The hospital doors slid open to reveal Tanner walking in wearing his signature leather jacket and faded blue jeans. His wardrobe was so simple but effective. I felt like a schoolgirl all over again, swooning over every guy that wore a letterman's jacket. I stood up as he approached.
“Holy fuck, Grace. You look...I'm fucking speechless.” His eyes scanned my body up and down. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered around.
I giggled and tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear. I grabbed my brown purse that looked like a grocery bag. It didn't match the dress but there wasn't much I could do about that.
“Shall we go?” he asked.
I nodded.“Where are we going tonight?”
“I thought we'd hit a bar and get a couple drinks. Then see where the night takes us.”
“That sounds nice.” I knew exactly what he meant by that. And I had no qualms about going back to his place tonight. There would be no way I'd be able to stop my body.
Tanner led me outside to the parking lot where his motorcycle was parked. Even though Tanner was a biker, I didn't expect that. I stopped short of the motorcycle and stared at it. The black was dark and the chrome was perfectly polished. The thing looked very intimidating.
“What's wrong?” Tanner asked.
“Nothing, I've just never been on a motorcycle before.”
Tanner arched an eyebrow. “Really? Never?”
“Don't have much time to ride bikes between shifts.”
He handed me a helmet that covered my entire head. There goes my perfect hair. “Don't worry Grace, with me, I'll never let anything happen to you.”
I stared at him in awe. Is this the man I've been waiting for my entire life? Tanner put his helmet on and hopped on the motorcycle. He looked good on it. I mean really good.
“Get on,” Tanner ordered me.
I complied immediately and jumped on behind Tanner. There wasn't much space and I had to sit right up against Tanner's back. My chest was pushed against him and I tried hard to control my racing heart.
“Wrap your arms around me and hold on tight. We don't want you falling off, do we?”
I shook my head and slipped my hands under his arms and clenched onto his chest. Oh my god he's so strong. A wetness began to pool between my thighs. I hadn't touched a man like this in forever. I wanted to touch more of him. My skin sizzled with pleasure.
Tanner started the bike and the rumbling beneath me felt fantastic. We zoomed out of the parking lot in a flash. The wind caught my hair and adrenaline pumped through my veins. Tanner deftly weaved in and out of cars, barely missing them. My heartbeat spiked at every turn. I was scared out of my mind but felt safe close to Tanner. I knew he wouldn't do anything too dangerous. For him, this was probably a pleasurable stroll on a bike.
Tanner parked the bike at a bar called the Stinky Goat. This couldn't be the place he was taking me on a date? Wasn't this where he got stabbed? I didn't want to question him about it. Just let it go, Holmes. The large building was all green with faded and peeling paint. Bikes just like Tanner's were parked everywhere. I actually didn't spot one normal car in the parking lot. This was definitely not my kind of place. But when I thought about Tanner it made perfect sense. Wearing a dress like this was probably not the best choice.
I got off the bike and pried the helmet off, still trying to catch my breath. “That was out of this world.” I took out my compact and tried to fix my hair the best I could.
Tanner shut off his bike and grinned, showing off his perfect white teeth. How could anyone not fall for him? “I'm glad you liked the ride. Next time, maybe I'll go above forty-five mph.”
“Oh my god, I can't believe we were going that slow! I thought we were at least going a hundred.”
The thought of another bike ride excited me. But the thought of Tanner naked and on top of me excited me more. Where was this night going to take me?
Chapter Eleven
Tanner
Her hands wrapped around my chest tight felt way too good. I circled around the Stinky Goat a few times just so I could feel her against me for a little while longer. Her body in that dress was driving me wild. Her juicy tits were begging to be felt up and the dress was so short I could almost get a peek at that ass. The massive hard-on in my pants wouldn't go away ever since I saw her.
It was Tuesday night at the Goat and the place was packed for a weeknight. It took awhile to wade through the crowd of people and finally find a couple seats at the end of the bar. We passed over my blood stains on the floor from the stabbing. No need to tell Grace that was the spot where it happened. Jimi Hendrix's “Purple Haze” screamed over the loud speaker and two bikers were playing air guitar.
“Nice place,” Grace yelled to me.
I couldn't tell if she was joking or not. The Stinky Goat was one of the best bars in Sacks County. I waved Randy the bartender over.
Randy clapped his hands and smiled. “Well I'll be damned. Tanner King. I didn't think I'd see you here again so soon.”
“Good to see you too, Randy.”
“Everything all okay with the...” Randy did a stabbing motion with his hands.
I put my arm around Grace's shoulder. “Yeah the doc right here fixed me pretty good.”
Randy looked Grace up and down with wide eyes. “Well if that's the case the drinks are on the house. What can I get for you two?”
“Just a beer for me.” I gazed over at Grace and waited for her to choose but she looked so lost. “Get the lady an expensive cocktail.”
Randy rubbed his hands together and flipped a white towel over shoulder. “Coming right up.”
Grace leaned over and I got a nice whiff of that same flowery perfume. She smelled so damn good. “The bartender seems very nice,” she said.
“We've been friends ever since we were kids. But he's only on his best behavior because there's a lady present. Normally he's foul mouthed and rude.”
Randy returned with drinks. “A Guinness for the son of a bitch and a watermelon margarita for his lovely date.”
I took a sip of the beer and watched Grace take drink. She scrunched up and turned her nose at it. I chuckled and whispered in her ear. “I never said Randy was good at making drinks.”
“Its fine,” she replied, taking another sip. “Just a little too strong for me.”
Once Grace got a little more relaxed from the alcohol, I'd take her back to my place and tear that tight dress right off.
I felt a slap on the back and looked behind to find Isaac. His long black hair made him look like he was apart of a metal band from the 80's. He was the treasurer of the Black Widow MC which meant he took care of all the money. Isaac was smart—almost too smart to be a biker. But we were lucky to have him.
“Glad to see you out and about, Tanner,” Isaac said.
“I had to get a little time away from Claire. She was checking in on me every minute.”
Isaac noticed Grace and licked his lips. Down boy! “Who's the chick, Tanner?”
“Grace this is Isaac. He's also a member of Black Widow.” I turned back towards Isaac. “Grace is the doctor who saved me.”
Everything clicked for Isaac. “Thanks for saving this bastard. But nobody would have noticed if you had let him die.”
I playfully slugged him in the arm. Isaac loved to break my balls. “Pay no attention to him,” I told Grace.
Isaac sat down next to Grace. “You don't want anything to do with this guy,” he said, pointing his thumb at me. “This guy's bad news. Heed my warning, stay away from him.”
“Okay she's had enough, Isaac. Go bug someone else.”
Isaac grabbed my beer and took it with him. He deserved a sucker punch to the stomach later. Randy saw what happened and already began pouring me another.
“Is this where you guys...” Grace searched for the right words.
“No our club house is a few miles from here. We like coming here because there's more liquor.”
“Are there any other members here?” sh
e asked.
I scanned the room. “See that big oaf in the corner with the two girls.” Grace nodded. “That's Big Mike.” I pointed over at the other end of the bar. “That's Mason over there with the gray hair and glasses.”
“Oh yeah, I remember him from the hospital.”
“The rest of the MC are probably back at the clubhouse.”
Grace nursed her drink and looked around acting bored. How could I engage her more? I'd never really been on a date before. My experience was one-night stands. I didn't even know most of their names. All it took was one look from across the bar and they'd be under my sheets within the hour. What do people normally talk about on dates?
“Why did you become a doctor?” I asked, shuffling closer to her.
Grace returned to me, batting her long eyelashes. She seemed surprised by my question. Maybe that was a good thing? “It started when I was a kid,” she began. “My parents wanted me to become a doctor since I was six years old. I never dreamed of doing anything else. They pushed me and my younger sister to be the best. Anything lower than an A- wasn't good enough for them.”
I fell into her eyes as she told me her story. I couldn't believe she was opening up to me so much. She was so attractive and her deep cleavage was so captivating that it was hard to look away. Randy came over and set a beer in front of me, breaking my concentration.
Grace continued, “When I became a doctor, I thought I'd finally get the recognition I deserved. But my parents only pushed me harder. I cut off all contact with them and they left me with a huge load of student debt to pay off. That was a couple years ago.”
“Damn that sounds rough.”
Grace faked a smile. “Enough about my family. Tell me about yours.”
I was afraid she was going to say that. “I don't want to make tonight anymore depressing than it already is.”
“It's only fair. I told you everything about me. Your turn now.” Grace crossed her arms and gave me a smug look.
I took a long sip of beer. “I grew up in a trailer home with my mom and dad. I had a really good childhood. Randy could attest to that. But when I was eight, I came home early and found my dad...” Don't get choked up, Tanner! You're over it now. It's all in the past. I took a breath and continued, “My father committed suicide with a gun.”
“Holy fuck,” Grace whispered, her hand reaching out to mine on the bar.
“My mom couldn't handle it and sent me away to live with my grandparents. They lived a few blocks down from the Black Widow MC and the rest is history.”
“I'm so sorry, Tanner. That is so terrible. I can't believe I was complaining about my family when you went through all that.”
“Don't worry about it. It was a long time ago. Let's move on.” I waved Randy over. “More drinks, bartender!”
Grace looked around the room. “Do you know where the bathroom is?”
I pointed to the back of the bar. She smiled and left with her purse. I downed my beer and thought the night was going pretty well. Just don't fuck it up, Tanner.
“Mr. King, what a pleasure to see you here.” That voice was like nails on a chalkboard. I turned around to see the one face I hoped wouldn't be here tonight—my ex-girl Skylar. She was my only girlfriend that ended years ago but she was obsessed with me. A tattoo of my name was permanently marked across her chest. Skylar loved walking around thinking she was my property.
“Not now Skylar, not tonight,” I said through clenched teeth, the anger in my belly already rising.
She pouted those big red lips that I thought used to be so sexy. Skylar draped an arm around me and kissed me on the cheek. I tried to shove her away but she was persistent. She blew in my ear and whispered, “Take me home tonight, Tanner. I want you to fuck me until I scream.” Skylar grabbed my arm and placed it down her shirt.
I instantly pushed her away and then I saw her—Grace was standing ten feet away. She saw the entire thing. Tears were filling her eyes. I stood up to defend myself but she turned and ran off. I chased after her calling her name over and over again.
I caught up to her outside in the parking lot and grabbed her hand. “Don't go, Grace,” I yelled.
She tossed my hand away. “I'm only gone for five minutes and you already found a whore to keep you warm for the night.” She began to cry softly, the tears choking her throat.
“It wasn't like that, Grace. Let me explain. She means nothing to me. Skylar is just an ex-girlfriend.”
Shit! Maybe I said too much.
“I knew it was a bad idea to go on a date with you.” I went for her hand again but she slapped me right across the face. “Don't touch me. I never want to see you again.” Her words hurt more than my stinging cheek.
Grace rushed away and left me alone in the parking lot. I really fucked up this time. I went back into the bar with my head lowered. Randy better keep the place open late because I'm going to need to drink for a long while.
Chapter Twelve
Grace
I thought Tanner was different. But he was exactly like every other damn biker that I fixed up over the years. I couldn't believe I was so naive. How could I be so stupid? All men are the same—stupid boys that only think with their dicks.
I could barely see the sidewalk through my water-filled eyes as I tried to search for a ride home. It was late and they're weren't many cars on the road. It would be hard to find a taxi this late. My fingernails dug into my palms as I remembered that slut with her hands all over Tanner. I'd like to wring her neck out if I got the chance. The rage inside surprised me. How could I be so angry when I barely knew Tanner?
My hand still hurt from the slap I gave Tanner. Was that too harsh? I didn't usually let my emotions control me like that. But it felt so damn good giving him hell. I'd slap him again if I ever saw him again.
I didn't want to scare Rachel but I couldn't walk all the way home. I reluctantly took out my cellphone and dialed her number.
It took Rachel over an hour to finally find me which I was thankful for because it gave me time to gather myself. I was always the strong and collected sister. I didn't want her to see me all broken down.
The first half of the drive was all silence. She knew my date had gone horribly wrong but she was too polite to ask about it.
“I'm sorry you had to drive all the way out here,” I said, finally breaking the emptiness.
“You kidding me? Gone with the Wind is a super long movie and I was on my fourth viewing. There's only so many times a girl can hear Rhett Butler say he doesn't give a damn. I needed the distraction.”
I blankly looked out the window at the passing streetlights. “I thought he was good for me, Rachel.”
She reached over and took my hand, concentrating on the road. “I'm sorry, Grace. Do you want to tell me what happened?”
I didn't want to relive the experience so soon afterwards but I'd have to tell her eventually. “First he took me to the dirtiest dive bar I'd ever been to. The bathroom was co-ed and there was literally shit everywhere. I could only stand to be in there for a minute or two. This black dress was definitely the wrong attire.”
“But at least you look fucking incredible in it,” Rachel interrupted.
I gave her the best smile I could considering the circumstances. “When I got back to Tanner, his ex-girlfriend was all over him, kissing him and whispering in his ear.”
Rachel's grip on the steering wheel tightened. “That motherfucker. I'm going to kill him.” Rachel got so cute when she was deadly.
“I just ran out after that.”
Rachel gasped. “And Tanner didn't even try to chase you down?”
“Well he did, but his excuse was that she meant nothing to him.”
“Typical male.”
“I feel a lot better already from talking to you about it.”
Rachel patted my thigh. “I'm your sister. I'll always be there for you.”
I leaned over and put my head on her shoulder as she drove. Rachel turned into a Walmart parking lot. “
Where are we going.”
Rachel grinned. “This type of situation calls for two things: a big bucket of ice cream and a romantic movie to cry our eyes over.”
“That sounds perfect,” I replied.
“But can we forget the romantic movie. I think I've overloaded on those.”
I laughed so hard snot came out my nose. “Let's just do something else then. How about Wizard of OZ?
Rachel nodded and grabbed my arm as we skipped to Walmart. “We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of OZ!”
Mason: A Black Widow MC Romance Page 13
