Read Online Damaged and the Saint by Bijou Hunter - Free Book Online

said, looking away and sizing up the traffic. “I have to go to the Johansson barbecue thing tonight. Will you come with me?”
    “As your trainee or date?”
    “Neither. As my friend.”
    “Are we friends?”
    “Sure.” Dubious of this idea, I frowned. Saint grinned at my expression. “I didn’t say we were best friends.”
    “Okay.
    “I might feel you up, but don’t take it personally.”
    This time he was definitely messing with me, so I rolled my eyes and looked at the traffic below. Saint studied me until I couldn’t ignore him any longer.
    “What?”
    “I knew you’d decide to stay with me. That was never in doubt, yet I’m still a little startled to see you here. Makes no damn sense, but there it is.”
    I smiled softly. “Being here makes no damn sense either. My family thinks I’m nuts. Maybe I am, but I’m here anyway.”
    “Yes, you are,” he nearly whispered.
    We said nothing else for a long time and the silence felt good. I couldn’t explain why Saint made me stronger. He just did and I wanted more.

Chapter Twelve ~ Saint
     
    Arriving in the parking garage, I saw Harlow’s black Harley. Instead of opening the door of my SUV, I ran my fingers over the back of the bike. Standing next to me, Harlow said nothing. She was watching me in an overly curious way, making me feel on the spot. Even so, I didn’t want her to stop. Her focus belonged on me.
    “Did you bring the keys?” I asked.
    Harlow dug into her bag to retrieve them. She didn’t hand them to me though.
    “It’s a nice night out,” I said, running my index finger along her jaw. “Why don’t we ride your Harley?”
    “Unless you plan to sit on the bitch seat, I don’t see that happening, bub.”
    Grinning, I crossed my arms and devised a way to get her to change her mind. “Are you sure you can handle that?”
    “Handle you sitting behind me like my bitch? Yeah, I think I’d be fine,” she said, nearly laughing.
    “What about my arms wrapped around your waist, so I don’t fall off? Will you be cool with me leaning against you? My breath on your neck. Oh, and what if my hands accidentally touch your thighs or breasts? You won’t freak out and crash, will you?”
    Smile gone, Harlow narrowed her eyes. “Why would you accidentally touch me like that?”
    “I’ve never ridden on the back. I might get scared,” I said, grinning at her irritation. “Or you can let me drive.”
    “That way, I feel you up, right?”
    “Yes, but I’m used to being felt up by hot ladies. I promise I won’t crash.”
    Harlow didn’t answer right away. No doubt she wanted to take the SUV, but was afraid to chicken out in front of me.
    “Fine,” she said, handing me the keys. “But only because you’re in town for only a week.”
    Gloating would piss her off and I might lose my win, so I climbed on without giving her a smile. Harlow was slow to follow. When she did climb on, I sensed she feared touching me. I didn’t blame her. I was nervous about her arms wrapped around me. If her touch felt half as good as I imagined then I wouldn’t ever want her to let go.
    Harlow refused to hold on until I started the engine. When her arms wrapped around me, they were tight. Her hands also gripped my tee like she feared falling from the bike. Harlow suffered from plenty of fears, but my driving skills weren’t one of them.
    I pulled out of the garage and drove to Tequila Jodi’s where the Johanssons were having a barbecue bash in a plot behind the bar. Harlow never rested her face against my back and I found myself praying she would. I wanted her closer. I craved Harlow like I hadn’t craved anything since I was locked up in the dirty prison.
    Harlow climbed off the Harley as soon as I came to a stop. I was surprised she didn’t fall down from moving so fast. She struggled to act casual and I let her think she was successful.
    Gesturing for her to follow me, I walked around the side of the building to where dozens of people stood drinking