Dangerous Liaisons (Crimson Legion MC #1)

19. CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

D espite her efforts to leave without being followed, the motorcycle behind her had no trouble keeping pace. Xavier rode close, matching her speed. He even slowed down a few times, only to rev his engine and pass her again, a teasing challenge in his demeanor. They pulled into her driveway, and she climbed out of her vehicle, giving Viktor a dismissive nod while ignoring Kira, who hovered near the bumper. With irritation simmering beneath the surface, she approached Xavier, her steps purposeful and brisk.

“Do not cut off the engine. You’re not staying. ”

With a grunt, he did exactly that before climbing off his bike and lowering his helmet onto the seat. “Hunter told me to make sure you’re safe, and that’s what I’m doing.”

“I have men that are paid to do that.” As she spoke, Viktor moved past them to disappear around the back of the house and check on the men posted outside. “The threat against me is no longer breathing. You can go.”

“I’m still coming inside. I want to do a quick check and make sure everything’s clear.”

“Do you wish me to accompany you?” Kira chuckled. “Or perhaps you would like me to have him escorted off the property?”

He grunted at her teasing words. Isabella suppressed a smile with a shake of her head. “As tempting as that sounds, I think I can handle him for now.”

Kira raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. “I’ll leave you to your… conversation. I need to check on the winery.”

“I’m sure your trip has nothing to do with a certain biker.”

Her friend shrugged, seconds later climbing behind the wheel of the Mercedes, and the taillights faded down the driveway. With a sigh, she faced Xavier again to find him leaning casually against his bike. “Do it, and then you need to leave. ”

Xavier pushed off his bike, a playful smirk on his face. “Not exactly how a guest is supposed to be treated, but I’ll take it.”

She didn’t argue as she walked toward the front door. Once inside, she flicked on the lights and glanced around, her irritation giving way to a flicker of unease. He moved further into the house, and she had no choice but to follow. He took his time to check behind the furniture and peer out the windows.

“Are you always this insistent?”

“Only with protecting people,” he replied, glancing back at her. “Will it help if I promise to be on my best behavior?”

“Forgive me for not believing you.”

Shrugging, he disappeared down the hallway. She waited there until he returned. “Can I at least get a drink before I go? I didn’t ride all this way for nothing.”

With a reluctant nod of her head, she walked into the kitchen. “One drink.”

“A few days ago, you wouldn’t have minded me moving in, and now you’re can barely wait to push me out the door.”

Isabella opened the fridge, grabbing him a beer, and shut it with a flick of her wrist. She handed him the beer. “That was before I realized you’re a stubborn pain in the ass.”

“I prefer to think of it as a strategic partnership. ”

“Right.” She leaned against the counter opposite him, crossing her arms. “More like I’m humoring you until you take the hint.”

“Not happening.” He popped the cap off and took a sip. “Besides, I have a vested interest in your safety now.”

She couldn’t help but smile at his persistence. “You’re incorrigible.”

“Only because it’s working,” he said, a teasing glint in his eyes. “If you ever need me around—whether for backup or someone to annoy—let me know.”

She studied him for a moment, the warmth of his presence oddly comforting. “Fine, but you’re still leaving after you finish your beer.”

“You’re still mad at me for the other day.”

“My son doesn’t need to witness that type of violence.”

“Sergei attacked first. I was defending myself.”

“My son doesn’t need to witness that kind of thing. It makes him worry.”

Xavier sighed, running a hand through his long hair. “I understand. I never wanted to put either of you in that position.”

“You have to understand my world. Every time something happens, it affects him. I can’t have him thinking violence is the answer.”

He shifted his weight, expression serious. “I’ll protect you and him if it comes to that. I won’t stand by and do nothing. ”

“I know that,” she said, her gaze softening. “But there are ways to handle things without resorting to fighting. Sergei forgets himself. Violence is the only thing he has known to resolve conflict. I’m trying to teach Mikhail differently.”

“Trust me, I get it.”

“Just… no more confrontations in front of him, okay?”

“Deal.” He raised his bottle in a mock toast. “To keeping the peace.”

“To keeping the peace,” she echoed.

Taking a long sip, Xavier kept his gaze on hers. Resting the bottle on the counter, he walked toward her, reaching out as he reached her to trap her with outstretched arms.

Isabella’s heart raced as he closed the distance, his presence overwhelming yet comforting. She felt the warmth radiating from him, a stark contrast to the tension in the air. “What are you doing?”

“I need you to know that I’m not going anywhere.”

“You can’t just—”

“I can,” he interrupted. “It’s okay to lean on someone, Isa.”

His words hung between them, heavy with meaning. She opened her mouth to respond, but found herself at a loss. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, and for a moment, all she could do was breathe. At that moment, something changed. The walls she’d built around herself cracked. The tension between them thickened as she considered his words. Her heart raced, caught between the desire for connection and the instinct to protect herself. “What if I let you in and it doesn’t work out?”

“Then we’ll figure it out together. I won’t walk away.”

Isabella swallowed hard from the weight of his promise. She searched his eyes for any sign of deception, but found only sincerity. “It’s hard for me to let go of my defenses.”

“Let me help you lower them, one step at a time.” He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

The simple gesture sent a shiver down her spine. With a deep breath, she nodded, a flicker of hope there amidst her fears. “Okay. One step at a time.”

A smile broke across his face, genuine and warm. “That’s all I ask.” His gaze traveled over his face before resting on her mouth. “I’m fucking dying to kiss you, little bunny.”

At the rush of heat at his intense scrutiny, the air between them crackled with tension, each moment stretching longer than the last. “Xavier…” she began, her voice above a whisper.

His mouth covered hers, and the kiss deepened, her hands grabbing onto his shoulders before finding his long hair. Breaking free, he lifted her, and she gasped, Xavier barely letting her inhale before his mouth was on hers again. This time, she pressed her lips to his. They were slow in the way they explored each other, but it built up in passion each time their lips met. By the time he lowered her onto her bed, she was clawing at him in need. She tore her mouth from his, but his hands on her bare skin had all thoughts vanishing from existence. He felt good against her skin, warm and firm, his hands and lips everywhere she wanted them.

She bit down on his shoulder and chuckled in satisfaction as he growled before flipping her onto her stomach. He didn't waste time ripping her panties, tossing them aside without looking, and a firm smack against her upper thigh had her back arching into his touch.

“Stay right fucking there.”

“Hurry it up.”

Smirking, he rustled through his discarded jeans before moving back onto the bed with a condom in his hand. She stayed in position as he slid the condom onto his length, the sight of him tempting her insides to melt.

“Like what you see?”

“I might, but the longer you keep me waiting, the more I doubt that.”

“You'll wait.” He moved behind her and slapped at the round curve of her ass. He grunted in satisfaction. “Damn, Isa.”

She pushed her ass back toward his hips. He slapped her ass harder in response, and the sting had a curse flying from her mouth. The sensation of him thrusting inside of her almost triggered her orgasm. He wasn't gentle as he fucked her, the bed squeaking from his punishing thrusts, but she didn't care.

“You feel so fucking good, Isa. Come for me.” He slipped a hand in between them, and the second he ran his fingers over her clit, her entire body shook.

“Again, Zay, fucking do it again.”

He repeated the motion and grunted as she exploded, hips moving to match hers as she flailed on the bed. Her body turned into mush as a wave of pleasure crashed into her, and by the time they collapsed onto the bed, they were shaking, sweat covering every inch of their skin.

She stared up at the ceiling, chest heaving as she regained her breath. “You think this could work?”

“Why not?” He propped himself up on his elbow. “Why can’t we figure this out together?”

She hesitated, considering his words. “It’s just… I’ve been on my own for so long.”

“And you don’t have to be anymore. You deserve someone who’s got your back.”

“My life, your club… It’s a complicated mix.”

“We can have all of those things and still keep a piece to ourselves, Isa.”

Her heart raced at the sincerity in his eyes. “You believe that? ”

“Absolutely.” He reached out, brushing her arm. “I know there’s danger, but we can create our own boundaries. I want you to be secure by the thought of us, not overwhelmed.”

“It’s a lot to consider.”

“I get that,” he said, his tone softening. “But I’m ready to put in the effort. You don’t have to face this alone anymore.”

There was a flicker of hope, a feeling she hadn’t allowed herself to embrace in a long time. “If I let you in, you promise not to let me down?”

“I promise. I’ll be right by your side.”