by Y. M. Sheree
"After tonight I hope that changes," Tristan replied as he turned on the car and headed towards the Waterside District. On the short drive to their destination, they chitchatted. Tristan pulled into the parking garage located across the street from Waterside. He walked around to open the door for Billi, but she was already exiting the car. "You know that I was supposed to get that."
"I can open up my own door Tristan," Billi said as she closed the door and wrapped her shawl around her shoulders. Tristan walked up to her making her step back against the car.
"Billi I know you can open your door, but I was raised properly, so that means I was taught an early age to open doors for women. No matter how stubborn they can be."
"I am not—" Before she could finish her sentence, Tristan leaned into her body and kissed her on the lips. He only meant to stop her from debating with him, but as soon as his lips touched hers, he needed more. Slowly he deepened this kiss testing how she would respond to him. Not receiving any resistance, he slid his tongue into her mouth to deepen the kiss. Tristan placed one hand on her hip, and the other caressed the side of her neck and face. The kiss didn't last very long before Tristan pulled away. He knew if he continued he would want to move further, and it wasn't the place or the right time.
"Are you ready to begin our date now?" Billi still recovering from their kiss could only nod her head in agreement. She hadn't expected the kiss, but it was a good way to stop her from speaking. Tristan offered his elbow to Billi as they walked out of the parking garage towards the street. Once they crossed the street, they headed towards Guy Fieri's Smokehouse. The atmosphere in the restaurant was a laid back one with people dressed in jeans and Billi felt a little out of place with her halter dress. Tristan informed the host that he had a reservation and the host proceeded to escort them to their table in the rear of the restaurant away from the bar and TVs. Tristan held out Billi's chair and then took his seat. The host gave them menus and informed them the waiter would be with them in a moment.
"I didn't know the dress attire would be so casual in here. Regardless, you look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you. I appreciate it." Billi eased her shawl off and folded it to place it on the chair beside her along with her purse. Tristan handed her a menu and began to glance over his own. "There are some very interesting selections on here. A mac and cheese hamburger?"
Tristan chuckled. "Yea, I saw that. Sounds more like a heart attack and upset stomach."
"Since you are a doctor I suppose you will point out what is not healthy for me to eat?"
"No. I wouldn't do that. Besides from where I am sitting doesn't seem like you make bad selections with your food."
"Dr. Ramsey, are you flirting with me?"
"I am just informing you that I like what I see."
"Excuse me. I am Langston, your waiter for tonight. Do you know what you would like to drink at this time?
"I will have a coke for now,"Billi answered.
"I'll have a sweet tea."
"Do you have an idea what you would like to eat or do you need more time?"
"I know what I want. Do you, Billi?"
"Yes. I would like the American Royal Ribs."
"I think I will have the same. "
"If that is all for your order I will bring out some rolls and place your order."
The waiter left for a minute before he returned with their drinks and a basket full of rolls with butter. Neither one of them spoke as they both grabbed a roll to eat. Billi glanced around the restaurant and noticed all the pictures of Guy hanging on the wall. She never knew that his restaurant was one of the ones that planned to be part of the reopening of the waterfront. She has seen him a couple of times on the food network.
"Billi, why did you decide to go out with me?"
"Why not go out with you? You aren't a bad guy as far as I know. Did you start with me well? No, you didn't, but you did get in the dunk tank for my charity. I can't help but respect that."
"Yea, I had a problem putting my foot in my mouth a few times. You have that effect on me."
Shaking her head and laughing. "How many more lines are you trying to use on me before the night is over?"
"Let me set something straight before we go any further. Anything that I say to you or about you is the truth. You are a gorgeous woman, and it is my pleasure to be with you this evening."
"Thank you. I appreciate the compliment."
"You're more than welcome. We know so little about one another how about we learn more this evening?."
"Alright, I am game. Sort of like twenty-one questions?"
"Yes something like that, you can start."
"Where do I begin? Do you mind telling me about your brother?" Billi noticed his playful look disappear from his face. "I am sorry. I can ask another question."
"No, it's alright. We loss my brother less than a year ago. He happened to be a part of the Scorpions that is why I had the run-in with them. No offense to you but I am not a big fan of motorcycles. My brother lost his life on his."
"I am truly sorry for your loss. I can understand why you have a distaste for motorcycles. I know a few people who have lost their lives on a motorcycle."
"If that is the case why do you do what you do?"
"Do what I do? Are you referring to my club the Lady Guardians?"
"Yes, what is the reasoning behind it? All my brother did while a part of it was party, drink, and drive fast on his bike. I don't understand what is so great about it."
"That is the thing people that aren't part of the life only see the partying and riding of motorcycles. You never see the good that we do for our community or our charities."
"I just know what I saw my brother doing and that it cost him his life."
"As a doctor, you do know that a lot of motorcycle accidents are caused by people who don't pay attention to cyclists on the road?"
"Yes of course I do."
"As long as you do."
"My turn to ask a question, how did you become a mechanic?"
"I am an only child who grew up as a tomboy. At a young age, my dad taught me how to work on vehicles. My dad got sick, and I took over the shop until he gets better."
"I am sorry to hear about your father' s illness. It isn't serious is it?"
"No, thank goodness. It is mainly his diabetes. He doesn't take care of himself. So when was your last relationship?"
"It was over not too long after I lost my brother. What about you?"
"To be honest, I can't remember the last time I was in a relationship."
"Is that by choice?"
"Somewhat by my choice."
After her response, the waiter brought their food to the table. After making sure they didn't need anything else he left them to enjoy the food. Billi and Tristan continued the conversation by asking other questions such as favorite food and colors. After finishing their dinner, they both decided to have a nightcap before leaving the restaurant. Not ready to take Billi back home he decided to take a stroll by the water. By the time they stepped outside it had turned dark. Tristan assisted Billi with placing her shawl around her shoulders. With them being by the water it turned a little nippy at night.
They walked in silence enjoying the sound of the water and the moonlight shining in the distance. After walking down to the water for a few minutes, they decided to take a seat on one of the numerous benches in the area. A few couples decided to do the same as them and were walking by.
"I wanted to let you know that I enjoyed your company tonight."
"I enjoyed tonight as well," Billi replied looking out at a boat sailing by.
"Would you be willing to go out with me again? It wouldn't have to be at night all the time. I do have days off, and I know you stay busy as well."
"Of course, I would like to see you again. I think you may be growing on me a little Tristan."
"Is that a good growth Billi or do you need to see a doctor for that?"
"If it gets too bad I know of a doctor who I c
ould see."
"It's always good to know one. Are you ready to go home?"
"No, not really but I do have a busy day tomorrow at the shop."
"Let's head back to the car."
It seemed as if time had passed quickly. The walk seemed as if it took no time and the ride to her place seemed even quicker. Billi didn't want the night to end but she knew it had to. Tristan walked her slowly to her door.
"Well, here we are," Billi said.
"Yes, we are. I will make sure that I call you tomorrow to check in on you."
"That is sweet of you. I want to thank you for a very nice evening."
"Pleasure was all mine. You don't mind if I give you a kiss goodnight do you?"
"If I do recall you didn't ask me earlier this evening."
"It was the only way to stop you from trying to argue with me doing something nice for you."
"Oh, it wasn't because I am so irresistible?"
"Now you are trying to put words in my mouth."
"All I can say is maybe you need to shut me up like you did before."
Tristan stepped closer to Billi to close the space between them. He wanted to kiss her down by the water, but he didn't know how to go about doing so without overstepping his boundaries. The kiss earlier that evening was to do as he said to keep her from trying to argue with him now it was different. Billi was giving him the green light to kiss her.
Tristan moved in to kiss her. He placed his arm around her waist to pull her into his body in one swift movement. Billi anxious to kiss him took the lead by placing her hands around his neck pulling him down towards her mouth. Tristan complied and placed his lips on hers. The kiss started slow and sweet but intensified quickly. Billi moved her hands from around his neck and slowly moved down to his chest, which was firm. Tristan moved Billi's hips to nestle between his legs and when did so he could feel the warmth radiating. While kissing her, he could feel his manhood beginning to grow and could tell Billi felt it too because she moaned into his mouth. As bad as he wanted her, he wasn't going to go about it this way. Slowly trying to gain his composure, he began to end the kiss and pull away from her. He looked into Billi's confused face as he stepped back.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong; I just don't want our first time to be this way."
"We can go inside if you'd like."
"No, I need to make my way home."
Billi didn't understand how one minute they were hot and now they were ice cold. "I am not understanding."
"Billi I am attracted to you. As much as I'm turned on by you right now, I don't rush anything between us, and I don't want it just to be about sex. Please don't think that it is anything else because it isn't. I assure you."
"Alright, I'll take your word for it."
Tristan leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Go ahead inside, so I know you are inside safely before I head home." Tristan waited while Billi unlocked her door and walked inside. They said their goodbyes and Tristan left. As he walked to his car, he adjusted himself. Billi didn't know how hard it was for him to pull away from her. The woman had no idea how attracted he was to her, but he wanted something more than just sex.
7
The rest of the week went by in a blur for Billi with all the work she had at the shop along with the last preparations for Ghost's race, which happened to be today. Ghost's father Henry had her car trailer hooked up to his truck while Malcolm pulled Lady Guardians trailer behind his truck as always. Billi and The Lady Guardians met at the garage around five am to start their travel to Delmarva to the track. It was a big race day that usually happened every year called Super Chevy Sunday, and the gates opened at eight a.m.
All the ladies were dressed alike in their jean shorts, pink shirts, pink Timbaland boots, and of course their vests. They rode down the highway in formation with Isis and Phoenix in the front leading the way with Malcolm pulling up the rear with truck and trailer. Making good time, they were on the Eastern Shore of Virginia around six fifteen headed toward the Maryland and Virginia state line at the Royal Farms gas station to meet up with Hardhead. When they arrived at the state line, they pulled up to the gas tanks to top off their bikes. Isis noticed a few more bike clubs at the gas station as well such as Rated X, Thug Riders, and the Wheels of Soul were a few. Isis noticed Hardhead had parked his truck and trailer over in the corner as she walked over to speak with him.
Hardhead was putting ice in a cooler when Isis walked up to him. "Hey Hardhead, how are you? I am Isis your cousin Mz. Juicee told me you would be up to Super Chevy Sunday today. I have the money toward the food, and we thank you for making a contribution to the Cancer society."
Hardhead took the envelope from Isis's outstretched hand. "No need to thank me, that charity holds a special place to my heart. I am glad to meet you in person. Juicee told me what you have accomplished with your club, and I am impressed. If you need anything, you can always call on me. Any friend of my crazy cousin is a friend of mine. You ready for today?"
"Yea. My girl Ghost is racing today."
"Oh yea, what is she racing?"
"Mustang 5.0."
"I wish we would have met sooner. We have a big party called a Day in the Park in Makemie Park in our area. We have food, music, and racing all day long then we usually have a club event that we all go to later that night. Ya'll are definitely invited next year as my special guests. Your girl Ghost and I might have to race. See what she can do with Sidepiece my Mustang."
"Alright now, I will definitely have to tell her. Lawd have mercy, Side Piece and Nasty Grind, ya'll have interesting names for your cars. I guess we need to get on the road. I know that gate is going to be packed.
"Yes, it is. I am ready when ya'll are."
"I'll round up the ladies, and we will fall in behind you."
Isis walked back to her bike Cotton Candy and the rest of the group. She noticed some of the males from the other clubs watching her as she walked by. Most of the clubs on this side didn't know too much about her club plus they were a female MC. Usually they never had any issues because they had Thunderguards blessing. The male bikers probably were also scoping out which one of the Lady Guardians they wanted to try to push up on. It never failed in the bike world. That is why she always reiterated to her girls that most of the males in the life usually had a girlfriend or wife tucked away somewhere.
Isis mounted her bike, placed on her customized helmet, and started up her bike. Everyone started up their bikes and trucks in their entourage to follow Hardhead up to the track. The ride wasn't a long one to the track, but once they arrived it was a little past eight am, and the gates had been opened, but there were cars lined up in front of the gate, on the grass, and on the side of the road on the highway. It took about forty-five minutes for them to get through the gate and they followed Hardhead to the back of the track to park. As he set up his grill, the ladies start setting up their canopy and chairs while Ghost, Malcolm, and Henry unloaded her car.
While Henry and Isis looked over Ghost's car, she went to sign up for races for the day. Some of the women assisted Hardhead with anything he needed, and the other group went to make their rounds around the track to socialize. After Ghost entered herself into a few races, she came back to her car to perform her last checks before relaxing before her first race.
"You know that I saw our old prospects walking around with the Divas with Attitude MC from Delaware with prospect vests."
"I don't see how when they just were kicked out of our club. People don't follow the etiquette of the club world. I have heard nothing but bad things about that club. As long as they stay in their lane out here, I don't even care about those two. Are you ready for this afternoon.?"
"And you know this. I only have two races. One basically is a rematch with a dude I beat about two weeks ago. The other is a guy I have heard that he's really good. I think they call him Sonny."
"Yea that's my fam. He is really good." Hardhead said as he walked over to hand them a pulled pork
slider, one of his specialties at functions such as this. "I take it you are the infamous Ghost Isis was telling me about."
"That would be me. So you know him huh?"
"Yea we grew up together and we all race cars together. You have your work cut out for you today going against him. Not that I am taking anything away from your driving skills."
"Well we will just see then I guess." Ghost took a big bite of the slider. "I am going to let you talk all the trash you want as long as you keep feeding me this good food."
They all laughed and continued to chat. After enjoying their food Ghost drover her car up to the racetrack to get in line for her first race. Isis gathered all the ladies so they could watch from the stands to cheer her on. Her first competitor had an older version of a Mustang than she did but Ghost beat him down the track quickly. Isis just hoped her next race would be that easy since Hardhead boasted about this Sonny guy. There were about ten more raises before it was Ghost's turn again and Sonny's car was almost identical to hers but when they revved their engines, his car sounded as if it had more horsepower. Isis crossed her fingers that Ghost would win this race but, as good as she was, it didn't look very good for her. As they both started at the same time, Sonny's car reared up on its back tires before for dropping back down. Ghost had a few inches on him until they got to the last part of the track and he flew past her. All Isis could hear was the disappointment in the other women's voices. Knowing Ghost as well as she did, she knew she wouldn't show her disappointment in front of anyone, but Isis already knew. Ghost was a perfectionist when it came to her driving and her car. They all walked back to their area to wait for Ghost's return. Once she returned, she received love from all of them causing her to smile.
"I can't win them all." She forced a smile. "Let's go watch some of the bikes race."
All in agreement, they walked back to the track to watch the bikes race. An assortment of motorcycles raced against each other. A thought crossed Isis mind as she watched the races. She wondered if racing is what Tristan's brother was into and that's how he lost his life. If it happened to be the case, she could understand why Tristan felt the way he did. With her ladies, she always worried when she would receive text messages stating a biker is down check your members. She never wanted to receive that call or text.
