by Nicole James
“Where’s he going?” she asked, her attention swinging back to Crash.
“He’s got actual important shit to do that doesn’t involve babysitting.”
She squinted her eyes at him, as if to say ‘very funny’.
A moment later, Red Dog walked over, grabbed her bag off the floor and headed out the door.
She looked from him, then back to Crash, questioningly.
“It’s just you and me, babe,” Crash informed her. He watched the emotions cross her face, and he’d bet the farm she was second guessing her decision to come here. But, as much as her attitude grated on him, he couldn’t help but empathize with the vulnerability that, for just a moment, flashed in her eyes. It was there and gone so quickly, he would have missed it, if he hadn’t been watching her beautiful eyes so closely. “I think you need a drink.”
“I think I need two.”
“Come on, darlin’. Let’s move this party to the bar,” he said, nodding toward where Marty was standing wiping the bar top down. Then he stood and extended his hand to her. He watched as her eyes moved from his extended hand to his face, and then she slipped her hand in his. He closed his hand gently around her much smaller one, and she slid from the booth.
Crash led her to the bar, pulled out a barstool for her and couldn’t help but let his eyes stray over the length of her legs as she hiked a hip onto the stool. He smiled. “What’ll you have, darlin’?”
Marty looked at her, waiting for her order. She considered a moment before replying, “Mudslide. But instead of vodka, could you substitute coconut rum, please?”
Marty smiled. “That’s a new one, but sure.”
Crash set his glass on the bar. “And a refill for me, Marty.”
Marty moved off to make their drinks, and Crash dug in his hip pocket to pull out some folded money held with a money clip. He slid a twenty off the top and laid it on the bar.
“I just gave you an envelope full of money. Why aren’t you using that?” Shannon asked him.
His head swiveled to look at her as he slid the clip back on. “This is my treat, princess.”
“Oh.”
“You’re welcome.” Although he didn’t get the response he’d hoped for, at least she had it in her to look slightly embarrassed at his subtle dig that she hadn’t had the manners to say thank you.
She nodded toward his hand. “My father uses a money clip. I didn’t expect to see a man like you using one.”
The corner of his mouth pulled up as he slid it back into his pocket. “A ‘man like me’?”
She looked truly embarrassed then. “You know what I mean.”
He leaned his folded arms on the bar and looked at her. “No, Shannon, I don’t think I do.”
“A biker,” she elaborated with a shrug. “I thought you had those big leather wallets with the chain on them attached to your belt.”
He grinned, enjoying teasing her, so he frowned, “Chains? Not a clue what you’re talkin’ about, babe.”
She caught on quickly that he was teasing her. “Right.”
He laughed. “It was my grandfather’s, so I use it. Fond memories, I guess.”
She nodded, studying him.
Marty brought their drinks.
Crash eyed her drink and watched her take a sip. “I bet you’re one of those girls that drinks those pretty drinks out of a martini glass like those chicks on ‘Sex in the City’.”
Shannon let out a small laugh. “It’s ‘Sex and the City’, Crash.”
He frowned, “You sure? That phrase doesn’t even make sense.”
“Pretty sure, Crash.” She grinned, taking a sip of her drink.
“Huh.” Then he turned to Marty. “What’s that drink?”
“I think you mean a Cosmo.”
“Cosmo? I thought that was a magazine chicks read. My ex was always trying to get me to answer questions off some stupid quiz in that thing.”
Marty shook his head, knowing Crash was playing dumb just to tease the girl. “It’s both Crash, a magazine and a drink. I’ll make you one, if you want.”
“Like hell you will. I don’t drink those damn frou-frou drinks.” He took a sip of his bourbon, as if to prove his point. He connected eyes with Marty over the rim of his glass and could see he was in on the joke.
“How about a Blue Lagoon? Bet you’d like one of those,” Marty teased him.
“Is it blue?” Crash asked.
“Yup.”
“Then hell no.”
They both laughed.
“So, I drink girly drinks. Clue in, Crash, I’m a girl,” Shannon pointed out.
Crash’s eyes swept over her. “Yes, ma’am. You are definitely a girl. With all the very right parts.”
She huffed out a breath, slid off the stool and asked Marty where the ladies room was. When he pointed toward the back, she hiked her handbag over her shoulder and walked off.
Crash leaned back on his stool, his eyes watching her ass as she moved off. When she disappeared into the restroom, his gaze swung back to Marty. “Damn, that’s one fine ass.”
Marty chuckled. “Yeah, and it belongs to a woman that’s way out of your league.”
Crash tossed his drink back and shrugged. “Maybe.”
Marty shook his head. “Guess the way you boys attract women, wouldn’t be surprised at that, if she fell at your feet.”
Crash grinned. “Now that’d be a damn pretty picture. Her at my feet.”
Marty snorted.
Crash nodded toward her drink sitting on the bar. “What’s that called again?”
“Mudslide.”
“What’s in it?” He picked it up and sniffed it.
“Kahlua, Bailey’s, and supposed to be vodka. Your girl asked for coconut rum, so, not sure what that tastes like.” He nodded toward the drink in Crash’s hand.
Crash took a sip, studied the glass and said, “Not bad. A little sweet for my taste.” Then he downed another sip before setting the glass back.
When Shannon returned a few minutes later, she sat, picked up her glass and looked at it. Then her eyes cut to Crash. “Did you drink this?”
When he just grinned in return, she set the glass back down with a little too much force.
Crash stood up. “Let’s roll, princess.”
They moved to the door, and he held it for her. They walked out to the parking lot and stopped at his bike. Crash picked up the helmet that Cole had left sitting on his seat and held it out to her.
She looked at it, and then at him. “I’m in a dress.”
“See that, babe. It’s real pretty.”
“I can’t ride in a dress, Crash.”
“Sure you can.” When she still didn’t take the helmet, he took a step toward her and set it on her head. Then he buckled the strap. He strapped his own on, slung his leg over and lifted the bike up off its kickstand. He watched her face, waiting for that moment when she’d notice. And here it was.
“Where the hell am I supposed to sit, in your lap?”
He fired up the bike and grinned. “On the fender.”
“The fender?”
“Yeah. You’re ridin’ the fender.”
“Like hell I am.”
“You coming or not?”
She lifted her hands in the air. “Can’t I just call a cab? Just give me the address.”
“Nope.”
“No?”
“No. Get on, princess.”
“But-”
“Shannon, get on.”
“Is that even legal?” she asked, motioning toward the rear fender of his bike.
“I don’t see any cops.”
She put her hands on her hips.
“If you’re going, let’s go. I’ve got shit to do.”
Still she stood there glaring at him, and he got the feeling she thought if she could outlast him, she’d get her way. Wrong. “Princess, I’ll say it one more time. You going or staying? Makes no difference to me. I ain’t the one with the crazy ex stalking me.”
Watch for
CRASH
By
Nicole James
Coming 2014
Also by Nicole James
OUTLAW
