“You didn’t mention us to her,” he said. Most people liked to gossip when they came to town. He’d gotten used to it.
“No, I didn’t have time. I’ll get these orders ready for you,” she said.
“I didn’t give you my order.”
“Right, of course.” She stood, pencil to pad, poised to take his order. He liked that he made her nervous. He gave his order and watched her go, admiring her ass.
“You think she’s what people say she is?” Ape asked.
“No, I don’t think she is.”
She avoided a couple of grabs to the ass and Colonel was tempted to put the men in their place, but he was happy to watch her do it.
There was no way he could keep doing everything for her. She had to learn to do things herself. He’d known her for less than twenty-four hours and already got the sense that she had a hard life. Not one she wanted to experience either. Her sister was completely oblivious to her, apart from when she wanted something.
The orders came through quickly. No one approached them. He’d been to towns where he’d been ordered out of eating establishments. The boys loved confrontation, but for now, they were willing to play nice as they wanted to stay here.
Colonel didn’t mind being on the open road, sleeping anywhere. He’d slept on the roadside, even in a public toilet when the need arose. No one made him stop.
All he wanted to do was be free, to fly, to soar. On his bike, on the road, it was the best place to be. Women came and went, of course. Some liked to ride with them for a short time, but they always found happiness elsewhere.
Piper was the first woman in a long time to really intrigue him. She brought out their food, offered them all a good breakfast, and got back to work.
Candy kept on demanding her sister’s attention and he saw it pissed her off, but again, she didn’t show it.
He wanted to know this woman. Why did she put up with her sister? What did she think of the rumors about her? Who she really was, because on the surface, she was putting on a brave face, but it wasn’t the real her. He saw a kindred soul. Someone bursting to break free, if only there was someone there to guide her.
After finishing up his breakfast, they left the diner and Candy was already on the back of Bad’s bike and heading toward the cheap motel they’d found. They were staying in the rooms and had already paid upfront.
“Are you coming?” Ape asked.
“Nah, I’m sticking around for a little bit.” He slid his sunglasses into place as Ape looked behind him.
“The girl from last night, seriously?”
“You know me. I like a mystery.”
“Yeah, there’s a mystery and then just plain boredom. There are willing women.”
“I know who I want, Ape. I don’t need to justify my actions to you. Go, have some fun. You don’t have to worry about me. No one here is going to kill me.” Besides, he had a feeling Piper would be more open around him if he didn’t have his men at his back.
Chapter Three
Piper was tired.
After the breakfast and lunch shifts, it was time to go home, grab a shower, and head to the bar where she’d work until midnight before making it home for some much-needed rest. She wanted her bed.
Leaving the diner, she took a couple of steps then stopped at his voice.
“Is that all you do, work?”
She turned to see Colonel leaning against his bike, sunglasses down. He looked deadly still but there was something about him she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Maybe it was why she wasn’t running away terrified of him. There was just something about him that called to her, that helped her to forget all her wishes and desires.
“What can I help you with?” she asked, not wanting to answer his question. Yes, all she did was work because she wanted to live her own life away from the judgment of others. Being in this small town was killing her slowly and surely, but she couldn’t see a way out.
“Yeah, how about I give you a ride?” He patted the seat of his bike.
“I’ve got to get home and get ready for work.”
“More work? You know all work and no play makes for a very dull life.”
“A dull life I’m happy with.”
“But it’s not one your sister takes or your mother, if rumor is to be true.”
She laughed. “So you already know so much more about me than I know about you.”
“Why don’t you climb on this bike and I’ll give you a little more information? I promise I won’t kill you or hurt you. Just have some fun.”
“I’ve still got work to do.”
“I’ll give you a ride, drop you off at home, and then take you to work. How about that?”