Kira gasped in shock. Shook her head in denial. There was no way that Jaxon and Raven Caulder could be brothers. The two men were nothing alike. And then she realized that wasn't true. They both had the same cold, deadly focus. The same air of danger surrounded them. The same blacker than the pits of hell eyes.

But that was where the similarities ended.

Raven was scary as hell, completely corrupt and about as trustworthy as a snake. Jaxon was a good man, completely selfless in his desire to help her, and she trusted him without question. How the two of them could be brothers was a complete mystery. And then she remembered, "Oh, my God. He killed your mother!"

"And took our old man's place as club president," he confirmed in a tone like ice. "So now would be a good time to tell me why he's after you."

She so did not want to have this conversation with him. However, under the circumstances, it was going to be unavoidable. "Do you want the whole story or just the highlights?" When he fixed her with that cold, impenetrable stare, Kira sighed in resignation and began to tell her miserable tale of woe.

"My mom died in a car accident when I was twelve," she began evenly. "My dad kind of went off the deep end. He'd always been a mild-mannered accountant; staid, respectable. Maybe a little boring, but he was a good guy. A great father. A few months later, he came home on a motorcycle, and I thought he was the coolest dad ever."

"Then he started staying out late. Coming home drunk. If he came home at all," she recalled sadly. "One night he came home wearing a prospect vest. Dad said he was joining a motorcycle club. I didn't even know what that was, but it made him happy, so I thought it was a great idea. He hadn't been happy since mom died."

"Once he patched in, Raven put him in charge of keeping the books for the club's businesses. Dad said it was an important position. It proved the club respected him," she explained in a weary tone. "So he sold his business and worked full time for the Hell Riders. Before long, club members were dropping by our house all hours of the day and night."

"How old were you then?" Jaxon asked, his tone less cold than it had been.

"I was fourteen," she admitted. "They scared the hell out of me, so Dad kept them away from me as much as possible. He might have gone over to the dark side, but he didn't want to take me down with him. To be honest, I was glad to leave all of that behind when I went away to college."

"I got my BA in forensic accounting and came back home to find a job. Only it didn't work out quite the way I had planned," Kira confessed. "Dad wrecked his bike and suffered a spinal injury. It resulted in quadriparesis instead of paralysis. Which means severe muscle weakness affected all four of his limbs."

"He couldn't ride anymore, and that almost killed him. When the muscles continued to deteriorate, he couldn't keep the books, and he felt like he no longer had any value to the club," she said bitterly. "That was the part he couldn't deal with. Dad kept talking about killing himself, and it terrified me because he was serious."

"So I made a deal with him. I told him I'd keep the books for him and no one in the club would ever know about it," Kira confessed heavily and shook her head in dismay. "Then one day I came home and found Raven there. He was trying to get dad to double check an account, and he wasn't even able to turn the computer on."

"Once he figured out what we'd been doing, Raven threatened to kill us both," she admitted and couldn't prevent the shiver of fear the memory produced. "I tried to convince him that I'd never reveal the clubs business, but he wasn't buying it. Only club members and all that bullshit. So he gave me an ultimatum. A deal I couldn't refuse."

Kira swallowed painfully and admitted, "We could both live, and I could keep doing the books… but I'd have to be his old lady."

Those black as night eyes practically glowed with fury again. "Did he fucking touch you?" Jaxon rasped.

"No. Raven agreed to give me twenty-four hours to decide," she informed him and then laughed bitterly. "Some choice, huh? In the end, dad made the decision for me. He… overdosed on pain meds." She raised eyes filled with pain to his and said, "He killed himself. So I packed a bag and ran."

"When did this happen?"

"Six weeks ago," she admitted heavily. "I drove south in case they tried to track me, sold my car and caught a bus headed west. I paid cash for an old beater car, drove it up north and sold it. I've been staying in Richmond with my college roommate for the last month. I guess he had someone watching the bus station just in case."

"Why the hell did you come back?" He demanded, sounding as confused as he looked.

"I can't hide out for the rest of my life, Jaxon," she said reasonably. "I thought if I came back, I might be able to make a deal with Raven. Trade my freedom in exchange for… something he wants."

His expression was as scary as his brothers when he growled, "Trade what?"

"Not what you're thinking," Kira quickly assured him. No way in hell would she trade her body to Raven for any reason. Yeah, he was a handsome devil, but he really was a devil. "I, um, took the club's laptop when I left," she admitted and saw his look of shocked disbelief.

"You did what?" Jaxon asked in astonishment.

"I needed a bargaining chip, okay," she replied defensively. "Something that I knew he'd pay any price to get back."

He appeared to give that careful consideration before asking, "What's on the laptop that’s so important?"

"Since it's all encrypted, I have no idea. Dad only gave me the password for the accounting program," Kira admitted. "I'm hoping that whatever is in those files is important enough that he'll take it and let me go."

"It sounds good in theory," he confirmed. "But whether he goes for the deal or not, coming back to his turf has put you on a collision course with Raven."

Which effectively reminded Kira that she was also putting him on a collision course with his brother. With the Hell Riders outlaw motorcycle club. She was putting his life in danger. Uh, uh. No sir. No way in hell was that happening. She shot to her feet and headed for the door. Jaxon beat her to it and blocked her path.

"Please let me go, Jaxon," she said tremulously. "Now that you know how dangerous they are, you have to see why I can't let you get involved."

"The only thing that has changed is that now I know who the enemy is," he countered and didn't budge an inch.

"Dammit, stop being stubborn," Kira insisted impatiently. "I don't want you getting hurt because of me." Those cold, black eyes flared with emotion before he ruthlessly squashed it. Yeah, she'd seen his brother do that, too. When Raven did it, she almost pissed herself. But when Jaxon did the same thing, it was hotter than hell.

Lord, she was a hot mess to be thinking about sex at a time like this.

"My brother's had a reckoning coming for a long time," he assured her, once again sounding calm and detached. "It was always going to happen. You've just expedited the time frame."

"I will not be a catalyst to your personal vendetta," she swore and tried to shove past him. It was like trying to move a wall. A brick wall.

***

Kira was a feisty little thing when she wasn't scared half to death. Jax liked this side of her a lot. Unfortunately, so did his cock. Adrenaline already had him sporting wood. Her display of temper and trying to shove him around wasn't helping it go away. Just the opposite in fact. The alpha in him was just itching to show her who was in control.

By fucking her senseless.

Yeah. Like there was a hope in hell of that happening. Kira was obviously older than he'd assumed. The average teenager didn't toss out words like catalyst and vendetta. And they sure as fuck didn't have a bachelors degree. But he'd stupidly nixed the idea of hooking up and reneging on the deal would be a dick move.

He was a fucking dumbass.

So it was definitely time for a change in topic. "How do you like your pizza?"

"What?"

"Pizza. How do you like it?" He repeated. When she stared at him as if he'd suggested a walk on the moon, he elaborated, "I'm hungry."

Her mouth opened and closed twice before she managed to demand, "How the hell can you think about food now?"

"Because by the time it gets here I'll be starving," he said in amusement.

She obviously didn't appreciate the humor because her eyes narrowed dangerously. Yeah, it was a good thing he'd made that fucking condition. Otherwise, he'd have her naked and spread eagle in less than a minute. The fire flashing in those sea-green eyes really revved his throttle. "If you don't have a preference, I'll order meat lovers."

"Fine," she snapped in exasperation and threw both hands in the air before turning away and pacing back and forth in front of the Arcadia doors.

Jax called in the order and shoved the phone in his pocket. He slouched comfortably onto the couch and watched her continue to pace and mutter. Occasionally she'd shoot him an irritated look, huff something unintelligible and keep right on pacing a trench in his carpet. She was the cutest fucking thing he'd ever seen when she was angry.

And though she be but little, she is fierce.

Like a pissed off pixie.

Fuck. Why the hell did he have to think of that?

His damn cock had been at half-mast since he'd met the woman. Which was unusual in and of itself because his cock did not rule him. On the contrary, Jax maintained such fierce control over himself that he rarely sported an erection without a conscious decision to do so. The little waif had wreaked havoc with his self-control.

Kira must have come to a decision because she stopped and turned to watch the sunset slowly darken the sky over the ocean. Then she just stood there drinking it in. He could feel the serenity wash over her. Actually saw her accept the calmness and make it a part of herself. The woman had excellent control of her emotions when she chose to utilize them.

It was an ability that he had mastered as a child.

A self-preservation mechanism that allowed Jax to shut down his emotional side and function in a clinically detached manner. A skill that served him well as an interrogator. It was also a shield he hid behind to keep people at bay. They thought he was cold and unfeeling. Even his teammates had no clue how deeply his emotions ran.

Or how hot his desires burned.

Little did he know, but the waif was about to test the limits of his control.

Kira reached down and grasped the bottom of the hoodie that hit her mid-thigh. She tugged it up, revealing a fine heart shaped ass he'd had no clue was hiding under all that extra material. As she bent forward, a tantalizing glimpse of ink peeked out from the space between her low riding jeans and the tank top she wore underneath.

His semi-erect cock shot straight to full mast.

Her upper body bent at a forty-five-degree angle, she wrangled the hoodie over her head and stood upright. The breath froze in his lungs as a mane of living fire cascaded down her back. She turned to face him, and his cock did a happy dance in his jeans. Fucking hell. Kira was his fantasy pixie come to life.

And he couldn't fucking touch her.

It was enough to send a grown ass man to his knees.

She walked over to the couch and sat down beside him. One leg bent under her, a set of perky breasts pointed in his direction. Resting an elbow on the back of the couch, she propped her head in her hand. The other hand lightly touched his forearm. Electrical sparks shot all through his body. Her beautiful sea green eyes swam with gratitude.

Sweet Christ. He wanted to give her something to be grateful for. Like the best fucking night of her life. In his bed. With him over her. Under her. So deep inside her, he couldn't find his way back out. This woman made him burn in ways he hadn't known possible. Made him ache with the need to possess her.

Made him want things he could. Not. Have!

"Thank you, Jaxon," she said softly. Sincerely. "I really didn't have anyone else to turn to. At least not anyone that they don't know about. I appreciate your help more than I can say."

Forcing his brain out of the cesspool of lust it had sunk into, he pondered her words. Kira had friends that would have helped her. But she hadn't wanted them to feel the club's backlash for doing so. By going out on her own, she'd been protecting those she cared about. Regardless of what it might cost her to do so. Damned if his admiration for her didn't just double.

So did his desire.

Fucking hell.

He was saved from trying to form a coherent response when the doorbell rang. Jax launched himself off of the couch and across the room like a missile to open the door. Thank God he'd ordered pizza. Right now food was not what he was starving for, but it made a damn good distraction from what he really wanted.

Or so he thought.

"Mmm, that smells sooo good," her throaty purr made him wonder if she'd sound like that while he was balls deep inside of her.

Mother fuck.

Dropping the box on the breakfast bar, he beat a hasty retreat into the kitchen. Jax grabbed paper plates, a roll of paper towels and dumped them on the counter as well. Yeah, he was a man. He didn't do dishes and napkins. Opening the refrigerator, he had to clear his throat twice before he could ask, "Beer or water?"

"Definitely beer with pizza," she said from way too fucking close behind him. Right now having an ocean between them might not be far enough to calm his raging testosterone levels. Wondering how the hell she'd slipped up behind him without his being aware, he turned and saw that Kira had removed her shoes.

Who the fuck knew bare feet and cotton candy pink toenails could be sexy? He sure as hell hadn't until he'd seen hers. Goddamn, everything about the woman fired all of his cylinders. Because without that fucking hoodie hiding her, it was obvious that she was not a teenager. Kira was a full grown, smoking hot woman.

He was so fucked.

"Have a seat and dig in," he offered, his voice sounding a bit gruffer than he'd intended. At least he hadn't growled at her like the rutting beast he felt like. Jax sighed in resignation and assured himself that he had made the right decision. Offering to protect her in exchange for sex would have been a dick move and not his style.

The woman was in trouble, and she needed a friend she could trust. Not some horny ass mofo trying to take advantage of her. Although he had caught her covertly checking him out a few times. While his hands might be tied, hers weren't. If Kira indicated that she wouldn't be adverse to sex, then it was game on.

***

Kira didn't know what to make of Jaxon. The man had more mood swings than a menopausal woman. And he flashed from hot to cold just as fast too. He was quiet while they ate, but she'd come to expect that from him. What she hadn't expected were his short, almost gruff responses when she made a comment.

She wondered what had happened to his calm, even tone.

Still, it was better than that cold, detached manner he had at times.

The man was an enigma. Even knowing as much as she did about him, he was still a puzzle she couldn't seem to piece together. His cold, unapproachable expression at the bar. The calm, caring side he'd shown on the beach. The fierce anger he'd displayed when he realized she was running from his brother. And the growly, almost impatient attitude right now.

Which one of them was the real Jaxon Caulder?

And which one would he be in bed?

A shiver danced up her spine at the thought. Geez, Louise, she'd love to know the answer to that question. Because no matter which mood he was in, Jaxon was still hotter than hell. Kira didn't think she'd ever been this attracted to a man before. Then again, she'd never met a man quite like him either.

Who knew she had a thing for dangerous, moody men?

She'd lived around the type for most of her life, so maybe that was the reason she was so comfortable with him. Nope. She wasn't buying it. Because she'd never been comfortable around the club members. And there was no way in hell she had ever wanted any of them in her bed. Especially their odious president. She shuddered in disgust.

"You okay?" Jaxon asked and dragged her out of her reverie.

"Yeah, why?"

"You keep shivering or… something," he said with a frown as if he were trying to analyze what she had done. "Are you cold?"

"No. Just tired," she admitted with a half smile for his concern. "Constantly looking over my shoulder is exhausting." He nodded solemnly though his eyes seemed to be stuck in the vicinity of her mouth. Hoping like hell she didn't have sauce smeared on her lips; she licked them clean. Something dark and dangerous flashed in his eyes.

"Take the bed. I'll crash on the couch."

Sleep in his bed? Without him? Her girlie parts shrieked in outrage because that was cruel and unusual punishment. "I can't take your bed," she denied.

"I usually fall sleep on the couch anyway," he said with a shrug. "The bed is yours. Use it."

She could tell he wasn't going to budge on the subject, so Kira gave in gracefully. Who knew chivalry was still alive? "Thanks, Jaxon," she said gratefully. "Um, can I borrow a t-shirt to sleep in?"

***

Every male molecule he possessed roared to life at the thought. Kira wearing his shirt. In his bed. The only thing better would be her naked. And them sharing the bed. Jax broke out in a cold sweat just thinking about it. "Yeah," he confirmed, his voice sounding like he was chewing gravel. "I'll, uh, find a clean one."

He stalked into his bedroom, flipped on the light and snatched open a dresser drawer. Rooting through his shirts, he found an old one that had been worn soft. Handing it over, he noticed the rumpled bed. Shit. A woman like her deserved better than that. The least he could do was change the linens.

"The bathroom is through there," he said and nodded to the door behind her.

"Okay. Thanks," she replied and entered the bathroom to change.

Jax snatched a set of sheets from the top of the closet, thankful he had an extra set that was clean. He stripped the bed, dumped the linens in the laundry basket and set about putting the clean ones on. He was tucking the last corner when the door opened behind him. Every neuron in his body clamored to attention.

"Oh, I could have done that," Kira protested.

He turned to face her and whatever he'd meant to say flew out of his head. Fucking hell. She looked just like his ultimate fantasy standing there. In his t-shirt. The way her nipples were poking at the thin material assured him that it was all she was wearing. Something primal and possessive gripped him by the balls and held on tight.

Jax had to get the hell out of that room while he still could. He made it as far as the door before her voice saying his name stopped him in his tracks. He gripped the doorframe with both hands to keep from turning around and looking at her again. From throwing her on the bed and sinking balls deep inside of her.

"Are you sure you won't change your mind?" She asked hesitantly. "I feel really bad about putting you out of your bed."

He turned slowly to face her. The hunger in his eyes burning hotly as he raked them down her banging body and back up again. "Trust me, Kira," he said in a low growl that would not be contained. "If I get near that fucking bed, neither one of us will get any sleep tonight." Her shocked expression revealed that she had grasped his meaning.

"Jaxon," Kira said softly. Seductively. Tingles shot up his spine. "Get in the fucking bed."

He was on her before she could blink.

Like a man too long without sustenance, he devoured her mouth with his. Licking, tasting, nipping, sucking. She was delicious. The best fucking thing he'd ever tasted. And he wanted more. He broke the kiss just long enough to rip the shirt up and off of her, and then she was back in his arms. Where he needed her.

He lifted her off of her feet, her legs locked around his waist, breasts plastered against his chest. One hand gripped his back; the other sank into his hair. She wrapped around him like a vine. Clung with surprising strength. And her hunger was just as voracious as his own. It was fucking phenomenal.

He sat down on the side of the bed, toed his boots off while his hands explored every curve she possessed. Kira might be petite, but her body was perfectly proportioned. Her breasts filled his hands like they were custom fitted. And her ass. His hands smoothed over those luscious globes he ached to sink his teeth into.

He squeezed gently, and she moaned her appreciation.

"Want in you so fucking bad," he muttered as his teeth scraped over the hollow between her neck and shoulder.

"Yes," she breathed as her hands grasped his shirt and pulled it loose from his jeans. "Need you in me."

That was all the affirmation that he needed. Jax, stood, swiveled and deposited her onto the bed. He snatched the shirt over his head, and the look of admiration on her face made him proud to be a man. He made quick work of shedding his jeans, and her eyes grew enormous at the sight of his fully erect cock.

"Christ Almighty. You're huge," she exclaimed and scooted backward on the bed.

A rusty chuckle escaped as he grasped her ankles and hauled her back to the edge. "I'll be gentle," he promised.

She leveled him with that narrow-eyed look again and warned, "The hell you will. That was not a complaint."

Goddamn. Her feistiness did things to him that he couldn't explain. "So why'd you scoot away from me?" Jax queried curiously. Most women found his size intimidating, and she was a tiny little thing, so it had been the logical assumption.

"I was trying to make room for you," she shot back. "This might be a king sized bed, but you've got the body to go with that cock."

"And you've got the gorgeous body my cock wants," he assured her as he reached into the nightstand drawer to retrieve a condom.

"Oh, baby," she purred silkily. "Your cock can have an-ny-thing it wants."

And just like that, she'd amped his desire up until it rocketed off the charts.

Jax was on her in a flash. Over her. In her. Balls deep. They moaned in unison. Because nothing had ever felt so right. She shivered. A shudder shook him. The pleasure was too intense. Need bordered on desperation. His brain screamed a warning. To slow down. Be gentle. But his body had a mind of its own.

Because she was as wild as fuck.

And that revved him up even more.

He pounded into her as if his life depended on it. And Kira fucking loved it. The sassy little vixen locked her ankles around his neck. Demanded more. Begged for it. Pushed him to give everything he had. It was the best fucking sex of his life.

***

Kira had become a mindless creature the second Jaxon thrust into her. She'd never known pleasure could be so intense. Need could be so strong. She craved every inch of him. Felt him to the depths of her soul. It was too much, yet not enough. No man had ever driven her out of her mind with desire.

Until Jaxon.

She couldn't hold him tight enough. Meet his thrusts hard enough. Could barely articulate her need for more. When he reared back on his knees, lifting her ass away from the bed, she swung her feet up around his neck to hold on. She'd thought the bike ride was awesome, but this was the wildest ride of her life.

If they survived, it would be a miracle.

The orgasm slammed into her without warning. Her back arched. Arms splayed out beside her. Fingers digging for purchase. Nails scoring the sheets. Eyes wide with shock. Her mouth fell open in surprise. A keening wail filled the room. She shattered. Shattered. Into a million fragments of pure unbridled ecstasy.

Jaxon thrust hard. Held himself buried deep. Her pussy quivered. Quaked. His cock swelled within her. She felt the pressure of his release through the latex that separated them. Heard his voice calling her name raggedly. He shuddered over her. In her. Collapsed on her. With the last of her strength, Kira wrapped her arms around his back.

A smile of sheer contentment curled her lips as sleep claimed her.

***

Jax felt like he'd been caught in the concussion of an IED blast. He hadn't been this wrung out since BUDs. Physically, he was ready for a repeat. Emotionally, he was totally wrecked. Mentally, he was in even worse shape. His mind was reeling like a tilt-a-whirl as he tried to comprehend what had just happened.

Only one thought made any sense at all.

He'd found the one.

The one woman in the entire world that had been created just for him. Yeah, he was a closet romantic. Literally. He had a whole fucking closet full of romance novels. The team would rag the hell out of him for all eternity if they knew. Which was why they didn't. And the closet was always locked. Those fuckers had no concept of personal space.

Speaking of personal space, he was probably crushing Kira. He eased his weight off of her and shifted to his side. Propping his head on his hand, Jax just lay there staring at her while she slept peacefully. That glorious mane of fiery hair spread across the rumpled sheets. A smile on her pale pink lips.

God, she was so fucking beautiful.

Every woman he'd ever seen paled in comparison. His heart thumped in agreement. Yeah, there was no doubt about it. She was the one. His favorite author, Salienne Dulcette, would call Kira, his croie. The author had used the word as an Irish term of endearment for beloved. He had looked it up, and it also meant heart.

Holy shit!

He'd just found his fucking heart!

The knowledge was as terrifying as it was exhilarating. Almost the same exact sensation he had felt the first time he'd made a night HALO jump. Because now that he'd found her, Jax wasn't exactly sure what to do next. But one thing was for damn sure. He definitely knew what not to do.

His parent's sorry excuse for a marriage had shown him that. His father had never treated his mother with an ounce of respect. Never shown her his love or affection. The fucker had never done a goddamn thing except treat her like a piece of shit. Hell, he'd treated the club whores better than his wife.

So yeah, he knew exactly how a man shouldn't behave.

Then again, maybe he did know what to do. Two of his teammates were the best role models he'd ever seen for how to treat the women they loved. Reed took care of his wife like she was a fucking queen, and the adoration that Char felt for him was impossible to miss. Those two were so happy together it was almost embarrassing.

And there was abso-fucking-lutely nothing that Chaz wouldn't do for Jenna. Even though she wasn't his woman. Technically. Theirs was a complicated relationship, to say the least, but they were completely devoted to each other. Maybe one day they'd both wise up and admit that they were in love.

Not to mention he'd read enough romance novels to have a pretty good idea what a woman wanted from a man. Love, orgasms, and faithfulness seemed to top the list. Nothing complicated about that. He wasn't the type to stray, so loving a woman like Kira would be no hardship. And Jax would happily provide all the orgasms she wanted.

Or die trying.

So it all boiled down to one simple piece of logic. Make a woman the center of your universe, and she will reciprocate in kind. That meant he needed to take care of her, provide for her. Protect her. Especially from his brother. That shit was happening as soon as possible. No way his woman was ever going to have reason to fear.