Mac

“What the fuck were you thinking, asshole?” I growled at myself in the bathroom mirror. I licked my lips and groaned at the taste of Bridget still lingering there.

I needed to stay the hell away from her. The last thing we needed was to be at war with the Hounds of Hellfire. My club wasn’t exactly filled with boy scouts but Pierce’s guys played dirty. Taking her as leverage was dangerous enough—there would be no coming back from fucking her while she was here.

The solution was to keep Bridget busy and out of my sight. I didn’t have any other choice but to hand her over to Cat to find her something to do. I knew I should also find her another place to sleep but it would only distract me even more, worrying about her safety and obsessing over whose bed she was lying in. I’d simply have to make use of the couch in my office. There were plenty of beds that would welcome me, but I hadn’t been interested in meaningless companionship for a long time and after getting a feel and taste of Bridget…she was the only one I craved.

I took a fortifying breath and opened the bathroom door. Bridget was still sitting on the bed in her tiny tank top, but she’d put back on her shorts. She looked up at me with confusion and desire in her eyes, and it almost broke my resolve. She was fucking gorgeous, and so tempting.

I shook my head to try and clear it as I stalked over to a worn, wooden dresser by the door. I grabbed a fresh pair of boxers, jeans, and a T-shirt. Then I snatched my cut from where it hung on the wall and tossed it onto the bed.

“I’ll send someone with some fresh clothes for you,” I told her gruffly. “You need to wear that when you leave this room. No one will bother you as long as you wear my brand.” I made my way to the bathroom without waiting for her response, but paused in the doorway and looked at her. “What happened before”—I ran a frustrated hand through my hair—“that shit shouldn’t have happened. You may have been raised in this life, princess, but you aren’t cut out for it. I’m too fucking old to be making mistakes like getting involved with someone so young.”

Her blue eyes deepened as hurt filled them, but they also held a stubborn glint that made me smile as I shut the bathroom door. After sending a quick text to Cat to rustle up some clothes for Bridget, I hopped in the shower and dressed for the day.

Our MC had its finger in a lot of businesses, but one of our main sources of income was a shop that specialized in racing bikes. We had a new shipment coming in, and that meant a shit ton of stuff to do.

When I exited the bathroom, Bridget was standing by the solitary window in the room, holding a bundle of clothes and shifting restlessly on her feet.

“Get ready, then meet me in my office,” I ordered. I headed for the door and noticed my vest still on the unmade bed. “And don’t forget the cut.” Stepping into the hall, I blew out a heavy breath as I closed the door behind me. My room was filled with her delicious scent, and I practically ran away from it like a cowardly bitch.

Scout was waiting for me in my office, and I scowled at the knowing grin on his face. “Cat said she delivered clothes to the little princess in your room this morning.”

“And?” I growled.

He shrugged. “Noticed your couch looks untouched. I’m guessing that can’t be said for our captive anymore.”

“Keep your opinions to yourself and your mouth shut, brother.” I dropped onto the seat behind my desk. “There a reason you’re in my office? Or you just here to get your ass thrown out?” He toned down his grin to a slight smirk, but I still wanted to wipe it off his face with my fist.

“Delivery is confirmed for this afternoon. Got the boys lined up for the run tomorrow too. You still planning on going?”

It was the perfect excuse to get away from Bridget. By the time I got back, Pierce’s time would be up.

“No.” My hand balled into a fist as I mentally put a fucking gun to my head. “I need to be here in case Pierce comes through early.” It was a pitiful attempt to excuse my answer, but Scout didn’t question it. I was the fucking president and didn’t need to explain myself.

We went over the details for the run and were just finishing up when a soft knock on my door interrupted our conversation. “Yeah,” I snapped.

Bridget opened the door and slowly walked inside. When she saw Scout, she straightened her spine and gave him a nod of greeting before walking to a chair in front of my desk and taking a seat. She’d donned my cut and something inside me calmed at the sight.

“Princess,” he greeted her with a smirk.

She stiffened further and shocked me when she practically growled, “My name is Bridget.”

Scout grinned and plopped down onto the chair beside her. “How about I call you, Blue, because of those gorgeous blue eyes?”

She cocked her head to the side and studied him for a moment, then gave him a small smile in return. “Blue it is.”

I didn’t like the idea of him having a special nickname for her, but calling him out on it would only show my developing weakness for her.

“Scout.”

“Yeah, Prez?”

“Get out.” My tone left no room for argument.

He stood and meandered to the open door. Cat appeared, and he winked at her. “Kitty Cat,” he growled, and he smacked her ass before continuing down the hall. Her lips tipped up into a smile until she faced the room and noticed Bridget.

“Mac. What can I do for you?”

“I’m putting you in charge of Bridget,” I explained. “Show her around, make sure she knows the places that are off limits, and find her something to do while she’s here.”

“You want me to babysit the pampered princess?” she asked in surprise and disgust. Bridget let out a cute little growl at the nickname and I suppressed a smile.

“You questioning my orders, woman?” I stared hard at her, leaving her without a doubt that I was serious and expected her to do what she was told.

She threw another glance at Bridget, revulsion clear in her eyes, then sighed and looked back at me. “No.” She stood and motioned for Bridget to follow her. “Let’s go, kid.”

Bridget looked as though she wanted to say something to me, but changed her mind and quietly trailed after Cat.

I tried to get my mind back on work, though it frequently strayed to my blue-eyed beauty. Couldn’t help wondering what she was doing and how she was adjusting. Then I’d lecture myself for being a pansy ass and throw myself back into my responsibilities.

When my stomach growled, I grabbed food from the kitchen and took it back to my office. Finally, my eyes grew tired and I glanced at the clock on my desk to see that it was after two in the morning. I trudged over to my couch and flopped down on it, determined to catch some shut eye and stay away from the woman currently occupying my bed. Instead, I tossed and turned until I finally gave up and went upstairs. I silently undressed and slipped into bed, pulling Bridget into my arms.

I woke with the sunrise and left before she knew I’d been there. It would have to be enough—sleeping with her in my arms.