After the Ride (Night Riders Motorcycle Club Book 2) by Kathryn Thomas

softly.
     
    “Just like he said.”
     
    That was a lie, but it came quite easily, and Lauren took note of the slight sneer in Blake’s eyes as he glanced at her over her shoulder.
     
    “You don’t believe her?” Blake asked Paul as he kept his eyes on Lauren. “Only a fool would doubt those lips.”
     
    A small feeling of shame washed across her heart, but Lauren stayed silent as Paul revved up his motor.
     
    “Let’s say you two take this little reunion back to camp,” Paul ordered. “We got things to do.”
     
    “I got you,” Blake said. “We’re coming.”
     
    Paul watched them closely as Blake lifted Lauren to the back of his bike. Mounting ahead of her, he shot her a quick glance and a whisper.
     
    “Just cool it,” he cautioned. “Last thing we need tonight is another scene. Think you can lie a little longer?”
     
    His words pierced her heart, but where was she going to go? Run into the desert with two Night Riders on her back when the Demon Dogs might be lying in wait? She nodded her head and reluctantly pressed her hands to his hard shoulders.
     
    “I can if you can,” she said.
     
    Blake started his bike, and they followed Paul into the darkness.

 
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    As the camp came into view, Lauren felt the adrenaline seeping from her veins. Her capture was a memory that she longed to suppress. So were Blake’s words. But she ached, body and soul, and she felt wearier than she had in her entire life.
     
    Trent and Hugo and some of the other Night Riders were already breaking down parts of camp. Just the smaller tents. As they started to load up their saddle bags, Lauren felt a great guilt tearing at her heart. Outlaw’s den or not, this patch of desert was still their home.
     
    And because of her, they were now forced to abandon it.
     
    Paul sped back to Blake’s bike and spoke fast.
     
    “The boys are starting now,” Paul said. “Two of you should get some rest.”
     
    “Paul, I want to—”
     
    “And I say that you need a rack for few hours,” Paul said as he cut him off. “We’ll regroup at first light, take what we need, and move out.”
     
    Under protest, Blake brought his bike to a stop. Stepping to the sand, he stood toe-to-toe with Paul and clenched his fists.
     
    “I’m not tired,” he insisted. “I should—”
     
    “You should look after your old lady,” Paul said.
     
    Turning his eyes back to Lauren, Blake grunted his reluctant assent. Taking her in his arms, he brought her feet back to the sand. Lauren lingered for a moment in his embrace and thought that she saw something that might be affection blazing across his face. But as fast as it came, Blake’s face morphed back into a cold mask, and he looked to Paul.
     
    “She should see Callie,” Blake said. “Get her some ice for her face or whatever.”
     
    Paul brushed his hands together and shot Blake a confused stare.
     
    “Don’t you want to help her out with that?” Paul asked. “You were the one that led the charge to find her.”
     
    Paul’s words brought a small smile to her face. She might just be a toy to him, but some part of Blake still regarded her fondly. Lauren was tempted to touch him, and she took his arm as both camp and desert night spun around her.
     
    Blake didn’t shirk her hold, but his eyes focused on nothing and no one but Paul.
     
    “She needs kind hands,” Blake said. “And I have work to do.”
     
    Lauren’s shoulders sagged as he led her deeper into camp. Of course she needed kind hands. But she wanted them to be his. Blake didn’t look down at her, and Lauren nearly asked him where he was going when Callie was there with her arms outstretched.
     
    “Thank god,” Callie said. “You come here, honey.”
     
    Lauren was reluctant to leave Blake’s side, but he eased her into Callie’s arms.
     
    “We were worried,” Callie said. “You okay— oh, kid.”
     
    She brought her fingers close to the bruise, and Lauren stayed in her hold and