Piper

The burger and fries look just as fantastic as ever when I set the plate in front of Landon, a cute car salesman from across the street. He’s a repeat customer who’s been coming in every day on his lunch break for the last two weeks. “Anything else I can get you?”

Landon peers up at me with his big brown eyes and smiles. “Looks great, Piper. Thank you.”

His eyes linger on me a little too long for our exchange to be purely innocent. Each day Landon has gotten a little friendlier with me when he comes into the diner. I can tell he likes me, and for a while, I thought he might be a good man to offer my V card up to since he doesn’t seem to know anything about me or my father. But that thought flew out of my head the second Cade stepped foot into my life a few nights ago.

I have no idea where Cade and I stand at this point. It’s been over a week since I’ve seen him, and I know I should move on, but I can’t get him out of my mind. I’m afraid he’s ruined me for all other men. Men like Cade don’t commit. It was silly of me to entertain the idea that I may be special to him.

I busy myself with wiping down the counters. I’m going to miss this job when I head off to college. I’ve worked at Moe’s Café since I was fifteen to earn money to save up for college, because I refuse to take my dad’s dirty money to pay for it. I have no clue what I want to go to school for yet. I just know I want some freedom. I want to live life away from under the thumbs of my parents.

It’s time for me to assert a little independence and moving far away from everyone I know is a good start.

Once Landon’s plate is clean, I walk over and lay his bill face down for him. Landon places his hand on top of mine and smiles. “Piper, I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me sometime?”

I bite my bottom lip as I consider his offer. Landon seems tame, and definitely more my speed, but my body doesn’t come alive when I’m near him.

Like I said, I think Cade has ruined me for all men.

“I don’t know, Landon…” my voice trails off as I pull away from him. “I’m leaving for school in a week and I—”

The rumble of a motorcycle outside the restaurant immediately stops my train of thought. Cade pulls his bike out front and parks near the curb. My heart does a double thump and I can’t stop the grin from spreading across my face.

I should be pissed beyond belief with how he left me before, but the excitement of seeing him outweighs my anger.

Cade shoves dark sunglasses on the top of his head as he heads toward the front door.

Landon turns and his eyes follow my gaze, where we both watch Cade step inside. Cade is beautiful. Rough and rugged isn’t everyone’s type, but no sane woman would ever argue he’s not amazing to look at. His dark blue jeans hug the thick muscles in his legs, while his white T-shirt beneath his black leather riding vest shows off the curve of his biceps. Cade is definitely sex on a stick.

Cade strolls over to the counter with his heavy black boots moving swiftly across the floor. “Piper…”

Hearing my name roll off his tongue causes my toes to curl, but my mind is racing ninety miles an hour. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to get you. Let’s go,” he orders without any more of an explanation.

I stare at him in disbelief. “I can’t just up and leave here. I have to finish my shift.”

The muscle in Cade’s jaw flexes. “Now’s not the time to play games. We have to leave. Now.”

Things escalate quickly from that point. Cade reaches for my wrist, but Landon seizes that as some sort of opportunity to be a hero and stands up.

Cade’s eyes narrow at Landon. “Sit the fuck down, preppy, and mind your fucking business.”

Landon has bigger balls than I initially gave him credit for. Cade is one hundred percent alpha. Most men wouldn’t dare stand up to him.

“I believe the lady doesn’t want to go with you.” Landon’s trying to sound tough, but it’s not hard to see the fear in his wide eyes.

Cade’s lips pull into a tight line and he gives his head a little half shake as if to say ‘Your fucking funeral’ before he draws back and lays Landon out cold with one punch to the face.

I shriek as Landon falls back to the ground.

Cade grabs my arm and pulls me from behind the counter and toward the door, not giving me any time to check to see if Landon is okay.

“You didn’t have to do that!” I shout.

It doesn’t faze him as he continues to lead me outside and to his bike. “Motherfucker had it coming. I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”

“He didn’t do anything. He was only trying to protect me,” I fire back.

“Exactly,” Cade says as he throws his leg over the black and chrome machine and pulls me over to him. “You’re not his business. You’re mine. You have all the fucking protection you need. Now get on.”

I should fight him and tell him no, but I don’t want to. I like the idea of being his. It’s a complete turn-on to be claimed by Cade.

I hop on the bike and the inside of my thighs smash against his hips. My arms wrap around his waist and I press my chest against his back. “Where are we going?”

“Some place safe.”

It’s the only answer I’m getting from him before he revs the engine and we head out on the open road.