by Sandra Owens
“Don’t go back to sleep.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He turned away, and she frowned at the scars on his back.
After a quick shower, she dressed, then went looking for coffee. At the entrance to the kitchen, she stilled. Alex stood at the stove with his back to her, still shirtless. A confusing mix of lust and rage coursed through her. He was magnificent! The broad shoulders, trim waist, lean hips, and mussed black hair long enough to cover the back of his neck were straight out of a woman’s wet dreams. She wanted to crawl all over his body, touching, tasting, exploring.
It was seeing the scars on his back again, though, that made her want to wrap her arms around him and promise she’d never let anyone hurt him again. They were old ones, white and puckered. Feet bare, she padded toward him. She thought she could sneak up behind him, but he tilted his head as if listening.
“Nice try, Grasshopper.”
His amused chuckle made her smile. She stopped inches from him, lifted a hand, and gently touched one of the scars on his right shoulder. “Who did this to you, Alex?”
“My father. How do you want your coffee?”
“Cream and two sugars.” She put her hands on his waist to hold him in place, pressed her mouth against a jagged scar on the middle of his back, kissed it, then moved to the next one and the next one and the next one. What father did this to his child? It was beyond her comprehension. Her father had been nothing but loving, his hands gentle even when she had misbehaved.
As she placed kisses across his back, tears streamed down her cheeks. Tears for Alex having a father who’d tortured a boy he should have protected, and tears for the father she missed with every aching beat of her heart every damn day.
Alex stilled, unable to breathe. He felt her tears, hot against his skin, and although all the places she’d pressed her lips had long gone numb from the scar tissue, her kisses were a balm to his soul. No other woman had put her mouth on his back. Some had pretended not to notice, some had been visibly turned off by the sight of his back, and one had even asked him to put his shirt back on.
He’d long ago decided he wouldn’t hide the results of his father’s cruelty. It was what it was. It had happened, but he’d put it behind him. Or so he’d thought until Madison stood in his kitchen, her mouth seeking out each place a belt buckle had ripped his skin open as her hot, burning tears slithered down his back. A shudder rippled through him, and he sucked air back into his lungs.
“Madison,” he whispered. Unable to take any more of the tears she shed for him, he faced her. “Don’t cry, Mad.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him, burying his mouth in her hair.
“I can’t help it.” She slid her hands up his chest, then farther up, until she clasped her fingers together behind his neck. “All children should have a father like mine, and no child should ever”—she put her feet on top of his, and he had the thought that she was trying to climb inside him—“ever, ever know the kind of pain from a parent who puts scars on his back.”
He couldn’t argue with that. He held her close, wishing she really could climb inside his skin and live there. Somehow she’d stolen his heart on a morning when all he’d meant to offer her was a cup of coffee and a plate of scrambled eggs. Who saw that coming?
If he didn’t get her to her bookstore in the next few minutes, he’d never take her back. As he held the woman he knew he could love forever given half a chance, he glanced at the clock on the microwave. “Can you take the day off?”
She sighed, her breath tickling his chest. “I wish. But no.”
“Then let’s have some breakfast before I abduct you and carry you to my cave like a barbarian. Another minute and I’ll drag you there by your beautiful hair.” He kissed that beautiful hair. “I’m that close, Madison, so you need to back away.”
Her lips curved against his skin. “And I’d love that, but I think we need to go rescue Lauren from the mad, bad dog.”
“Hopefully, they haven’t killed each other yet.” He’d never known Court not to find a way to get along with any woman, and he was skeptical that his brother and Madison’s roommate were squaring off like feral dogs.
Lauren glared at Court from the kitchen—which she’d refused to leave even after Alex had walked in with Madison tucked next to him—and if she could shoot fire from those eyes, Alex would have feared for his brother.
The two of them were like a pair of rabid dogs, each snarling from their corners, just waiting for the chance to attack. Alex had never seen his brother so worked up over a woman, and, fascinated, his gaze darted between Court and Madison’s roommate.
“You kept me up all night with your snoring,” Lauren said, her lips curling in a sneer.
Alex found her attitude interesting considering her gaze was locked on Court’s bare chest.
“I. Don’t. Snore.” Court turned away, yanking on his T-shirt.
As far as Alex knew, his brother didn’t snore. He leaned his mouth close to Madison’s ear. “I think they like each other.”
She made a noise that sounded like a half snort, half laugh. “I think we arrived just in time to keep them from killing each other. You take him, and I’ll try to calm her down.”
As soon as she slipped out from under his arm, he wanted to grab her and tuck her back next to him, but the snarling dogs needed to be dealt with. “What’s wrong with you, bro?”
Court turned furious dark eyes on Alex. “The next time you need a babysitter, lose my number. The woman’s a raving lunatic.”
If that was how he felt, why did his gaze settle on Lauren’s ass as Madison led her from the room, the two of them disappearing down the hallway? Alex grinned. “Methinks thou doth protest too much.”
“What kind of crap are you spewing now?” Court grunted. “I’m outta here. The two of them are all yours.”
Alone, Alex circled the room, eyeing the shelves, wondering which things belonged to Madison. There were a lot of books, but that wasn’t surprising. A framed photograph caught his attention, and he picked it up. Madison and two adults he recognized as her parents stood on the beach. He studied Michael Parker, smiling at seeing the red hair and green eyes so like Madison’s. The man stood between Madison and her mother, an arm around each, and Alex could see the affection they had for each other shining in their eyes. What would it have been like to have loving parents like that?
He set the picture back on the shelf but continued to stare at it. Had Michael Parker been killed because of a story he was working on? Their bureau chief had approved their request, and Taylor was supposed to schedule an interview with Parker’s editor this week. If the editor would agree, Taylor would bring back to the office whatever files and notes the newspaper had saved of Parker’s. If he didn’t agree, they would ask for a court order to confiscate them. Not that they’d get it. The thread tying Parker’s last story to the Alonzo family was tenuous at best, based on nothing more than a feeling Alex had.
Hopefully, the newspaper would cooperate on the chance the agency could identify their reporter’s killer. How would Madison react to him nosing into her life? He guessed she’d want the person who took her father away caught and tried, even if it was her cousin, but would she ever forgive him for the big lie sitting between them? Eventually it was going to come out that he was more than a co-owner of a biker bar, and he’d give anything if he could sit down and tell her everything.
He’d tried to stay away, but the past two weeks had felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest. She had been the first thing he thought of on waking and the last thing before sleeping, and all the hours in between.
“Is he gone?”
Alex narrowed his gaze on Madison, prowling toward her. “He is.” Reaching her, he cupped her cheeks. “My cold seems to be gone, but I’m going to wait one more day to kiss you just to be safe. Fair warning, though. I’m going to kiss you so long and deep that you’ll have to ask me your name when I’m done with you.”
Her eyes darkened and air
swished out of her lungs. “I’m not sure what my name is right now.”
“When we do make love, Madison, we’ll be lucky if we don’t set the bed on fire.” He kissed her forehead. “I have to go, but I’ll be back at six to pick you up. I have to be at the bar tonight, but I’m not leaving you alone. You can ask your roommate if she wants to come.”
“She’ll love that, if she doesn’t have a date with her boyfriend.”
The last thing he wanted to do was leave her, but he had a man to see.
“You’re lucky I don’t kill you,” Alex said the moment he found his way to Ramon’s bedroom. The housekeeper had said Ramon wasn’t up yet, and Alex had brushed past her, taking the stairs two at a time, then sticking his head into three rooms before he found the one he wanted.
“What’s your problem, dude?” Ramon rolled over, stuffing a pillow behind his head.
“You. You’re the problem. As of this minute, Madison’s off-limits to you. You don’t go near her again.” Alex eyed Ramon’s swollen nose with satisfaction. His Grasshopper had done well.
“I didn’t do nothing.” He pointed at his nose. “Look what the bitch did to me for no reason at all.”
He really was going to kill the man. “Just heed my warning and we’re good. You don’t, we’re done doing business.” It was doubtful that Ramon would shut him out now that the bar was laundering thousands of dollars a day for the man, so Alex had felt safe in showing up and threatening bodily harm if he bothered Madison once more.
The adjoining bathroom door opened and Trina strolled out, naked as the day she was born. “Well, look who’s here. Hello, Alex.” She leisurely strolled to the bed, leaned back against Ramon, and let her gaze roam over Alex. “Wanna play with us?”
Alex could appreciate that she had a killer body, but he’d rather play with a spitting cobra than take a tumble in the sheets with her. “I’ll pass, thank you.”
“You’re no fun,” she pouted as Ramon reached around her and squeezed her right breast. She pulled the sheet down to Ramon’s waist and slid her hand underneath, all the while keeping her eyes locked on Alex, as if that would turn him on.
“So I’ve heard.” His message delivered, he wanted to get away from the sick fucks.
Ramon grunted, arching his hips. “Sure you don’t want to play, Alex? Trina can handle us both. She’s full of tricks, dude.”
He just bet she was. “Positive.” He waved a hand. “Carry on.” His feet couldn’t get him out of there fast enough.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“What does one wear to a biker bar?” Madison said, walking into Lauren’s bedroom. “Whoa! Look at you.” Her roommate grinned as she spun in a circle. Her hair was spiked more than usual, and on Lauren it actually looked cool. She wore black skinny jeans, knee-high black boots with five-inch heels, and a white off-the-shoulder gypsy shirt with a low-cut bodice. Silver earrings, her only jewelry, dangled from her ears.
“Do you think this is okay to wear?”
Madison licked a finger, then shook it in the air. “Too hot to touch, baby. You look great.” It wasn’t often that Lauren was uncertain, especially about her clothes, and it struck Madison as odd that she was even asking.
“Let’s get you dressed.”
“Good luck with that. I’m short on biker chick clothes.” She followed Lauren and stood by while her friend rifled through the closet Madison had stuffed with outfits for every occasion except hanging out with bikers. Lauren was a genius with clothes, though, and thirty minutes later, Madison stood in front of a mirror, wondering what Alex would say when he saw her.
It would have never occurred to her to pair the black leather motorcycle boots with a denim miniskirt. The boots were ankle length, and thick white socks peeked over the tops. Her black, cropped, long-sleeved silk blouse was tied in the front, and the red lace of her bra was visible when she moved. Like Lauren, the only jewelry she wore was silver big-hoop earrings. They’d curled her hair so that it had a wild look to it as it fell over her shoulders and down her back.
Lauren eyed her. “Your man’s going to drool all over his shirt when he sees you.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever looked so . . .”
“Hot?” Lauren laughed.
“Yeah, I guess.” Lauren had convinced her to leave the top two blouse buttons undone, just enough to give an enticing view of the valley of her breasts. Was the outfit too much? She wanted to look sexy for Alex, but maybe she shouldn’t have so much on display, considering where they were going.
“Stop overthinking it. You look great.”
“You tell Nelson where you were going tonight?”
Lauren’s eyes widened. “No way. I told him I was hanging out with you.”
“I’m glad you didn’t lie to him.”
“Why would I? He doesn’t own me.” The doorbell rang, and Lauren clapped her hands. “Party time. Let’s go.” She grabbed Madison’s hand, pulling her downstairs.
“I can’t wait to see his face when he sees you.” Lauren opened the door.
“Your limo has arrived, ladies,” Alex said, his gaze sliding past Lauren, locking on Madison. Without saying a word, he brushed by Lauren, walking straight up to Madison. Leaning down, he put his mouth next to her ear. “Every drop of blood in my body just went south. What are you going to do about that?”
“I have a few ideas,” she whispered back.
“Thank God.” He took her hand, not letting go as they walked to his car, Lauren following.
Wearing black leather pants and a black Aces & Eights T-shirt with the jack of hearts card above the pocket, he looked pretty darn hot himself. After he opened the front passenger door for her and the back one for Lauren, he skirted around the hood.
“Wow, did you see his eyes? He wanted to eat you up the minute he saw you,” Lauren said.
“I might have let him if you hadn’t been standing two feet from us.”
Alex slid into the car, halting their conversation. “One thing about tonight, ladies. Don’t feed the animals.”
“What does that mean?” Madison asked, although she thought she knew, but she wanted to be sure Lauren understood.
“Some of our customers don’t recognize boundaries, and both you ladies are smokin’ hot.” His eyes slid to her as he said that, the heat in them making her stomach twitchy. “They’re a rough bunch, and any encouragement you give them could end up in me and my brothers having to fight them off you. While you’re in the bar area, never venture away from one of us.”
“No problem,” Madison said. Not wanting to cause Alex problems, much less have strange men hassling her, that was an easy promise to make.
“What if one of those animals is your brother?” Lauren muttered.
Madison leaned around the headrest. “What’s the deal between you and Court? He seemed nice enough to me.” Lauren’s attitude was embarrassing. Alex had arranged tonight as a favor, and it would be nice if Lauren were more appreciative.
“He’s a jerk.”
“Lauren!” Madison glanced at Alex to see his reaction.
He grinned. “Fireworks are grand, aren’t they?”
The amusement dancing in his eyes eased her concern that he was offended by Lauren’s declaration. Was he right? Were there sparks flying between Lauren and Court? If so, Lauren wouldn’t be happy about that since Nelson was still supposedly the love of her life. Tonight was going to be interesting.
“Sorry, Alex,” Lauren said, leaning forward and patting his shoulder. “No offense. I just don’t like him, okay?”
Alex glanced back at her, a smirk curving his lips. “You sure about that?”
“Without question.”
Madison gazed out the window, watching a sailboat as it approached the bridge they were traveling over. If she looked at Alex, she would burst out laughing. He’d nailed it. Lauren was attracted to Alex’s brother, and she wasn’t happy about it.
Back on the mainland, Alex turned right. She’d never asked where Aces & Eights
was located, but it should have occurred to her that there were no biker bars in South Beach. She’d been to his condo, which wasn’t too far from the bookstore, so somehow she’d thought his bar was nearby. The area they were in wasn’t one she would want to travel into alone.
“Never come here without me,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. He took her hand and placed it on his thigh.
“That I can promise.” She loved touching him, and she squeezed her fingers into his leg. “Am I going to end up plastering myself against you, begging for your protection?” Lord, she loved flirting with him.
“All night long,” he answered, his voice changing into the rough sound she loved.
Lauren thumbed Alex on his head. “Hello. I’m feeling like a voyeur here, people.”
Alex chuckled. “Your roommate’s touchy.”
“She’s jealous,” Madison said.
“So am not.” Lauren snorted. “Okay, maybe a little. You two are just too cute. I can see you sending adorable kitten pictures to each other on Facebook.”
Alex turned into the parking lot of a building with a neon sign blinking the words “Aces & Eights.” He drove around to the back and pushed a button on the remote clipped to his visor. A garage door opened, and he drove inside. Three shiny black Harleys were parked beside a black SUV, maybe a Land Rover. Including the black BMW she sat in, it appeared the bar was a successful venture for the brothers, but they did like the color black, whether it was their vehicles or their clothes.
They exited the car and Alex took her hand, tangling their fingers together. “Remember, don’t wander away.” He glanced at Lauren as he said it, and Madison speared her friend a look behind Alex’s back.
“What?” Lauren mouthed.
“Behave,” she mouthed back, ignoring Lauren’s eye roll, which didn’t bode well. They walked down a hallway, past a kitchen where a man was washing dishes, and then through a set of swinging doors.
“Welcome to Aces and Eights, ladies,” Alex said, putting himself between them.
The first thing that hit Madison was the loud Southern rock music. The second was the rough-looking crowd. She pressed closer to Alex. And Lauren wanted to come here because . . . ?
