“Gwen, you better get your ass next to me in two seconds, or you can guarantee when I’m feeling better I’ll bend you over my knee and spank that pretty ass.”
“You can try,” I scoffed, scooting over next to him.
His shirt was off and I cuddled up under his arm he was holding out and rested my head against his shoulder, mindful of his neck. “How bad does it hurt?” I asked, looking up at him.
His head was tilted down, his eyes studying me. “I’m pretty doped up right now, doll. I don’t feel much.”
I pinched his side, and he jumped under my touch. “What the hell did you do that for?”
“Just wanted to see if you would feel it,” I laughed, leaning up, brushing a kiss on his cheek.
“You’re crazy. They sure you don’t have a concussion?” He rubbed his side and smiled at me.
“Positive,” I mumbled. “So, are you going to tell me what the hell that was today, or am I going to have to pump Meg for information?” I rested my head back on his shoulder and traced over his tattoos on his chest with my fingertips.
“We don’t know much, yet. I know it was the Assassins, but we don’t know why they went after you and I. Their main beef has always been with Rigid, but they could have confused me with him today, or, they could just be going after anyone with the Devil’s Knights patch.”
“So this isn’t over yet?” I asked, worried that something worse could happen next time.
“I don’t think so, doll. I know King was going to put a couple of calls in and see what he can find out.”
“So now we sit like ducks waiting to be attacked again.”
“This isn’t going to happen again. This is the last time the Assassins are going to get the jump on us.”
I snuggled deeper into Gambler’s arms, feeling safer than I should. Even though I knew there was no way for him to guarantee to keep us safe, I knew he would die trying. “I trust you, Gambler,” I whispered.
He leaned over, burying his nose in my hair and breathed a sigh of relief. “You have no idea how much that means to me, doll.”
I did know how much it meant because I never trusted anyone. Gambler was the first in a very long time who I had given my trust to. I just prayed that I wasn’t wrong.
*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*
Chapter 16
Gambler
“Woman, for the last freakin’ time, I'm all right!”
“No, you’re not! It’s only been two weeks since you were shot! There is no way you are driving your bike today.” Gwen crossed her arms over her chest, pushing up her tits that were already hanging out of her shirt.
We had just woken up, and she was driving me crazy with her rumpled, sexy hair and sleepy look on her face. Although, right now she was more pissed off than sleepy. It had been over two weeks since we had crashed, and I was about to go fucking crazy.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved Gwen fawning over me, but sometimes a man needed a rest. She had insisted I not ride my bike whenever we need to go anywhere, and I had been OK with that for a while, but now I was done with it.
I pulled a shirt out of my dresser and pulled it over my head. “Gwen, I’m going. I need to go.”
She was sitting in the middle of the bed, arms crossed looking like a pissed off vixen. Every minute I spent with her, the more I didn’t want to let her go. We didn’t fight and argue at every turn anymore, but it wasn’t like much else had changed.
It was almost like we were in limbo, each waiting for the other one to make a move.
“It’s too cold to go for a ride, anyway. It’s fifty degrees out. You’ll freeze your balls off.”
“Not like I’m using them,” I mumbled under my breath as I grabbed my cut off the chair and pulled it on. I tossed open the door to the closet and grabbed my leather jacket out.
OK, so another reason I was ready to get the fuck out of here was Gwen. I had never had such a case of blue balls in my life. She drove me crazy with her short shorts and tank tops she wore to bed. Then rubbing all over me while she slept and woke up like she just hadn’t basically molested me while she slept. Don’t even get me started on what she wore when she was awake.
“Well, then I’m coming with you,” Gwen crawled to the end of the bed, her sweet tits swaying under her barely their tank top, and I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Stop!” She froze, balancing on all fours, her shocked face staring at me. “Get your ass back in bed, and I’ll be back later. I’m taking Roam and Slider with me. I’ll be fine.” I stormed out of the room, the door banging against the door as I walked down the hall.
I couldn’t take it anymore. She had to know what she was doing to me. I was a man with only so much self-control before I would snap. I needed to make her mine, but I’d be damned if that was what she wanted. She treated me like a fucking friend, not like someone she wanted to fuck the shit out of.
“Let’s go,” I growled, walking past Slider and Roam, who were drinking coffee at the bar. They both set their cups down and followed me out the door, no questions asked. All the guys could tell I was ready to fucking explode each time they talked to me.
I tossed my leg over my bike, knowing all eyes were on me, but I didn’t fucking care. Ninety percent of these fuckers were getting pussy every night while I laid in my bed every night with the most gorgeous woman I had ever known and woke up with blue balls every morning.
“Where we headed?” Slider asked, walking over to his bike.
“Not a fucking clue. I just need to clear my head.” I cranked up my bike, not waiting for a response. I just needed to drive and not think. I looked over my shoulder making sure Roam was ready to go. Slider and Roam both cranked up their bikes and it was finally time to get the fuck out of here.
I headed out of town, not knowing where the hell I was headed but thankful to be headed where ever the hell it was. I needed to ride till I forgot the past two weeks and maybe ride Gwen out of my system.
Who the fuck knew how long that would take. That woman had made me her’s, and she hadn’t even touched me yet. What the fuck?
*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*
Gwen
I sat in the middle of the rumpled bed wondering what the hell just happened. I was only trying to help. Gambler was hurt, and I was just trying to go out of my way to make him comfortable.
I could tell the past couple of days he was growing restless, but I guess I didn’t know how much.
“Hey, where the hell did Gambler head off to?” Meg asked, walking into the room.
“Um, not sure,” I mumbled, wiping the tears that had been flowing down my cheeks.
“Hey, what the hell is wrong?” she asked, sitting on the end of the bed.
“Oh, nothing. I guess I must have gotten on Gambler’s nerves.”
Meg jumped and grabbed the box of kleenex out of the bathroom and handed them to me. “I’m sure he just needed a break, babe. Don’t stress over it.”
“It’s kind of hard not to when he just yelled at me. It’s just that things have been almost strained between us these past few weeks. I have no idea what to say or do around him. The only time things seem to be chill between us is when we are in bed.”
“Oh, well, at least, you’ve got the whole sex thing going for you.” Meg winked at me and plopped down on the bed, laying down across the foot of the bed.
“Please, we cuddle, that’s it,” I scoffed. I blew my nose and wiped my eyes and tossed the box of Kleenex on the nightstand. I turned back to Meg and her jaw was hanging wide open.
“You mean to tell me all you guys do is sleep? What the hell happened between the parking lot of the restaurant and now? You both looked like you were ready to rip each other’s clothes off that day.”
“I have no idea what happened. It’s like I just freeze around him. I want him so fucking bad, but I have no idea how to tell him. I spend so much time with him you would think that I would just be able to say it, but I can’t. I’m o
ne of those chicks I can’t stand who want something but don’t know how to go after it.” I grabbed a pillow from the head of the bed and set it on my lap.
“I think you should just rip his clothes off the next time you see him and he’ll take the rest from there.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s what it’s all going to come down to.” My phone rang, and I grabbed it off the nightstand and saw it was Paige calling. “I gotta take this, it’s my sister,” I mumbled as I swiped left and put the phone to my ear. Meg waved her hand at me and grabbed her phone out of her pocket and started texting someone.
“Hello?”
“Are you sure you’re ready for me to move to Rockton?”
“I am more than ready. When do you leave?”
“Let’s see, today is Friday, and I have about two or three more days of packing, so I hope to be there by Wednesday at the latest.”
“It’s about freakin’ time. I let Aunt Rose know last week you were coming. She’s over the moon to have us both back in the same town again.”
“I can’t wait to see her. So, how’s it going with your motorcycle man?”
Ugh, not this again. I never should have told Paige about Gambler. I didn’t really see any way around it, though. “There’s not much to tell.”
“Ha! I don’t believe that for a second. I’m sure you’ve got him eating out of your hand already. I can’t wait to meet the man who finally made you settle down.”
I wouldn’t really say I was settled down. I mean, I was living in the clubhouse of a motorcycle club. Not exactly settled. “It’s nothing, Paige.”
“Hmm, well, I guess I’ll just have to be the judge of that when I get there.”
“Ugh, there’s nothing to judge.”
“Suuure. Well, I need to get back to packing. I just wanted to make sure you still wanted me up there before I start packing all my Mary Moo Moo’s.”
Oh, jeez. “Pack the Mary Moo Moo’s. There’s no turning back after you do. Call me Monday.”
I hung the phone up and tossed it on the bed.
“What the fuck is a Mary Moo Moo?” Meg asked, her eyes as big as saucers.
I burst out laughing realizing I probably sounded crazy talking to Paige. “They're these figurines of cows that my sister collects.”
“Who the hell collects figurines of cows?”
“Um, Paige and my aunt apparently,” I laughed.
“Oh, well. That’s different. I’ll have to check out her cows when she gets into town.”
“I’ll let her know to expect you,” I laughed.
“You up to blowing this pop stand today?” Meg asked, sitting up.
“I guess.” I had no idea when Gambler was going to be back, so I suppose it was probably good to be distracted and not mope around all day.
“I just texted Cyn and Marley and asked if they wanted to go to the mall. They’re down. Lo and Rigid are going to come along, too.”
“OK, just let me get dressed and grab a cup of coffee.” I scooted out of the bed and walked over to my suitcase that was in the corner. I really needed to get my clothes out of this suitcase but I was too scared to ask Gambler if I could use some closet space.
“I’m gonna go make some more coffee.” Meg rolled off the bed and straightened her shirt. “I wouldn’t worry about Gambler, Gwen. I’m pretty sure you just scare the shit out of him and he has no idea what to do.”
“Well, I hope you’re right.” I flipped open the suitcase and started rummaging through it, trying to find something that wasn’t too wrinkled. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen in a couple of minutes.” Meg walked out, leaving the door open and headed down the hall.
I sat back on my butt and wondered what the hell I was going to do. I obviously needed to do something different than what I had been doing.
Gambler knew I liked him, so I had no idea why the hell it was so hard for us to be together.
I had been hurt in the past by so many douchebags that I was definitely hesitant to let go, but I knew that Gambler was going to be worth any heartbreak.
I grabbed my black leggings and red button down shirt that had tiny black polka dots all over it and tossed it on the bed. I pulled out my other suitcase out from under the bed looking for the perfect shoes. I was in a shitty mood, so I needed to dress to the nines to make myself feel better. My four-inch patent leather heels called to me as I grabbed them and knew these were going to be just the thing to get me out of this funk.
I grabbed my clothes and shoes and headed into the bathroom, stripped down, and hopped into the shower. I quickly washed, shampooed, and conditioned and was out in record time. I knew everyone was waiting for me, so I blew out my hair and tied it back with a red bandana. Did a quick swipe of mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow and topped everything off with my favorite lip gloss.
As I slipped my feet into my heels, they gave me a confidence I hadn’t had in a while.
I stood up, looking at myself in the mirror and smiled. It was time to take the plunge with Gambler.
*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*’*
Chapter 17
Gambler
I should have known that I would end up here. I hadn’t been by to visit Evie in a while. Slider and Roam had held back at the bottom of the hill, knowing I needed time alone. We had driven for over an hour before I realized I was headed straight here.
Her stone was covered with fallen leaves and dead grass. I pulled off my leather glove and used it to brush the stone off. The flowers I had laid there last time were gone and replaced by bright pink daisies my mom always left. She must have been here in the past couple of days. She was always better at getting out here to see Evie than I was.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been out here in a while, Evie. I was in an accident a couple of weeks ago and Gwen had me on a short leash.” I looked up at the sky, regret washing over me like it did each time I came here. I should get out to see her every week, but life always seemed to get in the way.
“I don’t know what to do with her, Evie. I wish you were here to help me figure things out. You always were the one who told me if a girl was worth it or not. You had that special sense to you.” I had always had Evie meet my girlfriends and knew she would give it to me straight about them. Ninety-nine percent of them she told me to let them go. She was right, too. There was only one girl she ever told me was worth it, but it turned out that girl didn’t think I was worth it. Go figure.
“She scares the fucking shit out of me, Evie. I’ve never been with someone who makes me want to give them everything. I’m pretty sure I’d die just to see her beautiful smile one more time.” I knelt down, my knee sinking into the wet ground, soaking through my jeans. “When we crashed, all I could think was if anything happened to Gwen, I wouldn’t be able to go on.” My heart squeezed in my chest just thinking about Gwen dying. The last time I had ever felt that kind of pain was when Evie had died. “I need to let her go, but I fucking can’t. I feel like I’ll drown in her and never want to come up for air. She’s going to destroy me either way.” I bowed my head down, a fucking tear streaking down my cheek.
The wind picked up, swirling the fallen leaves around me and the chill cut through my leather jacket, reminding me that it really wasn’t the best weather to be riding, but I needed to clear my head. “Maybe I should have mom meet her. I haven’t been by to see her in over a month.” I tried to get out to see mom at least once a month, but just like with visiting Evie, life got in the way. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed my mom.
She picked up on the second ring, her voice eager to hear from me. “Anthony?”
“Yeah, it’s me, Ma. I’m up here with Evie.” I pulled the collar of my coat tighter around me, realizing Gwen might have been right about going for a ride today.
“Oh, I was just up there to see her two days ago. I talked to Hank about keeping her grave cleaner. He said he would personally make sure it wouldn’t be such a mess the next time I came up.”
“It was p
retty good when I came today. Just some leaves.” Keeping Evie’s grave clear and clean was my mother’s number one vice. I think she felt that it was the one way she could still feel connected to Evie and protect her.
“Good, good. How are you? I haven’t heard from you in a while. The occasional text or call would not go underappreciated.”
“I know, Ma. I was actually calling to see if you would want to have dinner next week with Gwen and me.”
“Gwen? Who is Gwen?” Her voice peaked with curiosity, and I knew she was dying to know what was going on. I had never mentioned anyone to her since Evie had passed.
“Um, well, I think she’s a girl I’m seeing.” I ran my fingers through my hair and winced at how stupid I sounded. I was thirty-seven years old, and I didn’t even know if I was seeing someone.
“Oh my,” she whispered. “This is huge for you, Anthony.”
“I know, Ma. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I came to see Evie hoping she would give me answers, but talking to a stone only makes me look crazy.”
“Oh, Anthony, you don’t look crazy. You go there for the same reason I do. You feel close to her for a little bit, but it also helps you to get things out. It helps to clear my head when I go out there. When Evie was alive, when I talked to her I felt the same way. She was always the best listener.”
I thought about what my mom had just said, and she was right. Although I didn’t get an answer from Evie, I got all my thoughts out. All the things that were bothering me were now laid out before me, and I could see things more clearly. “She did always listen, Ma, but as soon as you were done she let you know what she thought,” I laughed.
“She sure did.” My mom went quiet, thinking about Evie. “I’d love to meet your Gwen, Anthony. I’m sure I’ll love her. If she’s good enough to capture your attention, she had to be pretty special.”
“She’s definitely something else.” I shook my head, realizing Gwen drove me crazy, but I fucking loved it. “We’ll be out Thursday night, that ok?”
Gambler's Longshot: Devil's Knights Series Page 9
