Devil on Wheels: A Biker Erotic Romance (Karthadossian Riders MC) by Emily Stone Read Free Book Online Page B

turned off her car, and leaned her forehead on the steering wheel for a minute. Her head was pounding to a hard tempo and all she wanted was a moment of pure silence. She refused to bring her dark mood and her frustration into her house with her.
     
    She was hyperaware of the fact that Rex was inside waiting for her. She’d texted him to let him know she was on her way home nearly half an hour ago. Opening the car door, she was hit by the scent of burning charcoal and the sound of Heart’s “Magic Man” on her stereo. A wide smile broke across her face and her headache eased.
     
    She didn’t bother going to the front door, choosing instead to enter through the side gate and into the back yard. On her outside table were two plates, a bucket of ice with beer bottles sticking out of it, and the wonderful sight of steaks and kabobs on the grill sizzling away.
     
    She rounded the corner and nearly tripped over her own feet. On one of her chaise loungers was Rex, wet from a recent dip in her pool, his face buried in one of the books she’d written. For a moment her heart stuttered. She had to remind herself that he didn’t know she’d written those books. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she cleared her throat to get his attention.
     
    Any other man might have been embarrassed by getting caught reading an  erotic novel written for women. Not Rex. He set down the book and got on his feet to greet Ellie. She looked tired and there were circles under her eyes.
     
    “Bad day?” He took her bag and tossed it on the dry chaise.
     
    “I’ve had much, much worse, but all-day meetings are still horrifying,” She lifted her mouth to his for a kiss, pressing close and wrapping her arms around his neck. Pulling away with a sigh, she cocked her head toward the grill, “I like mine medium-rare. I’m going to go change.” With a wink she turned away and headed inside.
     
    Rex watched her walk away, chuckling under his breath. Damn, he loved how she was always surprising him. Moving over to the grill, he pulled the steaks off so they could rest while she changed.
     
    It didn’t take Ellie long to change out of her stuffy shirt and skirt combo and into her swimsuit. Rex was already wearing his, and a dip in the pool after dinner was just what she needed. Piling her hair on top of her head, she grabbed a robe and headed back outside.
     
    “I can’t believe you made dinner. I have to admit, I’m relieved. I wasn’t really looking forward to having to come home and cook,” She sat down in the chair across from him and took the beer he handed out to her, drinking deeply.
     
    “I figured it was the least I could do,” he shrugged, taking the tongs and placing a steak and a couple of kabobs on her plate.
     
    Ellie paused with a piece of steak halfway to her mouth. “The least you could do?”
     
    Another shrug was the only indication that he was uncomfortable explaining himself. “I kind of forced myself into your home—and your life, Ellie. You’ve made dinner every night and you’ve never complained about me invading your space. Cooking one meal doesn’t nearly make up for all that.”
     
    Setting her fork down on her plate, Ellie leaned forward and looked Rex in the eye, her face serious. “If I hadn’t wanted you to stay I would have said so and you would have been out the door with your Dad that night. I wanted you to stay. I feel safe with you here.” She leaned back, a sly smile stealing across her face. “Besides, there are benefits to you being here. In my bed. Every night.”
     
    This time it was he who paused with his fork in the air. “Why, Ellie Thorn, are you saying you let me stay so you could have your naughty way with me?”
     
    Still smiling, Ellie put the bite of steak in her mouth and chewed, moaning in ecstasy at the taste, “Keep cooking like this and there will be at least two reasons I let you stay.”
     
    His laughter echoed around the patio.
     
    ***
     
    Xander Thorn was