Bad Boys of Romance - a Biker Anthology (9 page)

Chapter 4

“You have to go out with us,” Hannah whined. “It's going to be a group of people. Not just the two of us.”

“Yeah, a group of couples,” I argued.

“No, not everyone is coupled up. Technically I'm not coupled up, so don't include me in that comment.”

It was Valentine’s Day, and everyone wanted to go out. It had been almost a week since I had seen Luke, and I could still feel his arm wrapped around me. I didn’t give him my phone number that night, but I figured if he wanted to find me, he knew where I lived.

“We're just going to The Green Room,” she called from her bathroom.

Well, that just made this more interesting.

“Okay, I'll go.” I smiled in the mirror.

“You will?” She poked her head in my room. “Why are you smiling like that?”

“I'm not,” I lied, trying to wipe the smile from my face.

“Yes, you are.” She put her hand on her hip. “Did you meet someone?”

“No.” I laughed because I hadn't told her about Luke stopping by that night. I wasn't sure what to say about it so I just hadn't said anything.

“Liar.”
She glared at me. “Fine, I'll get it out of you sometime tonight. It's wine night so get ready.”

I had never
drank wine before but that sounded fun. Something different since it was the lover's holiday and all. It had to taste better than beer.

Two hours later, we were sitting at a table in Luke's bar with Trey and all of his friends. Only one of the guys had a girlfriend so I had five available guys sending me looks every few minutes. This might get interesting. I definitely wasn't lacking a dancing partner. I was wearing a short red skirt, black halter top, and tall black heels. My blond hair was half pulled back and long curls fell down my back. Hannah was smoking hot next to me in a short red dress and silver heels.

“I'm glad you talked me into this.” I leaned in next to her.

“Yeah, it took a lot of convincing,” she teased. “Now who is he?”

“There isn't a he, I swear.”

Right as I finished the sentence, Luke was at my side and holding a bottle of wine. My breath caught in my throat, and I could feel the
goosebumps on my arms start to pop up.

“Ladies.”
He nodded to the bottle in his hands. “I heard you ordered a bottle of wine.”

“You know it.” Hannah grabbed the bottle from his hands. “Thanks Luke.”

He stared at me for a minute longer as if trying to decide if he should say what he was thinking.

“Do you have to work all night?” I asked trying to break the awkward silence.

“I usually do.” He kept staring at me. “Have fun. Drink that stuff slowly. If you need a ride later, come and find me.”

With that, he walked away, leaving me in a state of what the hell and why is he so confusing. I definitely needed a drink now.

Three glasses down, and I wasn't feeling a thing. Stupid wine had no affect on me.

“Let's dance.” I grabbed Hannah's hand and headed for the dance floor.

“Are you coming?” I heard her yell back at the table.

As soon as were in the middle of the floor, we began moving to the beat. Trey joined Hannah, and one of the guys from our table decided to join me. I couldn't have said his name out loud if my life depended on it. Oh well, he was dancing pretty well. Within four songs, my head became lighter and our bodies became closer. He ran his hands up my sides, and I made no reservations about running my hands over his chest. When the song ended, I felt another arm wrap around my waist and pull me to the side of the dance floor.

“Luke, what the hell!” the guy yelled.

I looked up to see Luke extremely pissed and fuming ahead as we walked to the back of the bar.

“What are you doing?” I tried to wiggle out of his grip.

“Stop trying to fight me.”
“Stop pulling me away from my friends.”

We walked into what I assumed was his office, and he slammed the door shut. Releasing me, he ran his hands through his short hair and rested them on the top of his head. He let out a few deep breaths before looking at me. The lines in his face were etched in fury, and I realized I had no escape since he was standing in front of the door.

“What in the hell was that?” he demanded.

“Are you insane?” I was getting mad. “You hardly know me and have barely spoken to me since I got here. How dare you bring me back in this room and ask me questions?”

“Are you dating Tommy?”

“Who is Tommy?” I asked.

He let out a menacing laugh that made me question whether I should be mad or scared.

“The guy you were grinding all of over, that's who.”

I stood there in silence letting his words run over and over in my head. Was he jealous? I hadn't heard from him since last Sunday, and now he's fuming in front of me.

“Why are you so mad?” I asked.

“You're better than that guy,” he answered.

“And you know that because...”
“You just are.” He shook his head, and I watched as his features softened.

He took two steps toward me until we were only inches apart. My chest heaved up and down as he moved one hand up and placed it in the hair behind my neck. I tilted my chin up to look at him, wondering how all of this was happening. His lips were only a few inches from mine, and I wanted him to kiss
me. Oh, I wanted him to kiss me bad. I instinctively ran my tongue over my bottom lip which caused him to hiss out a breath.

We were both frozen in each other's eyes, daring the other to make the next move. Before the gap was closed between us, the door swung open, and I heard a female voice.

“Luke, we need you up front,” the girl said. “A couple of guys are starting a fight at the pool tables.”

He dropped his head and stepped back, running his free hand over his face. I took the moment to gain back all composure that I had lost in that small office.

“Did you hear me?” she asked. “Luke?”

“Yeah, I got it.” He dropped his hand from my neck and interlocked it with my hand. We began to walk out of the office and back into the bar.

“Oh, hey there.” His sister smiled. “I thought I might see you again with my dear brother.”

“Shut up, Mel,” he growled before he pushed open the swinging metal door that led us back into the crowd of people.

Without another word, he walked me back to my table and released his hold.

“I'll find you later.” He looked into my eyes. “I have to go take care of this.”

And with that he walked away leaving me more confused than ever. I had a million thoughts running through my head. Hannah grabbed my arm and pulled me back into my seat before I could process any of them.

“What in the hell was that?” she demanded.

“I have no idea,” I answered honestly.

“Is he the guy you were smiling about earlier today?”

“No, yeah, I don't know.” I felt defeated and excited at the same time. “It's impossible to read him.”

“Trey said he never has a girlfriend. Apparently many have tried and no one has succeeded to tie him down.” She raised her eyebrows.

“Perfect.” I rolled my eyes. “What else does the all-knowing Trey say?”

“Well, since you asked.” She smiled. “He said that he's never seen him act like this before or react that way to a girl who was dancing in his club.”

“I need another drink.” I sighed. “A strong one.”

“You're in luck.” She moved two small glasses in front of us. “I was saving a shot just for you.”

We lifted the small glasses, clinked them together, and quickly swallowed the sweet liquid that passed our lips.

“Another.” I slammed my glass back on the table.

“Get the lady another shot!” she laughed as she yelled.

Over the next two hours, I only caught a few glimpses of Luke. He was in full-on work mode and looked as if he didn't want to be bothered. So, I kept drinking with my best friend. I dared to go back on the dance floor by the end of the night. Partly because the alcohol running through my system really made me want to dance, but mostly because I wanted him to come back and drag me back to the office again. This time I knew I wouldn't hold back if given the chance to kiss him again. I also noticed that no guy even attempted to dance with me. I was okay with that, but also hated it at the same time. I was starting to think I looked stupid out here.

Once the lights came on, signaling last call, we stopped dancing and made our way back to our table. My heels were killing my feet and not enhancing my ability to walk at all. We giggled at our drunken state when Hannah all but fell into Trey's lap.

“Okay, girls.”
Trey helped her stand upright. “Let's get you home before someone pukes.”

“No one is going to puke.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I don't think.”

I laughed as we made our way to the exit only to get cut off by a broad chest and tattooed arms that I knew I'd dream about tonight.

“I'll make sure she gets home tonight,” Luke stated, almost daring someone to challenge him.

I narrowed my eyes and tried to focus on him. Was he serious?

“Did you ask her if that's what she wants?” Hannah took a protective step toward me.

“It's fine, Han.” I cocked my head to the side and smirked at him. “He won't bite.”

I watched his eyes darken as he watched me.

“You're sure?” Trey asked.

“Yeah, I'm sure,” I answered. “See you guys at home.”

Once the room had cleared out, he closed in the space between us and leaned into my ear.

“What makes you think I won't bite?”

My heart was racing as I ran my fingertips down his arm. “I was kind of hoping that you would.”

“You're going to be the death of me.” He shook his head as he stepped back. “I have to finish a few things in the office. Do you want to go back there with me or stay at the bar with Mel?”

“Bar.” I smiled.

He narrowed his eyes back at me but didn't reply. Instead he placed his hand on the small of my back and led me back to where Mel was cleaning up from the night's crowd.

“I'll be back in about ten minutes.”

I sat on the bar stool and watched Mel place lids back on bottles and wash the dirty glasses.

“Do you need help?” I asked.

“No thanks, pretty girl.” She smiled up at me. “You need to sit there and sober up. Here's some water.”

She placed a glass in front of me, and I took a long drink.
“Thanks.”

“So, how did you find yourself back in this bar?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“After the other night, I figured you'd never step foot back in here. You know, after you saw us fighting.”

“Oh yeah,” I replied. “What was that all about?”

“We'll just call it sibling rivalry.”

“Do you own this place too?” I knew nothing about these people.

“No.” She laughed. “I just help out a few nights a week. I'm actually an accountant in my real life.”

“Really?” I asked as I looked over her short, bleach blond hair, stick thin figure, and size D bra size.

“Don't look so shocked.” She laughed again. “It is possible to be hot and smart.”

“No, I didn't mean anything.” I couldn't find the words I should say. “Sorry.”

“I'll take it as a compliment. No worries.”

“So what's the deal with your brother?” I'm going to go ahead and blame my bravery on those shots.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he acts like he hates me one second, and then goes all caveman on me the next. It's a little confusing,” I answered honestly. “I'm not quite sure how to take him.”

“Hmmm.”
She thought for a minute. “I'm not sure what I can tell you other than if he didn't like you, he wouldn't waste a second of his time on you. He's got a wild temper, you saw that. But he's a good guy Riley. If he wants the chance with you, try and give it to him. He doesn't open up to people often.”

Before I could pry anymore, I saw him walk in from the side of the bar and over to where I was sitting.

“What are you two talking about?” he asked.

“Nothing,” we both answered at the same time causing us to burst into a fit of laughter.

“Perfect,” he growled before helping me to my feet. “I'll see you tomorrow Mel.”

She was still laughing when we walked out of the door.

“Can you ride on the bike?” he asked as if he was suddenly aware of my outfit and state of mind.

“We can take the side streets, plus it's dark so no one should see you.”
“Where do you live?” I asked changing the subject.

“In an apartment above the bar.”
He nodded upward.

I stood in silence and wrapped my arms over my chest when a crisp breeze blew past us.

“Let's go.” He placed his arm around my waist and pulled me into him as we began to make our way to his apartment.