Page 100 of Ruled By Wizard

“You don’t like it?” he asked silkily, stilling his hand.

“You’re a fast learner.”

“I am when the reward is giving you the pleasure you deserve.”

Her hand covered his on her breast. “How many women have you fed that same line?”

“Only you,” he answered honestly.

She stared at him doubtfully.

“I’m not bullshitting you. I’m never going to write you a poem or text you sweet things about how I feel. Hell, I’m not into giving flowers, either. I suck at romance. What I will do is say what I mean.”

Her hands curled into his hair. “Don’t lie to me, Wizard. You win. You’ve proved tonight that I want you, despite my common sense telling me not to. I’m only asking you not to pretend to care about me if you plan to use me like the other women in your life.” Her fingers tightened in his hair. “If you do, you won’t walk away unscathed when it’s over.”

“Is that supposed to scare me?”

“This is the second time tonight I’ve warned you to think this over. Ignore me at your own risk.”

Wizard started rubbing her nipple again, watching heated passion return to her eyes. “Some risks are worth taking. And, baby, you’re a risk I’d take even if I knew fucking you would kill me.”

A sense of foreboding made him want to take the words back, but he didn’t. He had never been afraid of danger. He had taken risks that made other men walk away muttering that he was crazy.

Natalia had said she could be crazy sometimes. That was further proof they were almost a perfect match.

All he had left to do was ease her carefully into The Last Riders’ lifestyle, and every one of his dreams would come true.

CHAPTER 41

CAUSE OF DEATH

Natalia wasn’t a dream. She was a fucking nightmare.

Wizard sat staring gloomily into his mug of beer, wishing he were back in the military. He should have stayed in the service. Then he might never have met the woman wreaking havoc on his life.

“Why aren’t you answering Natalia’s texts?” Doom asked, sliding into the chair across from him. “She texted Tink to ask if you were here.”

Wizard’s hand tightened around the mug’s handle while his other reached for the pack of cigarettes on the table. “She wants me to take her to the business ball, and she needs an answer by this afternoon.”

“What’s the holdup? Tell her no and move on.”

Wizard frowned at him. “I would, but then she’d go alone, and I don’t want her in a room full of men without me.”

“Then go.”

“I can’t. Jesus won’t lend me his suit again. He’s pissed that I got steak sauce on it and wouldn’t give him the money for dry cleaning.”

Doom burst out laughing. “Then pay Jesus for the dry cleaning or buy your own suit.”

“Do I look like I’m going to spend that kind of money on a suit like Jesus does? I can’t buy a cheaper one, either, or she’ll ask why I didn’t wear the nicer suit to the ball.”

“Did you ask Natalia if the men will be wearing suits or tuxes?”

Glaring, Wizard imagined his hands wrapped around Doom’s throat. “No, I didn’t.” Lighting his cigarette, he stared at Doom through the haze of smoke. “How much does a tux cost?”

“Have you thought about renting a nice suit or tux?”

“They rent suits and tuxes?”