Page 4 of Bowser (Dragon Riders MC 2)
“She cause you any trouble today?” I asked.
He shrugged. “The usual.”
“So, she tried to get out to the lake then locked herself in her room?”
“Before trying to sneak out a window.”
I paused. “Her room doesn’t have a window.”
His eyes held mine. “I know.”
I swallowed my laughter. Hope was a spunky one, I’d give her that. Link had put me in charge of her safety while she was at the clubhouse under our care. Which was one of the reasons why I wanted to be on night watch. Day time wasn’t as vulnerable as nighttime. And for once, my insomnia could be utilized for something positive.
“Tag, you’re it,” Ash said as he settled his hand onto my shoulder.
Then, a few seconds later, I heard his bike crank up.
As his bike fell behind me off into the distance, my eyes danced along the cabin. I drew in a deep breath of fresh air before making my way to the porch that faced the lake. It was my favorite spot on this entire property. Fifteen acres of land we owned with this damn thing, but the porch view of the lake was breathtaking. I enjoyed gazing out at it while drinking my coffee in the morning. It was one of the few things in life that still filled me with joy.
“Come to chain me to my room?” Hope asked.
Her harsh voice pulled me from my trance. But she’d never be harsh on the eyes.
Thank fuck Link set down a rule that she was off-limits to anyone in the crew. Otherwise, she would’ve already been mine. With those beautiful eyes and her honey-highlighted brown hair, she had thick curves that called to my palms. She had a fight in her—a strength that superseded anything I’d ever found in a woman. And once this was all said and done with the Golden Jags, I wasn’t too sure I’d leave her alone.
Not like I can get her off my mind anyway.
“You hungry?” I asked.
“No. You?”
“No.”
“Then, why’d you ask?”
I walked toward the porch. “Just because I’m not hungry doesn’t mean you’re not.”
She paused. “Good point.”
I ascended the steps. “Read anything good while I was away?”
She shrugged. “I read yesterday’s newspaper you left behind. Did you know the stock market’s apparently tanking?”
I walked into the cabin. “Good thing I don’t have investments. You coming inside? Or do I have to pick you up and walk you in myself?”
“Ha. Ha. Ha.”
“You say that like I’m joking.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
I peered over my shoulder. “Stand out there a second longer and see what happens.”
She glared at me before she stomped back into the cabin and slammed the front door.
“I’m going to read,” she said.
“And by ‘read,’ I hope you don’t mean ‘trying to sneak out of another window.’”
She scoffed. “Whatever.”
“I’ve got more books for you in my bike compartment when—”
“Whatever, Sly!”
“I’m Bowser!”
“Okay, Donkey Kong!”
And as I barked with laughter, I heard her slam the bedroom door.
Man. What a woman.2HopeI flipped the page of my book as I curled my legs up to my knees. This place was pretty outstanding, given the fact that it was my temporary prison. I peeked over into the corner that held my stack of already read books. It sat thirty books high and looked like it was about to topple over. And I had a bet with myself going. I bet I could get that stack of books to forty-two before it fell over.
And whichever one landed closest to me, I’d read again.
Spending time with my sister was a completely different ballgame, though. Because of her new life with this Link guy, I didn’t get much time with her. And by “much time,” I meant I’d only seen her four times in the five weeks I’d been cooped up in this place. I didn’t blame her, though. It was obvious Link treated her well, and it was obvious my sister was head-over-heels for the guy.
But my life had completely changed multiple times over. And I just needed someone as a rock. Anyone, really.
“Knock, knock.”
My head whipped up as the sound of Bowser’s voice filtered through the door. I watched the knob turn even though I hadn’t told him he could come in, but the smell of food quickly followed his presence. My eyes fell to the tray he carried, and I quickly put my book off to the side. Almost every night these past five weeks, this man had cooked me dinner. Something wonderful and exotic every night. My favorite meal, up until this point, was fresh noodle pasta with a broccoli alfredo sauce. With chicken, of course.
“What do we have here?” I asked.
Bowser sat the tray on my lap. “You mentioned a few days ago that you liked sushi. So, I looked up how to make it and tried my hand at it. Might not be professionally made. But the fish is great quality and I found this spicy topping I thought you’d enjoy.”
