Free Impulsively (Dante's Nine MC) by Colleen Masters

phrase ‘hostile work
environment’?” Kelly demands, brushing into the room.
    “Me? Hostile?” Brooks replies, running a hand through his
wet curls. “What are you talking about? I’m a goddamn delight to be around.”
    “Walking around half naked is borderline sexual harassment,”
Kassie informs him, “and even if you don’t think that counts as hostile, you’re
going to make me hostile if you don’t stop bothering my new coworker.”
    “I’m not bothered,” I say, before I can help it. “I mean—I’m
not easily offended.”
    “That’s good, given our present company,” Kelly mutters,
settling down at the long wooden table.
    “Come on. I’m not that bad,” Brooks insists, as Kassie and I
follow Kelly’s lead. “You’ll grow to love me, I promise.”
    “I’m happily in love with my own hard-headed bad boy,” Kelly
remarks.
    “That goes double for me,” Kassie chimes in.
    “Guess it’s just you and me then, Red,” Brooks smiles,
shooting me a wicked wink. “What do you say?”
    “Keep on with that wishful thinking, buddy,” I shoot back.
“Whatever helps you get through the day.”
    “So damn feisty. I’m into it,” he says, turning to go.
“You’re gonna be at my party tonight, right Red?”
    “You’re seriously throwing yourself a housewarming party? In
our office?” I ask.
    “No. He’s not quite that audacious,” Kassie says. “The rest of the Dante’s Nine guys—sorry, that’s
the MC Dec’s a part of—they’re throwing him a welcome bash at their clubhouse
later tonight.”
    “My old man’s MC will be there too,” Kelly puts in. “They’re
friendly these days. So once we get a little work done here, we’re gonna have
to do some party shopping.”
    “You don’t have to come along on those errands if you don’t
want to,” Kassie says quickly, “We didn’t hire you to be a gopher. And of
course, your attendance at the party is not a required part of this job. No
matter what this guy says.”
    “Actually,” I say, trying to keep the excitement out of my
voice, “I could stand to blow off some steam. And I don’t mind helping you get
stuff ready for the party.”
    “Really?” Kassie and Kelly say in unison.
    “I knew you’d come around,” Brooks smiles, heading into the
suite’s bedroom. “I’ll make sure you have a good time, Red.”
    “Thanks for caring, buddy,” I quip, “your concern is truly
touching.”
    “Much more than touching,” he corrects me, “but not until
you’re ready for me.”
    The bedroom door snaps closed behind him as Kassie and Kelly
shake their heads.
    “If you want to punch him, you have my blessing,” Kelly
tells me.
    “I’ll keep that in mind,” I smile.
    We spend a couple of hours talking at length about CrowdedNest
and my role in the company. But inside, I’m throwing myself a damn parade.
First day on the job and I’ve already scored a look at the Dante’s Nine
clubhouse? Mitchell’s going to give me a medal.
    It’s much easier to concentrate once Brooks heads off to the
auto shop, looking as gorgeous as ever in light denim jeans and a white tee
beneath his Dante’s Nine cut. I can feel my body yearning for him as he walks
out the door. I’ve never been this physically drawn to someone. Is it because
he’s off limits that I feel this wanting so keenly?
    “Keira?” Kassie says, dragging my attention back to the
present. “Does that all sound good to you?”
    “Oh. Yeah,” I reply brightly. We’ve been talking about the
sort of work I’ll do at CrowdedNest, but my attention has strayed in a big way.
    “Great,” Kelly says, “now enough of this work talk. Let’s
blow this pop stand and get on over to the Forty-Five Club.”
    “What’s that?” I ask, as we stand to go.
    “That’s the Dante’s Nine clubhouse,” Kassie clarifies, “a
bar outside of town. It’s a little rough around the edges, but I think you’ll
like it.”
    “I know we don’t really fit the biker chick mold,”