Revive (Storm MC 3)

“Figured as much. What’s the story there? I thought you’d sworn off relationships.”

“Yeah, you and me both. Velvet and I kinda happened by accident but I think it was inevitable.”

“She know about Gabriella and Aaron?”

“No.” The anxiety surfaced but it was bearable; I focused on my breathing to keep it under control.

“When do you plan on telling her? Before the end of June?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Shit, Kick. I don’t fuckin’ know.”

“Christ, Nash. It’s been what, ten years this year? That’s a long fucking time to carry this shit with you and not move on. Seems to me you could do with a woman to help you through it.”

He was right. I knew he fucking was. I’d been dealing with this very thought the last couple of days. The closer Velvet and I got, the more I wanted to open up to her. “You’re a pushy fucker, you know that?”

His face remained serious. “Yeah, and you need someone like me to push you, otherwise you’re going to end up alone and miserable. You’ll be chasing pussy in your fuckin’ wheelchair if you don’t find someone to settle down with.”

I laughed at that thought. “They’d be fuckin’ lucky to have me, asshole. My cock will still be in hot demand when I’m in a wheelchair.”

He lost the serious face and grinned at me while shaking his head. “Shit, you never shut up about your cock, do you? Just tell me you’ll talk to her, brother. It’s time.”

I raked my hand through my hair, and agreed, reluctantly. “Yeah, I’m gonna fuckin’ talk to her.”

Kick stood. He had that determined look in his

eyes, the one that told me he was on the prowl. “I’m gonna hit your club. You coming?”

I jumped up, fucking tripping over myself to leave. Velvet was working tonight, and although we hadn’t made plans to see each other, I’d known that wouldn’t happen. I needed her. Kick just looked at me and gave me that ‘you’re so gone’ look. I scowled, and muttered, “Not a fuckin’ word, brother.”

***

Velvet

If anymore assholes spoke to me tonight, I swore I was going to rip their fucking nuts off. Seriously, it must have been full moon or something, because Indigo was full of them tonight. Their filthy mouths and grabby hands seemed to be all I could hear and feel. I sighed. Maybe it was because I was missing Nash, maybe that was making it worse. His presence had a way of calming me. Having him in my life made it better, and certainly having him around while I was at work made it easier to deal when assholes got in my face.

This job was really starting to lose its appeal. I’d always enjoyed it, but lately I didn’t look forward to coming to work like I used to. Even the attention from men that I once craved, no longer held any interest for me. I didn’t want it; I just wanted Nash’ attention.

“Velvet, take a break, babe. I don’t want to see you for at least forty-five minutes. You’ve been working your ass off tonight,” Cody said as he walked past me to the bar.

I could have hugged him. “Done,” I replied and immediately headed out to the staff room before he changed his mind.

The first thing I did was kick my shoes off, the second thing I did was pour myself a bourbon, and the third thing I did was knock that drink back in half a minute flat. Then I thought, fuck it, and poured myself another drink.

It was after two drinks in quick succession that Wilder sauntered in. I admired his muscles. Damn, he was built, and the shirt he was wearing did nothing to hide those muscles. He wasn’t quite as big as Nash, but I didn’t know one woman who would knock him back if he was on offer.

He laid a sexy smile on me, a smile that would have gotten him laid if I wasn’t with Nash. “You seen Scott?” he asked. All credit to him, his eyes didn’t stray from my face. Wilder was serious about not messing with a friend of the VP’s.

The alcohol had loosened my tongue and I pursued a conversation with him even though he’d made it clear he wasn’t keen on chatting with me. “I’m trying to work you out, Wilder,” I said as I walked towards him.

“Don’t try too hard, darlin’. Not much here to see.”

“I’d beg to differ. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who didn’t make eye contact with my chest. I know you said you’re avoiding the VP’s friends but for you to honour that even when he’s not around tells me a lot about you. And that intrigues me.”

No words came out of his mouth; it seemed he was doing battle in his mind with what to say or do. His eyes flashed a warning, and when he spoke, his voice was like a delicious cocktail of danger and desire. “Gorgeous, I’m fighting like fuck not to look at your chest. I’ve seen that sweet body of yours and it’s a body I could spend days admiring. I’m no different to any other man where that’s concerned.”

His sexy voice slid right through me. It was a good thing I believed in total faithfulness when I was with a man, because if I didn’t, I’d be more than tempted by him. “No, there’s something decidedly different about you. And I like it.”

He sucked in a breath, and ran his fingers through his hair. “Fuck, you’re a dangerous woman.”