by Ravenna Tate
“Now that we have names,” said Gorgon, “we’ll watch for them at the door. Won’t stop them from using fake ID, but no known member of the Outlaw Dogs, whether they follow Howler or not, gets in here. Got it?”
Everyone nodded.
“Anything else we need to talk about?”
“One quick thing,” said Mastema, giving Leroy a hard stare. “Knocking on doors to wake others is enough if it’s not a true emergency. No one needs to go poking their heads into rooms and staring at tits they shouldn’t be looking at.”
“Someone in your room has tits no one else should be looking at?” asked Rahab, smirking.
“Yeah.”
“The same tits we see on stage when she dances?”
Everyone laughed, but Mastema ignored it. Rahab was right, after all. Although watching her dance and busting into a bedroom, then deliberately eyeing her, were two entirely different things. But he wasn’t going to argue the point here and now.
“All right then,” said Gorgon. “Let’s respect each other’s privacy and boundaries outside of a real emergency. Anything else?”
No one spoke this time, so Gorgon stood and banged his fist on the table. “We’re done.”
Mastema didn’t wait around to kiss Donny’s ass or meet Digger, the way the other officers and some of the members did. He headed for the laundry room, where he found Kayla and a sweetbutt they called Zipper hard at work. They were laughing about something as they loaded piles of clothes into the machines. Kayla’s face flushed when she spotted him.
“Speak of the devil,” said Zipper, her gaze roaming up and down his body. “I was just talking about you.”
“We just got started,” said Kayla. “I’ll be a while yet.” Her hair was still wet. She must have taken a shower. Mastema’s cock grew hard as memories of fucking her in the shower danced through his head.
“That’s fine,” he said. “I’ll see you later, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“That sounds like fun,” said Zipper, her eyes shining with the promise of group sex. “Need any help?”
Mastema had fucked her as much as anyone here had. They called her Zipper because she liked to pull them down with her teeth. But those days were over for him. He wanted no one now except Kayla.
“Thanks, but no.”
Kayla’s eyes went all soft and tender. “I’ll find you when we’re done.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Damn, it was hard to walk away from her right now. It was really fucking hard.
Chapter Ten
“Okay. Spill it.”
“There’s nothing to spill.” Kayla couldn’t help smiling as she closed the door and pushed the buttons to begin the load of wash.
“Bullshit. Are you and Mastema a thing now?”
“Yeah. I think we are.” She liked the sound of that. A lot.
“Didn’t seem like you’d fucked him that many times.”
Kayla started the next washer. “Is there a certain number of times you have to fuck someone before you can be a thing with him?”
Zipper, whose real name was Jennie, laughed as if Kayla had told the funniest joke ever. “No, of course not. But what about everybody else? Did you give them each a fair chance?”
“Was I supposed to?”
She shrugged. “More fun that way.”
“You’ve already assured me how well Mastema stacks up against the other members. What else do I need to know?”
“I’m just saying don’t tie yourself down yet, girl. Plenty of hot men to go around.”
“I like Mastema.”
“I like him, too, but I’m not ready to be owned by any of them.”
“I don’t feel owned by him.” And even if she did, the idea of that wasn’t unappealing. Not in the way it would have once been. These men weren’t like the others she’d met. Not even close.
“Kayla, if he’s looking for you while you’re working, and he turns down sex with a sweetbutt right in front of you, he owns you.”
“Okay then. He owns me.” This was such a moronic conversation, and Kayla no longer wanted to be part of it. She only wanted to finish her work and go find Mastema.
“Well, you could do worse.” Which contradicted all the things Jennie had said about Mastema less than ten minutes ago, when she was singing his praises as a lover. But whatever. Kayla was over it.
Finally, Jennie began to load a washer. Kayla was on the third machine already. There were only five in here. At this rate, they’d be at it all day long. In order not to mix up anyone’s laundry, Kayla did each tagged mesh bag separately, even if the person only had a few items in theirs.
Chloe had explained to Kayla that once she’d been here a while, she would learn which pieces of clothing belonged to which person, and could mix bags in the same load if she wanted. But Kayla wasn’t about to try to memorize every damn thing these people owned and put in their laundry bags, no matter how long she stayed here.
After all five machines were finally going, Jennie picked up her phone and sat down to play games on it while the clothes washed. Kayla picked up her Kindle, but the words on the screen blurred together as she let her thoughts drift to everything that had happened in the past couple of days.
Mastema had been so understanding about the memories being in the private room with him had triggered. Much more than she’d ever expected any man to be. But was he really ready to be exclusive with her?
He wouldn’t have asked you if he wasn’t ready.
The image of Leroy eyeing her breasts rose up in her head. They all stared at her when she was on stage. Why had that moment unnerved her so much? Because she’d been in Mastema’s bed at the time, instead of on stage?
A cold chill ran down Kayla’s spine, and she hugged herself. One quick glance toward Jennie, absorbed in her smart phone, assured Kayla she hadn’t noticed. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where you goin’?”
“To make myself a cup of tea.” She hesitated a second or two. She was supposed to be making more of an effort, after all. “You want one?”
“Yuck. I hate that shit. Don’t know how you drink it.”
At least no one could say she hadn’t asked. Kayla didn’t particularly want tea. She only used it as an excuse to get out of the laundry room for a few minutes. Thinking about how exposed she was on stage three nights a week, and how it didn’t bother her, but having sex in public did, had confused her. It had even frightened her a bit.
How did she explain being comfortable enough to get up on stage and dance, wearing nothing but a G-string by the end of her set, but freaking out when Mastema had wanted to fuck her in front of his Brothers? Or pulling the sheet up when one of the prospects had treated himself to an eyeful? Had it been the suggestion of allowing them to participate? No. She’d been antsy well before he said that.
Sure, she understood the memories it had evoked, but why was she okay with shaking it in front of others on stage? Dancing isn’t sex. No, but she used sex to sell herself when she danced. They all did.
Was it because no one could get to her up there? Was that the only reason? And why had this never left her so unsettled before? Did the feelings she had for Mastema have anything to do with her sudden discomfort? Real feelings, unlike any she’d experienced before?
Chloe and Rai were in the kitchen, and Kayla stopped in the doorway because Chloe was sitting in a chair, leaning over, as Rai knelt beside her. “Are you okay?”
Rai’s head snapped up, and her smile was too quick, in addition to fake. “She’s fine. Just got a bit dizzy when she stood up too fast.”
It looked more like Chloe was sick, but Kayla said nothing as she walked into the room. “I came to make myself a cup of tea. Am I disturbing you?”
“No. Not at all.”
“I’m fine,” said Chloe, lifting her head and giving Kayla a weak, and equally phony, smile.
Bullshit. “All right. But if there’s anything I can do, please let me know.”
The tw
o exchanged a surprised glance, but Kayla couldn’t fault them there. It’s not a comment she would have bothered making three weeks ago.
“How are things going lately?” asked Rai.
“Really well. Thank you.” Kayla put the mug in the microwave to heat up the water.
“You seem happier now,” said Chloe, her voice only a tiny bit stronger than a moment ago.
Kayla faced her. “I am.”
Rai stood, and hovered over Chloe until she stood, too. Her face was still too pale, and small beads of sweat dotted her forehead. The last time Kayla had seen a woman Chloe’s age look like that, she’d been…
Holy fuck!
Using the excuse of having to stir her tea, she kept her gaze down to collect her thoughts. Was Chloe pregnant? Even if she was, surely that was good news. Why hadn’t she told anyone?
“I’m glad things are getting better for you here,” said Chloe.
Kayla finally met her gaze, and she didn’t have to ask. Some things, a person simply knew. “Thanks.” Why were they keeping it a secret? Fear shot through Kayla. Surely Gorgon was the father. She’d never believe anything else. Those two adored each other, and it showed in everything they did, separately and together.
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do?” she finally asked.
“Positive.”
As Kayla turned to leave, Rai’s voice stopped her. “Kayla, hang on a second.”
She turned around.
“Come closer. I don’t want anyone in the hallway to hear this.”
Why the fuck not? Kayla stopped inches from the pair. Up close, Chloe’s skin had a greenish tint to it that alarmed her.
“I’m pregnant,” said Chloe. “But I’m not spreading the news around yet.”
“Um, congrats?” She wasn’t sure whether that was the desired reaction.
Chloe smiled. “I’m thrilled. Don’t misunderstand me. But I’m really sick from it, and I’m scared.”
“Oh, don’t be. Jesus. Everyone I know who’s been pregnant puked their guts out, but their babies were just fine.”
“I told her the same thing,” said Rai, rolling her eyes. “See? You’re fine. This is normal.”
“Seriously, you had me really scared for a moment there. It’s a happy thing. You should tell everyone.”
“Not yet. Not until the second trimester.”
“Okay. Not a problem. Um, none of my business, but does Gorgon know?”
This time, Chloe’s smile was genuine. “Yes, he knows.”
“Oh good. I’d hate to try to keep anything from him.”
“Yeah, good luck,” said Rai. “I swear that man can read minds.”
“Well, I swear I won’t breathe a word of this until you say I can.” Kayla swallowed hard as the magnitude of what just happened hit her. “Thank you for telling me. I’m really touched.”
“You’ve changed, and it shows.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “Well, I need to get back to the laundry room. I hope you feel better.”
Kayla left in a hurry before she bawled, right there in front of them. Three weeks ago, those two women had barely made eye contact with her, let alone confided a secret like this. Things really had changed for the better, and it was because of Mastema. That, and her taking the initiative to stop acting like an asshole and do her fair share.
She wished she’d asked Chloe if it was all right to tell Mastema, but that might have made them regret saying anything to her. This wasn’t her secret to tell, even to him. Chloe would tell everyone in her own way, and in her own time. And in the meantime, Kayla would work even harder to fit in here, because she really loved it that the women finally trusted her.
Chapter Eleven
Laundry took the entire morning and half the afternoon, only because Kayla did most of the work. She kept reminding herself that it hadn’t been too long since the others were picking up her slack.
Once it was finally finished and everyone’s bags had been placed outside their rooms, she went in search of Mastema. She found him in the club, helping their sound engineer fix an electrical issue with the speakers.
“There you are.” He gave her an intimate kiss, pulling her into his arms right there in front of Jinn. Heat rose to Kayla’s face after he released her. “We’ll be a while yet. All done with laundry?”
“Yes, but you guys look busy so I should go and let you work.” How disappointing, but then again, he likely hadn’t known he’d be stuck doing this when he’d asked her to come and find him once she finished.
“You dancing tonight?” asked Jinn.
“No. I’m on the schedule for tomorrow.”
“You should consider a gimmick. Honey has her honey, Nightingale uses all those feathers—”
“Both of which make a holy fucking mess to clean up,” said Mastema, his voice hard. He glared at Jinn as he knelt again and picked up a wrench.
“I’m just sayin’ she should get a gimmick. Customers like that.”
“Chloe doesn’t have one,” said Kayla.
“She doesn’t need one,” said Jinn. “Not with those legs and her talent.”
“Kayla’s fine the way she is,” said Mastema. He tightened a bolt, and the wrench slipped free, clattering to the floor. “Son of a bitch!”
“The fuck is wrong with you?”
“Nothing. Just shut the fuck up already about her needing a gimmick. Not all the dancers have them, and they do just fine.”
Jinn gave him an amused glance. “All right. Keep your fucking dick in your pants. I’ll shut up about it.” He picked up the wrench and handed it to Mastema. “Here. Think you can concentrate now and help me fix this, or should we put a sign out front, letting everyone know there won’t be any dancers on stage tonight?”
“Fuck you.”
Kayla glanced from one man to the other. “I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.” Mastema shot her an apologetic glance, so she gave him a bright smile and a wink before she left the club.
He’d stuck up for her. The thought bounced around inside her head, all the way up to her room. Kayla had never had a boyfriend. Not a real one. She’d had casual sexual relationships, but they’d never lasted long because she’d always been afraid, or overly cautious. And, since those men worked at the bars or clubs where she danced, when things became uncomfortable at those places, she moved on and never saw the men again.
At twenty-five years old, it was ridiculous that Mastema was her first true boyfriend, but there it was. The simple truth. She hugged herself as she stood in front of the windows, overlooking the south parking lot. In a few hours, it would begin to fill up with customers.
What if she was wrong? What if her imagination was working overtime because of all the positive things that had happened to her lately? He was a nice man, and he stuck up for people all the time. She’d noticed it before today. Just because Jennie thought she and Mastema were an item didn’t make it true. What if she was building this whole thing up into something it wasn’t?
He asked you to fuck no one but him.
True, but that could simply be due to his jealousy. All she’d done was listen to Mark that day in the hallway, and he’d stopped speaking to her. Maybe him asking her that didn’t mean anything deeper?
It’s not as if she’d had plenty of relationships like this one for comparison. She had no fucking clue what she was doing here. She could dance, and she could fuck. And the latter was only fun and comfortable with Mastema. If his interest in her waned one day, would she move on? Would she be able to do that?
Kayla walked across the room and grasped the pole that Gorgon had recently had fitted in her room. Chloe had mentioned to him that Kayla loved how Chloe had turned her former bedroom into a rehearsal room, and wished she had a place to practice her own pole work, other than the stage. Within two days, he and a couple of the prospects had installed her very own pole.
She twirled on it a few times, but it was still difficult for her to get her body off the ground
by more than a few inches. Although, to be fair, she was quite distracted at the moment.
What if Mastema grew tired of her to the point she had to leave this place? There weren’t any other clubs like this in Northeast Ohio. That much she knew. She’d have to leave the area to find another one as classy to work in, but she doubted there were many that also housed an MC club.
And even if they did, it would be more of the same as she’d experienced before coming here. Just another girl to pass around. One more dancer expected to fuck the guys. Even if she’d rather not.
“So what are your choices?” she whispered. She wasn’t being kicked out. No reason to think that even if he did grow tired of her she’d be asked to leave. If she’d kept up the diva routine over laundry she might have been, but that was behind her now.
It was back to what had her so rattled, then, and that was an easy answer. Mastema. She liked him way more than she should. Not only that, she was building up every word, every glance, every reaction into a relationship that went beyond a sexual one. All without any clue that Mastema wanted that with her.
What the fuck was wrong with her? One man, finally, after all the shitheads she’d met, showed her a bit of compassion, uttered a few kind words, and defended her in front of one of his Brothers. And suddenly she belonged to him? They would live happily ever after? One would think after all the crap she’d been through, fairy tales weren’t something she’d so easily believe in.
Maybe the best thing she could was to ease away from Mastema, before he hurt her? She didn’t want to leave here. But spending every free moment with him wasn’t a requirement. If she never let him discover how foolish her thoughts had been, she’d never have to watch him turn away from her in disgust. Or laugh at her. Or go to Gorgon and tell him he thought it best if she was let go.
That was the way of the world, after all. Keep people at a distance. Leave them first, before they have a chance to leave you. That was the only real way to protect yourself. Kayla had learned that at an early age, and there was no reason to believe it wasn’t just as true now.
