by L. Wilder
“Yeah?” I looked at her with confusion.
“Ok, then. People embezzle money all the time, right? Why couldn’t you do that? It’s not like they’d ever know. They’re too stupid to keep track.”
“I mean, I guess I could… but to get the kind of money I would need, it would take time… time I don’t have.”
“How about this? Just pretend to go along with their plan. Act like you’re okay with being Slider’s ol’ lady and slowly start taking what you need.”
“There’s no way I can pretend to go along with this, Kat. He’ll expect us to do stuff.”
“Tell him you’re on your period.”
“I can’t be on my period for six months, smart one.”
A mischievous grin spread across her face as she taunted, “Then tell him you have a headache… or a venereal disease like herpes or something.”
“Herpes? Seriously?”
“Okay, then how about a good case of genital warts? He won’t touch that shit with a ten-foot pole.” She laughed hysterically. “That should buy you some time.”
“You aren’t helping, Kat!”
“I’ve got it!” Her face lit up. “We could find a way to get him arrested. Get him locked up so he can’t get to you.”
I had no idea how we could make her idea work, but for the first time in days, I was actually feeling hopeful. “How would we do that?”
“We’d just have to get a little creative.” She cocked her head to the side as she thought for a moment. “It doesn’t need to be anything major. Just something that will put him away for at least a few months… maybe a year.”
“Like a drug charge?”
“Yep. A drug charge would be perfect, and it wouldn’t be hard to do. We could plant some on him, and then put an anonymous call into the cops tipping them where it is.”
“Okay. That could work. We don’t want them to be able to trace the call back to us, so we’ll need to use a pay phone or one of those cheap burner phones.”
“I like how you’re thinking, chick. We’ll use cash, just to be on the safe side.”
“Look at you being all on top of things.”
“All that CSI paying off, only we’re doing it in reverse,” she chuckled.
Trying not to get my hopes up too high, I asked, “You really think this could work?”
She shrugged and gave me a goofy look. “Hell if I know, but I’d say it’s worth a shot. We just need to work out a plan and stick to it.”
“So, where do we start?”
“That’s the hard part. You have to convince everyone you’re actually good with being with Slider. You’re going to have to lay it on thick for a little while. Really make them buy into it, especially him.”
She was right. That was going to be the hard part. I couldn’t stand being in the same room with the asshole, and they all knew it. I had no idea how I was going to pull it off. “I’m going to need medication. Lots and lots of medication.”
“I’ve got you covered,” she snickered as she reached for her purse. “I have some Valium you can use.”
“Kat, I was kidding.”
“I’m not. You’re going to have to touch him without cringing, and maybe even put out. You’re going to need some help with that.”
“Or better yet… He could use some. You know what happens when you mix that stuff with alcohol. I’ll drop a couple into his drink, and then maybe he’ll pass out before he ever has the chance to touch me.”
She smiled with excitement as she said, “Now, you’re thinking. And the next morning when he wakes up, you can brag on him and pretend it was all amazing and shit. He’ll never know the difference.”
“You are so bad,” I giggled.
“Girl, you have no idea.” She stood up and started for the kitchen. She took the bottle of pills from the cabinet and handed them to me. “I’m just getting started. We’ll teach Slider a lesson he’ll never forget, and the best thing is he’ll never see it coming.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now, let’s go grab some coffee before work. I’m gonna need a double shot if I’m going to make it through the day.”
“Long night?”
She walked over to the full-length mirror and fiddled with her hair as she explained, “Very long night. Be glad you missed it. The guys were celebrating some big deal they’d made, and they were even more obnoxious than usual.”
“What deal? Did they finally buy that other strip club they’ve been talking about?” I asked as I grabbed my purse and keys.
“No. This was something else. I have no idea what it was, but it was big. I haven’t seen them like this in a long time.”
“Hmmm… wonder what that was about?”
“I have no idea, but I’m sure it wasn’t good. Seems like the worse it is, the more excited they get about it.” She started walking towards the door as she called out, “Let’s roll, home-slice. I’m jonesin’ for some caffeine.”
“Right behind ya.”
I followed her down to the car. Once we were settled in and buckled up, I headed towards the coffeeshop. It had become part of our routine to stop for a large coffee and a bite to eat before heading into work. They had the best coffee in town, and they were just around the corner. I’d already decided on my order before we even pulled into the parking lot. As usual, it was quiet. Their rush came earlier in the day. By the time we made it in the afternoon, there were just a few regulars that came for the free wi-fi. I spotted Josh, a guy from my Lit class, sitting out on the patio with his face buried in his laptop. He looked busy, so I decided not to disturb him and went to follow Kat inside. Just as she opened the door, he called out to me.
“Hey, Zoe!” He smiled as he motioned me over to him.
I walked over to his table. “Hi. How’s it going?”
His strawberry blond hair was hidden beneath a navy baseball cap, drawing my focus to his beautiful blue-green eyes as he spoke. “It would be better if I could finish this stupid paper. Have you had any luck with yours?”
I had finished mine days ago, but I didn’t want to make him feel bad. So, I skirted around the truth. “It’s going okay.”
“Maybe you could give me a few pointers some time…” he started, but stopped when he noticed Kat rushing towards us.
Her eyes looked like they were about to pop out of her head as she reached for my arm, pulling me over to her. “You’re not going to believe this.”
“What?”
“You’ve got to see it for yourself.”
“Is everything okay?” Josh asked with concern.
“Everything’s fine,” Kat answered coldly. She gave my arm a tug, leading me towards the front door of the coffeeshop.
Just before we stepped inside, I turned back to Josh and said, “I’ll see you in class tomorrow. Good luck with the paper!”
“Would you come on already?” Kat huffed as she pulled me over to her.
“What’s going on?”
“Don’t freak out, but he’s here.”
I quickly turned around and glanced around the room. “Who’s here?”
I’d barely said the words when I spotted him over in the corner. He wore a black t-shirt that hugged tightly against his chest with a pair of jeans and black boots. His dark brown hair was brushed back revealing his even darker eyes. Every muscle of my body froze as I stood there staring at him. I hadn’t laid eyes on him since the night I’d given him that sponge bath, and my mind was suddenly bombarded with memories of his chiseled chest—along with his other assets. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the thought. He turned to look in my direction and saw the surprise registered on my face before I had a chance to hide it. A sexy smile played on his lips as he stood up from his seat and started walking towards me. I could feel the electricity in the air as he approached me, making every nerve in my body tingle with a sensation I’d never felt before.
“Zoe.”
I emitted a tiny gasp when I heard my name come from
his lips. His voice was deep and seductive, making it difficult to reply. Finally, I managed to stammer, “You look different. I mean… you look good.” I felt like a complete idiot as his eyes dropped to his oh-so-tight fitted t-shirt and rugged jeans. “I mean you look better now that you’re out of the hospital.”
He shrugged before he looked back at me and chuckled. “Yeah. I’m feeling much better.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” That was the understatement of the year. It was phenomenal to see him again. He was even more handsome than I’d remembered. His dark eyes pierced straight through me as he stood there. He was so close, just a few inches from me, but my mind was still finding it hard to believe that he was there. “It’s good to see you.”
A sexy smirk crossed his face as his eyes slowly roamed down over my body. “It’s good to see you too, Zoe.”
I was racking my brain with what to say next when Kat peeped over my shoulder. She lifted her cup of coffee and smiled. “I’m headed to work. I’ll cover for you until you get there.”
With a concerned look, Seth asked, “Do you need to go?”
“No. She’s fine. No rush at all.” Kat snickered as she turned and started for the door. “Catch you later, home-slice!”
I nervously bit my bottom lip as I watched my best friend walk out of the coffeeshop, leaving me high and dry. I glanced back at him and tried to swallow my nerves. “Umm…. So that was my best friend Kat… or make that my ex-best friend.”
“Is being here with me really that bad?” He smiled one of those smiles that made my heart melt right there on the spot. I was in trouble—huge, ginormous trouble.
She was even more beautiful than I remembered, the complete package from head to toe, and the way she was looking at me made it hard to resist her. I knew my reasons for being there, but after seeing her again, I wanted more from her than just some information on the Chosen. Some would say it was just my dick talking, but it was more than that. She had me completely spellbound. It was in the way she moved. The way the light shined in her eyes. The sound of her voice. She pulled at me, making me want her like I’d never wanted anything before. Unfortunately, I couldn’t have her—not if she was tangled up with the club that had stolen from us. I just prayed that Clutch was right. He’d convinced us all that Zoe wanted out of the club, and she might be able to help us. I hadn’t been able to reach her in days, so Big did a little research. By tracking her banking activity, he found that she came to The Roasted Bean Coffee Shop before work. We all decided it would be the easiest place for me to cross paths with her, and thankfully, it turned out we were right.
It was clear that she was nervous, even more so after her friend ditched her, and I wasn’t making it any easier on her. I knew my staring was putting her on edge, but I couldn’t help it. She was too damned cute with those flushed cheeks and pouty lips. There were many nights I’d imagined those exact lips wrapped around me, and having her so close was making my dick twitch against my jeans. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, revealing the delicate curve of her neck, and she was wearing a pair of dark, tight-fitting jeans that clung to her ass in all the right places. She had on a black and white striped V-neck top with silver earrings and bangles on her wrist. Simple, yet beautiful.
Her cheeks turned an even brighter shade of pink when I asked, “Is being here with me really that bad?”
“No! Not at all. It’s just…”
“You want a cup of coffee?” I interrupted.
She smiled as she nodded. “Yes. That would be great.”
After she got her order, she followed me back over to my table and sat down. “It’s been awhile since you last messaged. Everything work out okay?”
She shrugged. “Not exactly, but I’m working on it.”
“Well, if there is anything I can do to help, just say the word.”
“I appreciate that.”
“It’s the least I can do, especially after you came to the hospital all those nights. That couldn’t have been easy.”
“I enjoyed being there. It was quiet, and I was actually able to get some of my homework done.”
“Homework?”
“Yeah. I’m in my second year of college. I’m still getting through the basics, but I’m working towards a degree in accounting.”
“Accounting? Wow. That’s impressive,” I replied, trying to sound surprised. Big had already filled me in on everything there was to know about her, including the fact that she ran the books at the strip club. She was an only child and lived with her best friend Kathleen Morrison. The only family he could find was an aunt who worked nights as a nurse and had a couple of kids with a husband who was dying of cancer. The cards were stacked against her, but she hadn’t stopped trying. Knowing getting her degree wouldn’t be easy, especially one as tough as accounting, I asked, “What made you decide to go into accounting?”
“I guess you could say I’ve always had a knack for numbers.” She grew quiet and looked away from me. I knew something was on her mind when she started nervously wringing her hands. After a deep breath, she took a sip of her iced coffee, then turned back to me. “I’m not sure if your friend mentioned it or not, but my father was—”
“Lucky. Yeah, Clutch told me.”
“Clutch?”
“Oh… I’m guessing you’d know him as Thomas.”
“Thomas. Okay. So, I take it he’s also member of Satan’s Fury.”
I could feel the tension radiating off her at the mention of the club’s name.
“Cut to the chase, why don’t ya?” I chuckled. Her eyes were locked on mine as she waited for my answer. “Yes. Clutch is our road captain.”
“And the others?”
“Of the guys you met, yes. They’re all members. Well, except for Bear. He’s still just a prospect, but he’s making his way.” From the time we’d rolled into town, none of us had worn our colors and made sure our tats were covered. There was only one way she’d know about me and the club, and I was curious to see if my suspicions were right. “So, how did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That I was a member of the club?”
Her face immediately flushed with embarrassment, and she wouldn’t look at me as she reached for her coffee. She took a long drink, and her eyes skirted around the room as she answered, “I saw your tattoo.”
“My tattoo?”
“Umm… yeah. The one on your back.” She raked the tips of her nails against her skin as she scratched along the nape of her neck. “I noticed it during your sponge bath.”
Her reaction was absolutely priceless. She had the guilty look of a kid who’d just been busted opening a Christmas present early. “So, you were there… in the room when the nurse gave me a sponge bath?”
“Well… kind of.” She finally looked back at me as she said, “The nurse was called away, and I took over.”
“Let me get this straight.” I could see that she was mortified, and I should’ve stopped. But, I couldn’t help myself. She was too damned cute sitting there squirming in that chair. “While I was in my coma, unconscious and completely defenseless, you gave me a sponge bath?”
“Yes. I was just trying to help. Besides, the nurse that was doing it was acting totally unprofessional.” Her nose crinkled with disgust. “She was drooling all over you like you like were just a piece of meat. She was lucky I didn’t let her have it right then and there.”
“Is that right?”
She rolled her eyes as she deliberately shook her head. “You probably would’ve been fine with it. Maybe even enjoyed it. But I thought it was rude.”
“Mm-hmm. And, during this said ‘sponge bath’, you didn’t like how this nurse was treating me like a piece of meat, so you took matters into your own hands?”
Sensing that I was giving her a hard time, she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. With her eyebrow cocked high, she stared at me with fire in her eyes. “I had some help. There was a big, tall, burly orderly that tended to your goods. I go
tta say, you really seemed to really enjoy that part.”
It took a moment for her words to soak in, but once I realized what she was saying, I felt like I’d been hit by a brick wall. “You’re saying a dude washed my dick?”
“Umm… yes, he did. And while he was completely professional, you seemed to enjoy it. A lot.”
My throat suddenly tightened, making it hard to swallow. I had no idea if she was just fucking with me or if I’d really gotten a hard-on while some guy was washing my fucking balls. Trying to hide my humiliation, I ran my hands through my hair and smiled. “He must’ve had really soft hands.”
Thrown by my response, she threw her head back and laughed. I’d never heard a sweeter sound and couldn’t help but laugh right along with her. When we regained our wits, she looked at me and said, “You’re really something.”
Feeling hopeful, I asked, “When can I see you again?”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. If the brothers found out…”
“Let me worry about that.”
“You remember the last time.”
I knew she had her reservations, and I couldn’t blame her for being concerned. I knew it was a risk, but it was a risk I was willing to take. I had to see her again. “Like I said, let me worry about that. I want to see you again.”
“How long will you be in town?”
“For as long as it takes.”
“How long it takes for what?”
“To convince you that I’m one of the good ones. Just need you to give me a chance to prove it.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she replied softly, “I already know you’re one of the good ones, Seth. That’s why it’s so hard.”
“What’s so hard about it?”
“You know it’s complicated.”
“I already told you. I’m good with complicated.”
“Okay, then I guess we can work something out.” My heart almost leapt out of my chest when her lips curled into a sexy smile.
“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“I hate to rush off, but I need to get to work.”
