Town wasn’t far off, so they were soon driving slowly through the streets, finally pulling into one of the strip malls. He parked in front of a restaurant.
“How was it?” he asked once they were both standing on solid ground again.
“Fun and terrifying.” She smiled. Growing up in a dysfunctional family made her a good judge of character. Her intuition was usually right, and all the vibes she got from Brick made her feel comfortable.
She tried to pull her t-shirt down farther, to cover her hips. He noticed what she was doing.
“What are you trying to do?”
Callie’s cheeks heated. “Cover up? I didn’t have time to change.”
He shook his head. “Don’t try to hide yourself from me. If I didn’t like what I saw, I wouldn’t have asked you to dinner.”
“But—”
“Callie, you have a big, juicy ass. What more could a man want?” He held out his hand and she took it. It felt like the most intimate thing in the world. Brick was completely no holds barred, and she doubted he even realized what he said was inappropriate. She loved that he wasn’t trying to play games or put on an act. He was real, confident, and the sexiest man she’d ever met.
They entered the restaurant, and everyone seemed to glance in their direction. Were they that much of an odd couple? Her insecurities got the better of her. Maybe they thought he was too good for her. She bit her lower lip, trying to keep herself together. Dating was new to her, so she had to follow his lead.
Their table was small, near the back of the restaurant with a view of the street.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
She was starving. Most of the time, she didn’t eat lunch. She was on a very tight budget.
Callie shrugged.
He exhaled, a disapproving sound. “Why won’t you answer? Are you afraid of me now?”
She shook her head.
“I won’t bite.”
“Sorry, I’m not used to dating. This is all new to me.”
“Well, that makes two of us. Just be yourself. I want to get to know you, Callie.”
Silly fairy tale fantasies took over her thoughts. Could he be the one?
“Where should we start?” she asked.
The waitress set down two glasses of water, and she noted the way he glared at her. It was only there for a split second, but it sent a warning the waitress heard loud and clear, and she rushed off, leaving them alone.
It turned her on. What was wrong with her?
His presence was so commanding. He made her feel safe and grounded.
Brick took one of her hands, cupping it between both of his. The way he stared at her took her breath away. He was so intense. “Your eyes, they’re so fucking beautiful.”
She began blushing again. He was rough around the edges, but he sounded completely sincere.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“How old are you?”
“Are guys supposed to ask that?” She felt surprisingly comfortable talking with him.
“I just did.”
“Twenty-sex.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Twenty-sex. Sorry. Twenty-six.”
Callie wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
“Just a baby,” he said, amusement in his eyes. “I shouldn’t be here, but I couldn’t keep away.”
Chapter Two
This was the last place Brick should be. Even as he sat opposite Callie, he knew there was nowhere else he wanted to go. Shit was going down at the club, and Lord wanted him there, but he’d used the excuse of needing a night off. The strange look his prez had given him had made him regret the words instantly. He never took time away from the club. He certainly didn’t hide his leather cut to impress a woman.
Callie was doing something to him.
Back at the clubhouse, even though everything had calmed down since they’d taken care of Skull Nation MC, they’d been trying to figure out their other problem. Who was the rat within the club? Someone was talking and leaking vital information.
Someone gave the details of where Ally was staying when she’d been attacked at Rancher’s farm. She was supposed to be safe from all the shit going down, but somehow, they’d known she was there. There was a leak in the club, and, as VP, he was determined to find it. It was driving Lord crazy not knowing the rat’s name. Whoever it was covered their tracks, which again, wasn’t good.
They needed to come up with some kind of plan. While the Skull Nation MC rebuilt, Straight to Hell focused on getting stronger.
“I’m a baby. How old does that make you? Not that age means anything. It’s just a number.”
Callie’s smile was so fucking sweet. He loved the way she continually nibbled on her lip. As if she was too nervous to speak. He wanted to take that lip between his finger and thumb and tease it down, but he held himself back.
“You want to know my age?”