Hard Ride, Part 2 by Opal Carew Read Free Book Online Page A

Shock’s sex slave for a month because he’d loaned her money?
    Or did Raven already know? Did all of them know?
    â€œBut what?” Raven asked.
    â€œNothing. We’re just … getting used to each other, I guess.”
    â€œI thought you guys have known each other since college.”
    Liv nodded, not quite sure what Shock had told the others about her. “We have. But … what has he told you about us?”
    Raven shrugged. “Not much. Just that you were friends. I don’t know how close, but I got the impression he’d like to be closer. A lot closer.”
    Liv nodded again. “This … sexual thing between us … is new.”
    â€œI get it. You’re still getting to know each other that way.” She rested her hand on Liv’s arm. “But, honey, you seem so stressed. If you want to talk about it …”
    Liv glanced at Shock, who had glanced her way once or twice while she and Raven talked but still kept his conversation going with the others.
    Liv was sure he wouldn’t like her revealing their secrets to anyone else.
    She shook her head. “I’m okay. But thanks.”
    Raven nodded. “Okay, but if you change your mind, I’m here.”
    Liv sipped her beer, not sure what to do with the friendly offer Raven had made. Liv hadn’t opened up to another female since her last year of college, when she’d closed herself off to everyone. She hadn’t even confided in her sister. Not about her relationships anyway.
    Who was she kidding? She’d never really had a relationship. She’d been too afraid to let anyone get close. And she’d never wanted to tell anyone what had happened to her.
    How stupid she’d been.
    Not even her sister.
    So not only had that bastard stolen her ability to have a normal relationship with a man, he’d caused her to deny herself close, meaningful friendships with women, too.
    Anger seared through her and she sipped her beer again. Then gulped it. When it was gone, she signaled the waitress for another.
    â€œThat’s your fourth,” Shock said a little while later.
    She glared at him. “So what? Why do you care how much I drink?”
    He frowned, his gaze gliding over her face. He grasped her arm and stood up. “We’re leaving.”
    â€œWhat if I don’t want to go?” she demanded.
    Everyone stared at her, and suddenly she felt like a spoiled brat demanding her own way. Slowly she stood up and let him lead her to the door.
    Once they stepped out into the cool night, and Liv took a deep breath of fresh air, her knees grew wobbly. Shock tightened his arm around her and steadied her.
    â€œWhat did Raven say that upset you?”
    â€œRaven didn’t upset me.”
    He watched her as they walked to his bike. “You could have fooled me.” He grabbed a helmet and put it on her head, then fastened the strap under her chin. “Then what put you in such a bad mood?”
    â€œI’m not in a bad mood.” But she could hear the defiant note in her voice and couldn’t even convince herself of that.
    There was no reason to take it out on Shock. “I’m sorry. She asked if everything was okay between us and I didn’t know what to say.”
    â€œIsn’t everything okay between us?”
    She shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t know what this is. I’m not sure how to behave.” She gazed up at him. “Other than when we’re together, doing whatever you say.”
    â€œDoes that bother you?”
    â€œIt’s not that. It’s just … I don’t know how to react to your friends’ questions … or what to tell them about us.”
    â€œDid Raven question you about what’s going on between us?”
    â€œNo. Not specifically. She was just … really nice. She seemed to care because she thinks we’re having problems.”
    â€œOf course she cares. She’s a good