Page 19 of Hellfire
Snake chuckled, nudging Steele in the arm behind my head. Both guys clearly enjoyed making me squirm.
“Yeah, Katrina. You’ve seen Tank’s accommodations,” Snake whispered in my ear. “Maybe you’d like to see mine next.”
My eyes widened as I sputtered, “Wh-what? I, uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Steele tugged on a strand of my hair and whispered, “You wouldn’t even have to choose, sweets. We could share you.”
“Gladly,” Snake added. Their hot breaths mingled with mine and boxed me in. I gasped at their nearness and their dark promises. I had never experienced anything like what they are offering.
Tank, who had been listening to their conversation from across the table, growled in annoyance. “Enough,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Leave her alone. Nothing happened between us.”
“Yet,” Steele teased, high-fiving Snake above my head, who cackled like a madman.
Chapter Eight
Tank
Some people started their day with coffee, needing the extra boost that caffeine offered. Not me. I always started my day off in the swamps. Seeking that adrenaline high you could only get from running. The feeling was addictive.
It gave me a chance to connect with my beast and be one with nature. I pushed myself to the brink of exhaustion. My legs felt like jelly and my lungs burned with each breath.
“Just a little further,” I whispered as the club entrance came into view.
I skidded to a stop, resting my hands on my knees as I panted, trying to catch my breath. I wiped the sweat dripping down my brow with the hem of my t-shirt. Even this early in the morning, I could tell it was going to be a hot day.
“Yo Tank, we hitting the gym, man?” Nate called out. He was sitting on the front stoop with a book in his hand.
“Yep, I’m heading there now.”
The guys and I liked to spar as often as possible to keep each other at our best.Taking the steps two at a time, I clapped him on the shoulder as I passed. I entered the first floor of the clubhouse, intending to avoid the morning breakfast rush and head straight to the ring. By now, the club was just rousing and would be downstairs at the bar for breakfast. Sweet vanilla washed over me.
Katrina.
My quick strides carried me in her direction. I was quickly becoming obsessed with her. Thoughts of last night’s dinner filtered through my mind. Watching my club brothers tease Katrina normally wouldn’t have bothered me. Steele and Snake were relatively harmless, and I knew it was all in good fun. But instinct had me almost jumping down their throats for making her uncomfortable.
“Tank,” Diamond purred. Her long-blonde ponytail swayed back and forth as she ran to me. “I missed you,” she breathed.
When I didn’t immediately hug her back, she crossed her arms and pouted. That look wouldn’t work on me anymore. My beast paced back and forth impatiently, wanting Katrina.
You and me both, buddy.
“Come on Tank, admit you missed me too,” she whined.
“I told you Diamond. I’m done.”
“That’s what you always say, baby. But it’s just a silly fight. I’m over it.”
I gave her an annoyed look. I was tired of the back and forth. The last few years, we had broken up and gotten back together more times than I could count.
No more.
“I told you if we broke up again, that I was done, Diamond. Go find Snake or Steele. I’m sure they would be more than willing.”
Hurt flashed in her eyes. Her nails dug into my forearm as she tried to bring her lips closer to mine.
A low growl rumbled my chest in warning. “Let go. Now.”
A small whimper escaped her when she saw a flash of him in my eyes. The acrid fumes of her fear clung to her like a second skin. A part of her had always been afraid of him.