Chapter 98 98
DAISY POV
The inside of the arcade was loud and bright. Lights flashed everywhere, machines beeped and chimed, and the smell of popcorn and pizza filled the air. I couldn’t stop smiling as we walked in. Diesel kept my hand in his, his grip firm, like he was ready to pull me out at any second.
At first he just stood there watching me. I played a few claw machines, laughing when I finally won a small stuffed bear. Diesel stayed a step behind, arms crossed, eyes scanning the room more than watching the games.
It was really fun, but at some point I felt it wasn’t right doing this alone, especially when other couples and friends were playing together. I turned to Diesel.
“Come on, you should try it as well,” I said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the racing games. “Play with me.”
He shook his head. “I’m good right here.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t push. I sat down at one of the motorcycle racing games and started playing. I didn’t really get the riding and I was struggling with it until a tall guy with a friendly smile walked up to the machine next to mine. His name tag said Sharach.
“First time on this one?” he asked, nodding at my screen.
“Yeah,” I laughed. “I’m terrible.”
He grinned. “Here, let me show you.” He stepped closer and put his hands lightly on my waist to adjust how I was sitting on the fake bike. “Lean forward a bit like this. Helps with balance.”
I felt Diesel’s stare before I even looked. His body had gone completely still. The unease rolled off him in waves. I glanced over and almost laughed at how hard he was glaring at Sharach’s hands on my waist. It was kind of funny — this big, scary biker looking ready to explode over a simple gaming tip.
Sharach didn’t seem to notice. He kept talking, showing me how to shift my weight. We started playing together, laughing when I crashed on the first lap and cheering when I finally finished a race.
Diesel’s jaw was tight. He took one step closer, then stopped himself.
After a few more races, Sharach pointed to the riding simulator nearby. “Want to try the motorcycle one? It’s more fun. I can show you the controls.”
“Sure,” I said, excited.
We moved over. Sharach stood behind me on the platform and placed his hands on my waist again to steady me as I climbed onto the simulator. “Okay, grip the handles like this and lean into the turns—”
Before he could finish, Diesel stepped in fast. He grabbed Sharach’s shoulder and pulled him back a little, his voice low and dangerous. “Hands off.”
Sharach turned, surprised. He was tall but slim compared to Diesel’s broad, heavy build. “What the fuck, man?”
My heart jumped. I stepped forward quickly, scared Diesel might actually hurt him. “Diesel, wait—”
Sharach didn’t back down. He pushed Diesel’s chest lightly. “Relax, I’m just helping her play.”
Diesel smiled, but the look on his face made my heart jump instantly. He looked around once, then suddenly pulled Sharach forward into a tight hug-like hold, one arm around his back. He leaned in close to Sharach’s ear and whispered something I couldn’t hear. Sharach’s shoulders dropped instantly. His face went pale.
I didn’t understand until Sharach’s eyes flicked down. Diesel had lifted the bottom of his shirt a little while stepping closer, and Sharach saw the gun tucked at Diesel’s waist.
“Fuck…” Sharach breathed. He pulled away fast, hands up. “Sorry, man. My bad.” Then he turned and practically ran toward the other side of the arcade.
I felt a pang of pity for the poor guy. He was just being nice.
I turned back to Diesel, frowning. “You went too far with him.”
Diesel gave me that hard look — the one that said ‘are you really supporting him right now?’
I quickly changed my words. “I mean… there’s a better way to tell him to leave. You didn’t have to scare him like that.”
Diesel stepped closer, his hand sliding to my waist. His touch felt heavier now, more intense. “What’s the cool way then?” he asked, voice low and thick. He pulled me in until my body was pressed against his. “How do you let people know what’s yours if you don’t want them too near?”
I swallowed, heart beating faster. “In a cool way…”
His head lowered, lips brushing my ear. “Like this?”
Before I could answer, he kissed me — right there in the middle of the arcade, slow and deep. His mouth moved against mine, unhurried, like we weren’t surrounded by noise and lights. Between kisses he spoke softly against my lips, his voice rough as he started teaching me how to use the simulator.
“Lean into the turns… like that,” he murmured, one hand guiding my hips gently, showing me the motion he wanted. “Grip tight… don’t let go.”
The kiss stayed slow, but his instructions made my face burn. His other hand stayed firm on my waist, thumb stroking just under the hem of his shirt I was wearing. People walked past us, but he didn’t care. He kept kissing me, talking between each slow press of his lips.
“When you feel it pull… you lean with it,” he whispered, then kissed me deeper, tongue brushing mine. “Just like that, baby. Good girl.”
My knees felt weak. The arcade noise faded into the background. All I could focus on was Diesel’s mouth, his hands, and that thick, commanding voice telling me exactly how to move while he kissed me in public.
He pulled back just enough to look at me, eyes dark. “Still think I went too far?”
“Maybe not,” I said with a smile.
I don’t know the magic, but I could say I already understood how to ride the simulator now. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms hard around his neck, pulling him closer. This time I kissed him.
It started soft, then grew deeper. My fingers slid into the short hair at the back of his head as I pressed my lips to his again and again, slow and sure. I wanted him to feel how happy I was in this moment - the way he made me feel safe even when he was being overprotective. My fingers slid into the short hair at the back of his head as I kissed him deeper, slower, showing him I wasn’t scared of his jealousy or his possessiveness.
Diesel made a low sound in his throat and kissed me back, his arms tightening around me. One big hand stayed firm on my waist while the other slid up my back, holding me against his chest like he never wanted to let go. The arcade noise faded even more. All I could feel was him — the heat of his body, the taste of his mouth, the way his kiss turned hungry but still controlled.
When we finally broke apart, both of us breathing a little faster, I rested my forehead against his.
“I like this way,” I whispered, smiling against his lips. “It’s much cooler.”
Diesel’s eyes stayed dark, but the corner of his mouth lifted in that rare, small smile he only gave me. His thumb brushed over my lower lip.
“Good,” he murmured, voice thick. “Because I’m not done showing you yet.”
He kissed me once more, slow and deep, before pulling back just enough to look at me again.
“Ready to ride that simulator properly now, baby?”
I nodded, still wrapped around his neck, heart racing for an entirely different reason.