Chasing Claire (Hells Saints Motorcycle Club) by Paula Marinaro Page A

trays. I tried to carry too much at once, I guess. I tripped and fell on the gravel in the driveway. Took a chance you’d be out here. But if you’re busy, Jules, I can just grab the first aid kit,” she said.
    “You came to the right place, honey. It’s about time I got to treat something that doesn’t have a year’s worth of road dirt on it. Just do me a favor and keep that cold pack on my boy’s hand. That knee of yours needs to be cleaned out.” Jules disappeared again into the back room.
    Claire pierced Reno with a questioning look.
    Reno’s chest puffed out just a little bit. “Been bare-fisted fighting.”
    “Sounds painful.” Claire’s eyes widened and she adjusted the ice pack.
    “Yeah, some fucking things just hurt more than others,” Reno countered.
    Claire let out a soft sigh. “That’s one thing that you and I can absolutely agree on, Reno.” Then she turned her big beautiful blue eyes right on him.
    Reno heated all over. He didn’t move a muscle. Even though it fucking killed him not to reach out to her, he didn’t do it. The next time they touched, it was going to have to come from her.
    Claire busied herself with adjusting the ice pack across Reno’s knuckles. She was close enough for him to smell her fresh, clean scent. When a lock of her long hair escaped and brushed softly against his arm, Reno couldn’t help himself. He moved his free hand and tucked it back behind her ear.
    Claire blushed a deep rose and let out a jagged sigh.
    And on Reno’s part, he got wood. Just like that.
    “How have you been?” he asked.
    “Good. Been okay, Reno,” she said softly back.
    “Well, uh, you look good.” Reno’s eyes were fixed on her face. Drinking her in.
    Just as Jules walked into the room, Reno saw Claire blush hard, her pupils dilate, and her nipples pop out like meringue tips against that pretty white shirt of hers.
    “So Glory’s got a gig?” Jules was obviously trying to keep his tone even.
    With feigned innocence Claire fixed her big blue eyes on his. Reno knew what this was about.
    “Yeah, she does and she’s really excited about it. I’m really proud of her,” Claire said with enthusiasm.
    “Gianni’s crew again?”
    “Ouch.” Claire pulled back slightly under Jules’s sudden increased pressure.
    “Sorry, darlin’.” Jules lessened that pressure instantly.
    “So . . . Gianni’s crew again?” he repeated.
    “Yeah. Gianni’s crew,” she answered, then quickly added, “Haven’t seen you around the house too much lately, Jules. We still have a fishing pole sitting in the corner with your name on it,” Claire spoke softly to him. None of the brothers liked the idea ofGlory working for the mob. That point had been made loud and clear. But Claire was still hopeful that Jules would stop being so damn ridiculous about the whole thing. After all, Prosper was okay with it and he was the
boss
for chrissakes. Maybe Jules just needed a little help to get his head out of his ass.
    Jules grunted and pressed a small antiseptic square against the open scrape on her leg.
    Claire let out a sharp breath, then she bent way over and panted. Her soft breasts hit her thighs and her skirt rode way, way up on her smooth legs.
    She looked up suddenly, and focused her wide blue eyes right at Jules. Then she said pointedly, “Little trick that Glory taught me. Blowing on it always makes it feel better.”
    “Gimme that damn Band-Aid.” Reno grabbed it from Jules’s hand and pressed it gently against Claire’s knee.
    Claire smiled brilliantly at both of them, now satisfied that Jules had all but forgotten being pissed at Glory for accepting the job for Gianni’s boys, and had started remembering a few of the things that he loved about Glory. Claire decided she had better leave on a high note.
    “Thanks, Jules. It feels better already. I need to get going. Do you want me to tell Glory that you’ll be dropping by soon?”
    When Claire reached the door she paused and looked back