by Debra Kayn
Chapter Eight
Tori knew the moment she woke up that something wasn’t right. Afraid to move and give away her position, she tried to determine why everything felt different. The room’s temperature, cooler than what she was used to in her stuffy cabin, made the heat radiating against her back more pronounced.
She stiffened. Her eyes opened. Her head came up. Her mouth widened. Then she scrambled to her knees on the bed and stared into Rain’s dark eyes.
“What are you doing here?” She glanced down and grabbed the blanket, covering herself.
The naked lust in his eyes made her feel vulnerable even though she was glad to see she still wore the sundress she put on last night. “God, what did we do?”
He chuckled, pushing himself off the hide-a-bed. “Settle down.”
“Settle … ?” She gaped. “Are you joking? This isn’t funny. I didn’t bring you home last night. I wouldn’t have done such a thing. Ever.”
“Are you sure?” He grabbed his shirt off the chair.
When she tried to remember, the heaviness in her head returned. She sank down on her bottom and stared at the sheet on her makeshift bed. She hadn’t even taken the time to put the bedding on or pull the couch apart to check the condition of the mattress. She shivered. Who knew what gross crawly things lived in the bed?
She glanced over at Rain, but he’d disappeared into the bathroom. The pile of leather clothing draped over a stool in the corner seemed out of place. That wasn’t …
“Rain!” She winced as her head rebelled at the noise.
He walked out of the bathroom with a toothbrush in his hand. She pointed at the room. “This is not my cabin.”
“True.” He smiled as if it was cute of her to notice.
“It’s yours?”
“Yeah.” He studied the room. “You drank too much. I took care of you.”
She frowned, thinking over what she could remember. Her cheeks warmed, and apparently she could remember a lot. “For your information, I don’t drink. Well, I do, but not to get drunk. Ever.”
“You say that word a lot. Haven’t you ever heard you’re never supposed to say ever?” He grinned.
“Never say never,” she corrected him.
“So, you’ve heard it?” He handed her the toothbrush. “Just opened it for you. It’s new. Thought it might make you feel better if you could brush your teeth. Once you’re done, we’ll talk.”
“I’m being serious.” She crawled off the bed, her panic rising. “I’ll drink to relax, and I’ll even admit to laughing a lot when I drink, but I never do drunk. I sure in hell would know not to sleep in someone else’s cabin.”
“I got that, babe. Don’t beat it dead. It’s over.”
She stared at him. He had no clue how serious a situation she had on her hands. She didn’t sleep with men or spend time with them. Wanting to escape him and her embarrassment, she hurried into the bathroom. She found the toothpaste, brushed, used the toilet, washed her face, and returned to the main part of the cabin.
Rain stood in front of the stove and motioned her closer. She hesitantly approached him, preferring to leave and forget about waking up in his room. When she stopped an arm’s length away, he reached for her hand. Against her better judgment, she let him pull her beside him and even allowed his hand to stay on her lower back.
He watched the pot of boiling water. “We need to talk.”
“About what?”
“You. Me. Us.”
“Us?” she said, trying to step away. “I know you’re not stupid, Rain. Please, stop saying that.”
He pulled her closer. “You gave me cookie dough.”
“That doesn’t make us best friends.” She shook her head. “God, I feel like I’m dreaming, and any moment I’ll wake up, and you’ll be gone. I’ll be … somewhere else.”
“I’m making breakfast. You’ll feel better once you eat.” He shot her a look that turned softer the longer he gazed at her.
She turned around and stared at the rumpled bed. “How about we don’t? I need to go change clothes and open the coffee shop.”
“Already done. Taylor’s got your business covered and is making coffee for your customers.”
She whirled around, grabbed the counter to slow the dizziness coming over her. “She doesn’t know how to make my coffee. How did she get inside?”
“Relax. She’s telling your customers you have the day off. They’ll understand, and be back for your coffee when you’re feeling better. This is Pitnam — they keep their business local.” He stirred oatmeal into the boiling water. “I found your keys in your purse and let her inside. Nice setup. Hell of a wagon.”
“It’s not a wagon. It’s a trailer.” She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes a moment. “This can’t be happening.”
“You like to argue,” he said.
“No, but I don’t like not having control,” she said.
He carried two steaming bowls to the table. “Eat. It’ll make you feel better. Then we’ll talk.”
“I’m not hungry,” she whispered.
“Babe … ” He lowered his voice and muttered, “Don’t want to have to tell you twice.”
She walked over and plopped down at the table. Unsure if she could force a bite down her throat, she propped her head in her hand and leaned on her elbow. He was the bossiest person she knew.
The bowl of oatmeal sat in front of her. He reached over with his spoon, made an indention in the middle of the mush, poured a couple teaspoons of milk in the hole, sprinkled sugar and cinnamon in the milk, and with a stern nod, motioned for her to eat.
Any thought of food in her stomach made her nauseated. She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not a big fan of oatmeal.”
“Trust me.” To show her, he took a bite and smiled. “Try it.”
With reluctance, she brought the spoon to her mouth and scraped the oatmeal off the utensil with her top teeth, grimacing. She swallowed, pleased it went down easily. He grinned before ducking his chin and going back to eating out of his own bowl. She continued, and a few minutes later, she’d finished every bite.
“You were right. That was good.” She leaned away. “Thank you.”
“It’s the cinnamon.” He pushed his bowl forward and leaned his elbows on the table. “My dad drank a lot growing up. It helped him on rough mornings.”
“Oh.” She bit her lower lip, not liking that he’d had the experience of taking care of a parent who drank to excess. She wondered who’d parented the child Rain. “I don’t normally drink. I don’t want you to think I’m a lush. I’m not. I don’t even know why I started last night.”
“I forced you to drink, babe,” he whispered.
“You? Why?”
“That’s what we need to talk about. Last night, I found you hiding under my desk.” He reached out and grabbed her wrist when she moved to get up.
“I need to open the Coffee Shack,” she said.
“Tough.” His thumb stroked the back of her hand. “Tori … when someone’s scared and loses themselves inside their head, something major’s going on. I’m guessing something’s been going on for a long time for you to close yourself off. It took me forcing whiskey down you to thaw you out. I’ll tell you now, I don’t like having to do that. We need to fix what’s going through your head so it doesn’t happen again.”
“What?” She shook her head. “I’d never drink whiskey. There were lemons … ”
The night’s happenings tickled her memory. Her chest tightened, and she pulled in air through her nose, worried that if she opened her mouth, she’d be sick. What had she done?
“What did you see last night?” He kept stroking, caressing her hand.
She dropped her gaze. “Nothing.”
“You saw everyone outside … ”
“No.” She glanced away.
“Taylor sent you inside the bar.”
She pulled her arm, and he finally let her retreat. Thinking he was done interrogating her, she stood.
“Did the Lagsturns scare you?” He followed her away from the table into the sitting area of the one-room cabin. “Did one of the men hurt you?”
She searched the floor for her sandals. “I need to go.”
Finding her shoes under the hide-a-bed, she slipped them on and hurried to the door. She turned the handle and paused. “Thank you for helping me last night,” she whispered.
“Tori?”
She refused to turn around and witness the pity she heard in his voice. Instead, she waited, giving him her attention. “Yeah?”
“I’ll be over in an hour to walk you to the Coffee Shack. I’ll walk you back when you close,” he said.
She nodded, because it was easier than arguing. Then she slipped out the door.
It took all her reserve not to run to her cabin. Sheer panic, the kind that made her muscles freeze in place and her heart race until she thought she’d explode, filled her whole body. She had to leave. Today.
Pitnam was no longer safe, and even though she’d wanted to stay the three months she’d agreed to in the contract, she couldn’t. Not even her new friendship with Rain could convince her to remain in a place where people shot at each other, and she woke up in someone else’s bed.
Chapter Nine
The fifteen top participating members of the Bantorus club gathered inside Cactus Cove. Rain finished assigning everyone to different areas around town. Two riders to patrol a square mile upped the coverage from the norm. Typically, one rider kept an eye on the north side of Pitnam and another biker watched the south.
With Lagsturns in their territory, he wouldn’t take another chance of letting them rally. Especially not in his own damned parking lot.
“Torque, you’re on watch outside. I want Tori covered twenty-four/seven.” He motioned to Ronny and Slade. “All three of you. Round the clock, alternating hours, figure out who does when, and let me know. I don’t want anyone falling down on the job, got it?”
Everyone nodded. He turned as the front door opened. Surprised to see Tori step inside, he momentarily lost what he was saying. Ignoring the others, he stayed behind the counter, keeping his eye on Tori. She hurried toward Gladys. Damn.
He continued to watch her as he closed the meeting. He lowered his voice. “I’ll take over after the bar closes until six.”
“Got it, boss.” Torque moved away and punched Ronny on the shoulder. “Going out now, and plan on enjoying the sunshine. Nice day for a ride.”
Damn it, he’d forgotten to talk with Gladys about her okaying Tori’s stay in the cabin. Gladys knew he was the only one who assigned members a cabin. They weren’t damn rentals for every single woman who was traveling through town. He’d have to deal with that after he removed Tori from the bar again.
He could’ve sworn he’d gotten it through her stubborn skull that she was not to step out of her cabin without him. He picked the bar rag up off the counter and tossed it toward the kitchen. Then he headed toward Gladys and Tori to see what the hell was going on.
“Darlin’, you’ve already paid for three months.” Gladys thrust her ample hip to the side and pressed her hand against her waist. “There’s a no refund clause on the rental paper I had you sign. I’d hate to see you lose the money. You might have everyone else fooled, but you’re rubbing quarters together as it is. What’re you gonna do on the road?”
Tori’s lips squished to the side, and she glanced away before turning back to Gladys. “Don’t worry about me. This is how I live.”
“Hell of a life for a young woman.” Gladys frowned. “I can’t stop you, but I think you’re making a mistake. When Rain finds out — ”
“Rain has found out.” He approached his manager. “Leave us, Gladys. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Figured as much.” Gladys patted him on the chest, dipped her chin, and leaned closer. “Don’t you scare her.”
He lifted his brow. “Impossible.”
“She’s got some trouble biting at her heels.” Gladys glanced over her shoulder at Tori. “She’s done a good job fooling everyone but trust me — she’s either looking for somewhere to hide or trying to find someone.”
Not sure if he approved of his manager telling him more about Tori than he’d already figured out, he wanted to put a stop to the talk. “You went against the rules.”
Gladys shook her head and grinned. “Look at her and tell me you could turn her away and still be able to sleep at night.”
His gaze stayed on Tori, and he answered on an exhale, “I hear you.”
“Good. You’re a decent guy — don’t let her leave.” Gladys patted his chest again and walked away.
His manager’s mothering instincts were not lost on him. He had no plan to let Tori walk away. He narrowed his eyes and studied her. What the fuck was she hiding?
Tori had fooled him at first with her sassy attitude and carefree ways, but the woman in front of him was anything but confident. Her chin quivered before she caught it and stared up at him. An urge to protect and shelter her came over him. No woman should ever feel as if she had no one to cover her back.
She was scared shitless. And he wanted to know why.
His resolve softened. He laid his hand low on her spine. “Come on.”
He made it to the entrance of the hallway with her before she balked. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m leaving.”
The hell she was. He leaned closer. “Office. Now.”
She folded her arms. “No.”
God, she was a total bozo, thinking she had a choice on whether she had to listen to him or not. At least she was getting her fiery spirit back.
He moved in, keeping her from throwing attitude at him. “Unless you want me to talk with you out here where everyone can watch, get your butt moving.”
She glanced behind him, wrinkled her nose, and led him to his office. He followed, content to admire the slim, proud shoulders and listen to the click, click, click of her heels tapping against the wood floor. All the while knowing underneath that prickly surface was a warm-blooded female, and he loved a challenge.
Class. A female quality worth his admiration.
Not causing a scene, she quietly opened the door and turned toward him with her nose stuck in the air. He approved of the way she forged ahead as if she owned Cactus Cove; at least she was fighting back. Her steady gaze, her unwavering demeanor, and her outfit got his attention.
Sexy. All three categories on his list of the perfect woman. Classy, sexy, and a total goof. Enough to keep a man satisfied beyond a lifetime.
Frayed denim shorts, skimpy and tight, showed off her long legs. The red-and-white-checkered blouse that hovered two inches over the waistband of her shorts sent his gaze to the bare skin of her stomach. He squinted, not believing what he was seeing. Mother fuckin’ lover.
A tiny sparkle in her belly button blinked at him. He sucked air through his teeth. His woman had a diamond stud in her belly button.
“Rain.” She waved her hand in front of him. “What did you want to say to me?”
“You’re staying.” He tilted his head to the right, glanced down at her stomach again. “Babe … ” he murmured.
“What?”
He whistled. “That’s sexy.”
Her abdomen muscles undulated, and she slapped a hand over the diamond piercing. “I’m leaving.”
His head snapped up. “No.”
“Yes.”
“Dammit, Tori.” He stepped closer. “I know what happened here the other night scared you, babe, but you’re protected. I have guards on you round the clock. Nothing will happen.”
“What
are you talking about?” She shrank back against his desk. “Guards?”
“Yeah.” He frowned. “You’ll be safe.”
“You’ve told me I should go … this many times.” She raised her hands, fingers sprawled as if giving him the sign that he was an idiot.
“Changed my mind.” He waited. “We’ll keep you safe, and you’ll continue serving coffee to the whole town.”
“That’s not going to work out.” She wet her lips with her tongue and rolled them together. “I’m not staying.”
“You are.” He leaned against the door, blocking her exit.
“Stop saying that.”
“You came here to set up your business. You did that. I claimed you as my woman, so you stay, and you do your job,” he said.
“I’m serious. I’m no one’s woman.” She flapped her hand in his face. “Especially not yours. You can’t stamp me, claim me, or call dibs. I’m not some prize or … biker toy.”
He threw back his head and laughed. She was such a bozo, and he couldn’t help himself. A riled Tori was a huge turn-on. “You’re cute.”
“Knock it off.”
He wiggled his brows. “We can stand here and argue, or you can come here and we’ll make up.”
She snorted. “You’re pathetic.”
Not wanting to push her so far she’d stop listening to him, he smiled gently. “Stay. Work the three months you paid for. Let me take care of you.”
“You don’t get it. I don’t want you to do anything for me.” She looked away and when she continued, she whispered, “I don’t want you to keep bothering me.”
He pulled her over to him, not letting go of her hand. “Listen. You didn’t ask for it, and you don’t want it, but you need it. You’ve parked your shack on Bantorus land. Things have changed. I’ve changed my mind. Got it?”
“No,” she whispered.
He inhaled deeply. “Pitnam’s our territory. Lagsturns are visiting. They don’t get along.”
