Out Gamed

by Lila Rose

It was okay for me to be there with Roman, for me to look, to like, to like a lot. Yep, there was nothing wrong about it at all.

  I was a grown woman. I could do what I wanted, look at whom I wanted and act however I wanted. Right then, the only issue I could think of that could cause distance between us was the age gap. Especially when a young woman just approached him at the bar. She leaned in and whispered in his ear. My belly sank to the pit of my vagina.

  I swallowed hard when he turned his head her way with a sneer on his face and said something to make the woman glare and storm off.

  I wanted to clap, to hug him and tell him how much I appreciated seeing that.

  When he approached the table though, I said nothing except smiled up at him.

  “Here you go, darlin’.” He passed me my drink and then slid in next to me. He didn’t pick the other side of the booth, but next to me with his arm at the back of where I sat and the other holding his own beer. “Now tell me what you been up to.”

  I did. I told him about my day, about my grandkids and what they got up to, how Cody had a girlfriend, and that Talon was proud, but how he hated it when Maya came home just yesterday and said she had a boyfriend. He’d grounded her until Zara told him to stop being an arse.

  “I’m going to their place for dinner tomorrow night to see the action when Maya brings this poor boyfriend home to meet her parents.”

  Roman chuckled. “Poor kid. But then again, I’d be fumin’ too.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him, he chuckled again. “Why?”

  “She’s his baby girl. Doesn’t want to see her grow, and really, no kid will be good enough for her.”

  “True, but he can’t be one way for Cody and then another for Maya.”

  He shrugged, like he thought Talon had every right to be that way.

  “Roman!”

  He smirked. “Relax, it’s the way of men. Wasn’t Richard like that with Matthew and Zara?”

  At the sudden drop of Richard’s name, I tensed. Roman felt it since his hand had strayed to the back of my neck again.

  He studied me. “Nancy, you don’t want me to mention Rich?”

  “No, it’s… no. I mean, I was surprised by it. That’s all.”

  His fingers massaged my neck. “You sure?”

  Was I?

  “Yes.” I nodded.

  “Good. Bound to happen the more time we talk or spend time together because he was a big part of your life.”

  “I know.”

  “But just tell me if I say shit you don’t want to talk about.”

  With courage, I reached out and placed my hand on his thigh under the table and gave it a squeeze. When his eyes bore down on my hand, I went to move it away until he quickly grabbed it and pulled it back over his thigh. His hand applied pressure on mine.

  He looked up and grinned. Relaxing back in the seat, he asked again, “Did Rich have a different opinion on your kids?”

  I shook my head. “No, he was fine with both of them dating.”

  “Knew he wouldn’t. He was a good man. Though, he was different to what we are.”

  “We?”

  “The brothers of Hawks. We’re protective to the point of being possessive.”

  Smiling, I said, “That’s true.”

  This was what I liked: talking, seeing, feeling him, and finding out who he was. And he was so different from Richard, which I was more than happy with, it seemed.

  Chapter Six

  Gamer

  “Speaking of bein’ protective. That dickhead from before, he wants in your pants, Nancy.”

  I was surprised to see a blush coating her cheeks. “He does, well… did. But he would never.”

  “No?” I asked, liking hearing her say the fucker would never get in there. Did she know I wanted in there eventually? I reckon she did, and it made me fucking pleased as punch she didn’t voice I wouldn’t get a chance to slide into her.

  Fuck, I hadn’t stopped thinking of it since her hand was still on my thigh, even when I’d taken my hand away to gulp my drink down.

  “No,” she whispered, a brighter heat to her cheeks, which made me wonder if she was thinking along the same lines as I was.

  “Good,” I stated gruffly like a damn Neanderthal. “I’m gonna find out what the fucker’s up to. I’ll let you know when I do, but wanna make sure you’ll steer clear of him.” I grinned like a fool. “Though I have a feelin’ he will after the lecture you just gave him.” She laughed, only to stop when I reached up and tucked a stray hair behind her ear and to trail my fingers down her neck, up again to along her chin. “Was fuckin’ happy to see you have my back, beautiful.”

  More heat hit her cheeks.

  “I, ah, he… annoyed me, and then I was on a roll and….” She shrugged. I tapped her nose with one finger and rested my hand back down over hers on my thigh.

  “Whatever it was, fuckin’ liked hearin’ it.”

  “Okay,” she uttered.

  I grinned. “Okay.” I paused. “Might sound like a creeper, but been watchin’ you, Nancy. Like you loud, funny as fuck, and serious. But I like seein’ you get shy for me, darlin’, because that, I didn’t expect.”

  She bit her bottom lip, scraped her top teeth over it and then admitted, “I’ve never really been this way, Roman. You bring it out.”

  Leaning towards her, I told her, “I fuckin’ like that too, Nancy.” Seeing her pulse racing, I moved back a bit and picked up my beer, and hoped she liked me admitting it. When I felt her hand tighten on my thigh, I knew she had.

  She cleared her throat. “Tell me something about you, Roman.”

  Fuck.

  I hated talking about myself, but for Nancy, I would.

  “What you wanna know, sweetheart?”

  “Anything. By the way, the nicknames are better.”

  I chuckled. “Thought I’d try the few normal ones out, but I found your eyes flaring at darlin’.”

  “They did?” she quietly asked, then licked her lips.

  “Yeah, darlin’.” I smiled. “Just like that. Now, you wanna know somethin’ about me?”

  “Yes.”

  “I joined the Hawks when I was sixteen. Usually they don’t take on prospects that young, but the old prez saw what skills I had with a computer. He got me to do shit I wished I never had to. Yet it was a better place than my home life.”

  “Roman,” she whispered, her feelings showing in my name. She felt bad for me.

  I ran my fingers up and down the back of her neck, enjoying the shiver from my touch. “Don’t feel bad, babe. You live, you learn, and you make sure at the end of it all, your life is how you want it. I’m happy where I am, with the brothers I have, the club I’m in, and with the woman at my side.”

  Her lips parted. Her nostrils flared on the heavy breath she took. Wasn’t sure if it was a good breath or not from what I’d said.

  Fear spiked inside of me. “Did I take the last part too far, too soon?”

  She shook her head, opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again and said, “No, Roman. It wasn’t too far or too soon. It’s good to know.”

  “We take this at your pace, Nancy. You wanna stay friends, we will.”

  She smiled warmly. “Friends don’t usually touch each other like, well, this.”

  “Christ, woman, so fuckin’ glad I came here, heard you say that, means you’re on board with this. At your pace,” I reassured again.

  “At my pace.”

  We stayed at the pub until after midnight just talking and getting to know each other better. I fucking loved every damn second of it. She stunned me with how damn beautiful she was. The night was effortless as she made me laugh, relax, and enjoy the time with her.

  I didn’t want to see her gone, but when she kept yawning, I knew our time was going to have to come to an end. Since I didn’t trust that doctor dickhead, I told her I was following her home. She put up a little bit of a fight, but in the end, conceded when I told her it’d give me peace of mind.


  I pulled my ride up behind her car in the driveway and climbed off. She was already out of the car by the time I made it to her side.

  I took her keys out of her hand, then grabbed her hand in my free one and led her up to her door. Unlocking it, I told her, “Wait here for me.”

  “Roman—”

  I dropped her hand to grip the side of her neck. “Nancy, humour me, yeah?”

  “Okay.”

  “Okay.” I grinned.

  Stepping in, I switched on the hall light, and made my way through the house, searching every room. Something didn’t rub me right about the doctor, so I was going to go with my gut and make sure my woman’s place was safe before I left her.

  It wasn’t something I wanted to do, but I had to.

  I could tell she’d want to know the ins and outs of me and my life before moving onto being more serious, and I was down with that. I totally understood it. As far as I knew, she’d had one man between her legs and in her life.

  Hell, if she wasn’t ready until a year down the track, I’d still be there waiting. I knew she’d be worth it.

  I stepped back out the front to a smiling Nancy. Shit, it was good to see her smiling at me.

  “All good, darlin’.”

  “Thank you,” she said, her hand fidgeting on her bag in front of her.

  “Anythin’ for you. I better hit the road.”

  “Are you riding back tonight?” she asked with worry in her tone.

  “Nah, I’m gonna head to the compound here and crash. I’ll head off in the mornin’. Got shit to do back home.”

  “Okay.” She nodded. “Good, I didn’t want you riding so late.”

  Fucking cute.

  “You didn’t?” I asked, reaching out to land my hands on her hips.

  Her breath caught. “N-no.”

  “Like you worryin’ about me, Nancy. Wish I had time to see you tomorrow.”

  “Soon?” she asked, gazing up at me with what looked like hope in her eyes.

  “Yeah, darlin’. Soon.” I looked over her head, then back down into her eyes. “Gotta go.”

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  “All right.” I nodded, but didn’t move. We stood staring at each other for a moment longer, cars drove by, an owl hooted, and it wasn’t until I saw her eyes flicker down to my lips that I knew I was good to go. Leaning in, I pressed my lips to the corner of her mouth. There, I said, “Text me when you wake.”

  Her voice was shaky when she replied, “I will.”

  I straightened, dropped my hands, and stepped back. “Had a good night, Nancy.”

  “So did I, Roman.”

  I winked. “Glad. Head in, darlin’. Wanna hear the lock.”

  She nodded. Still smiling, she stepped into her house and when I heard her do as I asked—lock her door—I made my way to my ride.

  When I was on, kicking my ride to life, I heard, “Roman.”

  Looking up, I watched Nancy running my way. Quickly, I turned off my bike and got off, reaching out for her as she collided with my front.

  “What is it?” I demanded, on alert.

  “Nothing.” She shook her head. “It’s just… I, ah, thank you. For coming to see me.”

  My chest inflated in elation. My shoulders dropped, relaxing after the fear fled my mind and body.

  “Anytime you wanna see me, Nancy, I’ll be here.”

  She didn’t say anything, only stared up at me.

  “Somethin’ else?” It looked like something was playing on her mind.

  “Yes,” she admitted.

  “What, darlin’?”

  “It wasn’t enough.”

  My head jerked back slightly. “Sorry?” Confusion had my brows dipping.

  “It wasn’t enough,” she said again.

  “What wasn’t?”

  She shook her head. Then, fuck me to hell and back, she got to her toes. Her hand ran up my chest to cup behind my neck, and she pulled my shocked self down enough to touch her lips to mine.

  She started a fire inside of me with her lips against mine.

  My arms wrapped around her tightly, one at her waist the other at the back of her head, and she opened for me. I growled into her mouth at first taste. Christ, she could kiss. What she meant, my small kiss wasn’t enough for her, finally sank in. She wanted more from me. Wanted my taste. The first taste of her new man.

  I was all for it.

  Fuck, having her pressed against me, with her hands on my body was more than I imagined. What made it the goddamn best night was when her hand started sneaking down my waist to my arse. There she squeezed, only to gasp against my lips and remove herself altogether.

  Still, I didn’t mind. Her lust-filled eyes and her heaving chest were enough to tell me she enjoyed that kiss just as much as I did.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to grab you like that,” she said, then laughed. “Actually, I did.”

  Chuckling, I dragged her back into me with my hands at the back of her neck. “Glad you got carried away. But I know if we start again, I won’t want to leave. One last quick one for the road, darlin’.”

  She sighed. “I suppose.”

  I laughed. “Fuckin’ beautiful. You wantin’ more of me is the damn best feelin’, Nancy.”

  Her brows pulled together. “It is?”

  “Yeah, I’d show you just how much, but that’d lead to other things.”

  Her eyes widened, understanding she’d got me hard. Grinning, I took her mouth again in a rough, wet, but short kiss.

  Damn it was hard to pull away. Yet I did. Then I turned her. “Let me watch you walk away, darlin’. Lock your door and wave to me at your window.”

  “I guess I should.”

  Snorting out a laugh, I kissed the side of her neck. “Night, Nancy.”

  “Night, Roman.” She sighed and it sounded like a happy one. Shit, I brought that out in her. Me.

  Nancy

  In a daze, I walked back into the house. Locking the door after me, I made my way to the window. Parting the curtain, I waved. I probably looked like a lunatic with how much I was smiling, but I didn’t care. I waited until he was out of sight before I moved into the kitchen. There I gripped the counter tightly to hold me up.

  That kiss.

  It was more than I thought it would be.

  I still couldn’t believe I’d done it, but it annoyed me that all I’d got was a peck when I’d wanted more.

  I’d wanted more.

  From another man.

  Guilt blew through me. I couldn’t help my attraction, but I still felt I was doing wrong by Richard.

  Enough of that, Nance. Coolness touched my back, and my eyes widened. You need to feel free again. Get back what you lost when I left. Be the horndog, ball-busting woman I loved. Don’t feel guilty, sweetheart. Enjoy your life.

  Could I do that?

  I wanted to… but—

  No buts, Nance.

  Maybe it was time to find the person I was before.

  Maybe it was time to cherish what I had, enjoy life, and live each day to its fullest.

  Though, if I got kisses like that one from Roman all the time, I knew I would enjoy each day.

  My heart raced at the thought of being with Roman, of the possibility of us being together. Dating.

  Was I worried about what people thought when seeing Roman with me? Yes. Would it be enough for me to back away from Roman? No. I wanted him, and no matter how people reacted, I would put it aside because being with him made me happy. That was all I had to think about.

  Chapter Seven

  Gamer

  Somehow I managed to not run into Talon while I was in Ballarat, and I was goddamn grateful for it. It was a few days later—a few days where I missed Nancy like crazy since I’d been damn spoilt having her in my arms—that I got a phone call from the big boss man.

  I sat in the computer room going through some shit bookwork while Jason sat at the other desk watching the security videos of the strip clubs the Hawks owned. When my
phone rang, I stared down at it and the name flashing on the screen, and all I could think was fuck.

  “You gonna get it?” Jason asked.

  “Not sure.”

  He laughed. “Who is it?”

  “Talon.”

  His eyes widened. “You’d better get it.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” I picked it up. “Prez, what can I do for you?”

  He growled into the phone, “You wanna fuckin’ tell me, Gamer, why in the fuck you were in Ballarat and didn’t hang ’round to see me?”

  “Just thought I’d pop in, see the lay of the land. You’d invited me a while ago and never took you up with it. Got in late though and had to leave early. Next time I’ll stay longer to see your smilin’ face.”

  “Do. Not. Motherfuckin’. Play. With. Me. You saw her, didn’t you?” he snarled down the line, loud enough for Jason to turn back around with wide eyes.

  I gave him the thumbs up. “Who?”

  “Gamer, I’m gonna reach out here and ask you be goddamn honest with me and I’ll cool my temper and let this mishap slide, with you not tellin’ me of your visit.”

  “Be honest?”

  “Yeah, brother. You got that in you?”

  “I got a lotta respect for you Talon. A helluva lot. You got Hawks into a path we can all be proud of. You take care of all the brothers like they are your blood. So I’m gonna give it to you honest like. Not only because of that, but because of your mother-in-law. Yeah, I came up to see Nancy because she’s it for me. Not sure you’re gonna handle that well, but I’m hopin’ for her sake one day you will.”

  “You’ve laid it out good and proper there, Gamer.” Shit, this doesn’t sound good. “Now you gotta listen to me. Nancy means a helluva lot to me. She’s my woman’s mother. She’s the grandmother to our kids. She had a good man. She doesn’t need anyone in his place. She’s happy. I won’t have you fuck her ’round.”

  I sighed. I didn’t expect him to accept my place in her world right away. “You honestly think she’s completely happy?” I didn’t let him answer, I went on. “Then you didn’t see what I did. Only now she’s happier with me in her life.”