He stands in the middle of this dive bar. Like a Greek god, maybe Adonis, he stands with arms crossed, his muscles almost beckoning me to touch them. He’s the most awe-inspiring man I’ve ever seen.
The room crackles with the intensity of his energy. He’s dressed like he used to, how I remember him: dark jeans and his Disciples vest. But what robs me of my very breath are his silver eyes. They bore into mine as if taking all of my heart and soul and breath.
Oxygen thief.
My nails sink into the felt on the inside of the pool table. Holy shit… it’s David!DAVID/POETShe stares at me, eyes wide. For an instant, I think she might throw up. Her beautiful, flawless skin, which usually glows, looks pale as she hiccups.
“Holy shit.”
I breathe deeply, inhaling the smoke that fills the room. Ryder is behind me verbalizing my thoughts about the puking.
But rather than throwing up, she starts laughing. I blink at her. It takes a moment to process that this woman is standing in a bar filled with bikers who dwarf her, including me, and she’s laughing?
“Jesus Christ,” Ryder grumbles as we look around.
No one thinks this is funny. If anything, it’s about to get ugly. “You laughing at me, bitch?” Scar spits on the floor, moving toward her.
“Oh my God,” the blonde with huge tits squeals and runs to Charlie’s side, as if that can help.
For a second, I watch her, my mouth twitching. She’s smashed and can’t stop laughing even with her girlfriend shaking her.
She pushes her friend away and looks over Scar’s shoulder so that her watering golden eyes can find mine. It’s like something inside my head stops thinking and I react before I think.
I smile at her.
She smiles back. And we share a moment that reminds me I’m human.
“Okay, Scar.” Ryder steps in front of Charlie who’s biting her bottom lip, trying to stop laughing as she looks over at Ryder. Scar pats Ryder’s shoulder, giving the Enforcer his respect. You don’t want to fuck with Ryder.
“These bitches have been here all day, man.” Scar points at the girls who’ve both backed away hitting the wall.
“She said she’d show me her tits and let me suck on them if I won.” He points at Charlie. “And a bet’s a fucking bet.” He sneers at them and that’s when I step in.
“What did you bet?” My voice seems to carry across to the back of the bar.
And finally, Charlie is not laughing as I pin her with my gaze.
“Umm, well.” Her hands go out to steady herself as her friend steps up.
“So, Charlize is going… well, was going to play pool…” Her voice drifts off as I turn to her.
“You’re the fucking hot suit guy.” Her eyes widen as though she’s figured out the missing piece to a puzzle.
Ryder is still trying to keep peace with a bunch of rabid beasts getting ready to pounce.
“Did you bet your body?” My eyes sweep Charlie from the top of her stunning head to her feet. It’s absurd, the rage and sense of betrayal that has my head pounding. Some of my closest woman friends have traded their bodies for all kinds of things. I never judge. We all have our shit.
But Charlie… yeah, I’m fucking judging.
“Oh, stop it,” she snaps as she pushes off the wall. “I will easily kick this prick’s ass. He’s got a grand he’s willing to forfeit.”
And that’s all it takes. One fucking smart-ass comment from Charlie.
“What the fuck?” Scar turns like a cartoon dog lifting his ear. He lunges only to be punched in the ribs by Ryder.
“I told you to chill out, brother.” Ryder steps over a wheezing Scar. The prospect who was with him holds up his hands and slinks to the corner.
“Take your friend and get out,” Ryder grunts at Barbie. She nods, her big eyes blinking up at him as her chest goes up and down… in fear or maybe excitement.
“Wait.” Charlie puts her hands on her hips.
And I’m fucking done. My head hurts, and I’m functioning on maybe two hours of sleep. Charlie’s drama was not in my evening plans. Christ, I just got back into town. Blade and I have been gone for two days. Getting production of his old drug started up took more time than we thought. Thanks to her, my cell started going off the moment I got out of the shower.
Apparently, Kimmy called Axel to let him know there was a strong possibility we could have a bad situation on our hands, and what should she do?
Axel, being the dick he is, sent me to take care of it. So here I am, and Charlie’s caused enough crap already. She’s not going to keep her mouth shut as she throws her nose in the air, glaring at the old ladies. The last thing I want is a bitch fight, and I can already see them getting ready. Especially Dragon’s old lady.