Torched (13 page)

Something had happened to me during that ride, something I couldn’t really put a finger on. It felt like a forward motion within my soul. It was as if the throttle on Torch’s Harley was directly wired to my inner strength, and the engine’s roar overpowered what was left of any self-doubt.

I may have said too much about my past without stopping to think— something I’d definitely need to work on—but the sincerity in Torch’s eyes when he’d promised that he wouldn’t go digging for trouble was enough to dispel any neurotic worries.

After returning to the Barrel, we’d gone our separate ways. Me to get ready for work and him back to his room to make some calls. I hadn’t asked what his plans were but there wasn’t much else to do in the area, so I figured he’d stop by the bar at some point that night.

The thought may have excited me. Just a little.

I wasn’t under any delusions about Torch, even though he hadn’t divulged a whole lot through words. His actions, demeanor, and the world he was a part of spoke volumes. Torch was a man who lived for freedom and hated the establishment. He wouldn’t be tied to any person, place, or thing. Well, obviously his club, but he hadn’t brought it up and I honestly hadn’t even thought to ask. His cut was as much a part of him as his tattoos, something that didn’t even stand out now that I’d been exposed to all kinds of decent men in leather vests.

No, I just saw Torch. Strong, assertive, mysterious Torch. Did I mention beautiful? I knew men didn’t like being called that, but fuck, he was gorgeous.

And obviously not hard-up for pussy. The barflies looked at him like a prime cut of beef. I knew he could bed any woman he wanted, which was partly why I was still determined not to sleep with him. Still, there was no reason not to vamp it up and try to get a rise out of him. Was it wrong that I really enjoyed watching the guy squirm?

Torch had made no secret of his appreciation for my short skirt and tight top the night before, so I decided to go for a sure bet—a stretchy and sparkly gold dress, the top draping dangerously low in the front and back, and the bottom tighter and shorter than anything else I owned. I could’ve kissed Lexi for the sexy arsenal she’d sent me off with, especially this little number. I finished off the look by putting my hair up and going lighter than usual on makeup, the dress was flashy enough.

It was perfect. For teasing Torch
and
scoring record tips at the same time. Why not kill two birds with one stone?

The evening started out relatively quiet. I decided to work cocktail and let Jenny take the reigns behind the bar. Sure as shit, Torch showed up shortly after I did.

I happened to have my eyes on the door at the very moment he strolled in. He spotted me immediately and stopped in his tracks to look me up and down. The expression on his face, especially when he bit down on his lip, confirmed that I’d picked the perfect outfit.

Thank. You. Lexi.

He smiled and shook his head at me, before plopping down in an empty cigar chair that faced a TV on the opposite end of the room. There was a baseball game on, but I knew he wasn’t really interested in watching it. He just wanted a spot with a view of the entire room. A view of me.

I wasn’t being conceited, I could tell what his motive was because he made no effort to hide it as I walked around and checked everyone’s drinks. As I made my way to him, he did that lip biting thing again and I fought the urge to imagine him nibbling on
my
lips. I’d never really found men with facial hair to be particularly attractive, but fuck if I didn’t want to bury my face in his.

Maybe in another lifetime.

“Fancy seeing you here,” I greeted.

“Couldn’t stay away. Good thing too, would’ve never forgiven myself for not seeing you in that dress. Jesus.”

“You like?” I asked, giving him a little spin.

He shot to his feet and grabbed my ass, pulling his mouth to my ear. “You look like a fucking queen, baby,” he whispered, his warm breath giving me goosebumps all over. I hadn’t even bothered with panties this time. Torch raised my hand to his lips and kissed it softly, while gazing up at me with those devastating eyes. “Beautiful,” he muttered.

Fuck. Me.
At this rate, he’d beat me at my own game in no time.

To my relief, the sound of someone clearing their throat behind me cut through the tension.

“Snoop, man,” Torch said, taking his hands off me and stepping around to give my boss a bro hug.

“What’s up, brother? Heard you took my Liv on a long ride today,” Snoop said. Was that a scolding tone I was picking up on?

Torch’s face twisted, apparently hearing it too. “Yeah, she’s a natural.”

“I’m sure… Liv, sweetheart, will you grab me and Torch a couple beers? I need to talk to him real quick.”

I had no idea what the fuck was brewing between those two, but I was pretty sure I didn’t want any part of it. They both looked tense. “Sure. I’ll be right back.”

I rushed off, happy to see some new customers walking in. I got them squared away before cautiously approaching Torch and Snoop with their drinks.

“Thanks, darlin’,” they said in unison. Weird.

“Not a problem. You done talking?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Torch spoke up. “We’re good.”

I didn’t have time to linger, another wave of customers came in. “I better go take care of these people. You two need anything else?”

“Nope,” Snoop said as he got up from the chair next to Torch. “Go do your thing, baby girl.”

As he walked off, I shot Torch an inquisitive glance. He shrugged.

“I’ll be back in a bit,” I told him.

“I’ll be here.”

He was. He kept his sexy ass firmly planted in that chair all night. Some regular bikers sat down next to him and they seemed to get lost in animated conversation for the next few hours. Still, every time I glanced over, he was looking at
me.

: 8 :

That fucking woman was definitely going to be the end of him. No question about it. That woman, in
that
dress.

Christ, she was leaving absolutely nothing to his sick imagination. How her tits and ass stayed covered was a mystery Torch had been trying to solve all night. Thank fuck they did, because every time Liv bent over, he thought he’d have to kill a motherfucker.

He constantly had to remind himself that she worked on tips and wasn’t his to get jealous over, but by midnight, he was exhausted from holding back. What the fuck was his problem? He shared club bitches with the boys all the time, never giving two shits. This woman wasn’t even sleeping with any of the clowns patronizing Snoop’s bar. She wasn’t even sleeping with
him.
But he’d been ready to go to war over every stupid grin and hug she collected over the course of her shift.

Snoop had warned him to keep his hands to himself and not make things any harder for his “little angel”.

Angel his ass. She was the fucking devil in disguise, hellbent on driving him to murderous rage. Enough was enough. Torch found Snoop and told him to cut Liv loose for the night. No, he
demanded
it.

Snoop looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “I’m not letting her go so you can get your horny dick in her, numbnuts,” he huffed. “I’ve seen you losing your shit all night.”

“You her fucking father?” Torch sneered. “She’s coming with me, whether it’s now or in a couple hours.”

Snoop looked over at her and growled. “Fine. Get her outta here. But if you make her cry or some shit, your ass is mine.”

“Why the hell would I make her cry?”

“Who the fuck knows. Broads get all tangled up.”

Torch smirked. “Trust me, that’s no ordinary broad.”

“Yeah, I know. And she’s no bar bitch either.”

“Don’t intend to treat her like one.”

“Fuck… Alright,” Snoop begrudgingly agreed, “take a hike before I change my mind.”

Torch slapped his back. “Thanks, man, I owe you.”

Liv was talking to Jenny, leaning over the bar and sticking her damn ass out for every degenerate in the place. Torch walked up and wrapped her in his arms from behind to block their view. “I got something for you in my room. Snoop said you could go for the night.”

She looked over her shoulder at him. “He’s letting me off early?”

“Yeah.”

She turned around and glanced across the room, presumably to get visual confirmation from Snoop. Her eyes back on him, she asked suspiciously, “What exactly do you have for me in your room?”

“A gift.”

“Yeah, I bet I know what kind of gifts you give,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“That all you think about, babe? My cock? I feel fucking violated.”

Liv laughed her stunning little ass off. “I told you, we’re not going there.”

“Mmhmm,” he murmured, trying not to laugh at the absurd notion that she’d be able to resist him once he had her near a bed. “Your call. But I really do have something for you.”

“Okay, as long as you’re clear that I’m not staying long. Let me grab my purse.”

: : : :

Liv looked around the room apprehensively as he turned on a lamp. Bright lights didn’t do anybody any favors, especially after hours of drinking. It really didn’t matter in her case, she looked as flawless as she had at the beginning of the night.

Rooms at the Barrel were nothing fancy, but it wasn’t a fleabag motel either. No 80’s floral bedspreads, springy mattresses, or dingy carpet. Snoop wasn’t one to skimp on sleeping comfort and the old fart had decent taste. Torch’s king-sized bed was covered in a thick, white down comforter, flanked by two oak nightstands. A small couch, safe, mini fridge, and flat screen TV rounded out the amenities. In place of carpet was laminate wood flooring, cheap but modern. Blanketed in the lamp’s soft glow, it looked pretty nice.

He took two beers from the fridge and offered her one.

“I’ve never been in any of these rooms,” she said. “Not too shabby.”

He nodded. “No complaints here, the place looks a lot better from the inside. Guess that’s why people keep coming back, even in the winter.” Small talk. Torch fucking hated small talk. Almost as much as he hated himself for feeling like a pimply little shit in the company of a gorgeous woman.

He walked over to one of the nightstands, pulled out a black pouch, and held it out to her.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Open it.”

She pulled out his sister’s silver bracelet, on it a charm in the shape of a crown.

“It was Emily’s,” he explained, before she assumed it was some cheesy gift he’d gone out of his way to get her. “I bought it for her at a flea market, but it was too big so she hung on a picture of us in her room. I took it the night I left home to have something of hers to carry with me.”

She shook her head. “Torch, I can’t take this. It’s all you have left of her.”

“I’ve got memories—”

“That’s not the same.”

“Babe, I really want you to have it. To me, that thing’s just a reminder of failing her as a brother. But I want you to look at it and remember not to take shit from anybody, that you deserve the best. And that none of us can make it out there on our own. I hope it reminds you I’m always a phone call away. Take it.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Why are you giving me this? It’s so personal… I can’t.”

He brushed them away with his thumb. “You can.”

She stared up at him, her eyes wide open and glistening. Liv never seemed to look at him as anything but a man. Not a biker, a Serpent, or a criminal. He really didn’t think she gave a shit about any of that. Christ, those beautiful eyes and plush lips. Forget his problem with getting personal, if he didn’t get a taste of them right fucking now, he’d be begging fate for the sweet release of death in a minute.

He slid both hands into her hair and brought his lips crashing down on hers.

Liv didn’t put up a fight. She wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and arched her back, her entire body relaxing as their tongues greedily explored each other. He kissed her with hungry passion. Passion he hadn’t realized he even possessed, until she’d possessed him. The longer it went, the deeper he felt himself getting pulled into her soul-crushing vortex.

Fuck. He was fucked.

But he couldn’t get enough. She tasted so goddamn sweet, like nothing and no one he’d ever tasted before. He’d take that taste over the finest steak or whiskey any day. And with a mouth that amazing, he could only imagine how much sweeter her other lips were.

He’d snuck a peek putting her to bed last night, but damn, Torch wanted a taste. He wanted to dive face-first into her core, using his tongue to find every single spot that made her moan, and take it to the next level.

The thought of her screaming his name as she released into his mouth was almost too much, and he gently bit down on her tongue. She whimpered in pleasure, tightening her grip on his neck.

He was getting so lost in her, so spellbound, that she knocked the fucking wind out of him when she pulled away.

“I… I, uh…” Liv could barely talk. She used her palms on to push away from his chest and took a step back. “We can’t do this, Torch. I’m sorry.”