Honey to Burn (Sweet & Dirty BBW MC Romance Book 10)

by Cathryn Cade

  Finished eating, Mac leaned back in his chair and spread his arms, resting his elbows on the low railing behind his chair. It was an expansive gesture that showed off his muscular arms in that tight T. She liked it a lot.

  "It is, no doubt," he said easily. "I own my trailer, but it's sure not where I want to live for long."

  "Do you like being an EMT?” she asked.

  He grinned. "I do. Work for an ambulance service in Spokane."

  She shuddered, picturing him at the scene of some horrific accident. “I could never do that. Blood, ecch!" No longer hungry, she put down the remains of her burger and wiped her fingers again.

  He shrugged. "Doesn't bother me. I like the work. Always something new, always moving around, out and about. I’m gonna work my way up to paramedic. Make better money, get more responsibility. Hopefully move over to working with the fire department—plenty of real action there."

  Rae nodded. "That would be cool. Have you ever, y’know, had anyone die?"

  His gaze darkened. "Yeah, some before we get there. That's part of the deal. It sucks the big one, but that's the way it is."

  Rae nodded, wishing she could hop out of her seat, hurry around the table, and give him a long hug.

  He glanced at her burger basket."Listen, how's about you finish up so I can get you back to work on time? Gotta keep the peace with your mama for now, right?"

  Now Rae really wanted to give him that hug and show him just how grateful she was for making it so easy to be with him.

  It could have been super awkward to meet each other again after their hook up. But he'd made it seem natural.

  But she did have to get back to work. "You're right," she sighed, taking a last drink of her soda. "I'm having to endure her dirty looks and little remarks as it is—getting back late would just make it all worse."

  "Babe," he said, giving her a chiding look. "You hate the job that much, you seriously need to quit. Tell her you're done and go do something you do wanna do."

  She frowned at him. "Right," she said tightly. "Like it's that easy, that simple."

  He tipped back his Coke to slurp the dregs of it from the ice. "It may not be easy, I don't know your ma, but it is that simple," he said. "My folks’ flooring place in Wenatchee, not for me. I grew up, knew I didn't want to measure floors for shag carpet for the rest of my life, so I walked. Told my folks thanks, but no thanks. My sister and her husband—and he's a jerk, but he's good at selling shit—they run the place now. They have two kids who will probably take the place over when they're grown. That suits me. All I know is, I'm out of it."

  That was when RaeAnn's resentment of his judgment of her life made her say something she would regret.

  "Right," she said sarcastically, tossing her hair back over her shoulder. "And here you are, living in a trailer in Airway Heights—woo hoo, hooray for you."

  His heavy, dark brows drew together and down over his hazel eyes, and he pinned her with a look that made her squirm in her chair—and not in a good way.

  "Yep," he said. “That's right, here I am."

  He gazed over her shoulder at a pair of young women walking by. They looked back and one of them smiled at him. The other one giggled.

  He lifted his chin and smiled back at them, in a gesture that seemed automatic. He was used to strange women smiling at him, RaeAnn realized. And no wonder, he might not be tall and classically handsome, but he was hot.

  His platinum-blond hair was too long and needed a cut. It made her long for a pair of scissors and a comb.

  Then again, maybe not, because it made him look like the kind of guy who'd be up for anything, ready tumble into bed with a girl, no preparation needed.

  The kind of guy who threw on a sexy black western shirt and tight, faded jeans and boots and headed out to a bar, then smiled at a girl and made her want to do those adventurous things with him.

  And his square face and those eyes with their ridiculous, long lashes—'bedroom eyes,' her grandma would have called them—with a lazy twinkle in them that promised all kinds of good things if a woman let him get close.

  Which she had, and now here she was split in two like her cheeseburger bun—half of her wanting to let him do those good things all over again, but the other half knowing he was bad for her and that she should retreat.

  What he did not look like was a guy who had any regrets about the way he was living his life... unlike her.

  And she'd just insulted him for his choices.

  Shame knotted in her throat. RaeAnn took a breath and spoke quickly, before she could change her mind.

  "Mac, I'm sorry," she said. "That was bitchy. I'm the one complaining about my life. I have no business judging you." Not to mention the fact that even here, in broad daylight, with no alcohol involved, she yearned for him. For his smile, his touch… and more.

  "True that." He gave her a crooked smile, although Rae's spirits sank, because his gaze was no longer warm. She sensed he'd retreated behind a barrier of some kind. And that was her fault. God, she was so stupid.

  "Everybody's got to ride their own road. You want to change bad enough, you'll do it—when the time is right."

  "I guess," she mumbled, pushing back her chair on the cement. Although, how on earth she was going to accomplish that, she didn't know. She’d managed to alienate him over lunch… how was she supposed to navigate more complicated paths?

  Mac insisted on paying for their burgers, like they were on a date, but on the sidewalk he stopped and slid his sunglasses down over his eyes. With them on, he became a stranger, one whose expression Rae could no longer divine.

  He lifted his chin to her. "All right. See you around, huh?"

  Somehow, she managed a smile. "Okay. Thanks again for lunch."

  Then, so she wouldn't have to stand and watch him walk away, she turned and headed back along the sidewalk toward E.

  And if she was blinking away tears of hot regret, no one knew but her.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Friday, October 1st

  By the end of the next week, Rae had truly given up on ever hearing from Mac again.

  So when her phone vibrated in her pocket as she was leaving E at 6 o'clock—yes, Cruella di Vil had kept her late again to restock—she frowned as she saw the incoming call was from a strange number.

  She almost ignored the call, in case it was one of those annoying sales calls, but decided to answer.

  When she heard Mac's rough voice in her ear, a jolt of shock and excitement raced through her.

  "Hey, gorgeous," he drawled. "Got time for a ride with me on my bike? Thought we could go for drinks after, and something to eat if you haven't already."

  Rae was smiling in delight as she hurried to her car. "I could do that," she said, doing her best to sound casual, and failing. "I'm still at work. Want to meet me somewhere?"

  "Sure. How's about Twist? You know it? Over on Sage Street."

  She did. Twist was the kind of loud, casual place where you had a drink, yelled at your date or friends across a tiny table, and only heard half of what anyone said, but still had a good time anyway.

  "Sure. I can be there in ten," she told him. "Depending on how long it takes me to find a parking spot, that is." She might have to look in one of the lots scattered around downtown.

  "All right," he said. "See you in a few."

  Rae got into her car, but before she drove away, she spent a few moments examining her makeup and hair in her rearview mirror.

  Luckily, she'd worn a cute new top today, a cream sweater with an open twist neckline and tiny ruffles on the wrist.

  She wished she had a pair of pretty dangly earrings, but she didn't want to spend the time to go home and get them, not with Mac waiting for her. Maybe she should keep her favorite pair in her car’s glove box from now on.

  She rolled her eyes at this—yeah, and maybe a black bustier or a tube top so she could dress really sex-ay. He’d seen her in her work clothing last time, and it hadn’t seemed to bother him.

&
nbsp; She couldn’t quite believe he’d called. After she’d been bitchy, even though she’d apologized, she was certain she’d never see him again.

  She found a parking spot in front of Twist, mainly because a certain, hot blond guy was standing in it, arms crossed in a way that said anyone else trying to park there would have to deal with him.

  Smiling shyly, Rae gave him a little wave as she slowed on the street. He stepped back with a grin and waved her into the space. The parallel parking gods were with her, as she made it on the first try.

  And to make things even better, Mac jogged around to open her door, closed it behind her, then bent his head and laid a kiss on her. One that started sweet but flamed hot so fast Rae nearly melted against his chest.

  He lifted his head when someone honked loudly at them and gave her a sly, laughing look as if they shared a delicious secret.

  Breathless, she gaped at him. Oh, gawd. He was really glad to see her. And that kiss reminded her body of all the good things he’d done to it, made her want them again—now.

  He grabbed her hand and they walked around the car and onto the sidewalk.

  Having once lost a favorite jacket in a bar, Rae now knew to leave hers in a vehicle, so she had her little brown purse over her shoulder, but nothing else to remember.

  As he reached to open the door to the bar for her, Mac gave her a look of appreciation. "That's a sweet top, babe," he told her.

  Rae blushed hotly, as she always seemed to do with him. "Thanks."

  He gave her a wink. "Thought I better tell you out here, because I like this bar, but it's loud.

  Since the front wall of the place was nearly vibrating with music, voices, and laughter, Rae got what he meant.

  She looked him over and smiled. He was looking pretty sharp himself, in a black leather jacket over a white tee, faded jeans, and black boots. His unruly platinum waves had been tamed back off his forehead and behind his ears. "You look nice too," she told him.

  He shook his head at her. "Now don't be talking sweet to me, or we'll never make it into the place."

  Rae didn't really care if they did, and with a boldness completely foreign to her, she moved a step closer to him. “That’s okay with me.”

  His smile disappeared, his face going thoughtful and a little predatory. Using his clasp on her hand, he pulled her against him and moved them both away from the door of the bar. "You have a jacket in your car?"

  Rae nodded, her heart thumping with excitement.

  He nodded. "Good, then let's go for a ride and have our drinks somewhere quieter."

  This sounded good to Rae. She didn't want to miss a word he said to her in his rough, sexy voice. Plus, she really, really wanted his hands on her again, and more of his incendiary kisses.

  And anything else he wanted, really.

  She'd never understood what other women meant when they said they were fools for a man. Now, she got it.

  She retrieved her jacket from her car, locked it again, and followed Mac across the street to a big, gleaming, black and silver Harley Davidson motorcycle. Rae knew it was a Harley because she saw the name in chrome. It was a sleek, dangerous, powerful looking machine.

  "Ever ridden a bike?" Mac asked, opening one of the black saddlebags and pulling out a helmet.

  Rae shook her head and swallowed, hard. No, she hadn't, and she kind of sort of wanted to now but... She also kind of didn't.

  He handed her the helmet, an indulgent smile on his face. "You'll be fine, I'll take good care of you. Let's get this on you."

  Stepping closer, he carefully set the helmet down over her head. "Good, fits well enough. Whatcha got on your feet?"

  Rae lifted one foot and showed him the black leather western boots she wore under her black slacks.

  Mac nodded. "They cover your ankles, so good enough."

  He pointed out the exhaust pipes on the motorcycle and told her they were going to get hot, so to make sure she kept her legs clear. Other than that, she was just to hang on to him and lean with him as they rode.

  He grasped the handlebars and threw one leg over the machine, settling onto the front of the black leather seat.

  "Wait," she said. "Where's your helmet?"

  He grinned and shook his head at her. "Don't usually wear one. I have this." He pulled something black from his jacket pocket and fastened it on his head.

  Rae frowned when she saw it was only a leather do-rag. He looked hot and dangerous in it, that went without saying, but it wouldn't protect his head in a wreck.

  She was pondering the wisdom of telling him he should be wearing a helmet, when he gave her a wink and pulled something else from the saddlebag.

  “Got somethin’ for you.” He held out a small black bundle. “Found ‘em in my bedroom.”

  The moment RaeAnn felt the soft fabric in her palm, she knew--he’d just handed her her lost panties!

  “Thanks,” she mumbled. Her face burning, she stuffed the panties in her purse.

  Grinning, Mac palmed the handlebars of his bike.

  As the Harley's throaty rumble drowned out the sounds of vehicles passing on the street, and he sat astride it, Rae put a hand to her heart. Swoon. The man seriously rocked a Harley.

  “Hop on!” he called. She grabbed his arm for support, put her foot where he showed her, and swung her leg over.

  To her relief, she landed in the correct place on the leather seat behind him. He checked to make sure both her feet were settled and then pulled one of her hands around his waist.

  "Now ain't the time to be shy, baby," he yelled over the bike's roar. "Hang on tight."

  Her heart thumping hard again, and Rae complied.

  Mac looked out to the street, and when a space appeared in traffic he lifted his feet and the bike rolled forward and out into the stream of vehicles.

  Rae flinched as they began to move. "Sorry," she called as close to his ear as the helmet would allow.

  "You're fine." Mac grinned over his shoulder. “You’ll get the hang of it.”

  He put his feet to the ground again as they slowed to a stop at the light. Dusk was settling around them, and the air had a definite autumn nip in it.

  As they sat there, Rae had nothing to concentrate on but Mac's hard, strong torso in her embrace, his ass and thighs in the cradle of hers, and the rumbling vibration of the big bike underneath her. It felt really... good.

  Kind of like a giant vibrator.

  She snickered silently at this imagery. Maybe the freedom of the road wasn't the only reason bikers liked to ride. Did the vibration feel as good to Mac as it did to her, or was she just a total perv?

  The light changed and the pickup truck ahead of them accelerated. "Hang on," Mac called to her. "Here we go."

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Mac swerved right onto Monroe Street and headed north, over the bridge.

  RaeAnn held her breath. Riding over the narrow bridge on a motorcycle was completely different than being in a car. Somewhere between exhilarating and frightening. One wrong move and they could be over the edge of the railing and into the black waters of the Spokane River gleaming below.

  Of course, they made it over without incident and rolled northward. Mac turned east, taking them past the angular bulk of the Spokane Arena, the streets outside thronging with people headed in to see a concert or other event.

  In that moment, riding with Mac, Rae wouldn't have traded places with any of them.

  They rode north for a while through the city, then along the highway past the golf course and suburbs and into the darkness of the country.

  Rae adjusted to the fear of the speed at which they were hurtling through the dark, but her hands were getting really cold. She took the liberty of delving them both into Mac's jacket pockets. That was better, she could feel his body heat through the jacket this way.

  Since he grinned at her again over his shoulder, Rae assumed it was fine with him.

  Racing through the night with him, Rae felt far away from her normal, everyday life.
As if the powerful Harley was some kind of magical machine, ripping through the fabric of the night. Carrying her into Mac’s life, full of mysterious allure.

  Of course, she’d been this way by car before, but that was in daylight of the ordinary world, not by night. She felt as if she were a part of the night with the wind whipping around her and her biker man.

  She smiled to herself, wishing Dee and Lacey could see her now. She could picture their faces, Dee’s alight with pure excitement, Lacey’s smiling but worried, too. Dee would yell at her to go for it, while Lacey would nod and then add to be careful.

  And her mom—ha! Rae didn’t have to wonder what Ellen would say. She’d give Rae a cold, furious look and demand that she get off at once and come straight home. Well, too bad. That wasn’t happening—not tonight. Rae was with Mac, no matter where he took her.

  They slowed, and Mac pulled over to the right.

  Rae looked around curiously as they eased down a ramp and into the parking lot of the only building in sight. It looked like a big, log cabin on steroids, the metal roof peaked over a sprawling building with big windows, a low post-and-rail fence along the front walkway.

  Neon beer signs shone from the windows. The biggest of these above the front entrance read Stony's Bar and Supper Club.

  Rae had heard of the place. It was known as loud, rowdy, and prone to having fights break out not only in the bar area but outside in the parking lot as well.

  Even with the motorcycle helmet on, Rae could hear country music pumping from the building.

  A few groups of people lingered on the walks out front, smoking and talking. Two young guys were shoving each other, but they were laughing as they did so.

  The helmet bounced a little on her head as Mac steered through the gravel parking lot. They rode along the side of the building to the back, where he pulled to a stop at the end of a row of other big motorcycles.

  Rae waited, still hanging onto the back of his jacket for balance as he set his feet down. When the roar of the Harley motor quieted, he spoke.

  "Stand up and swing your leg over, and make sure you stay clear of the pipes."