“Unrequited lust,” I blurt out, causing us to giggle, although nothing was really funny.
“We have the weirdest conversations,” I muse, my lip twitching. “It’s good to be back in town with you.”
Lana bobs her head in agreement. “It sucked big-time when you left; but you’re here now, and we get to make the most of it.”
“We do,” I say, standing up and putting my plate in the sink. “What are we doing today anyway?”
Lana smiles widely. “I’m going to the library to study, and you have your work trial.”
Right.
“We’re so fun,” I grumble. “I’m going to jump in the shower.”
Lana picks up her book. “I’m going to read a little while I wait.”
I bite my bottom lip, trying not to smirk. “Maybe next time just ask Tracker anything you want to know. Or your sluttiest friend.”
Maybe just ask Rake, the man-whore of the century. I think the only reason he got awkward about it was because I was there. I have a feeling if I wasn’t, it might even be his favorite subject.
“You are my sluttiest friend,” Lana replies in a dry tone, causing me to laugh. In Lana’s twenty-five years of life, she’s slept only with two men. According to her, those two men didn’t really know what they were doing. I offered to give them a map with a woman’s clit marked on it. I know she’s curious as hell and wants to try out everything she reads in those books. Whoever lands her and brings her out of her shell is going to be a lucky man indeed.
“You need to find more friends,” I call out to her as I enter the bathroom, closing the door behind me.
“You’re more than I can handle, thank you very much!” she calls out. I can’t help but wonder where all her friends are, the ones she would have hung out with when I left the city. She hasn’t mentioned anyone else, and I’m a little curious as to why. Reminding myself to ask her about that, I undress and step into the shower, enjoying the feeling of the warm water cascading down my body. When the water starts to turn cold, I hop out and dry myself, then choose what to wear for my first day at work.
If I get the job.
I settle on black pants and a loose black shirt, since I remembered Summer wearing something similar. I put on my black boots, a little bit of makeup, tie my hair up in a ponytail, and I’m good to go. When I walk out, Lana lifts her head from her book. “You look very nice.”
“Thanks,” I tell her. “I want to look neither too slutty nor too professional.”
She laughs at that. “Well, you nailed it. Want to grab a coffee before you start?”
I nod. “Sounds good.”
She stands up and slides her book into her handbag, then smiles up at me. “I know just the place.”
I look up and we leave the house, getting into her car that has seen better days.
“I need a new car,” she grumbles, like she always does.
“Hey, Ronald is a classic,” I reply, lifting my hand to fiddle with the stereo.
“Ronald needs to be replaced,” she says. “We’ve had some good times, don’t get me wrong, but I think he’s going to fall apart at any moment.”
She isn’t wrong. Ronald’s time is nearing. I also know she doesn’t have the money to replace him. Lana’s mother worked her ass off as a nurse at the hospital, and Lana was a full-time student. She started her degree later than she could have, because her mom was ill for a little while and Lana worked as a waitress full-time to help pay the bills. She deserved everything, had nothing, but never complained.
“I have money in the bank that Rake gave me—we could get you a new car with that,” I offer, but already know what her reply will be. Lana is also very proud, and stubborn as hell.
“Anna, thanks, but you know I couldn’t accept that,” she replies quietly. “I have some money saved away, you don’t need to worry about me anymore.”
“I know.” I sigh. “But I’m always here, no matter what you need.”
Considering Rake’s money was sitting in my bank because I was too stubborn to use someone else’s money, I could see where she was coming from. However, my circumstances were a little different than hers; I had only myself to worry about and a brother who would give me the world.
The music chooses that moment to turn on, Sam Smith playing through the car.
“See, Ronald is good to us sometimes,” I say, making her smile.
“He has his moments.”
* * *
After my second smashed glass, I hear Reid mutter something about a “clumsy scientist.” His twin Ryan, on the other hand, laughs and tells me not to worry about it. Ryan is easy to be around, and extremely laid-back. Reid is kind of grumpy, and a little scary. I was told that he’s a badass MMA fighter, which is why no one messes with him.
Summer arrives and takes over my training, thank God. Reid was getting on my last nerve.
“It gets pretty busy on the weekends,” Summer is saying. “Will you be able to work Saturday nights?”
“Yeah, no problem,” I tell her. “What other days will you need me?”
She tilts her head to the side, thinking. “Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays would be perfect. We have a girl who does Friday nights now, so that’s covered.”
“Those days work fine for me,” I reply.
She nods, then smiles. “I think we’re going to get along just fine, Anna.”
“Thanks for giving me the job, I know he isn’t so thrilled,” I say, nodding my head toward Reid, who is scowling in my direction.
Summer laughs. “Actually the reason he didn’t want to hire you was . . .”
She glances at Reid, then back at me, and lowers her voice.
“Summer,” Reid calls, walking over and kissing her on her brow. “I’m sure Anna has work to do.”
I cross my arms over my chest and stare him in the eye, not backing down. “Why didn’t you want to hire me? Tell me the truth.”
He raises an eyebrow. “A bit bold for a woman who just got hired thirty seconds ago.”
He is right, but I still want to know what the hell is going on. I decide to goad him. “Fine, I guess you’re scared.”
“Of what?” he growls.
I shrug nonchalantly. “Of whatever you won’t tell me.”
He grits his teeth. “You don’t know who I am, do you?”
Is he famous or something? I have no idea who he is except for extremely hot and even more rude.
I bite my bottom lip. “No, but if I had a woman as hot as Summer in my bed I’d be a lot less grumpy.”
Summer bursts out laughing.
Reid, on the other hand, sighs and rubs his chin. “I know who you are, that’s why. You’re trouble.”
“And who am I?” I ask, confused. “I’m not trouble. I’m an upstanding citizen and a well-educated woman.”
I hear Summer’s laughter but ignore it.
“You belong to the Wind Dragons; don’t play dumb,” Reid replies, crossing his arms over his impressive chest.
My mouth drops open. “I don’t belong to anyone, thank you very fucking much.”
He studies me, looking amused. “Babe, you may as well have ‘Property of Wind Dragons MC’ tattooed on your forehead. Anyway, I wanted to ask them if they were cool with you working here, but they haven’t been in in a while.”
“You know them?” I ask, my eyes widening.
Fucking hell.
This city is too small.
“’Course I do,” he says without smugness, just pure fact. Reid obviously knows a lot of people.
“It’s a job, why would they have a problem with it? They don’t own me.”
Assholes.
Reid chuckles deeply. “You don’t know how the club works, do you? It’s a bar. You’re a beautiful woman. Do the math.”
I narrow my eyes, ignoring his compliment. “Summer works here; she’s hot.”
His lip twitches. “No one will touch Summer.”
I roll my eyes and look at Summer, who is grinning.
“And no one will touch me either, even if I don’t have a scary fighter for a boyfriend. Let me worry about me.”
I’ve been doing it for so long anyway.
“They’re a possessive bunch, Anna; you know it and I know it. To be honest, I didn’t want the drama, but Summer said she wanted you to work here, which is why you’re standing here right now.”
“But this isn’t fair. I need a job, and just because my brother is a Wind Dragons member doesn’t mean I should be discriminated against.”
Reid shrugs. “Just being honest with you like you asked.”
I sigh. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Once word gets out who you belong to, I think the men will stay away anyway. I just don’t want anyone trying to get at you to make the club angry.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, frowning.
“Let’s say someone wants to start shit with the club; they know that if they go near you it would accomplish just that,” he explains. “I didn’t want that drama in my bar, because then it becomes my problem.”
I rub my temple, a headache starting to appear. “I’m just going to serve drinks and not worry about things I have nothing to do with.”
Reid smirks. “If you think so.”
“It’ll be fine,” Summer adds, stroking Reid’s impressively muscular arm.
Reid gives me a look and says, “It better be.”
SIX
WHEN I see Arrow waiting for me after class, I try to hide my smile.
My day is suddenly looking up.
“Pull the short straw again?” I ask as I walk up to him, grinning.
The look he gives me lets me know he’s not impressed. “Rake’s on a run, wanted me to pick you up.”
“Where did he go?” I ask, wondering why he hadn’t said anything.
“Club business,” Arrow grunts back, then rubs his beard.
Fuck, he’s hot.
His eyes snap to mine and narrow. It’s then I realize that I said that out loud.
Holy shit.
“I mean, fuck, it’s hot,” I blurt, clearing my throat.
It isn’t really that hot, so I sound even more stupid.
I look down so he doesn’t see my flushed cheeks. The last thing I need is for him to know the extent of my attraction to him, so divulging shit like that is not something I need to be doing.
“You’re pretty hot yourself, Anna,” he replies. Was that amusement I can hear in his tone?
I look up and, yes, his eyes are dancing with it. I decide to play it off with a shrug. “What? You’re a good-looking man. Is it a crime to admire the wrapping?”
“Fuck,” he whispers quietly.
“What?”
“Be easier if you weren’t attracted to me.”
My eyebrows raise. “Why is that?”
A muscle tics in his jaw. “I think you’re really something, Anna. But people I care about get hurt. If you’re smart, you will hide what I can so easily see in your eyes because it makes me tempted to take what you’re offering.”
I look down.
I do want him.
I don’t know what he saw in my eyes, but I can only imagine. I wish my eyes weren’t so expressive.
My phone vibrates, so I pull it out of my pocket, glad for something to do.
“Who’s messaging you?” he asks.
My head snaps up. “A friend.”
It was Damien, wanting to meet up to study.
“This friend have a cock? ’Cause then we got a problem,” he rasps, grinning and showing off his straight white teeth.
“So what, I’m not allowed any male friends? Never mind, don’t even answer that because I don’t want to hear what you have to say,” I snap, shaking my head in astonishment. “Give you men an inch, I tell you what.”
“You done?” he asks, obviously sick of me rambling on. “Besides, pretty sure it’s meant to be the man giving you inch by inch.”
Did he just make a sexual innuendo?
“For now,” I say, wanting to have the last word. “And I wouldn’t know about any inches because I’ve been having a dry spell for quite a while now.”
“How long?” he asks, watching me intently.
“Long enough.”
“Hmmmm,” he replies, then clears his throat.
“I’ll be picking you up tonight as well, after your shift,” he says when I don’t speak.
He reaches out his big hand and I pass him my bag. “I don’t remember telling anyone about my job.”
His brown eyes search mine. “Rake is fuckin’ confused as to why you got yourself a job when he gave you a shitload of money that should last you all fuckin’ year.”
“I don’t want his money, I want to make my own money.”
It was as simple as that.
“Stubborn.”
My lips tighten. “I’m not lazy. I can work to support myself. Only a lazy woman is impressed with wealth, while hardworking women can go out there and get money themselves.”
Arrow shakes his head. “Your brother wants to help you; cut him some slack. Christ, you’re a pain in the ass.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to him, and it’s nice knowing the money is there if I ever get in a bad spot.”
“Did you tell Rake that?”
“Of course I did,” I reply, frowning. “It was a generous thing to do.”
“It was very generous. Rake is a good man.”
I nod. “I know; trust me, I know. I’d do anything for him too. I’m just hoping he will give me a little more freedom.”
He shrugs, like it doesn’t bother him either way. “Take it up with him. Let’s get moving.”
I don’t move a muscle.
“What?” he barks.
“You don’t have to be so rude. A please wouldn’t go astray, you know,” I grumble, stepping toward his bike.
“Anna, just get your little ass on my bike. I have to make a stop on the way and I’m already late, so stop fucking around,” he says quietly, then turns his back to me.
“I want to make a stop too,” I say.
“We don’t have time.”
“We do,” I say. “It will only take an hour max.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Better be fuckin’ important.”
“What the hell is your problem exactly? I think I prefer your silence and your grunts to your being an asshole,” I snap.
I grab my bag from his hand and hitch it over my shoulder. “Go where you need to go; I’ll take the bus home.”
Without another look at him, I turn and head toward the bus stop. It’s no big deal to me, I have no problem taking the bus. I take three steps before his hand clamps down on my bicep and pulls me to a stop. “Rake wanted me to take you home, so I’m taking you home.”
“Don’t bother.”
“No arguing.”
“I’ll just tell Rake you took me home, so consider yourself absolved from babysitting duty.”
He grits his teeth. “We could have been halfway by now. Stop wasting time and stop being so stubborn. Remember, I’m picking you up tonight.”
“Reid can drop me home.”
“I said I’ll be there to pick you up, Anna. Stop arguing for the sake of it,” he grits out.
“I just don’t see the point—”
“Anna,” he says in warning.
“Fine,” I snap, pulling my arm out of his hold and stepping to his bike. He hands me a helmet in silence, puts his own on, and gets on the bike. He has my messenger bag across his back, holding it for me, which I think is kind of cute. Too bad he’s being a jerk right now. I slide on behind him, my hands finding the bottom of his cut and holding on. I lean forward against his warm body, until I realize what I’m doing and purposely lean back. The last thing I need is to get close to this man. When we come to a stop at a house, Arrow gets off the bike and I do the same.
“Wait here,” he tells me, then walks to the front door. I look around the middle-class neighborhood, trying and failing not
to be curious about what Arrow is doing here. When a pretty brunette opens the front door and welcomes him inside, I get my answer. I don’t expect it to hurt so much, but it does. He brought me with him to see his fucking girlfriend? Am I meant to just stand here while he does whatever with her? I grit my teeth and look away from the house. Pulling out my phone, I’m about to call Lana to come pick me up when I hear him behind me.
“Let’s go,” he says, nodding toward his bike.
That was . . . quick.
I avoid his gaze and get on his bike once more.
“Where to now, Anna?”
“The zoo.”
He turns his body to look at me. “The fuck?”
“I need to go to the zoo. It’s important.”
He sighs. “Right.”
He turns around, and I hide my grin. I don’t actually have to go to the zoo today. I just want to share something that’s a part of me with Arrow.
When we arrive, we walk side by side to the entrance. Arrow looks menacing in all black, his leather cut garnering more than a few stares. He ignores everyone, instead looking down at me.
“This is what you want to do with your life?”
My lips twitch. “Something like that.”
“Hi, Anna,” Beth calls out. She’s working as cashier, collecting tickets.
“Hey, Beth, how are you?” I say as we walk by.
Her eyes go to Arrow and widen. “Um. G-good. You here for more observations?”
I nod. She lets me and Arrow through.
Pulling Arrow by his T-shirt, I lead him to my favorite enclosure.
“You brought me here to see a giant turtle?” he asks, staring down at Dave.
“He’s a Galápagos tortoise,” I say. “They can live to be over a hundred years old. I don’t know why, but this is my favorite spot in the zoo.”
I look at Arrow to see him studying me, grinning. “Christ, you should see the way your face lights up talking about a damn turtle.”
“Tortoise,” I correct.
He chuckles. “Tortoise. Right. What else can you tell me about him?”
I beam.
He is going to be here for longer than an hour.
* * *
I wish I could say I was surprised when they walked into Knox’s Tavern at midnight, but I wasn’t. Even though I’d argued, saying I could get a ride home, Arrow, Irish, Tracker, and Vinnie take a seat at the bar and stare at me expectantly. I glance at Reid, who raises an eyebrow at me. I told you so. Arrow doesn’t miss our exchange, and his eyes narrow on me, then dart from me to Reid. After spending two hours with me at the zoo, I thought Arrow might let his guard down around me permanently, but by the look of his shuttered gaze, I can almost feel the wall he’s put up since our outing. He’d been funny, attentive, and curious today. I found him to be a good listener too. We’d had fun and enjoyed each other’s company. At least I’d enjoyed his.
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