"I'm only asking that you try. You'll always be my baby girl, but the brotherhood is a bond as strong as family. Stronger at times."
I understand what he means. None of these men had to care a lick about me after my mother ran off with money from the club's till and a rival club member. But they did. They all pitched in to make my adoption possible, and to raise me. Even their ol' ladies treated me with respect, and for them, respect isn't earned easily.
I have to get Kyle out of my mind and pick one of the Goliaths to settle down with.
I have to do this for my father.
Kyle
I'm not sure if it's stupid or crazy, but I'm sitting outside the Tempest Elite clubhouse with Gunner's box of parts strapped to the back of my Harley with hopes of running into Everly inside.
I shouldn't be here. I have plenty to finish up at the shop with Luke still out of town, and I never leave work unfinished. But, since this morning, I haven't been able to get Everly off my mind, and it's made me stupid. By the afternoon, I convinced myself prolonging seeing her again was terrible for business, so I closed the shop an hour early and headed over on my bike.
The prospect at the gate let me in without even asking why I was here. Since making a deal with Papa Luna, one of the oldest members of the club, to be the exclusive provider of parts for TE, I've been granted privileges most outsiders don't see. Gunner has given me unlimited access to the bar inside the clubhouse and instructed his girls to treat me like a VIP customer, but I've never taken him up on either.
Tonight, I do for a chance to see Everly again.
I'm not even off my bike before I hear Gunner yell my name from the front door of the clubhouse.
"I was going to send a prospect for those in the morning. You didn't need to bring the parts here."
"It was on my way," I lie. If Gunner knew my real reason for stopping by, he'd probably ban me from the place and have prospects watching my apartment and the shop.
Gunner reaches me and takes the box before he throws one arm over my shoulders. "Well, since you're here, you have to get a drink. We have a few prospects putting on a show in an hour. You'll want to be good and drunk before they do their thing."
I walk with Gunner. "I'll take that drink, but I have to--"
"Open the shop early." He finishes for me. "One of these days, you're going to die behind the counter of that place and realize you missed out on all life has to offer. Can't you hire someone to take over every once in awhile? I have a few prospects searching for jobs. They are already knowledgeable about bikes."
It's a good thought, but profits aren't in the black enough to bring on more help while a large sum of our savings is going into a new location. "I'll think about it."
"You know, Everly has experience with bikes and she worked retail part-time while in college. She's working her residency during the week, but I'm sure she wouldn't turn down a few extra bucks on the weekends. And I can trust you with her." He slaps a hand to my chest and squeezes my shoulder.
Having Everly behind my counter would keep her close. I'd be able to protect her from the advance of any man who looks at her twice. But the temptation would kill me. I picture her in one of the shop's logo tees tied in a knot at her waist and the pair of short denim shorts she wore this morning standing behind my counter. No, she would lean on the counter and wiggle her ass to the tune of the music playing over the speakers.
"Kyle?"
Gunner looks at me as if he's concerned. "I asked if you would bring the job up with Everly. Make it sound like it's your idea. She already thinks I control her life too much as it is."
"Sure," I answer. The clubhouse is quiet tonight, with only a few members in the bar. All chatting and laughing and throwing back beers.
"Hopper will set you up. I'll go find Everly." Gunner points me to the bar and I take a stool and ask for whatever is on tap.
The older man in leathers and cuts nods and pours one out before a shadow falls on my side, and I glance over to find Everly standing with her gaze pinned on mine.
"What are you doing here?"
There's a touch of fear in her voice that makes me glance around the room for threats. There are none. No one in the room even notices me except the barkeeper and Everly.
"You left Gunner's parts at the store, so I brought them by."
"You didn't have to do that."
"I know." I wave at the Hopper to bring Everly the same as mine before I realize I'm ordering her a drink at her own bar.
She takes the stool next to mine and accepts a bottle of some import brew I don't recognize. I bet Hopper keeps it stocked just for her. This isn't a fancy beer group. "I saw you talking to Gunner earlier."
I nod. "We were."
Everly turns to face me. "What did you talk about?"
I take a long swig of my beer before I answer, enjoying her anticipation more than I should. "I didn't mention this morning if that's what you are worried about."
She scoots closer until her knees are pressing into my thigh. "I'm not worried. I just wouldn't want to see Gunner pummel your face in."
I laugh over my next sip. "You care that much about my face?"
"It's a nice face," she says as if she is telling me the sky is blue. "I didn't think you were stupid enough to say anything."
"Stupid, huh." I watch her with a sideways glance.
"Gunner doesn't like men around me. Especially ones that aren't members."
I put my cup down and stare ahead of me, ignoring her body practically falling off the stool into my lap. "That is interesting because Gunner just suggested you come work for me on the weekends in the shop."
I don't look directly at Everly, but from my side view, her mouth is open and her eyes are wide. "He suggested it?"
"He even asked if I'd bring it up to you so you wouldn't feel like he controls your life."
"Really?" Everly teeters on the edge of her stool. For a second, I'm worried she'll run off to Gunner and tell him I told his secret. Instead, she settles back in her seat and sips her beer. "Weekends in your shop. I could use the extra money. Gunner pays for everything, and I'd love to give him help with the bills."
"Great," I say, throwing a few bills down on the bar. "Then, I'll see you tomorrow morning. We open at eight."
I'm brisk in my departure, and I feel Everly's eyes follow me to the door, but I can't sit next to her and pretend my body doesn’t crave her like lions crave meat. I can't focus when she's around. I can't focus when she's not either, and I'm left to wonder where she is. What she's up to and if she's safe.
At least working with me, I'll know she spends her days at her residency and her weekends in my shop. That won't leave much time for another man to take my spot.
God help me, I don't know if I'll survive Everly Quinn working in my shop, but I'd be a damn fool to turn her away.
3
Everly
Kyle left in such a hurry last night I didn’t get to ask him about the shop’s dress code. I also can’t believe working for Kyle was Gunner’s idea. Gunner’s been after me for a while to ask around the club for a part-time gig, but I always assumed he’d fight me on any job working for a nonmember.
I decide jeans and a Harley shirt will work, and I pull my hair into a tight low ponytail. I’m riding on the back of Gunner’s bike to the shop, and he insists I wear a helmet even though he never does.
Sitting on the back of a club member’s bike means something. I wrap my arms around Gunner and squeeze my legs into his to steady myself before we take off. Only a member’s Ol’ lady is allowed on the back of his bike. In Gunner’s case, I’ve taken that place. I’m sure there has been a time or two he’s brought a sweet butt up to his room, but since I’ve been in the picture, he hasn’t dated. Sometimes I feel responsible for him putting his love life on hold, which makes it even harder to see myself with Kyle.
Gunner gave up his social life to raise me. I’ve never taken that lightly. I also feel like I owe him for lost time, and I’m repaying that by doing w
hat he’s asked me to do. The guys get hurt often in bar brawls, bike accidents, and the hell they put their bodies through pretending they are invincible. Plus, over half of the members are retired military of various branches. They need a full-time physical therapist. One that some of the less trusting guys will allow to work on their bodies.
“If I’m not back by five to pick you up, I’ll send Hopper,” Gunner says over the engine in the shop’s parking lot. I peck his cheek when I lean in to hear him and wave him off.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” I yell back, handing him my helmet.
“I know that. But Hopper needs something to get him out of the club.”
Sure he does. I smile just the same and wait for Gunner to pull out of the lot before I turn for the front door of Kyle’s shop.
Inside, the shop is empty. No sign of Kyle or anyone else. The bell above the door made enough sound to alert him to my presence, so I make myself busy studying the shelves and familiarizing myself with the layout of the place. I’m at it for a while when I hear a door in the back slam. It startles me, and I jump, dropping the set of spark plugs I had in my hands.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.” Kyle’s voice is just over my shoulder. He drops to his knees beside me and begins collecting the half dozen plugs I dropped.
“I didn’t realize you weren’t here,” I answer, handing him the one plug I was able to rescue before he grabbed the rest, careful to not let our fingers touch. I glance up into his face and realize my mistake the second my eyes find his.
My belly tightens at the need I find, reflecting in his dark brown eyes. I stall for several seconds before I’m able to break free and move to stand.
Kyle follows me up and places the box back on the shelf. “Our coffee maker isn’t working, so I ran next door. It’s pretty slow here on a Sunday morning, and I didn’t want either of us falling asleep on the job. There is creamer in the back if you don’t like black.”
Kyle picks up a coffee off the counter and holds it out for me. “Thanks,” I manage before I reach for the cup, and the tips of my fingers graze his hand. Sparks shoot up my arm, and the tightness in my belly pulls into a knot. I pull back fast and hide my reaction by turning to the front of the store, but I know as soon as Kyle walks up to my back, he saw everything.
“I was just getting to know where everything is in the store.”
“Smart.” When he doesn’t say anything else, I glance back at him. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
“I’ve worked retail before,” I answer.
Kyle takes a step closer, and the heat rolling off of him penetrates my skin. “I didn’t mean the job. Are you sure you’re okay with working here? With me? After the other day, I thought I spooked you.”
I swallow hard. “I wasn’t spooked. You surprised me. That’s all.”
I didn’t expect Kyle to respond with a laugh. All the other times I’ve been around him, he’s come off more intense. It’s comforting the way he relaxes around me.
“I surprised myself. I don’t normally kiss a girl before I’ve gotten to know her at least a little.”
“Sure, you don’t,” I tease. I’ve seen the way the girls at the club look at him. There is more than one who would drop their panties and do whatever he asked whenever he wanted. I’m about to laugh and tell him so when Kyle’s gaze narrows on mine, and I see the sincerity in his face.
“I don’t know what got into me.” He puts his coffee on the counter and takes mine and sets it next to his. “Everly, I don’t want to scare you off, but I have to be honest. I’ve never felt for any girl the way I feel about you. I know it's sudden, but the second I saw you walk outside to your father the other night at the club, I knew.”
I breathe out, but I can’t force any air back into my lungs. Kyle is staring at me so intently I feel his dominance down to my core. “Kyle, I,” I stammer, searching for words.
“I know. It’s too much too fast.” He steps away, runs a hand over his hair. “My life is this shop. I’m here seven days a week open to close, longer when needed. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. But when you walked outside and grabbed Gunner by the arm, I felt like the universe was sending me a message.”
“A message that you need someone in your life,” I answer. His brown gaze softens, and a thread pulls from my nipples to my clit from the desire in his eyes.
“No. Not just someone. You.”
Kyle
What the hell am I doing? I have Everly pinned between me and the counter and I’ve pretty much told her exactly how I feel. I would marry her. I’d make her my wife today if she’d let me, I feel such a strong attachment to her.
But, Everly is the property of Tempest Elite as far as Gunner is concerned, and an outsider like me wouldn’t be worthy of marrying his little girl.
“Kyle. I don’t know what to say?”
Her voice breaks as she speaks. I’m scaring her. Maybe I mean too. If I push Everly away, then neither of us will be forced to choose between our relationship or the club.
“I’m talking crazy. I never should have said those things out loud.”
I turn to step away, but Everly wraps her fingers around my forearm and turns me back to face her.
There’s a charismatic expression in her eyes that has my heart thumping against my ribs and the smallest spark of hope floating in my gut.
“It’s not very flattering to think someone who likes you thinks they’re crazy.” Everly closes the space I just made between us and puts one hand on my shoulder. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the same connection the night I first met you.”
She’s warm and smells of lemon and lavender, and I lose my fight to not wrap her in my arms. She fits perfectly against my chest, leaning into me with her head cocked up and her eyes locked on mine.
I brush loose hair from her face then grab her chin between my thumb and finger. “Everly, you have to know the way I feel about you. If we start something, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop myself.”
Everly wiggles her body until she’s standing between my legs, and my cock is pressing into her belly. She drops her arms to wrap around my waist, and the way she’s looking up at me has my dick twitching against her. I’ve never been this out of control for a woman before. She deserves better than a poke in the back room of a bike shop, but if I had to wait to get her up to my apartment, I might explode.
She gives me a squeeze, gaining my full attention. “Maybe I don’t want you to stop. I can’t explain it, but being with you is the first time I’ve felt free in longer than I can remember. Does that make me crazy?”
I want to tell her no. We can be crazy together. But, I can’t form the words before my mouth closes around hers. She molds to me, and together we make a perfect fit. Everly drops her hands lower and rubs my ass. I like how brave she is. I suck her lower lip in between my teeth and nibble until I hear a sharp breath leave her mouth.
I could stand here forever like this, with Everly in my arms. She’s soft in all the right places and warm. I breathe her scent in again as I pull my mouth away and stare down into her glassy eyes. “Your father would never approve of this.”
It breaks my heart to say it, but pretending won’t help either of us.
Everly reaches up to my hairline and brushes her fingers along my forehead. “I know.” She releases my waist as if she’s touched something hot. “This can’t happen again, Kyle. It’s not just my father but the whole club. They raised me. I owe them.”
The sadness in her eyes breaks my heart, so I turn away and step behind the counter. I need the space to cool off after that kiss. “Gunner is my best customer and a loyal friend. He’s the reason my partner is out scouting for a second location for the shop.”
“Then you understand why this can’t happen,” Everly says.
I still can’t look at her face. My loyalties run deep, but they are in no way as secure as hers. Make Everly break her bond with Gunner, and the club would destroy her, and as much as my hea
rt tells me she’s the only woman I’ll ever love this much, I can’t be the person who breaks that bond.
“I understand,” I tell her. “If you’re good in the shop, I have a bike in the garage that needs work. Call me if you need help.”
I don’t even glance back before I step out the door behind the counter, leaving her alone in my shop. I can’t look for fear I’ll see her upset and the need to scoop her up in my arms and make it all better will be too great to fight.
I can love Everly all I want, but I can never have her. We both know that.
4
Everly
My only retail experience is clothing, but after a couple of hours alone in the shop, I've decided bike parts and paraphernalia aren't much different.
I've made a few sales. Well, they were guys who came in knowing what they wanted, and thank goodness also knew where to find it. Kyle may have a system to his shelving, but the heck if I can figure it out.
Everything is in small cardboard boxes that are dark and hard to see inside. Plus, Kyle has his big-ticket items, like his Kevlar jackets, out of sight in the back. I'm sure he has his reasons, but as the day wears on with nothing to do, I can't help but rearrange a few things.
I need something to keep my mind of Kyle's kiss. It wasn’t my first, but it left an impression. With Kyle, it feels all brand new and exciting again. My stomach is swarmed by butterflies, just thinking about how his big hands roam my body and how his soft lips taste when I pull them into my mouth.
Not to mention he's my kind of man. Taller than me, which isn't easy, and broad enough to make me feel small, also not easy. I feel like if he wanted to, he could throw me over one shoulder and haul me anywhere he wanted me to go. That thought has the invisible thread from my nipples to my core, pulling tight, and I feel wet heat pooling between my legs.
Thinking about Kyle this way isn't right. He's loyal to my father in ways only flesh and blood are. And I'm thankful for that loyalty because if Kyle had pulled me into the backroom hours ago and made mad passionate love to me, I wouldn't have said no.
Staking His Claim: Tattooed And Taken Book 5 Page 2
