Hannah was already sitting on the table showing Erin the interlocked hearts she wanted on her wrist. Since it was a small tattoo, she said she could fit it in before her next appointment. I put my shirt back on and stood next to Hannah. I found myself looking up at Luke. He was still watching me but something had changed in his eyes. There was a needle pressing into his arm so that could have been part of the change, but it seemed like he was trying to figure something out about me.
I raised my eyebrows at him causing him to come out of whatever thought he was stuck in. He shook his head and turned his eyes back up toward the ceiling.
“That's cute.” I looked at Hannah's wrist as soon as Erin was done. “I really like it.”
“Thanks. I like it too.” She let Erin smooth the same ointment over her wrist. “You should get a matching one.”
“No, I'm good.” I shook my head. “I've had enough needles for today.”
I glanced over to see Luke still leaned back on his table, staring at the same ceiling tile. We thanked Erin and paid for our tattoos before walking outside to my car. It was more than uncomfortable to sit down and even more so to put the seat belt on.
“I need to get home and lay down,” I whined. “Or stand up somewhere. This hurts.”
“Maybe you should have Luke come over and rub some ointment on it,” she teased. “I would let him.”
“You're terrible.” I laughed. “But I wouldn't tell him no if he offered.”
We rode home laughing and talking about boys and our new tattoos. The rest of my day was spent lying on my tattoo free side on the couch and watching TV. The pain was getting better and became more of an unscratchable itch by the end of the night, but I still wasn't ready to get up and move a lot. Hannah had left about an hour ago with Trey and probably wouldn't be back until late tonight or tomorrow morning. I was walking to the kitchen when I heard a knock at the front door. It was probably our neighbors needing to borrow something.
I opened the door to find that pair of green eyes staring back at me. I was standing there wearing a pair of old black sweatpants and a worn gray t-shirt. My blond hair was knotted on the top of my head, and I had already washed my face for the night. Fantastic.
“Hey.” I know I sounded confused, but in my defense, I was.
“Hey.” He continued staring. “I just wanted to check and make sure you were okay after getting your tattoo today.”
“How did you know what door was my apartment?” I asked.
“I watched you walk to it the other day.” He shrugged like it was obvious. “After I gave you a ride home.”
“Oh.” I forgot about that.
“How's your side feeling?” he asked again.
“It's fine.” I lightly ran my fingers over the bandage under my shirt. “It just really itches at this point.”
“That's pretty normal.” He pulled something out of his pocket and held it out to me. “I brought you some better cream than what Erin would have given you. This will help with the itching.”
“Um, thanks.” I took it and looked down at the small tube and blushed when I remembered what Hannah and I talked about earlier. “That was nice of you.”
We stood in the doorway waiting for the other one to talk again.
“Well, okay then.” He pushed his hands down into his pockets. “I guess I'll get going.”
“Did you want to come in?” I asked. “I'm just watching TV and have a pizza in the oven. Hannah is out with Trey.”
“Okay.” He stepped forward.
“Okay.” I opened the door wider and let him in.
He walked into the living room and scanned the room, making no comments about the black and red furniture or the rose paintings that hung on the walls. I heard the timer go off in the kitchen and hurried to get the pizza out of the oven. When I came back into the living room, he had already changed the channel to a basketball game and made himself comfortable on the couch.
“Make yourself at home.” I laughed and relaxed a little.
“I did.” He winked at me, and I felt my face turn red.
I placed the pizza, two Cokes, and two plates on the black coffee table before taking my seat on the opposite side of the couch from him. I reached for the remote and changed it back to the romantic comedy I had been watching.
“Rule number one.” I pointed the remote at him. “Never change the channel on my TV.”
He laughed and relaxed even more into the couch as we watched the movie and ate pizza.
“Do you like magazines about decorating?” He nodded to the stack of home magazines on the coffee table.
“Yeah.” I shrugged. “I like to design my dream home in my head and pick out pictures of what I would want the different rooms to look like.”
He sat there as he considered my answer.
“How many tattoos do you have?” I asked when the movie ended.
“I lost count a few years ago.”
“Seriously, you have that many?” I had only seen a few that his t-shirts didn't cover.
“I would guess around thirty or so.” He shrugged. “What did you have done today?”
“It's just a quote,” I answered.
He turned and looked at me and waited for me to continue.
“It's about following your dreams. One I've liked for a really long time but am just now following its meaning.” I wanted to change the subject. “What did you have done?”
He shook his head. “I want to see it.”
“You didn't get a good enough look in the shop today?” I raised my eyebrows.
A look of shock crossed his face, but he quickly recovered. “Hmm, okay. Maybe another time.”
It was my turn to look shocked, and my cheeks were burning hot. I reached for the remote and found another movie to fill the silence that was starting to consume the room.
He stood and flipped the light switch before claiming his spot back on the cushion. His strong arms reached over and pulled me close into his side. I brought the blanket I had been sitting underneath with me and draped half of it over his legs. My head was spinning, and I knew I was probably sweating and breathing loud. My heart was pounding so hard against my chest, I was sure you could see it through my shirt. My body was doing none of the attractive things you want it to do when trying to act calm in front of an incredibly hot guy.
“Relax.” He spoke softly before kissing the top of my head. “We're just watching a movie. A terrible chick movie at that.”
I let out a small laugh as my shoulders loosened up and head leaned against his chest.
It was after two o'clock in the morning when he left. We hardly talked again after the second movie started, but I had the best time I'd had in years. This stupid smile was going to be stuck on my face for days.
Chapter 4
“You have to go out with us,” Hannah whined. “It's going to be a group of people. Not just the two of us.”
“Yeah, a group of couples,” I argued.
“No, not everyone is coupled up. Technically I'm not coupled up, so don't include me in that comment.”
It was Valentine’s Day, and everyone wanted to go out. It had been almost a week since I had seen Luke, and I could still feel his arm wrapped around me. I didn’t give him my phone number that night, but I figured if he wanted to find me, he knew where I lived.
“We're just going to The Green Room,” she called from her bathroom.
Well, that just made this more interesting.
“Okay, I'll go.” I smiled in the mirror.
“You will?” She poked her head in my room. “Why are you smiling like that?”
“I'm not,” I lied, trying to wipe the smile from my face.
“Yes, you are.” She put her hand on her hip. “Did you meet someone?”
“No.” I laughed because I hadn't told her about Luke stopping by that night. I wasn't sure what to say about it so I just hadn't said anything.
“Liar.” She glared at me. “Fine, I'll get it out of you sometime t
onight. It's wine night so get ready.”
I had never drank wine before but that sounded fun. Something different since it was the lover's holiday and all. It had to taste better than beer.
Two hours later, we were sitting at a table in Luke's bar with Trey and all of his friends. Only one of the guys had a girlfriend so I had five available guys sending me looks every few minutes. This might get interesting. I definitely wasn't lacking a dancing partner. I was wearing a short red skirt, black halter top, and tall black heels. My blond hair was half pulled back and long curls fell down my back. Hannah was smoking hot next to me in a short red dress and silver heels.
“I'm glad you talked me into this.” I leaned in next to her.
“Yeah, it took a lot of convincing,” she teased. “Now who is he?”
“There isn't a he, I swear.”
Right as I finished the sentence, Luke was at my side and holding a bottle of wine. My breath caught in my throat, and I could feel the goosebumps on my arms start to pop up.
“Ladies.” He nodded to the bottle in his hands. “I heard you ordered a bottle of wine.”
“You know it.” Hannah grabbed the bottle from his hands. “Thanks Luke.”
He stared at me for a minute longer as if trying to decide if he should say what he was thinking.
“Do you have to work all night?” I asked trying to break the awkward silence.
“I usually do.” He kept staring at me. “Have fun. Drink that stuff slowly. If you need a ride later, come and find me.”
With that, he walked away, leaving me in a state of what the hell and why is he so confusing. I definitely needed a drink now.
Three glasses down, and I wasn't feeling a thing. Stupid wine had no affect on me.
“Let's dance.” I grabbed Hannah's hand and headed for the dance floor.
“Are you coming?” I heard her yell back at the table.
As soon as were in the middle of the floor, we began moving to the beat. Trey joined Hannah, and one of the guys from our table decided to join me. I couldn't have said his name out loud if my life depended on it. Oh well, he was dancing pretty well. Within four songs, my head became lighter and our bodies became closer. He ran his hands up my sides, and I made no reservations about running my hands over his chest. When the song ended, I felt another arm wrap around my waist and pull me to the side of the dance floor.
“Luke, what the hell!” the guy yelled.
I looked up to see Luke extremely pissed and fuming ahead as we walked to the back of the bar.
“What are you doing?” I tried to wiggle out of his grip.
“Stop trying to fight me.”
“Stop pulling me away from my friends.”
We walked into what I assumed was his office, and he slammed the door shut. Releasing me, he ran his hands through his short hair and rested them on the top of his head. He let out a few deep breaths before looking at me. The lines in his face were etched in fury, and I realized I had no escape since he was standing in front of the door.
“What in the hell was that?” he demanded.
“Are you insane?” I was getting mad. “You hardly know me and have barely spoken to me since I got here. How dare you bring me back in this room and ask me questions?”
“Are you dating Tommy?”
“Who is Tommy?” I asked.
He let out a menacing laugh that made me question whether I should be mad or scared.
“The guy you were grinding all of over, that's who.”
I stood there in silence letting his words run over and over in my head. Was he jealous? I hadn't heard from him since last Sunday, and now he's fuming in front of me.
“Why are you so mad?” I asked.
“You're better than that guy,” he answered.
“And you know that because...”
“You just are.” He shook his head, and I watched as his features softened.
He took two steps toward me until we were only inches apart. My chest heaved up and down as he moved one hand up and placed it in the hair behind my neck. I tilted my chin up to look at him, wondering how all of this was happening. His lips were only a few inches from mine, and I wanted him to kiss me. Oh, I wanted him to kiss me bad. I instinctively ran my tongue over my bottom lip which caused him to hiss out a breath.
We were both frozen in each other's eyes, daring the other to make the next move. Before the gap was closed between us, the door swung open, and I heard a female voice.
“Luke, we need you up front,” the girl said. “A couple of guys are starting a fight at the pool tables.”
He dropped his head and stepped back, running his free hand over his face. I took the moment to gain back all composure that I had lost in that small office.
“Did you hear me?” she asked. “Luke?”
“Yeah, I got it.” He dropped his hand from my neck and interlocked it with my hand. We began to walk out of the office and back into the bar.
“Oh, hey there.” His sister smiled. “I thought I might see you again with my dear brother.”
“Shut up, Mel,” he growled before he pushed open the swinging metal door that led us back into the crowd of people.
Without another word, he walked me back to my table and released his hold.
“I'll find you later.” He looked into my eyes. “I have to go take care of this.”
And with that he walked away leaving me more confused than ever. I had a million thoughts running through my head. Hannah grabbed my arm and pulled me back into my seat before I could process any of them.
“What in the hell was that?” she demanded.
“I have no idea,” I answered honestly.
“Is he the guy you were smiling about earlier today?”
“No, yeah, I don't know.” I felt defeated and excited at the same time. “It's impossible to read him.”
“Trey said he never has a girlfriend. Apparently many have tried and no one has succeeded to tie him down.” She raised her eyebrows.
“Perfect.” I rolled my eyes. “What else does the all-knowing Trey say?”
“Well, since you asked.” She smiled. “He said that he's never seen him act like this before or react that way to a girl who was dancing in his club.”
“I need another drink.” I sighed. “A strong one.”
“You're in luck.” She moved two small glasses in front of us. “I was saving a shot just for you.”
We lifted the small glasses, clinked them together, and quickly swallowed the sweet liquid that passed our lips.
“Another.” I slammed my glass back on the table.
“Get the lady another shot!” she laughed as she yelled.
Over the next two hours, I only caught a few glimpses of Luke. He was in full-on work mode and looked as if he didn't want to be bothered. So, I kept drinking with my best friend. I dared to go back on the dance floor by the end of the night. Partly because the alcohol running through my system really made me want to dance, but mostly because I wanted him to come back and drag me back to the office again. This time I knew I wouldn't hold back if given the chance to kiss him again. I also noticed that no guy even attempted to dance with me. I was okay with that, but also hated it at the same time. I was starting to think I looked stupid out here.
Once the lights came on, signaling last call, we stopped dancing and made our way back to our table. My heels were killing my feet and not enhancing my ability to walk at all. We giggled at our drunken state when Hannah all but fell into Trey's lap.
“Okay, girls.” Trey helped her stand upright. “Let's get you home before someone pukes.”
“No one is going to puke.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “I don't think.”
I laughed as we made our way to the exit only to get cut off by a broad chest and tattooed arms that I knew I'd dream about tonight.
“I'll make sure she gets home tonight,” Luke stated, almost daring someone to challenge him.
I narrowed my eyes and tried to focus on
him. Was he serious?
“Did you ask her if that's what she wants?” Hannah took a protective step toward me.
“It's fine, Han.” I cocked my head to the side and smirked at him. “He won't bite.”
I watched his eyes darken as he watched me.
“You're sure?” Trey asked.
“Yeah, I'm sure,” I answered. “See you guys at home.”
Once the room had cleared out, he closed in the space between us and leaned into my ear.
“What makes you think I won't bite?”
My heart was racing as I ran my fingertips down his arm. “I was kind of hoping that you would.”
“You're going to be the death of me.” He shook his head as he stepped back. “I have to finish a few things in the office. Do you want to go back there with me or stay at the bar with Mel?”
“Bar.” I smiled.
He narrowed his eyes back at me but didn't reply. Instead he placed his hand on the small of my back and led me back to where Mel was cleaning up from the night's crowd.
“I'll be back in about ten minutes.”
I sat on the bar stool and watched Mel place lids back on bottles and wash the dirty glasses.
“Do you need help?” I asked.
“No thanks, pretty girl.” She smiled up at me. “You need to sit there and sober up. Here's some water.”
She placed a glass in front of me, and I took a long drink.
“Thanks.”
“So, how did you find yourself back in this bar?” she asked.
“What do you mean?”
“After the other night, I figured you'd never step foot back in here. You know, after you saw us fighting.”
“Oh yeah,” I replied. “What was that all about?”
“We'll just call it sibling rivalry.”
“Do you own this place too?” I knew nothing about these people.
“No.” She laughed. “I just help out a few nights a week. I'm actually an accountant in my real life.”
“Really?” I asked as I looked over her short, bleach blond hair, stick thin figure, and size D bra size.
“Don't look so shocked.” She laughed again. “It is possible to be hot and smart.”
“No, I didn't mean anything.” I couldn't find the words I should say. “Sorry.”
Bad Boys of Romance - A Biker Anthology Page 8
