by KB Winters
Her smile came softly as she looked at me. “And I guess being sad in there would have been even worse?”
“Damn straight. Would’ve gotten me killed or fucked.”
She barked out a laugh and covered her mouth. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t laugh at that, but holy shit Tate, that’s funny.” She smacked the table as she hiccupped with laughter.
“Glad to amuse you.”
Eventually she settled down and stole one of what was supposed to be a spring roll but it didn’t look like any I’d ever seen. “Tell me about how you came to be in a motorcycle club.”
I frowned. “First tell me what the fuck this is,” I said pointing to what looked like a bunch of grass wrapped in cellophane.
She laughed again and I was really starting to like that husky laugh that came so easily. “It’s a Vietnamese spring roll, filled with rice noodles, shrimp, cucumber, basil and carrots. Try it, they’re delicious,” she assured me as she dipped it in a little bowl of brown sauce and took a big bite.
Fuck me, she was right as my mouth exploded in a million flavors, all of them delicious. “Damn that is good.”
“Told you. Now answer up.”
“It’s nothing dramatic. I came out here after I left the Army in search of a path forward and found Cross and some of the other guys instead. Most of them are vets and we clicked. Max was still in the service doing off-the-books shit for Uncle Sam and Mom was gone. They became my family.”
Talking to Teddy was easy, I realized. She flirted but there wasn’t any intent behind it, and she asked good questions.
“Do you miss the Army?”
“Sometimes, but I like being my own boss.”
“Amen to that.” She grinned and took a steamed dumpling, moaning as she chewed. “You are evil for ordering these goodies.” She pushed it all closer to me and I laughed.
“Fine by me, this shit is good.”
“How’s the inking business?”
“Going good. When do you plan to come in?”
“As soon as I get enough time to get it done.”
I smiled. She was tough but I could see how she struggled with covering up the scars. They were a big part of her life, even though she hated them. Covering them would be a big change. “Come on, I’ll follow you home.”
“He said creepily,” she said with an uneasy grin, handing May a card as she rushed past us. “Sure, I’ll let you play my white knight. Or golden knight.”
“Smart ass.”
“Thank you,” she said sweetly, smiling up at May as she brought a receipt for Teddy to sign. “May, as usual you have filled my tummy to perfection.”
“We always love to fatten you up, Teddy. Still too skinny.”
Her skin flushed pink as she looked up at me. “See why I love it here? Flattery and phenomenal food.”
“Make sure she gets home safe,” May said to me, a serious expression that made me wonder if she knew what had been going on with Teddy.
“Of course,” I told her and asked for the check.
“Already paid,” she told me with a bright smile before she hurried off.
“You paid for my meal? Hell, I don’t know whether to be insulted or impressed. The only woman who ever paid for my food was my mom.”
“Are we going to argue about this, Golden Boy?”
“Nope. Come on.” She took my arm and let me walk her to her fancy ass car. It was simple but expensive. “I’ll bet this thing rides like a dream.”
“Be my designated driver one night and I’ll let you find out,” she said before I closed the door with a laugh.
Why did Teddy have to be so close to the only two people I was close to? She was gorgeous, sexy and a good fucking time. And completely off limits. With that unsatisfying thought, I hopped on my bike and followed her winding path back to the residential part of Mayhem to her house.
“Thanks,” she called out as she walked up the stone path that led to her front door, but I kept an eye on her, noticing immediately when her steps slowed and then stopped.
I was off my bike and at her side in a split second, staring at the same sick shit that had turned Teddy’s pale skin ghost white. “What the fuck?”
An old headshot of Teddy hung from a cleaver buried deep into her front door. “Watch your back bitch,” it said in blood red paint.
Teddy began to shake and I wrapped her in my arms, calling the police with my free hand. This shit was getting out of hand, and Teddy needed more protection than she realized, which was how I ended up sleeping in her girly guestroom.
***
There was a soft woman wrapped around me and I groaned, snuggling deeper into the smooth skin and flower-scented hair. My hand went to a long, lean thigh draped over my own and I enjoyed it, sliding my hand up and down. The feel of a woman was something I’d missed for years and this woman was soft, silky-fucking-smooth. And moaning.
My eyes snapped open, trying to focus and figure out where the fuck I was. I’d had just a beer at the noodle house and some fucking wine with Teddy after the cops had left. Shit...Teddy. My gaze shifted to the right, and sure enough she was there with her arms and a leg wrapped around me, her head lying on my chest. And I didn’t hate it.
I kind of liked it.
A lot.
Teddy groaned again as she started to wake up, back arched as she stretched, giving me a view of round tits with rock hard nipples that made my mouth water. I should have looked away. Hell, I should have just gotten up and gone to the bathroom, but I didn’t. I just laid there and stared at her. Her tank top rode up, giving me a glimpse of a strip of skin that was still pale but with a slight tan, but her tits held me captive.
“Enjoying the view,” she asked with a husky voice, still groggy from sleep.
“Fuck yeah, I am. I’m alive aren’t I?”
She rolled her eyes. “Flatterer.”
“I’m just speaking the truth, Teddy.” I swear her nipples beaded even tighter under my gaze and my cock stirred to life. “But it might be best if you backed away.”
She smiled as she looked down at the tent in the sheet. “Damn, Golden Boy.”
I chuckled at her incredulous tone, but my cock was hard as a steel rod. “Enjoying the view?”
She licked her lips and her hand reached out, stroking me through the sheet. “Mmm-hmm.”
“Teddy!” I grunted at her touch but she ignored me, fascinated.
“You’re big,” she said, giving me a squeeze. “And thick.”
“I’m a man, Teddy.”
She stopped but her grip didn’t loosen. “And this is a bad idea.”
“Very bad,” I agreed.
“The worst,” she agreed with a smile in her eyes, hand still gripping my cock. “Too bad. It could’ve been fun,” she said, releasing me and rolling off the bed. I watched her ass, in nothing but cotton pajama shorts that gave me a glimpse of the shadows beneath her ass cheeks.
“It would’ve been damn fun,” I told her confidently.
She turned at the doorway, wearing a wistful smile. “Thanks for last night, Tate. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, Cover Girl.”
“Take a shower and I’ll whip you up something to eat.” Her gaze lingered on my bare chest and my still hard cock looking like a tent under the sheet. Licking her lips she shook her head.
“That eager to get rid of me?”
“No, but it’s ten and I figured you had to open the shop at some point today. Unless the key is to not make any money?” Her lips twitched for a long time before the laughter broke as I sent a pillow sailing toward her. Teddy ducked out of the way at the last minute. “Chop, chop.”
When I was sure the little temptress was gone, I rushed to the bathroom, turning the water on cold to get rid of my hard on. When that didn’t work, I took care of business like I usually did, cursing myself for turning down a hot as fuck woman who was clearly interested in my dick. “Dumbass,” I grumbled before stepping out, feeling satisfied but desperate fo
r more.
For Teddy.
No matter how bad an idea it was.
And it was a bad fucking idea.
Chapter 8
Teddy
Days later and I still couldn’t stop thinking about how hard and tempting Tate felt in my hand, and I knew I was in trouble. I wanted him; specifically, I wanted his big, hard muscled body pressing against mine. His big hard cock sinking into my wet, willing body. His soft lips nibbling on my neck. I kept thinking about it even though we’d both agreed it would be a bad idea.
Terrible.
But...would it?
I wasn’t looking for love or marriage or any kind of long-term relationship. I wasn’t even sure I’d ever want that at all. Ever. But I knew I didn’t want it now. What I wanted though, was a long, hard fuck. And I wanted it from Tate.
But he’d made his position clear and I didn’t chase after men, so I spent an extra half hour in the pool, cutting through the water to get rid of my sexual tension — or frustration. Between my sudden desire for Tate and this weirdo leaving creepy gifts at my house, I probably needed intense yoga and kickboxing. Every damn day.
By the time I got to the office, I felt cranky and pissed off, and in no mood to work. Of course, two minutes after I arrived, a very pissed off Kip Riley showed up. Without his camera crew. “What the fuck, Teddy?”
I glared up at him and stood to give myself a height advantage. “I should be asking you that, Kip.”
He sucked in a deep breath and let it out as he sat on the other side of my desk. “The cops came to my house last night. Luckily Gillian had taken an Ambien or I’d be in some deep shit.”
“Well you should have thought about that when you sent those creepy gifts to my house.” I would never back down from these kind of sleazy guys.
“I sent you flowers, Teddy. Sure, it was out of line considering you’re planning my wedding, but flowers and chocolate don’t warrant the friggin’ cops.” He huffed and raked a hand through his model perfect hair. “That’s taking it a little far, don’t you think?”
“You mean you didn’t send the sliced up lingerie or the cleaver through my headshot, or any of that other creepy shit?”
He sat up, blue eyes wide with shock. “No. Fuck, I’d never do that. I’m trying to ride this reality gravy train until I’m a millionaire. I wouldn’t fuck that up even for a hottie like you.”
Shit. And I believed him. “Good to know, and I’m sorry. They asked and since you admitted you sent the flowers...shit. Just tell me you can prove it, because I’d hate to get an innocent man in trouble.”
Kip grinned. “I just came from the police station with the footage of me nearly every hour of the day for the past six weeks.”
My shoulders relaxed. “Good. But maybe wait until after the wedding to create the infidelity drama. And sign a prenup,” I added with more than a hint of bitterness.
Kip laughed. “You’re pretty cool when you take that stick out of your ass, you know.”
“Yeah, I know, but I don’t enjoy having cameras around all the time.”
“Weird.” He stared for a beat and then laughed. “You weren’t always that way. I can still see you in that white Guess bikini,” he said, closing his eyes and licking his lips like a lecherous teenage boy.
“Well back then it was my job. Now my job is to plan events.” And I could admit I hated Kip a lot less now than I did when he and Gillian had walked into my office a few weeks ago. And then it occurred to me, it wasn’t Kip but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be Gillian. “You should just stop all the flirting, though, to be safe.”
He frowned. “Why?”
I couldn’t tell him the truth, but one thing I learned in foster care and then modeling, is how to lie. “Because there will be hours of footage of you flirting and me pushing you away. If this becomes a thing, which it pretty much has, it won’t matter that you’re innocent.”
It scared him just as I knew it would. Kip jumped up and smiled. “Thanks for being so cool, Teddy. I, uhm, hope this ends up okay for you.”
“Thanks, Kip. See you and Gillian soon.” He waved and left a trail of dust as he couldn’t leave my office fast enough. One problem solved, too bad it wasn’t the biggest problem on my plate.
The tone sounded above the door as a delivery man walked in, face hidden by the large bouquet that didn’t make me as happy as he thought it would. “Delivery,” he said with a bright smile I normally enjoyed.
“Thanks,” I told him, though my words were half-hearted as he set the vase down on a nearby table. Black dahlias and black tulips with baby’s breath, because we had to keep it classy, apparently. As soon as he was gone, I took the flowers to the dumpster out back and left them there.
This fucking day could not end soon enough.
***
“Oh my God, Jana, these ribs are so good. I hope you have leftovers.” I licked my lips as I ate more ribs than a woman should, especially considering Max and Tate were looking at me like I was a science experiment. I didn’t care though, not after Kip and the flowers, the useless cops and the sexual tension. Cannot forget the sexual fucking tension. Especially with Tate sitting beside me, his body emanating enough heat to melt the ice in my glass.
“Thanks, and yeah there are leftovers.”
“No, there aren’t,” Max insisted with a frown, a bone sticking halfway out of his mouth. He flashed a smile at me. “Let’s see where we are when the evening is over.”
I laughed at Max, shaking my head at his foolishness. “I’ve been promised leftovers, Max. Deal with it. You get to eat this way every day.”
He grunted and I couldn’t tell if it was acceptance or refusal, but I knew Jana would hook me up. “There’s already some set aside for you, Teddy.”
“Damn, mama, I love you so hard right now.”
She beamed a smile at me, probably feeling overwhelmed with emotions again, judging by the watery look in her eyes. “You’re welcome.” Her expression changed and I felt the hairs on the back of neck rise. “So, a meat cleaver, huh?”
I sucked in a breath and glared at Tate. “Seriously? You told her?”
He looked unapologetic as he crossed his arms and nodded, chin daring me to challenge him. “It was a damn meat cleaver, Teddy!”
“Yeah, I know. I recognized the face it cut right through,” I told him, circling my face sarcastically. “Look, Jana, it’s fine. I’m fine. At least I will be, if the cops do their job.”
Tate turned to me. “What about that reality TV guy?”
I sighed. “They talked to him but he’s been cleared, and he only sent the flowers.”
“You can’t go back there,” Jana insisted.
“It’s my home and I won’t let some freaky-ass weirdo scare me away. I’ll be fine, or I won’t. Either way, you have more important things to worry about,” I told her with a quick glance at her belly.
“Dammit, Teddy! I’m going to teach you some damn self-defense.” Tate stood and grabbed my arm, “We can do it here or back at Max’s place.”
I looked up at him, hating that even at my height, the man towered over me. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
“My place it is,” he said with a grin and tugged me out the door.
“Wait. I need my ribs, dammit!”
Max and Jana laughed, but my best friend didn’t let me down, she brought me a plastic container filled with her delicious ribs and another with some potato salad. “There you go. Let Tate help you, please.”
“Ugh, fine. Come on, Golden Boy, teach me to kill a man with my pinky.” We stopped at my place so I could change, and thankfully, there were no gifts waiting for me. The drive to Max and Tate’s house was mostly silent, except a few instances of me bitching about his high-handed ways. “Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”
“I’m trying to make sure you can defend yourself,” he said angrily and then scoffed. “Like that makes me such an asshole.”
“Glad we’re in agreeme
nt,” I told him as we stepped from my car. He tried to get me to leave it at Jana’s place, but I was too paranoid someone was following my car — or worse — tracking it.
He flipped me a smug grin. “You’re a big ass ball of happy right now, aren’t ya?”
I brushed past him to put my food in his fridge. I wasn’t risking some asshole breaking in and poisoning it. “Yep. Come on, teacher. Teach me.”
He rolled his eyes and removed his kutte and his long-sleeve shirt, leaving him in nothing but a very tight, and nearly see-through, t-shirt.
“Okay. Let’s see what you can do.”
He lunged forward and I kicked him in the balls, or I tried, but he deflected that quickly. Pretty damn quickly.
“Good try, but most men are prepared for that.”
I nodded. “Okay. Again.” All he did was lunge forward and I tried everything I could think of, first his face, which he avoided by a quick sideways move. Then his throat, his stomach and yes, his nuts. Again. Finally, in what I can only describe as a fit of annoyance, I stepped on his foot.
“Shit!” He lifted his foot, frowning even as his lips turned up into a grin. “Okay, well eventually something will work. But by then,” he flipped me around so my back was flush against his front, “he could have a knife in you, several bullets, or just a tranquilizer to knock you out and take you wherever he wants.”
“Crap!” His feet swept mine and a second later I was on the floor with his big body on top of me. Not a bad position in my opinion, but, “Cheap shot.”
“This ain’t UFC, Teddy. There are no rules. Fight dirty, do whatever you have to do to get free. And be smart about it.” His breath smelled of beer and barbecue sauce, and dammit, I liked it. “See if you can get me off of you.”
