by Chiah Wilder
Some women get all the luck with men … unlike her, who kept attracting abusive, egotistical jerks, or bikers. Animal came to mind, right in front of Iceman. She shivered at the thought of the big, brooding biker in her dad’s MC. For reasons she still didn’t understand, her dad had gotten it into his drug-induced mind that Iceman would be the perfect man for her. He even went as far as to arrange a marriage with the biker. Yeah … It was like her dad and Iceman were frozen in a medieval time warp. Leo and Iceman had been tight, so her brother was no help in dissuading the dude that she was most definitely not old lady material.
Leo … I miss you so much. Learning that her neighbor was a member of an MC stirred up all sorts of things from her past. Even though most of the memories of her dad’s MC were bad, the times she spent with Leo at the clubhouse, riding on his bike, going to motorcycle rallies, and even having a blast at a few of their wild parties were all good times, and she missed them. Even though she had some close friends in Pinewood Springs, a good job, and a new house, she still felt like a fish out of water sometimes. She missed San Diego, the beach, her friends, and the familiarity that comes from being a native of a city. And she especially missed Leo.
Her cellphone rang, bringing her out of her thoughts, and she grabbed it off the desk.
“Hello?”
“Didn’t you know it was me?” Kennedy asked.
“I didn’t look at the caller ID.”
“Whatcha doing?”
“I just finished putting up my profile,” Olivia answered.
“Awesome! Has anyone poked you yet?”
“Yeah, it’s unbelievable. I was going to look them over, but I’m not feeling it right now. I think I’ll get back to it tomorrow. What’re you up to?”
“Going to a party in a bit.”
“That sounds like fun. Who’s throwing it? Anyone I know?”
Kennedy laughed. “Not really. I’d ask you to come along only I don’t think it’s up your alley.”
“Try me. I’m sitting here with nothing to do, and it’s a Saturday night. Pathetic, huh?”
“I thought you and Harper do stuff on Saturdays,” Kennedy said.
“We usually do, but she’s got a date with that guy we met at Blue’s Belly a couple of weeks ago.”
“Really? That’s good. What was his name?”
“Darcy. She’s gone out with him a couple of times. So far she says he seems decent. Are you still seeing Austin?” Olivia asked.
“No way. He was fun for a few times, but neither of us wants anything serious, and he wasn’t that good to have a friends-with-benefits type of situation.”
“Well, at least you know what you want. So why won’t I like this party you’re going to?”
“It’s a biker party at the Insurgents’ clubhouse. Remember I told you I go there sometimes? Well, seeing Smokey at the bar that night we were all there made me want to go back for a wild time. It’s not your style.”
Olivia walked over to the window and peeked out through the sheet at her neighbor’s house. The lights in the family room and kitchen were on as well as in one of the bedrooms upstairs—Lucy’s, she supposed. Animal won’t be at the party. A tendril of disappointment curled through her, making her antsy.
During the past two weeks, she’d worked hard on avoiding Animal, even ducking into classrooms when she’d see him come into the school to drop off Lucy. Olivia had felt like a damn criminal who was evading arrest, but she couldn’t risk being in contact with him. Each time she had, he’d pulled her into his web, and it was getting harder and harder to break away from it. The kiss they’d share touched something inside Olivia that scared the living crap out of her. So, why do I wish Animal would be at this party? Her body was the ultimate betrayer, that’s why.
“Hello?”
Olivia cleared her throat. “I’m here,” she said.
“I thought maybe the call went into a dark cyber-hole.” Kennedy chuckled. “From your silence, I think you may be considering going to the party.”
“Maybe. Is it just the local club or will other chapters be there?”
“Look at you … I’m guessing you’ve been watching too many Sons of Anarchy reruns.”
Olivia stomach tightened. “Guess so. Will there be any other chapters or affiliate clubs there?”
“I don’t think so. I’m really not sure what an affiliate club is, but I think it’s just a regular Saturday night party.”
“Are the guys cool or do they force themselves on women not wearing a patch?” Olivia glanced out the window again. Everything was the same. Usually, when she was spying, she’d see Lucy’s silhouette by the window or crossing by it, and Animal usually stepped on the front porch for a joint at least a couple of times a night, especially when it was dark like it was now. Maybe he is at the party and Lucy’s at her grandparents’ house.
“The guys aren’t like some biker clubs, but you will get hit on a lot. It’s a definite boost to a woman’s confidence.” Kennedy giggled. “A perfect place to be after getting dumped by a boyfriend.”
“If I decide to go, I’ll follow you. I don’t want to stay long, and if things gets dicey, I’ll be able to leave. I’m pretty sure you’ll be busy.” Why am I even considering this? Something was drawing her to it—had been for a while now.
“That’s cool. A friend of mine, Gertie, she’s coming with me. She loves biker boys.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever met her,” Olivia said.
“You haven’t. She’s my wild-side friend. She’s even crazier than I am … a lot crazier. So, are you in?”
Olivia blew out a big breath. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“I never thought you’d go to a biker party. This is so surprisingly refreshing, Olivia. Oh, don’t wear anything too revealing unless you want to do nothing but fight off a bunch of horny guys.” Kennedy sniggered.
I know the rules all too well. “Okay, thanks for the tip. What time are you heading over there?”
“I’ve got to pick Gertie up first, then I’ll swing over to your place at around nine o’clock. Does that sound good?”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Great. See you then.”
The minute Olivia ended the call, she regretted her decision. Going to an outlaw biker party on a Saturday night? “Are you fucking nuts?” she said aloud. She glanced again at Animal’s house. “Just say hello the next time you see him, but going to a party at his clubhouse is insane.” Rationally, Olivia knew that, but she had a strong desire to watch the men in leather from her perch on a barstool just like she’d done many times at the East Bay Dogs MC. Although, at those parties, she’d had the protection of her father and Leo, and the other members kept their distance from her.
Technically, Olivia was a rival of the Insurgents since her dad’s club was aligned with the Grim Henchmen out of Oakland, and the Insurgents’ San Diego chapter was aligned with the Angry Disciples in L.A. The Henchmen and the Disciples were sworn enemies, but none of that mattered to Olivia.
She would have a couple of beers and then go home and enjoy a romantic comedy—maybe Legally Blonde. That was her go-to movie whenever she didn’t know what to watch. Glancing at her phone, Olivia saw that she had plenty of time for a leisurely shower and a bite to eat before readying herself for the night ahead. She drew in a deep breath and blew it out, then headed to the bathroom.
* * *
OLIVIA SAT IN the clubhouse’s parking lot struggling to calm the fluttering in her stomach. “Everything’s going to be all right,” she muttered as she pretended to look for something in her glove box. Kennedy and Gertie were standing beside the passenger door, and the latter didn’t look too pleased to be kept waiting.
Kennedy rapped on the window. “Did you find what you’re looking for?”
“We have to get in there,” Gertie said, rolling her eyes as she spritzed another dose of hairspray over her locks.
Going through the screening process at the front gate had been bad enough with three bikers raking their eyes ove
r her to see whether she would be a good addition to the party. Wearing black jeans and a loose button-up purple blouse, Olivia had stuck out like a sore thumb amid all the women in micro miniskirts and barely-there tops, and she honestly thought the men were going to turn her away, but they’d jerked their head and she’d passed through.
Now she was only feet away from entering the clubhouse, and she wanted to throw up. Willing herself to calm the hell down, Olivia slammed the glove box, shoved her keys into her small crossbody purse, and slid out of the car.
“It’s about time,” Gertie huffed as she readjusted her breasts in her tiny top. “Let’s go.”
She marched ahead, and Olivia grabbed Kennedy’s arm. “Stay with me for a while at the bar, okay?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t leave a newbie to all the wolves.” Her friend giggled, looping her arm through Olivia’s, and they walked toward the club.
The strong smell of weed and cigarettes mixed with cheap perfume, curled around Olivia when she entered the crowded room. As she tagged behind Kennedy and pushed through the mob of men in denim and leather, Olivia kept her eyes downcast, refusing to meet those of any of the bikers’. When Olivia reached the bar, she was acutely aware of the stares and comments of the male onlookers. Not paying them any attention, she slipped onto a barstool and propped her elbows on the counter.
“What’ll you have, sweet piece?” a buffed man asked from behind the bar.
From the absence of patches on the front of his cut, she knew he was a prospect. “A Coors Light is good.”
The biker threw his head back and laughed. “We don’t got any piss beer here, baby.”
“A Coors then.” Olivia had forgotten that light beer was akin to poison to outlaws.
Kennedy was already talking to a couple of good-looking men, who, every once in a while, stared blatantly at Olivia. Shifting her focus, she looked out over the crowd and could easily spot the club girls. With their dyed hair, short skirts, ample cleavage, heavy makeup, and stilettos, they all looked the same. Most of the hangarounds looked like women who came out to party with a bunch of testosterone-driven men who promised them a night they’d never forget. Everything’s the same, except the MC’s name is different. The club parties were played out in thousands of clubhouses across the country, and she’d bet all the men and women looked the same.
“Are you having a good time?” Kennedy asked as she glanced at Olivia over her shoulder.
“Yeah.” She picked up the beer bottle and brought it to her lips.
This was all so familiar. She could almost hear Leo’s rumbling laugh and smell the lingering cigarette smoke on his cut. Amid the cacophony of noise: blaring rock music, women’s laughter, men’s voices, clinking bottles, and the roar of bikes mingling together, Olivia swore she could feel the presence of her brother. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she lowered her head and quickly brushed them away with her hand.
“Hey, baby,” a voice said behind her.
Olivia swiveled around on the stool and met the pale blue eyes of a ruggedly handsome biker. Her fingers curled tighter around the beer bottle.
“I haven’t seen you around here before.” He leaned in closer as she scooted near the edge of the barstool.
“I came with a friend,” she replied. Her gaze landed on his cut; his road name, Hubcap, was displayed right above the diamond-shaped one-percenter patch.
“You’re mighty fine-looking.” Hubcap winked at her and snaked his arm around her waist.
Olivia gently pushed it away. “Thanks, but I’m just here for a drink then I’m heading home.”
The blond-haired biker jerked his head back. “What the fuck? Why the hell did you come here if you’re not gonna have some fun?”
Knowing this situation was a bit sticky, Olivia waved her hand nonchalantly. “I just came by to say hi to my friend, Animal.”
“Animal? You his sweet piece for tonight?”
“Not exactly—we’re friends, like I said.”
Hubcap motioned the prospect to get a drink for him and Olivia, then ran his eyes up and down her body, slowly. Nodding, he handed her another bottle of beer. “Yeah—you’re his neighbor. Fuck, Smokey wasn’t shitting—you’re one helluva sexy woman.”
Smokey’s got a fucking big mouth. “Right. Anyway, since he’s not here, I’m going to probably leave after this drink.” Olivia hoped Hubcap got the hint, and with her naming a club member, she hoped the biker would respect that and back the hell off.
“He’s around. You better sit tight and wait ’til you see him since you’re not wearing his patch. Dudes around here will think you’re fair game.”
“I know the score.” The beer mixed with her nerves turned her stomach.
Hubcap nodded, but his gaze was fixed on a curvy brunette swaying to the music next to the bar. Without saying another word, he walked away. Less than a few seconds later, he had his arm wrapped around the woman and they were kissing up a storm.
Olivia looked away and glanced around the room, feeling self-conscious and desperate. When she didn’t think Animal was there, she felt okay, but now that Hubcap confirmed he was, she felt like a fool. Pushing away the half-empty bottle, Olivia tapped Kennedy on the shoulder.
“I’m going to head out.”
Kennedy’s eyes widened. “Why? We just got here.”
“Not really—we’ve been here for about forty minutes. Anyway, you were right—this isn’t my scene. I shouldn’t have come.”
“If you’re sure. Do you want me to get Smokey to walk you to your car?”
Olivia shook her head. “I’ll be fine. See you at school on Monday.”
Kennedy nodded then turned back to the two men she was talking with, and Olivia wiped her sweaty hands on her jeans and fished for her car keys in her bag.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Teach?” Animal’s voice poured over her like warm melted chocolate.
Hubcap. These guys are like a bunch of cackling hens! Olivia spun around, a snappy retort on the tip of her tongue, but his burning eyes held her still.
“Do you fucking know how stupid it is to be in here?” Anger rippled off him as he took a step closer to her.
Olivia dragged her gaze away and shook her head. “I don’t know why what I do is any of your damn business.”
“Because I know the danger you’re in, Teach. You think this is some college frat party?”
Refusing to look at him, she glanced over at the jukebox and saw Kennedy dancing very close to one of the guys she was talking to earlier. Hubcap and the brunette were fused at the hip, and several couples and trios were going full force in sexual explorations.
“Again … why the fuck are you here? Did you come to see me?” His face softened and he leaned enough that their shoulders kissed. “I’m down for that, but you should’ve let me know you were coming. I thought you were fucking pissed at me.”
“I am.” She moved away and propped her elbow on the bar.
Animal waved his hand around the room. “You could’ve fooled me.”
The smugness in his voice irked her and, for the umpteenth time, she regretted her decision to show up that night. But of course he’d think that—anyone would, and the fact that a part of her had come in hopes of seeing him niggled at her. Olivia knew she was giving Animal mixed signals, but that was because her brain and her body weren’t acting in concert—they were giving her mixed signals.
“The truth is, my friend asked me to come, and I had nothing better to do, so here I am. I quickly realized that I made a mistake.” She took out her car keys. “I was just ready to leave when you came over.” Olivia slid off the stool. “Goodnight.”
Animal’s fingers wound around her upper arm, and as he put his mouth close to her ear, warm breath sent sparks through her body. “I’ll walk you out, and saying no isn’t an option.”
She nodded and relaxed in his grip. As he guided Olivia through the maze of people toward the entrance, some of the bikers and a few of the women openly stared
at her, then at Animal, and then back at her.
Animal opened the door and Olivia stepped through it. The night’s cold air was especially refreshing after having spent time in the hot and stuffy clubhouse. Groups of men huddled in front of the brick walls, smoking joints and cigarettes, several of them calling out to Animal. He raised his fist in the air as he continued walking, his other hand still around her arm.
The two of them moved in silence, and she could hear needles and gravel crunch beneath their feet and smell pine in the air. When they arrived at her black Ford Fiesta, he took the keys from her hand and unlocked the door.
“Thanks for watching out for me,” she said, her breath coming out in wisps of steam that dissipated rapidly in the frosty air. Olivia turned away to open the car door.
“No problem,” he said in a low voice.
As she pulled open the door, Animal shut it, then placed his hands on her shoulders and swung her around to face him. His dark eyes held her gaze, and the ground crunched beneath him as he stepped closer. When she backed up, her butt bumped against the side of the car.
“I have to get going,” she whispered.
He blocked her movements as she tried again to open the car door. He leaned closer, his scent twisting around her. Olivia’s stomach did a somersault, and internally, she cursed it. Why did she have to be so damn attracted to him?
Animal’s finger lightly tapped against her scalp. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” His intense gaze heated her skin, and the air between them seemed electrified.
“Just … that this is wrong,” she managed to get out.
“Is it?” His eyes drifted to Olivia’s lips and her breath caught in her throat.
In one swift movement, Animal yanked her close, her soft curves molding to the contours of his hard, muscled body. He crushed his mouth to hers, devouring her while his tongue plundered.
Olivia’s hands slipped under his jacket and moved up his back; her fingers dug into his shoulder blades as she hung on, barely able to stand upright on her wobbly legs. A quiver ran through her as his hands swept down past her hips, cupped her ass, squeezing with urgency.
