by Chiah Wilder
“You wanna have some fun tonight?” Rock asked as the muscular Sergeant-At-Arms sidled next to him. “I got my eye on a hot-as-fuck brunette, and she’s with a blonde friend who’s busting out at the seams. I thought we could have some fun with them. I know you like blondies, and it’d be fun to share. It’s been a while since we did that.” Rock threw back his tequila shot. “There they are.” He pointed to two women, who kept throwing glances their way. “What do you think?”
Any man would think the two women were hot with their barely there tops and tight-as-hell skirts, the curve of their rounded asses peeking out, but Jerry wasn’t interested in anything more than looking at them. “Not feeling it,” he said to Rock.
“Why the fuck not? Don’t you think they’re delicious?” Whenever Rock was drunk or horny, his Cajun accent became thicker. “And the blondie, she’s your type, non?”
No. Kylie’s my type. “Just wanna drink and zone out tonight.” Jerry saw Throttle smoking a joint a few feet away. He whistled, and the biker turned his head. Jerry waved him over.
“What’s happening?” Throttle asked.
“Rock wants to bury his dick in a pair of hot babes, but he wants a buddy along to join in on the fun. You in?”
Throttle scratched his chin. “I got a bitch whose pussy I’m aiming for. She’s taking a piss.”
“Bring her along.” Jerry threw back his shot and motioned to Puck to give him another.
“So the three of us and the three babes?”
“Jerry’s only zoning tonight,” Rock said, raising one of his shoulders.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Throttle stared at Jerry.
“Means I’m not into fucking right now.”
“You shittin’us?” Throttle narrowed his eyes. “What’s going on with you? You got some secret babe stashed somewhere? You know, Axe acted like this when he was banging Baylee on the side before any of us knew about her. Lately, you’ve been pretty low-key with the club whores.”
“It’s not like that. Just tired and want to zone. Do you wanna join Rock or not?”
Throttle tilted his head back and stared at Jerry as though he were studying him, then he said, “Where’re the women?”
Rock laughed. “The one shaking her big tits on the table is the brunette. She’s mine for the first round, and the blondie with the perky tits is her friend.”
Jerry saw the brunette doing an impromptu strip show as the other men hooted and hollered, her eyes gazing in the guys’ direction. “I’m in,” Throttle said. “Come on, Rock. Let’s get a closer view. I’ll get my bed warmer and the five of us can have a fuckin’ good time.” The two men left Jerry at the bar.
After a few hours of heavy drinking, Jerry had more than a buzz going on—he was damn drunk. Long fingernails scratched his back, then landed on the nape of his neck, squeezing softly. “Want some company?” a sultry voice asked.
Turning his head slightly, he saw a blonde, blue-eyed woman pressing against him. She scooted over to his side, and he saw that she was stacked just the way he liked. He smiled. “Aren’t you pretty,” he slurred as she giggled and ran her fingers through his hair.
He leaned toward her and the stench of too much cheap perfume assaulted his nostrils. “You’re not wearing lavender. Why’d you change your perfume?” He swayed and lost his balance, his face landing right between her breasts.
Holding his head on her chest, she said, “You want to buy me some lavender perfume? I’ll wear it for you. You’re real handsome and sexy. And I like this.” She placed her hand on his crotch and pressed down hard. “Feel good?”
“Yeah, Kylie, it feels fucking good.”
“I’m Haley. You got a room we can go to?”
Jerry pulled back and looked at her through bleary eyes. Kylie looks harder and older. Maybe she studied too much.
“Come on, handsome,” Haley said as she hooked her arm around his waist. He stumbled to his feet then wrapped his arm around her shoulders and yanked her to his basement room. As he lurched down the stairs, he kept catching the whiff of her musky perfume. Confusion set in as he wondered why Kylie was wearing perfume that stunk and not her delicate one.
Struggling with the lock, the blonde took the key from Jerry and opened the door. In his room, he flopped on the bed and watched as she stripped off her spandex dress, leaving only her red lace thong. The room spun and he closed his eyes, his body moving a bit as the mattress sagged. Then he felt thin lips on his, and he tried to figure out why Kylie’s lips had changed. When her urgent tongue plunged in his mouth, her hand unzipping his jeans, his eyes flew open and he saw the woman up close. Shoving her away, he bolted up. “You’re not Kylie. What the hell?”
Kissing his jawline, she said, “I told you, my name is Haley, but I can be Kylie if you want me to.” She nuzzled his neck and her perfume surrounded her. It was like she’d bathed in it.
Gently, he pushed her away. “Sorry, sweetheart, I made a mistake.” He stood up and the room spun around him. He flopped back down. “Go on, go back to the party. You’re an attractive woman—you’ll find another brother in no time.”
She walked her fingers down his chest. “I don’t want anyone but you.”
“Not gonna happen. I’m fucking trashed, and I only want a lavender-scented angel in my bed.”
He closed his eyes and heard her frustrated sighs as she put her clothes back on. “I thought bikers loved to fuck,” she snapped.
He opened his eyes. “We do, but when a man’s got a woman on his mind, no one else will do. Have a good time.”
She slammed the door, the noise splintering his head. Jerry listened to the beat of the bass and he thought of Kylie. He missed her too much. He had to taste her one last time before he broke it off. He shouldn’t. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Oh, fuck! He picked up the phone and dialed her number.
“Hi, Jerry.” Her sweet voice was the balm his throbbing cock needed.
“Hey, babe. Whatcha doing?”
“Nothing much. I studied most of the day, so I’m wiped out. What are you doing?”
“Listening to you. I’m pretty sure I can hear your heart beating.” Fuck, that’s corny shit. I’m too wasted.
“That’s romantic. What were you doing before you called? I’m going to guess belting down shots.”
“How’d you know?” He leaned back against the headboard.
“Your boozy voice gave you away. Are you at the clubhouse?”
“Yeah.”
“Is there a party going on?”
“Yeah. Some members from the Wyoming chapter are here. It’s crazy.”
A long pause. He could hear her breathing, and then, in a small voice, she asked, “Are you being crazy?”
“Like?”
“Partying with the club women and party girls. I hope…” Her voice trailed off, and he imagined she was sitting cross-legged on her single bed, the lamp light on her nightstand encasing her in a lovely golden glow.
“No. The only one I want to party with is you. When you coming home?”
“In about ten days, but I may stay longer.”
“Why?”
“My friend Ricky is missing. You met him at the spring festival. I was supposed to pick him up at his dental appointment Friday afternoon, but when I went, he wasn’t there. He’d never shown up. I found his car and it was in Lot C. The tire was slashed, but no sign of Ricky.” Her voice hitched. “I’m worried about him,” she whispered.
In his drunken state, Jerry tried to make sense of what she was saying. “Maybe he met someone and is shacking up with her for the weekend. Guys do shit like that.” I’ve done my share of waking up in different apartments with women I never remembered meeting. “I’m sure he’ll be in class tomorrow. Probably wanted a good lay before school ended.” He laughed.
“Maybe… It just isn’t like him to do this, but he did mention meeting a girl last week. I hope you’re right.” He heard her swallow like she was drinking something. “I miss you. Wish you were h
ere with me right now.”
His dick stood at attention. “I fuckin’ miss you too, babe. I want to feel your lips on mine, and hold you tight in my arms, breathing in your scent. Do you know your hair smells amazing?” Damn. I can’t call Kylie while I’m plastered. It makes me say pansy-ass, hokey shit.
“I like this sweet and romantic side of you. You’ll have to call me when you’re drunk more often.” She laughed, each note hitting him in his cock.
“I want to be inside you.”
“I want that too,” she murmured.
The room was spinning faster around Jerry, and sweat trickled down his back. “I gotta go. I’m ready to crash. I’ll see you next week.”
“Sounds good. And Jerry? Thanks for calling.”
A funny feeling squiggled in his stomach, and he knew it wasn’t the alcohol. Pushing it down, he answered brusquely, “Yeah. See ya.” Then the connection between them was gone. His whole body buzzed. What was she doing to him? The beautiful angel was a devil in disguise, and he loved every wicked inch of her.
I’m so fuckin’ screwed.
Then he passed out.
Chapter Seventeen
Kylie’s eyes stayed glued to the classroom door, watching each person who walked through, hoping Ricky would soon come in, flashing her his boyish grin. But he didn’t. The professor closed the door and her psychology class began. As the minutes ticked by, her insides began to quiver as ice flowed through her veins. Her eyes darted from the clock to the doorway repeatedly, as though she were watching a tennis match. A sense of foreboding weaved around her, and images of worst-case scenarios tormented her. Something’s happened to him. I just know it.
When the class was over, Kylie packed up her computer, realizing she had no clue as to what had transpired during the past hour. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and heard a soft groan as it thudded against something. Whipping around, she uttered, “Sorry. I didn’t know anyone—” Her gaze scanned Marcus’s face and arms, which were covered in red scratches and a couple of small abrasions.
“Hello, Kylie.” He stared at her mouth, his voice hard and mocking.
“I didn’t see you,” she mumbled. “Sorry. What are you doing in the class?”
“I sat in to see if I want to take it next year. I’ll walk out with you.” Marcus moved close to her and the hairs on her arm stood up. Inching away, Kylie walked toward the door.
“You look like you had a rough weekend,” she said lightly.
“I did.” His small eyes bored a hole through her.
“How did you get so banged up?”
“It’s not any of your business. We don’t have that kind of relationship.” He held the door open. “Yet,” he whispered as she brushed past him.
“Uh… I gotta go to my next class. It’s in another building. See you around.”
His cold hand grabbed her wrist, and he yanked her back to him. “Let’s meet up for coffee later.”
Jerking out of his grasp, she said, “Can’t. I have a lot to do before finals next week.”
“Then I’ll walk you to your next class.”
“I thought you had Statistical Methodology.”
He blinked rapidly, his tongue darting out to lick his upper lip like a snake. “I’ll be late.”
“Okay.” She rushed across the campus, hoping he couldn’t keep up. Much to her chagrin, he did.
“I’ll come by and pick you up.”
No, you fucking won’t. “I have to go to security after class. Thanks, though. I’ll see you around.”
“Why’re you going to security?”
She smiled sweetly. “Can’t tell—we don’t have that type of relationship, remember? See you.” Kylie walked into the classroom, still feeling the anger radiating from him.
After class, she headed over to the university’s security office. She’d gone immediately after Ricky hadn’t shown up the previous Friday, but the security personnel acted like it was no big deal, as did the Crested Peak Police Department.
“You again?” the older security supervisor said as she walked into the office.
“That’s right. My friend didn’t show up for class, and there’s no way he’d miss the last class before our presentation. Something is wrong, I know it.”
After a half hour of going over all the details and making her plea for help, security said they’d look into it, call his parents, and see if they could find anything out. Kylie pleaded with them to call the police, but they said they didn’t have enough to go on at that point.
“So the fact that Ricky never showed up for his dental appointment, even though he was in pain, his car is still in a parking lot with a slashed tire, and no one has heard from him since Friday afternoon means nothing to you?”
The supervisor narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like your attitude.”
“I’m just trying to figure out what you need that would convince you that my friend is in danger. Maybe his dead body?” With flushed face, pulsing veins in her neck, and hands clenched, she stormed out of the office. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she headed back to her dorm, dialing Ricky’s number for the hundredth time. Please pick up. Please be okay. Please. No answer, just his voice mail with his familiar, cheerful voice. The message was wrenching, like a punch in her gut.
After splashing cold water on her warm face, she fell into the chair by the window and stared out at the Rocky Mountains. It was a beautiful day and the breeze carried summer on it. Several blue jays and cardinals chirped outside in the large oak tree next to the window, and the steady whir of lawnmowers blended in with their songs. The smell of newly cut grass danced on the breeze and wafted through the open window, and Kylie broke down and sobbed. How could it be so calm and lovely outside when Ricky was missing? It was a distorted slice of life—it should be cold, gray, and miserable.
With tissue in hand, she blew her nose, then called Jerry.
“Hey, babe. Good to hear from you.” His deep, smooth voice caressed her.
“I’m so worried about Ricky. He wasn’t in class this morning.” She sniffled.
“You crying?”
“I know something’s happened to him, and no one will believe me or try to help.” Her voice broke.
“Calm down, okay? Did you talk to the police? Fuck, I wish I was there.”
“I need you to be. Can you come?” His pause was like a crack on her heart. “If you can.”
“I’ll leave in an hour. Don’t do anything stupid like try to find him. Make sure you get the fuckin’ badges involved.”
“They didn’t seem interested when I went to them over the weekend.”
“Go now. They’ll take notice now that he didn’t show up for class and no one’s heard from him. I gotta finish what I’m doing then I’ll take off. I’ll see you in five hours or less.”
“Thanks.” She hung up, a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. Jerry would know what to do. Having him there would make everything much easier. She wiped her eyes with a tissue. Dialing Ricky’s number again, she crossed her fingers then uncrossed them when his voice mail reached her ears.
The door swung open and Taylor walked in with an armload of books. “I’ll be studying for the next week nonstop.” She tossed the books on her bed and shook out her arms. “Hey, what’s wrong? Is Ricky—” She placed her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.
Shaking her head, Kylie said softly, “God, I hope not. He wasn’t in psych. I’m so fucking worried. You know this isn’t like him. I went to security again, and they acted like this is normal. They are such incompetent assholes! I’m going to the police. You wanna come?”
“Sure. Let me brush my hair first.”
“Jerry’s coming up. I don’t know what he can do, but I need him right now.”
Taylor came over and hugged Kylie. “I’m glad he’s coming. This is so hard, and I know out of our group you were the closest to Ricky. Every time I remember that he’s missing, I feel like someone kicked me in the stomach.”
“
I know what you mean. He has to be found. He just does.”
Taylor pulled away. “Let me freshen up then we’ll go.” Kylie turned back around to the window, staring out at a normal spring day as it unfolded before her.
* * *
As Kylie tried to concentrate on writing her English Lit paper, her thoughts kept drifting back to where Ricky was and if he were in any pain. Why would anyone want to hurt him? A small part of her was relieved that the police department finally took her fears seriously, and they’d opened an active investigation. She pushed her desk chair back and stretched out her legs. How would she ever finish anything as long as Ricky was missing? She pulled her hair up in a high ponytail and secured it with a neon green twisty. A knock on the door brought her to her feet.
As she shuffled to it, she prayed it wouldn’t be Marcus. Something just wasn’t right with him. She’d told the cops about all the scratches on his face and arms, and had added that they’d appeared after Ricky had gone missing. He definitely hadn’t had them the class prior to Ricky’s disappearance.
She opened the door and let out a huge breath as all tension flowed out of her. Jerry, in his tight blue jeans and black T-shirt stretched across his toned chest, crushed her to him, cocooning her in his strong arms. Tears formed behind her eyes, and she clung to her inked rescuer like a drowning person beneath a wave.
“Shh… I’m here now.” The movement of his fingers rubbing small circles on her back fused her connection to him. “I know you’re upset, and I feel like shit that I can’t do something for you.”
“You have,” she said against his chest. “You’re here.”
He walked her back into her room and over to the cushy chair by the window, sitting down and settling her onto his lap. Warmth spread throughout her as he held her close. Nestling her head under his chin, they sat like that until twilight erased the colors of the day. Sitting upright, she looked at Jerry, whose eyes shimmered with tenderness. His brown orbs pulled her in and she pressed her lips to his, kissing him fervently, never wanting to break away. He responded, and his tongue swirled around hers in a frantic dance which ignited sparks of desire through her.
