me ten times more anxious to push all of these sweaty, hip thrusting horn balls away from my private space and leave.

I swear if one more asshole “accidently” grinds their limp dick against my ass, I’m going to take off my heel and stab their precious manhood with it.

“Loosen up, chick!” Madison screams over the music, while pulling me closer into her dancing space, nearly spilling her drink all over me. “There are so many hot guys here. Look around you and choose one, before I choose one for you. I swear you need to get laid.”

I look around me and tilt back my beer, scoping out the room of wild, drunken men. None of them appeal to me . . . because none of them are Royal. I want tattoos, long hair, leather jackets, and a sexy beard covering an even sexier mouth: a dirty one. I want to feel a rush, just by being in his presence.

Looking around this room just has me bored out of my mind.

“I’m good, Madi. I don’t need some douche rubbing his dick all over my ass and trying to grope my tits to get off. I’m here for you.” I force a smile and hold my beer up. “Plus, I already got laid.” I tilt my beer back and walk away to the bar, before she can bombard me with questions.

I hold up my empty beer to the bartender, when she notices me standing there. “Another, please.”

Madison appears next to me, grabbing my arm to spin me around. “You slept with Royal?” Her eyes widen when I slightly smile. “God, you’re a lucky bitch. I bet he was damn good too. I’ve heard shit about men with beards. I know they’re orgasm donors and you definitely needed a donation.”

“Well thanks, jerk. You make me sound pathetic.” I grab my beer and pay the bartender, before grabbing her arm and pulling her through the crowd with me. “You heard right though. He was definitely good. The fucking best,” I say truthfully. “Now let’s dance so you can get it out of your system and we can go. I’m not liking it here and I’m getting grouchy from all of these jerkoffs grinding on me.”