Chapter 10
At the BBQ…
By the time they reached the BBQ, the little picnic reserved for the group event was crowded and those that were there were already engrossed in the festivities. As Tanya slipped off Marcus’ motorcycles, her eyes widened at the dozens of bikes parked in the lot. The men outweighed the women, but Marcus had told her that women rarely joined them officially. They could very well hang out with the men, but those women that did associate with the club were usually a member’s significant other.
Tanya handed Marcus the helmet and he locked it on the motorcycle next to his.
“You have a lot of brothers,” she said.
“Only a dozen or so are sworn-in members. Others are friends and family of members. Some are wanna-be’s, which means that they would like to pledge or are already in the process of becoming an official member,” Marcus said, as they made their way across the field to join the others. “We try to have these get-togethers at least once a month, sometimes twice a month. Our meetings to discuss official business, finances, and investments are restricted to members only. Those are held at least once per quarter. Some of our members are constantly on the road. Most of us have settled down locally though, here in Atlanta, were the whole thing started.”
Tanya knew the day wouldn’t be just about the two of them. She was particularly interested to learn more about Marcus’ secondary lifestyle. He walked her up to a picnic table where a group of people sat talking and laughing loudly amongst themselves over food and drinks. She noticed Trent right away and figured these must have been Marcus’ closest brothers—the other four that he mentioned.
A guy that appeared to be Marcus’ twin got up immediately. He and Marcus exchanged some kind of hand shake and exchanged a brotherly hug. They were literally the same height, give or take a few centimeters.
“I’ve been in town since last week. Been trying to catch up with you forever, man,” Marcus’ lookalike said as they parted from the hug.
“Was wondering if you’d made it back,” Marcus said. “I’ve been a bit busy with work and things.”
The guy turned a sly eye on Tanya, a questioning look marring his face as he took her in. “I can see that.”
“Sean, this is Tanya. Tanya, my youngest brother, Sean.”
The resemblance made perfect sense then. Both had the same prominent nose and squared-jaw, and even pecan complexion.
“Hi, Sean. Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Sean nodded, but from the look on his face Tanya could tell that he had a million reservations about her. “If Marcus hasn’t told you yet, I’m the youngest brother. The one who likes to stir up the most trouble and take things to the extreme.”
“That’s nice to know.” She smiled. “But that description seems to fit Marcus as well. Coming here with him was one hell of a ride.”
Marcus chuckled beside her and winked. “You asked for it.”
“Sounds like the two of you have gotten cozy on more than just Marcus’ bike,” Sean said.
A heated blush ran over her body and she cleared her throat. When Marcus spoke again, she was relieved to have the subject changed.
“Andrew is in town with Reanna. They’re supposed to be attending some business expo here and are staying at my crib. Maybe we can all get together before he goes back,” Marcus said as he grabbed her hand, and then they made their way to the picnic table.
“For sure,” Sean said.
From there on out, she was bombarded with new faces and introductions. Except for Trent, who she’d met under different circumstances, they all regarded her carefully. They seemed skeptical, but still they were very respectful of her presence and the fact that she and Marcus were there together.
Tanya would have to get used to these types of gatherings again. Since college she’d literally become an introvert, but now Marcus was bringing out the extrovert in her.
* * *
“You have an interesting group of friends,” Tanya said, resting the back of her head against Marcus’ chest. “I wish I had this many.”
He put his drink on the ground beside them and wrapped his arm around her. “Having an abundance of friends doesn’t really ensure happiness. I’d much rather be surrounded by family and loved ones. I’ve always wanted that one person that I can share any and everything with and not be ridiculed or challenged.”
They were seated under the shade of a huge oak tree, watching the sky as daylight folded into night. The festivities had ended, but like them, dozens of bikers and their friends were still left behind. The guys who’d manned the grill all day had just put out the last of food on the serving tables. It looked as though as long as there was food on the table, drinks in the cooler, and music blaring from the speakers, the party wasn’t anywhere near its end.
“Do you get that a lot?” she asked. “Challenged?”
“Very much so. Being the middle child, I learned how to prove myself and come out on top in the end. It’s not that I craved the attention, it’s just that I got tired of being invisible. I knew I was good for something, but it took me years to find out what that was. My older brother, Andrew, followed in my father’s footsteps earning a full football scholarship to Virginia Tech. My younger brother had always been doted on from the time my parents decided that they would never have any more babies up until he officially left their home at seventeen. My parents and grandparents kind of cherished Sean in his earlier years more. And then that leaves me.” He chuckled. “I was the trouble maker until Sean came into his own. As the youngest, he rebelled a lot. I have the same drive as my father when I want something, and my father wanted me to pursue things that I had no desire in pursuing. I fought to control my own future more than anything else. When I graduated high school, I earned a full scholarship to Virginia Tech as well, but not to play football. I had no interest in football. My father claims that I broke the tradition, because next thing we know Sean didn’t attend Virginia Tech at all.”
“Mmmm, sorry you got the blame, but…” she closed her eyes and relaxed against him “sounds like you have an interesting family.”
“You’ll understand more one day when you meet them,” he said. “How did you and Zaira meet?”
“We both went to Georgia Tech. Remember when I told you how difficult the first half of my freshman year was with being away from home for the first time and my grandmother being sick?” When he nodded, she continued, “Well, I was a complete loner. I kept to myself because I was drowning in my own issues. I took a chance one day and went out to a fraternity party. I met Zaira at said party and she convinced me to let go and have fun. It was months later when I found out who her father was. Had I known before that she came from old money with practically the world at her feet, I would have felt intimated by it and missed out on a true friend.”
He laughed. “Frat parties…I remember those.”
“Yeah, and I never was the same after one of those.”
“Hmmm, were you one those girls?”
“What do you mean by those girls?”
“You know, played every brother you could, making him empty his wallets, toying with his heart, screwing with his emotions…”
“Who? Not me.” She shook her head, laughing. “Did you just make that up…or are you claiming those things happened to you?”
“Women can be mischievous when they want to…”
She brought his arms tighter around her waist. “Well, do you think I’m capable of this mischievousness you speak of?”
He kissed the side of her face, then trailed a few of them down her neck. “You might use my admission to your advantage.”
Tanya shivered when his lips found an intimate spot against her nape. She pressed her behind back into his groin. “I’d like to use a lot more than your admission to my advantage.”
“Mmmm.” He groaned lightly in her ear. “I—”
“Well. Look at that.” A sharp female voice presented itself over them.
Tanya follow
ed the shadow of a woman standing over them. Her gaze traveled up lengthy bare legs the color of honey, too-tight booty shorts, and a flimsy top to finally reach a face. A face she didn’t recognize. A face that wore a nasty expression.
“Marcus,” the woman said. “No wonder you haven’t been answering my calls.”
Tanya’s heart twisted and she nearly bolted upright but Marcus’ arms were now tighter around her. She could practically feel the tension in his body and shock crackling in the air.
“Becca,” Marcus said between clenched teeth.
“How nice to see you,” Becca said in a clipped tone. “I haven’t been introduced to your new buddy.” She said the words buddy as if she was trying to rid her mouth of something bad tasting.
Blood rushed through Tanya’s vein in alarm as her brain registered the real situation. She swallowed down the dry shock rising up in her throat.
“What’s the point?” Marcus shot back.
“The point?” Becca brought up her freshly manicured hands to her lips and giggled behind them. “No introduction…well, she must not mean that much to you. Just wanted to know a bit about who your new broad was.”
With only seconds into this woman’s arrival Tanya had had enough. Plus, she knew exactly where this was going and had a hunch about who Becca was to Marcus.
Shaking herself from Marcus’ grip, she shot up where she stood eye to eye with the woman named Becca. “Look, chick…right now I don’t want to know you or vice versa. Let’s keep it that way.”
Tanya stormed off, heading toward the parking lot where they’d come. Eyes were glued to the scene caused by Becca’s appearance and people stopped doing what they were doing to observe the drama she wanted no part of.
Just before she reached the lot, Marcus caught her arm. “Tanya, wait!”
“No!” She snatched her arm from his grasp.
“Listen to me.” He managed to pull her close to him. “She means nothing to me. I don’t know what possessed her to come here. I haven’t spoken with her in months.”
Tanya swallowed hard. Why did she feel hurt? She and Marcus weren’t even in a serious relationship. As far as she was concerned, all they did was have sex, but why did this revelation break her heart?
She pushed at his chest, but he stood there like a solid brick wall holding her hostage. “You could have told me you had a girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend…no.” He shook his head. “You’ve got it all wrong. Do you think I would mess up what we have like that? Becca is my ex. It’s been nearly a year since I last saw her.”
Tanya looked over his shoulder and caught glimpse of Marcus’ acquaintances glancing their way with wide eyes, whispering amongst each other. She knew they were talking about her and how stupid she was.
“You’re causing a scene in front of your friends.”
His grip softened. “Tanya, I don’t care what people think of me. I know what I want and I want you. I don’t give a damn about anything else.”
She focused her gaze on him. “How do I know you’re not playing with me?”
“We’ve not had much time together, Tanya. This has been my life ever since I can remember, but I’ve grown and now I value my time more. I won’t turn my back on my brothers, but I know a woman’s worth when I see it. Let me prove myself to you. Give me time. You mean so much to me.”
“I can’t, Marcus.” She shook her head. “I’ve already dealt with men who can’t make up their minds and who like to test many waters at the expense of everyone’s feelings. I’m not dealing with it again. Let’s call it right here right now before it’s too late. We’ve already had our fun, now let’s just call it.”
“Tanya…”
She backed away. “I thought I wanted this with you. The thrill. The crazy life. This attraction that has somehow turned into full blown sexual frenzy, but—”
“That’s not—”
“—I was wrong. This…” She held out her arms. “…I’m not fit for this. I’m safer when things are normal.”
Tanya dug into her handbag and pulled out her cell and keyed in some numbers.
“I’ll take you home.”
“No, I was just calling a cab.” The operator on the other end answer her call. “Yes, I’d like a ca—”
Marcus had slipped the phone from her finger and disconnected the call. “Let me take you home.”
Her blood started to boil. “Do you ever stop thinking about sex?”
He exhaled on a huff. “That’s not what I meant, and you know that. I got you here. Let me take you back to your car at the shop.”
Tanya searched his saddened expression. Was he sad because he’d made the mistake of lying to her or was he sad because he couldn’t get what he wanted—his cake and the buffet too?
She held out her hand. “My phone.”
He handed her the phone. “It’s getting late. It’s dark back at the shop. If you insist on calling a cab, I’ll ride behind it to make sure you arrive safely.”
“I don’t want anything else to do with you and your drama, thus I’m not riding anywhere with you and I don’t want you coming anywhere behind me.”
Before he could protest, Trent walked up behind them. “Everything okay here?”
“Trent, man, what the fuck is wrong with that woman? She popped up unannounced and has just made a mess of things,” Marcus said, his voice sounded just as aggravated as hers.
“I know, bro.” Trent shook his head. “That shit was dirty as hell.”
“Do me a favor, Trent?” He motioned toward Tanya. “Give Tanya a ride back to the shop. Make sure she gets home safely.”
“Sure thing.” Trent nodded, and then turned to acknowledge her. “Ready?”
Tanya gave Marcus what she hoped was a deadly stare. She hoped he remembered it well, because after tonight, he wouldn’t get to see anymore of her. She had never felt so embarrassed and utterly used in all her life. Not even when Justin had ran out on her.
“I’ll call you tonight,” Marcus said.
“Please don’t,” she said, and went with Trent.
“Here you go.” Trent handed her a helmet. “I take it that Marcus has given you the spiel on motorcycle safety tips when riding bitch.”
“What!” She knew he didn’t just up and call her a bitch. What was wrong with these men? They seemed to turn etiquette on and off when it was convenient for them.
He lifted an eyebrow at her, a serious expression on his face. “Riding bitch. A passenger on the back of a motorcycle.”
She shook her head and probably would have burst out laughing at her blatant lack of knowledge if it weren’t for her apparent anger at Marcus. “You sure do have a way with words, Trent. And yes he did.”
He got on the bike and helped her on the back, taking off after they both had on their helmets.
Perhaps she’d overacted back there, but what was done was now done. After all, at any time Marcus could have told her that he’d just recently exited a relationship. She had. Why couldn’t he? Why would he need to anyway? They were just sex buddies. Nothing more…
Thankfully the ride back to the motorcycle shop was short, but during the fifteen minutes or so she’d gotten the chance to cool down. There were no words exchanged as Trent escorted her to her car which still sat next to Marcus’ Hummer.
“Tanya, look at me,” Trent said, leaning against the window frame of her car. “You good?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You need me to follow you home?”
“Don’t, and it’s not necessary,” she said, slipping the gear into drive.
“Hear me out okay?” Trent inquired, catching her off guard. “I know you’re mad at my brother. I would be, but that chick showed up out of the blue ready to cause trouble as she has done in the past. I knew, she knew, everyone knows that she and Marcus are done.”
She sighed. “I’ll get over it. Marcus and I are just friends. No need to waste time with this talk.”
“Friends, my ass,” Tren
t said. “He talks about you a lot, Tanya. The guy is infatuated with you. And by the way, according to what he’s been telling me he thinks of you as more than just a friend.”
“That’s funny, because that’s not what we agreed on. I don’t need all this drama and it appears he has an abundance of it. I’ve got to go. It’s getting late and I for one have class in the morning and work in the afternoon.”
“”I’ve not seen Marcus this happy in a long time. He’s made mistakes—and hell, we’ve all made mistakes. Give my brother a chance, Tanya,” he said, just before pushing off of the window frame.
“Thank you for the ride, Trent.”
Chapter 11
Three days later…
Tanya glanced down at her cell phone as the LCD screen flashed notifying her that she had a text message. She placed the phone on top of the notepad on the lap desk folded down over her thighs and read the message:
Marcus: It’s been three days
Tanya: Don’t you think I know that
No matter how embarrassed she felt or angry that Marcus hadn’t shared such important details with her, she still couldn’t deny the fact that she missed the heck out of him.
Marcus: I miss you. I want you. I need you. Can I see you?
Tanya fidgeted in her seat, pretending to be engrossed in the instructor’s presentation. It was a lost cause with Marcus pursuing her by text messages now. She couldn’t bring herself to answer his calls or go anywhere near his building at lunch time with Zaira to prevent running into him. Every time they say each other, no matter where it was, they always ended up having sex.
Tanya: No
Marcus: I apologize for upsetting you. She was out of the picture. Don’t know why she showed up.
Marcus: Come see me
Tanya: No
Marcus: Call me and let’s talk
Tanya: I might
Marcus: Are you in class or something?
Tanya: In class
Marcus: I’ll talk to you later then
Seduced by Sin: Sean (Rugged Riders #3) Page 24
