“Ladies.” He raises his glass in salute, then, lifts his chin in acknowledgement of the two men for whom he’s also purchased drinks.
Carter imperceptibly stiffens and gives him a manly chin lift back. Brice, too, does likewise while pulling his shoulders straight. It’s as though they sense they’re in the presence of a superior masculine specimen.
Holly preens, her lips forming a pout, Sian’s eyes sharpen with interest.
Beth’s also gushing when she’s the one to use her voice. “Thank you.” Her hand points quickly to the drinks, some on the table, some already in hands. “This was very generous, er…?”
I glance up quickly, peering through my eyelashes, interested to see which of the women his eyes will zoom in on. I see his lips move, hear his voice, and it takes a moment for his words to filter through the jealousy that seems to have taken over my brain.
“Skull,” he offers, adding, “wasn’t anything at all. You’re Melissa’s friends.”
Chapter Two
Melissa
He said my name.
While I’m trying to process what he meant by his statement, taking care not to read more into it than it merits, Beth scoots her chair over, and the biker pulls up another and places it in the gap that’s appeared between hers and mine. As he sits, I glare at her, and receive an unapologetic shrug in return.
Skull takes a moment to look around the table, then grins. “You work together?”
“You can tell?” Macey queries, her eyebrow arched.
He chuckles. “It’s Friday night, the end of the work week. Six women and two men who don’t look to be in relationships with each other. Yeah, I deduced you share the same place of employment and are out to celebrate.”
Holly nods. “You’re right, and observant.”
“So, where do you work?” Skull’s words are spoken with a lazy confidence, showing no nervousness at having intruded in on a group of strangers, already sure of his welcome. But then he has just paid for an expensive round of drinks. Of course, everyone is going to be friendly.
“At the Clerk and Recorders office for Pueblo County.”
“Yeah? What do you do?” The first word was for Holly, but he even sounds interested as he pointedly directs the second question at me.
It would be rude to evade answering it. “I record land deeds. Nothing interesting.”
“Motor vehicle licenses,” Holly half raises her hand. It looks like she’s trying to regain his attention.
“Marriages, births and deaths,” Macey and Sian say together.
Beth chuckles. “I work with Melissa.”
Not to be left out, Carter indicates Brice and himself. “We clean up after everyone.”
“Yeah?” asks Skull. Then he adds with a chuckle, “I know a bit about clean up, myself.”
“What do you do?” Beth asks him, with a pointed look my way, clearly annoyed that I’m staying quiet.
“I work at our auto-shop and also turn my hand to a bit of this and that.”
It’s an odd answer, but I zip my mouth shut not wanting to show any interest or encourage him.
Brice finds his voice and starts asking about the type of bike Skull rides, and whether his club’s like Sons of Anarchy. I half-listen to the answers, and half ask myself why he’s sitting next to me. I keep sneaking sideways glances, but his attention doesn’t settle for long on anyone else, just briefly on the person who’s asked a question. Currently it’s Brice who’s querying the cc of his bike.
“Was an eight-eight-three, but I got it bored out to twelve hundred.” Skull pauses and shoots me a quick look. “I suppose I shouldn’t admit that to you lot.”
I raise and lower my shoulders. “It’s Friday night, we’re not at work.” And with the amount of alcohol the others have consumed, by Monday they’ll have forgotten.
“So, Melissa, do you like your job?”
Another shrug. “It’s a job. Boring like any other.”
“What do you like to do in your spare time?” He seems intent on dragging responses out of me.
I don’t even have to open my mouth to answer.
“She cooks,” informs Beth.
“Yeah?”
“Her cupcakes and muffins are to die for.” Brice smacks his lips. “Love Mondays after Melissa’s been cooking up a storm over the weekend.”
Now that’s going to put him off. Inwardly I roll my eyes.
I’m a thirty-four-year-old woman who tries everything that I bake. Well, someone’s got to taste test. I suppose eating nearly a whole tin full of muffins is a bit over the top, but it’s hard to stop. I know it’s turning my body into something resembling the things that I bake. When I wear anything with a waist, my stomach rolls out over the top.
I can’t complain about my life. I’m an only child with good parents who live up in Denver, and I try to visit when I can. I have my own small house, with dreams of eventually having a larger one with a big yard. Then I’ll get a dog, maybe a cat. They’d be good company.
Men? I’ve never had much luck with them and have decided I’m happy by myself. If I ever step into the relationship game, I want a man who wants me for my personality, not because I’d make a good unpaid housekeeper. Yes, I may have been there and done that with my one and only foray into living with a man, and it turned out a disaster. I’d gotten out fast, deciding I’d rather clean and cook for one. I don’t need a man to complete me, something I’ve learned over the years. My thoughts make me glance at Holly and Macey, seeing the hungry look in their eyes as they watch Skull speak. If their tongues start hanging out, I wouldn’t be surprised. One day, they’ll get taught that lesson too, I suspect.
Or maybe not. At least they’ve got something going for them which I haven’t. They’ve got the figures and looks that certainly broaden the pool they can fish in.
“Melissa, Skull asked you a question,” Beth chides.
“Oh? Sorry.” My face reddens again. It’s not like me to be so impolite.
“I asked if you’d like to go for a ride tomorrow?”
“A ride?” My voice squawks.
“Yeah, on my bike,” he explains as if I could misinterpret it in some way. Yeah, right, I was only just fantasising about another ride later on tonight.
But, me…on a motorcycle? My head automatically starts to shake. Impossible. “I’m sorry, I’ve got plans this weekend. Tomorrow I need to bake for Beth’s party on Sunday, and that day I’ll be tied up, as I’m going to the party myself.”
A snort comes from the other side of him, and Beth leans forward and twists her head so I can see the expression on her face, her wide eyes clearly signalling, what the fuck?
She’s quiet for just one moment, then she pipes up, her mouth forming a cocky grin. “Why don’t you come too, Skull? You’ve bought us drinks, it’s the least we can do to pay you back.”
Please be busy. Please.
Skull purses his lips, then pinches the brow of his nose. “Sunday, huh? Haven’t anything planned, so yes, that would be good Beth.”
“Chuck me your phone and I’ll put my number in it, then I can text you the address.”
My mind eases a little, and a small smile curves my lips at her audacity. She’s tricked him into giving her his number. I watch undisturbed as phones come out and ping as messages go between them. For a second I’m wistful, wishing it was my number he’d wanted instead, but knowing that would only lead to disappointment. Whatever reason he has for offering to take me for a ride on his bike was probably that he’d lost a bet. Someone like this biker could never be interested in an older woman, carrying too much weight.
My purse is lying on the table. It suddenly vibrates. Curious, I reach for it, and slide my phone out. My brow creases and I narrow my eyes and look to my side.
“I gave him yours too, just in case.” Beth sounds unrepentant.
Right now, I hate my co-worker.
Then I look down and read the text.
Skull: One day you’ll be riding behind
me. That’s a promise.
I quickly shoot back.
Melissa: In your dreams.
Skull leans in. “I like women who play hard to get.”
Another phone pings the other side of the table, making me wonder if Beth had given him everyone’s number.
Holly starts getting her things together, stands and slips into her coat. “Right, that’s me. My brother’s waiting. You want a lift, Macey?”
The other girl nods and hurriedly gets up.
It signals the end of our evening. People start getting out phones, or Brice, who hasn’t had much to drink, gets out his car key. My phone’s still in my hand, so I call up the Uber app.
Skull notices. “I’ll give you a ride home if you want.”
My sharp eyes land on him. I don’t know this man at all, and he rides with a motorcycle club that he’s just told my co-workers is yes, a lot like Sons of Anarchy. I’m someone who’s watched the whole series twice, well okay, three times. Like so many women, I’m secretly in love with Jax. But know I wouldn’t be able to handle a real-life biker.
“I’m okay, thanks.” I tap on the screen. “There, done. My Uber’s only a couple of minutes away, so I’ll wait out front.”
I pick up my purse, pull on my jacket and stand.
“See you Sunday,” Beth shouts out.
“Yeah, see you Sunday, Melissa.” Skull winks.
To my relief, he doesn’t try to follow me out.
When I get home, I don’t go anywhere near the drawer which holds my vibrator. Skull’s got me riled and uncomfortable, but no longer in an arousing way. I’m not old enough to be his mother, but I am older and by a lot.
Questions keep running around my head. What does he want with me? Was he serious when he suggested I go out on his bike with him? If so, why? I wasn’t dressed in a ‘I might meet someone I desire so might as well get dolled up to attract them’ way. There was nothing to suggest I was on the prowl for a man—unlike some of the other women I’d been out with. Why did he focus on me?
I end up convincing myself I’m being used in some way. Maybe he was attracted to Sian, for example, and is going to use a friendship with me to get close to her.
After a restless night—the few bouts of sleep I did drift into being haunted by dreams of scenes from the Sons of Anarchy series, but instead of it being Jax’s face, it was Skull’s instead—I wake tired and irritable.
My solution? Obviously, to bake. An activity which calms and soothes me.
I’ve just finished icing the final batch of cupcakes when my phone rings. I jump for a moment, then sigh with relief, seeing Beth’s name on the screen.
“Hey, Beth. Got cupcakes, chocolate chip muffins, those cheesy biscuits you like, cookies, a carrot cake, oh, and a pecan pie.”
“My God, woman! You opening a shop or cooking for my get-together?”
I look around at all the Tupperware filled to the top. Maybe I have overdone it. “If there are any left over, people can take it home.” I consider the arrangements. “I’ll bring it in my car tomorrow and drop it off. What time do you need it?”
“You’re thinking you’ll leave it and go, aren’t you?” Her tone warns me to be careful.
“Look, Beth, we both know me saying I was going to your party was just an excuse I concocted to appear to be busy. You know I don’t like to socialise. Did enough of that yesterday.”
“Skull said he’d come.”
I huff a laugh. “Like he’s actually going to.” And if he does turn up, that’s a very good reason for me not to be there.
“Oh well, if he’s here, and you’re not, I’ll give him your address.” She says it so breezily it takes a moment for the implication to sink in.
When it does, I hiss. “Don’t you dare. He’s a biker, Beth. Who knows what he wants to do with me? Don’t you find it suspicious it was me he approached?”
“No, I don’t. Melissa—”
But I’m in full flow. “The reason’s simple. He thinks I’m easy. Thinks I’ll be flattered. Thinks a fat old woman like me would just be grateful for the attention. I don’t know exactly why, but there has to be a reason. I won’t be made a laughingstock.”
“Have you quite finished?” She can’t see my nod, but from my silence assumes it. “I don’t know where you get these stupid ideas from. You’re gorgeous Melissa. Okay, you might carry more weight than Sian or Holly, but you’re the only one who worries about it. You’ve got amazing eyes, your hair is beautiful, and your face is so expressive. I don’t know who you think you see when you look in the mirror, but you’re clearly not seeing the same things I am. I don’t find it odd that Skull targeted you.”
“He’s young,” I cut across her objections. “I must be ten years older. What would we have in common, Beth?”
“That, you’ll never know unless you give him a chance to find out.”
“He’s a biker!” I snarl, as though that makes all the difference.
At least it gives her pause for thought. “Okay,” she begins again, slowly. “I’ll give you that. Haven’t heard much about the Satan’s Devils he rides with, I just know they run a strip club, but they also have an auto-shop and a family orientated bowling alley. Those things don’t give much away about what they really get up to. Look, maybe I wouldn’t be happy with you going off with him alone, but tomorrow you’ll be in company. If he comes, spend some time talking to him. At least you can let the poor boy down gently, but you might surprise yourself.”
I’m quiet. Thinking.
“Wouldn’t it be nice to come eat things you haven’t baked yourself? Sian’s bringing some steaks, Holly’s making salad. Mom’s inside right now conjuring up all manner of dressings.”
She seems to have got everyone bringing stuff. “What are you doing, Beth?” I chuckle.
“Oh,” she replies airily, “I might risk straining myself and open a few bags of chips.”
I laugh, dutifully, knowing my friend will be doing a lot more than that. She’s probably already running around making sure she’s got tables and chairs set up and has plans in place in case it rains.
“Say you’ll come, and stay.”
Another moment to think. She’s right. At least there will be people all around, and all I need to do is to tell him firmly I’m not interested.
Shouldn’t be difficult. It’s not as if he knows enough about me to be serious.
Chapter Three
Melissa
Sunday dawns. I won’t say I’m not a bag of nerves, I am. I’m usually quite balanced and sure of myself in any situation. But the thought of meeting the biker again does make me uneasy. If he turns up, I don’t know what to expect, or, more accurately, what he expects from me.
I certainly don’t want him to use me to get to one of my friends. Uh uh, no way. That would make me feel dreadful, and I’d have to warn whichever of them he’s targeting. A man who plays such games is not one to be trusted. But why else would he pretend to be interested in me?
He won’t turn up.
He was probably drunk on Friday night, seeing me through the bottom of his beer bottle rather than over the top. When he sees me again, he’ll realise he’s woken up in a bad dream. Even if he comes to Beth’s party, he won’t stay long. He’ll soon go once he realises I’m not who he thought I’d be.
To that end, I choose my clothes carefully. I’m for whatever makes me comfortable. I no longer feel I need to dress for anyone else, and today I’m looking for something that makes me clean and presentable, but not sexy. No, definitely not that. Huh, I laugh to myself, as if I could look sexy if I tried.
I choose a long gypsy skirt and team it with a flowing blouse, nothing figure hugging at all. I leave my long wavy hair loose, and put on minimal makeup, just a little foundation and powder to keep the sun off my face. No lipstick to draw attention to my lips, and nothing to enlarge my eyes.
When I’m ready, I pack up the car with the results of yesterday’s efforts and leave.
Beth has the do
or open and is already walking toward me before I put the car in park. Without being asked, with just a quick ‘hi’ my way, she’s filling her arms with my baked offerings.
“Mmm! These smell and look so good. You’ve outdone yourself, Melissa.”
It’s always nice to be appreciated. I glow with pride.
“And you’re looking gorgeous.”
Oh. Am I? Glancing down at the clothes that I’m wearing, I assume she’s just being polite.
Taking a few of the Tupperware tubs she hadn’t managed to carry and balancing the plate holding the pecan pie, I follow her inside.
Beth lives with her mom, and Patsy greets me. “Hey Melissa. You look lovely.”
Politeness runs in the family. “So do you, Pats.” She does. She looks rocking for a woman approaching her sixties. I can’t wear shorts like the ones she’s wearing even now, my thighs are far too large. I sigh. Even if I could resist sampling the goods that I bake, nature would still work against me.
I help setting up what I’d brought and then lend a hand getting everything else set up. The table looks amazing, and I tell Beth and Patsy so, while my hand finds my stomach, realising I’ve little chance of doing more than adding to my weight today. Everything looks so tempting.
I mingle with my friends and soon find myself laughing and starting to relax. As expected, the biker hadn’t turned up, and I tell myself the only disappointment I feel is in men who say they’ll do something, and then don’t.
I’ve been here an hour before the sound of a motorcycle reaches my ears. While it’s strange to hear one so loud in this residential neighbourhood, I don’t think too much of it, expecting it to pass right on by.
My breathing speeds up when the engine cuts out in close proximity to Beth and Patsy’s house.
Oh shit. Is it Skull?
I’m a thirty-four-year-old woman who’s never had a prime and doesn’t expect to have one. He must be a twenty-year-old with his whole life in front of him. My mind wanders back to the thoughts I’d had when I met him before; any attempt to get close to me is more likely to be the result of a bet rather than any desire to bed the curvy older woman that I am.
Devil's Dilemma: Satan's Devils MC Colorado Chapter #4 Page 2
