*
Chapter Five
Blue
I blame my car.
I had every intention of forgetting about Seven and never calling him. Ever.
My car had other ideas.
I had tried for fifteen minutes to get the stupid thing to start, but it did nothing but click and make me mad.
After calling two friends to help me, and all I got was their voicemail; I caved and called Seven. I had fully expected the call to also go straight to voicemail, but I was surprised when his deep, smooth voice came on the line.
Now I was on the back of his bike with my legs wrapped around him and my arms holding his waist. My first time on a motorcycle was terrifying, but also amazing. Way more amazing than it was terrifying. I totally understood the appeal and lure of riding.
Part of me wondered if maybe having Seven driving was a part of that appeal.
You know those men who look like sin on a stick, and you know they’ll break your heart, but you just can’t stay away from them? That was Seven.
From the beard to the piercing green eyes, and his telltale sculpted body beneath his clothes, the man should be illegal.
Put him on a motorcycle and no one in their right mind could resist him.
“Where are we going?” I called. We had been driving for fifteen minutes, and we were headed in the exact opposite direction of my apartment.
“You want to grab a bite to eat?” he asked. He moved his hand and laid it on my knee.
My brain was already fried from being this close to him, and now I couldn’t even form a sentence with his hand on me. “Um, yes?” My body said yes, and quite frankly, it seemed like my body was clouding my brain, too.
I felt Seven chuckled and he squeezed my knee. He didn’t say anything, but he must have taken my hesitant yes as a for sure yes.
It was half past nine, and I wasn’t sure where Seven was taking me to eat. It wasn’t like we could go through a drive thru or anything.
Twenty minutes later we pulled into a bar and grill and parked by the front door. The place was packed, but Seven easily parked without hassle. I guess that was another perk of having a motorcycle; you could literally park anywhere.
Seven stepped off the bike and I fumbled with the buckle on my helmet.
I bit my lip and tried to focus on what the hell my fingers were doing.
“Let me help, babe.” Seven brushed my fingers to the side and deftly unbuckled the helmet. He took it off my head and hung it on the handlebars. He held out his hand to me and helped me off the bike.
“You really are quite the gentleman, Seven,” I whispered. My feet touched the ground, but his hand didn’t release mine.
“I’m the full package, babe.” He pulled me toward the front door and ushered me inside. He raised two fingers to the hostess, and we stood off to the side while we waited for a table.
Seven stood close to me, and dropped my hand, though he laid his hand on my waist. “You like touching, don’t you?” I asked. I didn’t not like it, but Seven seemed to have to always be touching me.
He shrugged. “Normally not really. Something about you though, Blue.”
I tipped my head back and my eyes connected with his. “I’m pretty sure you say that to all the girls.”
He shook his head. “I do have a lot of lines, but I haven’t used any of them on you yet.”
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Sure,” I drawled.
A crowd walked through the door and Seven moved closer to me to give the group room.
“I’m pretty sure if I tried to feed you a line, Blue, you’d kick me in the ass and walk home.”
I mean, he wasn’t wrong.
“And, I wouldn’t have brought you here if I was looking for an easy score.”
“Oh yeah?” I laughed. “And why is that?” It wasn’t like Seven had brought me to some five-star restaurant. We were at a bar and grill, for god’s sake.
“Because an easy score is just that, easy, and easy never lasts.”
I tipped my head to the side. “Lasts? What do you mean by that?”
Seven shrugged and tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “Not sure. I’ve never wanted something like this before.”
“Like what?” I was so confused on what Seven was saying. He was used to easy, and I wasn’t easy, so he was going to try hard?
The hostess motioned to us that our table was ready. Seven stepped away from me and snagged my hand. He pulled me through the restaurant and out onto a patio.
“Can we sit over there?” he asked.
There was a loud, boisterous group taking up four tables, and they all looked at us when we walked outside.
“Sure,” the hostess chirped.
“You didn’t want to join their party?” I laughed once we were seated.
Seven shook his head and scooted his chair closer to me. “Not tonight.”
The hostess laid two menus on the table and told us the waitress would be with us shortly.
Seven reached for my hand and laced his fingers through mine. “Can we go back two minutes ago where you said this is something you’ve never wanted before?” I asked.
Seven shrugged. “I just recognize you’re different, Blue.”
Was different good? I mean, it couldn’t be that bad since Seven was sitting here with me. “Different how?” I asked.
“Damn, girl,” he laughed. “This right here is how you are different. Most girls would have just gone with that, but you needed to know how you’re different.”
I sat back in my chair and looked down at Seven’s hand wrapped around mine. “We just met today, Seven. How do you know I’m different?”
He brushed his thumb back and forth over my hand. “I just know. You not knowing who I am, and not caring who I am now that I told you is pretty fucking refreshing.”
“You’re telling me you’ve never met a person who didn’t know who you are?” I demanded. I didn’t think I lived under a rock, but maybe I did if the whole world knew who Seven was and I didn’t.
Seven chuckled and shook his head. “I’m not saying that. I’m well-known in the motorcycle world, but I’m not that kind of famous. But the people I have met that didn’t know who I was who then found out about me treated me differently.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just because you have money?” I scoffed and shook my head. “I couldn’t care less about how much money you have, Seven. I have my own job that pays my bills and lets me get monthly manicures. I am more than good.” I pointed my finger at him. “Hell, I am planning on going to Miami next summer.”
Seven let out of bark of laughter and lifted my hand to his lips. “You are a different breed, babe.” He pressed a kiss to the back of my hand. “A breath of fresh air.”
“If you only have people in your life that only care about your money and what you can do for them, Seven, then you need to get you some new friends.”
“Hey!” the waitress walked up to our table. “How are you guys tonight?” she chirped.
Seven sat back in his chair but kept my hand in his. “We’re doing good,” he replied.
“What can I get you guys to drink?”
Seven nodded to me.
“Uh, can I get a watermelon margarita?” I asked.
The waitress smiled wide. “Of course.” She turned her attention to Seven. “And you?”
“I’ll have a boilermaker,” Seven replied.
“Great. I’ll be right back with these and then I’ll take your order.” I watched the waitress flounce over to the outdoor bar and call our orders to the bartender.
“Is she different?” I asked. I don’t know why I was so stuck on Seven telling me I was different. I guess I wanted to understand what made me different.
Seven laughed. “I can’t tell you, babe.”
“But you just met her,” I insisted. “You knew I was different right away when you met me.”
Seven shook his head. “She’s not you, Blue,” he said simply.
“And here a
re your drinks,” the waitress called. She set my margarita in front of me, and a beer with a shot in front of Seven. “What can I get you guys to eat?”
I hadn’t even glanced at the menu, but I figured I couldn’t go wrong with wings or a burger. “I’ll have a cheeseburger and fries. Everything on the burger.”
The waitress scribbled down my order. “And you?”
“I’ll have the same,” he replied.
The waitress headed back inside, and I took a sip of my drink.
“Bro!”
I turned and saw four guys barreling toward our table.
“You’re Seven Michaels!” one of them cheered. “You are the fucking man.”
“Whoa,” I whispered.
Seven leaned close and pressed a kiss to the side of my head. “I’m sorry.”
What did he have to be sorry for? It wasn’t like he had called for these guys to come over.
“Friends of yours?” I whispered back.
“They probably think we are.” Seven leaned back and smirked.
I leaned into him and pressed a kiss to his lips. I couldn’t stop it. There was something about this man that drew me to him. Sure, he was handsome as ever, but there was more to him. Some much below the surface that I wanted to stick around and explore.
Seven’s fingers delved into my hair and held my lips against his. The short kiss was a spark ready to ignite. “Hang tight until I get rid of these guys, yeah?”
I shook my head. “Don’t be rude to them,” I laughed. “They’re your fans.” I still didn’t understand just what these guys were fans of, but I didn’t want Seven to be rude to them. “I’m not going anywhere,” I whispered.
Seven pressed another quick kiss to my lips and jumped up from his chair.
He gave the four guys his full attention.
I sat back and just watched him.
Seven was a special man.
His appeal that anyone could see. Man or woman.
He could draw anyone to him, but I was the one he wanted to be with right now.
I was going to ride this until he didn’t want me. After all, that might be longer than I thought because I was different.
*
Seven
“You sure you don’t want to have a drink with us?”
I shook my head. “Nah, brother. I’ve got something going on right now.” I nodded to where Blue sat patiently.
These guys had managed to talk my ear off for fifteen minutes, and not once had Blue looked pissed off or tried to interrupt us.
The waitress had dropped our food off two minutes ago and Blue was busy arranging her burger and putting ketchup on her plate. She didn’t think I was watching her, but I always had her in my vision.
The guys finally headed back to their group of tables and Blue and I were alone again.
“Sorry about that.” I sat down next to her and grabbed the shot. I dropped it into the beer and waited for the foam to go down before I took a drink.
“You’re sorry for being famous?” she laughed. She dipped a fry in ketchup and popped it into her mouth. “You’re forgiven.” She winked and smirked.
“This is that different I’m talking about, babe.” I set my drink down, and my hand automatically reached for Blue’s hand. She was like a magnet, and I couldn’t stay away from her.
She rolled her eyes. “Eat your food before it gets cold. You never know when your adoring fans are going to stop by again.”
“Smartass,” I mumbled.
She winked and popped another fry in her mouth. “That’s that different you say you like, remember?”
“Damn straight.” I had enough people kissing my ass in my life. It was refreshing to have someone tell me how it was.
“So,” she drawled. “How did you become a millionaire at the age of thirty-four?”
I grabbed the ketchup and squirted a puddle onto my plate. “You know how you called me a mechanic before?”
She laughed and nodded her head.
“Well, that was what I started out as. Then I got into fabricating and from there things snowballed. I’ve got a knack for seeing a plain, boring bike and reimagining it to something new and amazing.” That was the short and condensed story.
“That is amazing. I’m not really one for seeing something that isn’t in front of me.”
Even when I was a little kid I was building or tearing things apart to see how they worked. Thankfully that had turned into a fruitful business for me.
“So, what about you?” I asked.
Blue laughed. “What about me? I’m the lead server for the VIP suites for Hoist Halls. Not as exciting as being Mr. Motorcycle, but it more than pays my bills.”
“That vacation in Miami, right?”
“Four nights and five days just lying on the beach,” she sighed. “This year can’t go by fast enough.”
“What if you don’t have to wait a year?” I asked.
“My vacation fund says it needs another year,” Blue giggled.
Blue and I could take off for Miami right now if she really wanted. Well, after the bike build competition. Though I didn’t think she would be down for that.
It really seemed like my money had no effect on Blue.
“We could leave Sunday,” I suggested.
Blue choked on her fry and patted her chest. “Excuse me?” she gasped.
“You and I could take off for Miami Sunday morning,” I repeated.
Blue laughed and took a sip of her drink. “I have to work the last day of the bike event. I can’t miss work, Seven.” Any other girl would have dropped whatever they were doing and already be packing. Not Blue.
“Come on,” I coaxed her, “Your job will still be there when we get back.”
She shook her head. “No thank you, Seven. I can’t be playing hooky from work. I have rent and bills to pay. I need to work before I can play.”
I sat back and sighed. “Well, you can’t say I didn’t try.”
She wagged her finger at me. “Maybe I’ll let you tag along with me when I go next year, yeah? You can’t just be whisking me away, Seven.” She winked. “I’m different, remember? Maybe I want to be the one who does the whisking away.”
I opened my arms wide. “Whisk away, babe.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “I’m afraid the only place I can whisk you right now would be Wal-Mart.”
I smiled wide and watched Blue. I didn’t need her to whisk me anywhere. Everything I want, I had. And if I didn’t have it, I would get it.
Blue was the same.
She didn’t need me for anything other than to give her a ride home and eat a greasy burger with her.
I may have only met Blue today, but I could tell you right then that she wasn’t ever going to leave my side.
*
Chapter Six
Blue
I tried to throw my leg over the bike but teetered back onto the curb. Seven’s hand shot out and steadied me.
“Easy, babe,” he chuckled.
“Perhaps that second margarita was not a the smartest… move,” I slurred. Yeah, that second one was not a good idea. Not only did I have to work tomorrow, I also didn’t want to be a sloppy drunk in front of Seven.
We had talked while we ate and stayed over an hour after just talking over drinks. Somehow it was so easy to just be with this man I had just met. It was like we had known each other for years.
Seven wrapped his arm around my waist and I leaned into him. “Take a second, babe. We’re not in a hurry.”
I hummed softly and closed my eyes. “Where did you come from, Seven?” I whispered.
“Well,” he drawled. “I’m originally from Ohio but I moved to North Carolina ten years ago.”
Not what I meant, but I filed away that information about Seven. “Do you always pick up a waitress at these bikey things?”
Seven chuckled softly. “No, babe. This isn’t my MO.”
That was reassuring. “Because I am different,” I announced.
A wonky smile crossed my lips. “Lay it on me, baby.” Soooo drunk.
“The best kind of different,” he whispered.
Seven’s lips brushed against mine and I leaned up on my tiptoes to get closer. My mind was foggy with the two margaritas, and now with Seven’s lips on mine I couldn’t string two thoughts together other than I didn’t want Seven to stop kissing me.
“And this is where I talk you into coming home with me,” Seven whispered against my lips. “But, I’m gonna take you home.”
I opened my eyes and reared back. “I think I’m too drunk and I heard you wrong.”
Seven chuckled and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “You are drunk, babe, but you heard me right. I’m taking you home.”
“And you’re staying the night?” I guessed.
He shook his head and pulled his keys out of his pocket. “Not tonight.”
I frowned and dropped my hands to my sides. “I don’t think I like being different anymore,” I slurred.
Seven moved to the bike and threw his leg over it. He held the helmet out to me and smiled. “You are different, babe, and different stays, remember?”
I grabbed the helmet and plopped it on my head. “That’s what you keep saying, but it looks like I’m staying home.” I snapped the buckled under my chin. “Alone.”
Seven laughed and grabbed my hand and placed it on his shoulder. “Get on, babe.”
“Only if I’m not going to be alone.” I was drunk and not going to be swayed on this.
“I don’t want you to be like other girl’s Blue, because you aren’t.”
I leaned into Seven and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Then stay with different tonight.”
“Get on, Blue.”
“You’ll stay?” I whispered. God, I had never wanted something more than Seven to never leave. I had never been the girl to beg a man for anything.
“For as long as you’ll want me.”
*
Seven
Blue was a sleepy drunk.
A deep snore rumbled through her nose.
Mr. Motorcycle: A Billionaire Romance Page 3
