Page 14 of March 5

He used to see Skye almost every day before she graduated. After she started college and taking her training classes, he'd check in with her every week or two to make sure she was doing okay. Nothing like what happened early this morning had transpired before—thank fuck.

He was asleep and got a hard on. That happened every morning. He ran his hand down his face. He was giving the situation too much thought.

Maverick was okay with him being around Skye. Brooke and Maverick trusted him. He sure in hell wouldn't let it happen again.

He walked out of the clubhouse, planning to go home and get something to eat before he was due to ride. From now on, he'd keep his distance fromSkye. It was for the best.

He was only a man, and she was fire.

He hesitated to throw his leg over the bike. Taking his time, he eased his boot up and let it fall on the other side of the Harley. He ignored the shot of pain down his leg when he put his weight on the seat.

Gritting his teeth, he'd power through the pain.

Chapter Seven

Skye opened the apartment door and lugged in the portable table she used for work. All her appointments were done for the day, and she had the whole weekend off before she had to go back out on Monday.

"Let me help." Mariah hurried to the door and grabbed the handle of the table.

"Thanks." She stepped outside. "I'll be right back."

Hurrying down the steps, she jogged to her car. Once she gathered both work bags, she locked her vehicle and returned to the apartment.

Closing the door, she caught a whiff of a sweet scent. She sniffed. "Are you cooking?"

"Bitch, you know me better than that." Mariah motioned her into the attached kitchen. "I picked up sweet and sour chicken and fried rice at Ying's on my way home."

"Oh, God, that sounds so good." She kicked off her shoes. "Wasn't it my turn to order food?"

"Yeah, but don't worry about it. I had a craving and had already stopped at Ying's before I realized it was your night to buy."

"I'll pick up dinner next Friday." She raised her brows. "I'll put it on my schedule."

Mariah held a white food container in her hand and rolled her eyes at Skye. "Neither one of uswould have to spend our money on dinner or stay home if we had dates on Friday night."

"Not in the mood. The last time we went out to find men, you hooked up with that mechanic." She waved her hand in the air. "Bubba or —

"Bobby." Mariah laughed. "He had everything going on but no brain."

All Skye could remember was that Bobby's friend tried to get with her, but she had zero interest in him. He was everything that irritated her.

He still lived with his parents and while most people her age still lived at home or went to graduate school, that guy had no goals to work and become independent. He was unable to hold a conversation beyond his workout schedule at the gym. He lacked a car and depended on Uber to get him everywhere.

"Grab a couple of plates," said Mariah.

She washed her hands at the kitchen sink and carried the plates and silverware to the island. The center counter was big enough to have two stools and acted as their table.

Three bites into their meal, Mariah pointed her fork at her. "So, where did you sleep last night?"

"I already told you in my text." She swallowed. "With Dio."

"I know, but how did it all happen? He just offered to let you sleep over?"

"No, it was nothing like that. He didn't have a choice, really." She took another bite of rice. "He hurt his back yesterday and could barely move. I went over there to give him a massage and show him how to stretch to make the pain go away."

"Mm."

She glanced at Mariah. "What's that supposed to mean?"