Claimed By My Ex's Biker Brother

Chapter 9

Major's POV

I had more important things to worry about than Haven. At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

The Iron Vultures had been seen around one of our businesses again. Aron dropped the latest report on my desk.

“They're multiplying.”

I picked up the file. “How many?”

“Four this time.”

“Armed?” I asked further.

“Most likely.”

I closed the file. “They want us to react.”

Aron nodded. “They know we'll be watching them.”

“They're counting on that.” I leaned back in my chair. “We deal with them after the party.”

Aron raised an eyebrow. “You're actually attending?”

I looked at him. “Why wouldn't I?”

He gave me a knowing smile. “You're going because Haven will be there.”

“Watch yourself.” I jabbed my finger at him.

He laughed. “I didn't say anything.”

“You didn't need to.”

He picked up the file and walked away, still laughing.

I waited until he left before looking toward the window; Haven. I had spent too much time thinking about her.

The way she looked at me. How she froze when I touched her cheek. The way she tried pretending nothing happened afterwards.

I knew she was still hurting because of Alden, and I wasn't going to force anything.

But I wasn't going to lie to myself either—I wanted her. Not because she was my brother's ex nor because she worked for my club.

I had noticed her years ago. She had been young then, always covered in grease and determined to prove herself. I had kept my distance because she was too young and because I had no business distracting her.

Now she was grown and standing directly in front of me.

The only problem was that her heart was still bleeding. I didn't know whether I could be patient enough to wait…and if she could let me mend her bleeding heart.

That night, the clubhouse was already packed when I arrived.

Music shook the walls. Bikers filled almost every corner, drinks were moving around, and laughter competed with the loud music.

Then I saw her.

She stood near the entrance with Rayna and Hera.

For a moment, everything else disappeared.

She wasn't dressed like the women who usually came to my club. She didn't need to because she looked beautiful without trying.

Aron appeared beside me. “You're staring.”

I gave him a warning look.

He chuckled and disappeared into the crowd.

Soon, Haven finally noticed me. Our eyes met, and she smiled.

I nibbled my bottom lip, trying to regulate my breath that just spiked before walking towards her. “You came.”

She folded her arms. “You invited me.”

“I wasn't sure you would.” My lips parted a bit as I locked gaze with her.

She shrugged. “I almost didn't.”

Curiously, I asked, “Why?”

“I don't know if I trust bikers,” she said, avoiding eye contact with me.

I stopped in front of her. “Do you trust me?”

Her eyes moved to my lips before returning to mine. “I haven't decided.”

I smiled. “Take your time,” I said, and she laughed softly.

The music became louder.

“You're not dancing?” she asked.

I shook my head. “I don't dance.”

She winked and started looking around. “That's unfortunate.”

“Why?” I asked immediately, drawing back her attention to me.

Her lips parted before she said, “I was going to ask you.”

I stared at her, lost for words.

She burst into laughter. “You should see your face.”

“You're enjoying this.”

“Maybe,” she shrugged.

I couldn't help but hold out my hand. This was a moment I didn't need to miss. It didn't matter if she was the first woman I'd dance with.

She stared at my hand for a moment before placing hers in mine.

Then I pulled her toward me.

Her body touched mine, and my belly rumbled.

I placed my hands carefully around her waist, and she rested hers on my shoulders.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

The music continued around us, but I barely heard it.

“You're very quiet,” she whispered.

“So are you.”

“I'm thinking,” she said again.

“About what?”

She hesitated. “You; if you can really dance.”

My fingers tightened slightly around her waist. “My dancing steps could be dangerous.”

She smiled. “Maybe I like dangerous steps.”

I pressed her body softly against mine, my head lowered, and I ignored how much my heart fluttered.

Our faces became close—too close. Then she looked away.

Immediately, my fingers loosened around her; a surging heat overwhelmed me.

I was beginning to want her too much, but I needed her to choose this. I wasn't the type to let go of her after she caused my heart rate to fasten, so I quickly turned away.

But I still felt her eyes following me.

~~~

Haven's POV

I didn't understand myself anymore.

My heart was pounding loudly in my ears as I watched him make a move away from me. I couldn't fathom why he had to stop, but it felt so much like someone important to me was slipping through my fingers.

I fastened my steps towards him and pulled his hand, causing him to turn around. Our gaze met, and I pressed my lips together.

He said nothing, just staring at me as much as I did at him.

Then I slowly closed the distance between us before finding my words again. “You don't wanna dance with me?” My tone was almost a whisper.

He blinked; his arm slowly slid behind me, grabbing me by my waist.

This wasn't right. I shouldn't be pushing ahead when he was showing a low interest…but I still wanted to keep it going, to at least smell him around me.

He stepped forward until there was no space between us. My body pressed softly against his, and my chest kept thumping as though it would burst anytime soon.

We looked at each other, fingers intertwined and then slowly moving with each step of the ongoing music.

My eyes suddenly shifted to his lips, and saliva formed in my mouth. I couldn't even look away no matter how hard I tried; instead, I longed to have those pressed softly on mine.

I flinched once I heard his voice in my ear, “You're staring so much. Wanna devour me?” And I barely chuckled at those words. “If you keep staring that way, then I'd…

A lump formed in my throat at that moment.