“I’ll be fine.”
I nod, and she exits the car. I sit in the car for a few minutes fiddling on my phone looking for dinner ideas. Justin says I need to change things up a bit. I suspect he meant in the bedroom, but I need a change too. I quickly grow bored and decide to get out and walk around the pond that has a fountain in the center that is off to the side of the medical clinic.
When I grow tired of walking I take a seat on a bench by the entrance I dropped my Mom at. “Stephanie?”
Hearing my name being called, I look up. “Garret? Garret James?” I grin at him and stand to say hello. “Wow. I had no idea that you even still lived around here and a police officer at that. Look at you looking all handsome in your uniform.”
“You look. Wow.” He pulls me in for a full-frontal hug that would give most people the wrong impression but we go way back.
I move away and look around. Amber works somewhere in the hospital. That would be my luck for her to see me right now. “How are you?”
His blue eyes soften. He looks just as I remember dark hair and a muscular build. “I’m good. My day just got a whole lot better now that I’ve bumped into you.”
My cheeks bloom pink. “Garret.”
“Humor me for a minute. I haven't seen you since that day you called me for a ride from the clinic. How’d things work out for you after? I always wondered. You know I always had the hots for you, I wanted to ask you out but never had the chance.”
“Garret…I’m married.”
His thumb goes under my chin and he tilts my face up. “That’s too bad.”
I turn my head away. This is highly inappropriate even if I’m not happy in my marriage.
“Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Justin Arwood.”
His brows kink up. “Didn’t you date his brother? That’s the guy you had the abortion by, right?”
I shrug and before I can say anything else my Mom exits the clinic. “That doctor was a quack.” She’s shaking her head and mumbling.
“I gotta go,” I tell Garret.
He reaches into his pocket and hands me a card. “Call me. I’d like to continue this conversation. I know your husband is a Devils Reject. I want you to know you can trust me. I’m here for you. I can help you, Stephanie. I’d like to talk to you privately, off the record of course.”
“Sure.” I offer him a friendly smile and wave goodbye; his words have left me feeling uneasy.
When I get to the car my mother is eyeing me. “Now that’s the kind of guy you should have married.”
“Don’t, Mom. We’ve been through this a million times. I married Justin.”
“It’s your life,” she tells me like she is one to talk when she hasn’t gone on a date in like thirty years.
I drop my Mom back at her house and head home. Normally, we’d go out shopping and for coffee or dinner. However, her comments about marrying the wrong man have pissed me off. She’s put me in a sour mood. I tried talking to her about what the doctor said but she blew me off and said she didn't want to discuss it with me right now. I told her that was fine by me and she slammed her door, a little too hard, when she got out. Mom doesn't approve of Justin because of who he was growing up. He was dirt poor and when we got married I bought our house with the money I collected from the insurance settlement when my father passed away. Money that she thought I should have used for college. I get that she didn't approve of my choices back then, but it is all in the past. She needs to let it go.
I’m sure Justin will be calling soon after his meeting with Tiny. Going through the fridge and the cabinets, I really don’t feel like cooking tonight. Running into Garret, him bringing up my abortion—it has me wondering what my life would be like had things been different back then. What if he had asked me out and I married him or a guy like him instead? Would I have had children? Gone to college and had a career? What would have happened to Justin? Would he have carried out his plan? Would he still be in the club now or would he be off somewhere raising a family? The one he dreams of having someday?
I glance at the clock and Justin should have called me by now. It’s dark and I’m lonely. The card Garret gave me is in my purse, taunting me. I pull it out and study it. It’s a blank card with his phone number written on it. Did he mean what he said, that he can help me? I think about how unhappy I am. How miserable I make Justin…he’s never going to let me walk away. He’ll kill me first with the secrets I keep for him. The thoughts keep running through my mind and I do something stupid, knowing it will change everything, but change is exactly what I need. Change and protection. Grabbing my cell phone off the table I call Garret. He answers on the third ring. “Officer James.”
“Hi. Garret. It’s me…Stephanie.” I coil a strand of hair around my finger feeling nervous yet excited.
“I was hoping I’d hear from you. I’m glad you called me.”
“I know it’s soon, but can we meet…tonight.”
“Your place or mine?” I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Um…neither. You know that motel right before you get into town. Meet me there. I’ll text you the room number.”
“I’ll be there.”
“See you soon.” I end the call on a shaky breath and get into my car before I can change my mind. I make it to the motel and park around back to hide my car. I sent Justin a text and told him I was staying at my mother’s tonight after her appointment didn’t go well. I know he won’t check up on me there he never does. He hates my Mom and avoids her at all costs.
I don’t even know what I am doing here. All I know is I can’t continue on the way that I have been. I go around to the office and rent a room for the night. I text the room number to Garret and my stomach feels tight. I am only in the room maybe ten minutes when he knocks on the door. I undo the lock and open the door. I see he is no longer dressed in his uniform. I hesitate to let him in but realize I need to get him all the way inside before anyone from the club sees us. He’s dressed in a blue plaid button-down shirt that matches his eyes and khaki pants.
“I wasn’t expecting you to call so soon, but I’m glad you did.” He grins at me and I lean against the dresser as he walks toward me. The scent of his cologne washes over me as he moves in close, caging me in. “I have to be honest, Steph. When you called me, my heart skipped a beat. You must know that I was attracted to you back then and even more so now.” He angles his clean-shaven face toward mine and I don’t know if I want him to kiss me or not. Maybe calling him was a mistake. I need to find out what he has on Justin though. Maybe it is something I can use against him to buy my freedom.
“You said you wanted to talk. I don’t think my husband would appreciate coming home and finding a cop in his living room. So here we are.” I duck under his arm and move away. He follows me as I sit on the edge of the bed. His hand goes to my knee and I want to move, but I don’t want to offend him by pushing him away.
“I’ve always wondered what it would be like to kiss you.” I swallow hard as his hand moves further up my pant leg.
“You said you wanted to discuss my husband.” I slightly move in the opposite direction. This meeting is awkward, and I am afraid I have made a huge mistake.
He laughs. “Relax. We’ve got all night…you lied and told your husband you were somewhere else didn’t you.”
“I think you have the wrong idea. I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that I came here for any reason other than talking.”
“You didn’t invite me here to talk, Stephanie. We both know you blushed today when I told you I had always wanted you.” Before I can argue he leans over and kisses me. The moment catches me off guard and I return the kiss for a moment before shoving at his shoulders.
“This was a bad idea.” I start to get up and leave when his next words stop me.
“I know your husband was involved in the death of his friend the other night. You give me what I want, and I can help you put him away.” I may not like Justin all the time, but I don’t want
to see him locked up. Fear of what evidence he has on Justin and how he could possibly know he was at Zo Zo’s that night freezes me in place. Justin isn’t like the other bikers. He tells me everything. I’m his best friend.
“What do you want?”
“What I’ve always wanted since I was fourteen years old—to fuck you.”
“What if I told you that I love my husband and want to keep him out of jail.”
“Then I’d say, I can help you with that too. One night…that’s all I want.” His fingers brush over my lips. Indecision weighs on me. If I do this and get Justin out of trouble…would he let me walk away? It would show him that I mean it when I said I wouldn’t tell anyone about the things we’ve done.
When will I ever get another chance to do something for him…something to prove my loyalty…something to allow me to walk away and start over new somewhere far from here. “One night,” I whisper, sucking his fingers into my mouth and he groans as I suck and release each one. “One night and you never go against my husband. I want your word.”
“I swear to you. I won’t ever even give him a parking ticket.” He smirks at me and my lips curve into a smile.
“It seems we are both getting what we want.” I lay back on the bed in this filthy motel and do something I have never done. I cheat on Justin and I hate myself a little bit for it. I know we started because I was cheating on Derrick with him and I hated myself for it back then just as I am going to hate myself for this now. Sure, I first fucked Justin because Derrick had told me to do so, but we continued because I fell for him despite myself. I loved them both. It tore me apart, but I couldn't stay away. However, if this is the price for my freedom…for both of us to go our separate ways, I will gladly pay it.
I push thoughts of my husband–of Justin to the back of my mind. If I am going to do this, it needs to be worthwhile. I need to give into passions of the flesh and go back to the girl I was before. The one who didn’t care so fucking much. The one who did what she wanted.
Garret’s mouth comes down on mine as we fall back on the pillows. His hand moves under my shirt and it feels all wrong. I’ve not been with anyone outside of the man I married in so long, I feel like a teenager again.
Chapter 8
—Uno
Parking my bike outside the Cherry Room, I stop at the strip club I bought a few months ago with Hades. Where I was supposed to be all day. I pull my cell out and call Boogeyman. “You still tailing Steph?”
“Yeah and for once shit got interesting.”
“That so. Stay on her.” Boogeyman has done this for me several times. Each time it has resulted in nothing.
“She’s home right now and I have Shelly waiting at home for me, cocksucker.”
“I’ll owe you.”
“You already owe me,” he grumbles. “But if this gets that bitch gone I’ll fucking sit out here all damned night.”
“I appreciate it, man.”
“Don’t go getting all soft like a pansy ass pussy on me.”
“Never.” I laugh and end the call.
I walk into the dead as fuck club and check my watch. We should have a better crowd than this. There’s no one up on the main stage. Only two girls on the smaller platforms, who to be honest leave a lot to be desired. I wouldn’t throw fifty cents at them. Shit is damn near embarrassing.
“Boss,” Cyrus, calls to me from behind the bar. “There’s some chick in your office who wants a job.” He motions his hands in front of his chest indicating she has big tits.
I shake my head and chuckle at his charades. “I’ll check her out. Tell Kelli to do something about this shit.” I motion to the empty room and he nods. Kelli is the manager Hades’ hired to run the place but all she is doing is running it into the damn ground. I’m going to have to talk to him about getting someone in here who knows what the fuck they’re doing. Place needs a major overhaul. New girls. New music. New life. Walking through the door marked Staff Only, I stroll down the corridor and find the last person I expected to see in my office waiting for me.
“Melissa, right?” Her eyes go wide when she turns her head at the sound of my voice.
“Uh, hi,” she says in a soft shy tone.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for a job.” A meek smile crosses her gorgeous features.
“Yeah. I don’t think your brother would be too happy about you coming to work for me.” I sit on the edge of my desk. This interview will be over in about two minutes.
“I don’t need Shawn’s permission. I’m an adult.”
“Maybe not but he’s my patched brother and I have to respect his wishes.”
“So…don’t tell him. He doesn’t come around here, does he?”
“Not often but on occasion.”
“Good. Then you have nothing to worry about.”
I sigh, cupping the back of my neck. This is a headache I don’t need right now but sitting here staring at her, she’s drop dead beautiful. A knockout and I find myself having a hard time telling her no. “You have experience?”
“I danced for two years at a club called Indigo Nights.”
“The franchise?”
“You’ve heard of it then?”
I nod and stroke my goatee. “I have. Been there a few times. Not to your club but they only hire the best.”
Her green eyes brighten. “So, I have the job?” Her voice is hopeful.
I grin. “You have an audition. Come with me.” I take her back into the dressing room and give her access to the closet full of props and stage wear.
She wrinkles her nose. “I don’t wear other people’s stuff. I have my own on under my clothes.”
“All right. You got any song preference?”
“Nope.” Melissa shakes her head.
I leave her to get ready and go back up front.
“Yo, Cyrus. Join me.” I wave him to the front of the stage. I signal to the DJ booth for Kendrick to play a new song. The music starts out low and increases in volume as the beat grows stronger. The Weekend filters through the speakers.
Cyrus takes up the stool next to mine. “The new girl?”
“Yup,” I answer him, licking my bottom lip. The first thing I notice when she steps on stage is her long tone legs. Melissa has her dark curly locks swept up into a ponytail that hangs halfway down her back. Dressed in a gold beaded bra and matching shorts, she commands my full attention. The girl definitely knows what she is doing up on the stage as she moves to the music and leaps forward, wrapping a hand around the pole and lifting her body up. Her hair hangs down as she slides down the pole stopping midway and flipping her body so that she is now facing me. Melissa wasn’t lying. She’s professional and sexy as fuck as she glides down the pole to the floor landing in the splits. Slinky and seductive she crawls to the edge of the stage and teases at dropping her bra straps. The cups of her bra plays peekaboo with her nipples and I find I am growing hard. Something that rarely happens when I watch a stripper here in the club.
Cyrus’ mouth is hanging open as he watches her, transfixed on the goddess before us as she continues to own the stage, his hand is over his crotch, subtly rubbing. Melissa leans down and grabs my face, gaining my full attention.
I don’t know if I want her on the stage or not. I know it is terrible but the thought of the men and my brothers who frequent the club seeing her dancing let alone topless, has my anger rising. My throat feels dry. I smack Cyrus across the chest, ordering him to go get me a beer.
“Yeah. Sure, whatever, in a minute,” he says still glued to Melissa’s performance.
“Now!” I growl at him and he snaps out of it, rushing to the bar nearly tripping over his own feet as he goes. The music cuts off and Melissa grins at me, knowing damn well she has the job. “Meet me in my office,” I tell her. Cyrus hands me my beer, still watching Melissa. I tell him to close his mouth unless he’s trying to catch flies as he watches Melissa disappears backstage. “Don’t even fuckin’ think about it,” I warn hi
m. “She’s Cocky’s sister and you’ll never earn your cut if you go trying to stick your dick in her.”
“I wasn’t…” he defends, and I punch him in the shoulder.
“Yeah you were, prospect, but I was thinking the same damn thing and I’m a married man.”
He chuckles, and I take a hard swig of my beer. I take my time returning to my office, feeling damn glad I didn’t have her give me a lap dance in my office, but the fucking thought crosses my mind and I feel like a lousy shit. My marriage isn’t great, but I have never even thought about pursuing another woman until Melissa. She’s fucking gorgeous, and I’d have to be blind not to notice, but I’m more attracted her than I have ever been to anyone in my life. I never thought I would want anyone more than I wanted Stephanie. Maybe I was blinded by her being my first and it was all just lust and not love at all. She was told to fuck me by Derrick. It was years before she ever confessed that to me. I can’t explain it, but since the first time I saw Melissa, I’ve wanted her. I know that it doesn’t paint me in the best light, but I never claimed to be a good man.
As I walk down the hallway I get a text from Stephanie.
I’m staying at Mom’s tonight. Appointment was just like the others. Talk to you tomorrow? Hope the meeting went as expected. All my love. -Steph
Reading her message, guilt washes over me, but the moment I open the door to my office and see Melissa waiting for me I forget all about Stephanie. I forget I even have a fucking wife.
“Listen, it goes against my instincts but if you want the job, it’s yours. If Cocky doesn’t like it, the asshole will have to fight me.” I chuckle, and she blushes, peering up at me through her long dark lashes.
“Thank you so much, Uno.” She jumps up from the chair and hugs me, surprising me. The force of her slamming into me catches me off guard and I fall back on my desk, bringing her with me. Her mouth is a mere few inches from mine as I hug her body to mine. She feels and smells too damn good. Like fucking temptation. Her tongue darts out, wetting her lips. I want to kiss her, but I know it wouldn’t be appropriate and I don’t want to give her the wrong idea. “I’m so sorry,” she breathes the apology out and I can feel her tits pressing against my chest. My mind flashes to her on the stage. Her lips parted, with seduction flashing in her eyes, and that teasing she gave me with her tits nearly popping out of the golden cups of her bra.
Uno's Truth (Devils Rejects MC Book 5) Page 4
