Making the Cut (Sons of Templar MC 1)

The place was amazing, it had an open plan layout with a few booths scattered around. It was on two different levels, decorated in black and white with splashes of red. Floor to ceiling windows gave an amazing view of the ocean. It was also buzzing with people. Once we were seated by our young maître d’, whose eyes popped out after seeing Amy, we ordered our cocktails.

“So how do you like Amber, Ames? Everything you could have ever wanted?” I teased.

“Well, since we spent most of the day in your store getting it ready, I haven’t really seen much of it. Well, scratch that, I took a walk down main street for about ten minutes so I guess I have seen it all,” Amy answered with dripping sarcasm. “And I did see those orgasms on a stick in the coffee shop so I am not writing this place off completely.”

I smiled and sipped my cocktail, assessing the people around the room. More than a few were trying to sneakily stare at us, which I could understand in a small town where newcomers were sure to stand out.

“I think we have sparked some curiosity.” I smiled at a few people, coming from a small town I knew a smile would go a long way to stop people thinking I was an uptight bitch.

“Of course we have girl, a town this small and women that look like us?” Amy rolled her eyes, taking a huge gulp of her drink.

“I’m so glad you’re so modest,” I told her dryly.

She flipped her hair. “I can’t help that I’m gorgeous” She winked at me. “I wonder who I call to order a night with those Greek Gods from the café today?” she pondered.

“I do not care, nor do I even want to think about men ever again. I’ll be quite happy living with you for the rest of my life.” I smiled sweetly at Amy while picking at some bread sticks.

Amy slapped my hand away. “Um, carbs girl? No. Drink your calories instead. And as much as I love you, and I really do, you will not keep me warm at night. Or give me mind blowing orgasms, so I think I am going to have to find a man toy to replace my B.O.B.” Amy patted my hand tenderly, as if she hadn’t just slapped it. “Speaking of man candy, check this out. Seriously, have all the hot guys been hiding in backwater towns my entire life?” Her face lit up, her eyes narrowing in on the newcomers.

I rolled my eyes, a smile playing on my lips, ready to sling out some sarcastic remark, but the words got stuck in my throat when I turned my head. There, at the door, stood Cade, looking imposing and far too sexy to be legal. Who was I kidding? He probably wouldn’t know a law if it spanked him on his delightful ass. His casual stance exuded power. I battled against my stupid ovaries, which seemed to be tingling. His buddy’s ranked similarly on the sex god scale, meaning Joe Manganiello had some serious competition. I gave them a quick once over. Yep, all tall, built with rippling muscles and danger radiating off them. I started to have trouble breathing, feeling hot and sweaty as terrible images flashed through my mind.

“Gwennie, Gwennie, helloo? Earth to Gwen.” Amy waved her hand in front of my face. “Have those beautiful men stolen your ability to speak?”

I didn’t answer, my gaze was locked on the men, more specifically Cade. I was pretty sure the universe hated me, because they were being shown to a table not far from ours. I tried to sink down in my seat, pulling my menu up over my face, praying he wouldn’t notice me. I was nowhere near that lucky (fuck you universe). His stormy grey eyes caught mine, and a weird spark ignited between us. Don’t fall for it again Gwen, you know how this ends. I shook my head and tried to focus on steadying my breathing. Amy, who had been watching me the whole time like I was having some sort of seizure, finally caught on, noticing the cuts the men wore over their shirts.

“Oh shit,” Amy muttered. “Gwennie, it’s okay everything’s fine, we’ll just leave.” She motioned to stand up.

“No!” I damn near leapt over the table to grab her arm. “I will not leave just because of them, I will not let what happened to me make me terrified to eat in a fucking restaurant and enjoy a cocktail with my girlfriend!” I hissed, adamant I would not play the victim.

“All right let’s get another round.” Amy motioned for the waiter.

I peeked past my hair to see if Cade was still looking at me, and I caught his eyes once more. “Fuck,” I muttered, turning back to the table to down my drink.

“That’s my girl,” Amy cooed. “Cosmos make everything better.”

After a few (I may have lost count) more cocktails and a wonderful meal, I decided I was feeling much more confident. I had made it my mission not to gaze in his direction all night, ignoring the weird pull that tried to yank my gaze there.

Amy carried on talking, telling me some stupid joke. I was laughing when I felt it. The sizzle in the air, the hairs on my arms stood up in awareness. I moved my gaze up to see Cade and his buddies standing at our table. I gaped at Amy in a panic, the numbness of the alcohol wearing off.

“Good evening ladies.” Cade’s deep voice sent shivers down my spine. That feeling was quickly replaced by panic. Bikers were mere inches away from me.

Amy saw my reaction and tried to diffuse the situation. “Whatever you’re selling boys we ain’t buyin’, so run along and tinker with your Harleys or whatever.” Her upper middle class breeding gave her excellent experience in a patronizing tone.

I clenched my shaking hands together meeting Cade’s eyes, giving him my best snooty bitch stare.