Rooter (Double H Romance) by Teiran Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

I can do the same.”
    He laughs. “Go ahead. Maybe you’ll learn something that’ll convince you to stay away from me.”
    A wave of anger and exasperation come over me. “Obviously that’s not what you want.”
    “It’s what’s best for you.”
    “But it’s not what you want,” I challenge.
    He looks at me, deflated, and shakes his head and looks back at the road. The muscles in his forearm flex as he squeezes the steering wheel. “Fuck.”
    “I’ll decide what’s best for me. All I’m asking is to get to know you.”
    “Sophie, I’m a bad guy.” He clenches his jaw.
    “You keep saying that, but I beg to differ. You came to my defense after Mike tried to attack me. You took me to the doctor today and paid for my prescription. Bad guys don’t do things like that.”
    We’re a block from my house when he slams on the breaks and pulls over. The vein in his forehead protrudes and his face is red. His irritation is obvious and yet, I still see gentility.
    “What is the matter with you?” He snaps and throws his hands up in frustration. “How are you not freaked the fuck out right now? I’ve basically admitted that I’ve been stalking you for three years. I’m a fucking one percenter, Sophie! Any other girl would run in the opposite direction, terrified.”
    He has a point. But it doesn’t change the fact I’m not scared. Even I don’t understand it. “I’m not afraid of you.”
    He leans his head against the headrest, rubs his denim covered thighs and exhales. A moment later he puts the car in drive and pulls away. Not another word is spoken as we make our way to my house.
    Rooter takes my purse and the prescription bag before helping me out of the car, taking care not to jostle me too much. Once at my front door, he hands me my keys so I can unlock it. When the door is open I reach for my purse and pills, but he motions for me to go inside.
    “What happened,” Miranda says and jumps up when she sees me. Her eyes twitch to Rooter when she sees him come in behind me.
    “It’s a bad sprain,” he informs her.
    “Why didn’t you call me?” She asks me and looks at Rooter again.
    “It happened really fast,” I explain and shuffle to the sofa. “Rooter was there when it happened.”
    “Where?” She asks.
    “In the front yard on my way to work.”
    “She needs a glass of water to take her pills,” Rooter tells her.
    “Sure,” she says, looking surprised, and walks to the kitchen.
    Rooter takes my crutches and helps me onto the couch.
    “Thank you,” I say.
    “You gonna be okay here?” He looks toward the kitchen where Miranda is.
    “Yeah, Miranda will help me.”
    “What’s your number?” He asks and pulls out his phone. I tell him and he programs it into the phone. “I’ll text you with mine so you’ll have it if you need anything.”
    “You don’t want me to know you, but you’re giving me your number so I can call you for help?” My phone pings from within my purse.
    His lip twitches. “I’m aware of the irony, but I want to make sure you have the help you need.”
    “I’m sorry, where’s the bad boy persona you keep warning me about?” I joke.
    He rolls his eyes. “I gotta go,” he says when Miranda appears before us.
    I give him a rueful smile. “Thanks, again.”
    “See ya, Sophie.” He turns and leaves without acknowledging Miranda.
    Miranda hands me a glass of water with a questioning eye. “You two friends now?”
    I open the pill bottle and dispense one into my hand. “I’m not sure.”
    “Not sure?”
    I pop a Vicodin into my mouth and wash it down with water. “He thinks I’m better off not knowing him.”
    Miranda crosses her arms. “I think he’s right.”
    I roll my eyes. “I’m getting really tired of people telling me what’s best for me.”
    “He’s in a biker gang that does bad shit, Soph. You  are  better off not knowing him.”
    “He’s also a guy who has come to my rescue, three times now. And while you were in the kitchen