Twisted Tales of Mayhem: 2019 MMM Special Edition Anthology

by Sapphire Knight

  When he stepped into my space and his hands wrapped around my waist, I sucked in a surprised breath. Just as a hand slid across my ass, the barista called my name. Rushing over to the counter to collect my steaming cup of goodness and sanity, I couldn’t have been more relieved.

  As I made to move around him to exit the store, he stepped in my path again. “Jesus, would you move? I have to get to work!”

  With a sexy smirk, he held up a phone. I narrowed my eyes as I realized it was mine. “Asshole!” I hissed.

  “Tsk! Tsk! Language, remember, Miss Gwen? Besides, you didn’t seem to mind my language the last time I saw you.”

  Scrunching my face up at him, I barely resisted the urge to stick my tongue out as I snatched it back and stomped toward the door.

  Just as the door was closing behind me, I heard him say, “I’ll be seeing you around, beautiful!”

  “Argh!” Spinning, eyes wide and angry, I stamped my foot. “Fat chance!”

  The whole way to work, I fumed. And panted. And groaned. Because it had sunk in that he’d said he didn’t have a girlfriend.

  Fuck my life.

  Why?

  Why did my one-night stand have to live here in my damn backyard?

  Why did he have to be so freaking sexy?

  What would my friends think of me dating a biker?

  Who said we were dating?

  Why did I still have to want him so bad?

  These were only a few of the questions I asked myself as I went through my day. The only good thing to come of that random meeting was that I was too preoccupied to become angry at the students’ less than exemplary behavior.

  During my last class of the day, my watch buzzed with a message. That was one awesome thing about my Apple Watch. I could still get messages and shit during class without having my phone out.

  Except, as I cautiously looked at it while the students worked on their assignment, I didn’t recognize the number.

  Unknown: Hello beautiful. What are you doing tonight? I want to take you to dinner.

  I could only respond with a questioning emoji. Wait a minute, only one person ever called me beautiful.

  “Ms. Kelly? Are you okay? Your face is all red.” Startled by Heaven, one of my students, I never got a chance to look at the next message.

  “What? Oh! I’m not sure. I’m not feeling too hot, but I think I’ll be fine. The day’s almost over.” Giving her a bathroom pass, I ignored the other two messages that came through.

  The final twenty minutes of class were the longest of my life. I swear I could’ve been mistaken for one of my students, counting down the minutes until I could pull my phone out.

  Finally, the bell rang and the wild seventh graders poured out of the classroom in a cacophony of laughter and raised voices. Thank God it was Friday.

  Scrambling to dig my phone out, I’d just unlocked it when Alesha poked her head in my door.

  “Hey, girl. I’m getting some Italian with a big fat glass of wine tonight. You wanna join me?”

  Like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar, I froze. “Uhhh….” Ordinarily, I’d have been all over that. That night, however…. Well, I’d gotten a text. From him.

  “Maybe tomorrow? I’m, uh, really worn out.”

  “Girl, I feel ya. I don’t know what’s up with these kids lately. This time of year is always bad, but this year seems even worse! Okay, well, takeout it is for me, then. See you later, hon!” And she was gone.

  Pulse racing, I unlocked my phone again. Knowing I shouldn’t feel all excited by a text message didn’t change how I was shaking. Because deep down, I knew exactly who it was… though I wasn’t sure how.

  Until I opened my messages.

  That sneaky little shit. There was a message timed right around the time I was in Starbucks, sent from my phone to the unknown number. It simply read “gotcha.”

  Contemplating my next move, I chewed on my bottom lip and tapped a finger on the side of my phone.

  Did I dare?

  Chapter Five

  Styx

  All day I’d considered texting her. In fact, I’d pulled my phone out no less than five times to do just that, to the point where Steel was giving me shit.

  “What the hell is so important on your damn phone? You’ve checked it fifty times today.” Exaggeration.

  “Nothing.”

  He’d raised his brows and laughed at me as we worked on my bike. “Well, ‘nothing’ sure must be im-portant for you to be looking at your phone like some teenage girl. I thought you were supposed to be helping me with these cams.” We’d already installed the header pipes, stage one intake, and program-mer. The bad thing about owning a Harley was there’s always something you can do to make it faster… better.

  “Snarkiness doesn’t become you, Felicia.”

  He made like he was going to throw a wrench at me, then smirked and went back to work.

  “Your bike is gonna be sick as fuck when it’s done.” Asphalt was sitting on a stool by the workbench, eating a Snickers and watching us work.

  “It still won’t keep up to mine but you’ll be able to drop two gears and it’ll be way cool.” Steel chuckled.

  “That’s because not all of us need to be able to go warp speed,” I joked. Asphalt laughed and opened a second fucking candy bar.

  “How the fuck can you eat all the shit you eat and not be five hundred pounds, bro?”

  He’d simply shrugged and shoved the rest of the candy bar in his mouth. Shaking my head, I helped clean up and then headed for the door. “I gotta make a quick call.” Signal was shit in the building for calls, so that was my excuse to go outside so the guys wouldn’t see me texting like the teenage girl they'd accused me of being.

  Looking at the time, I figured she was probably almost out of school. So I shot off a text. Then another.

  I really was acting like a little bitch. It had only been a little over seven months since I’d given Grace the heave-ho. I’d meant it when I said I never wanted to get that wrapped up in a woman again.

  Except that was before one of the most amazing nights of my life.

  I’d wanted to see her again, but some shit had gone down in Galveston. We’d dealt with it, then I’d felt bad after ditching all the brothers on the Friday night, so I’d told myself I’d go over later.

  Later kept getting later, though, until it seemed too late to bother her. Then it was Sunday and everyone was getting ready to leave, saying their goodbyes, and it seemed the moment had passed. What was the point of getting tied up in a long-distance thing?

  I’d left, but a part of me stayed on that beach with her.

  Sappy as fuck, right?

  But how else did you explain shit like that?

  If I’d told the guys about it, they would’ve said it was just great pussy. I’d have called bullshit though.

  There’s a difference between great pussy and pussy that feels like you own it. Like it’s so goddamn right you feel it in your soul. Seriously, the whole time we were fucking like rabbits, a voice in my head screamed mine!

  But, well… distance. So I’d chalked it all up to not being meant to be and figured I’d stick with my original plan of being footloose and fancy-fucking-free. Fuck it.

  Except I hadn’t been able to forget. I hadn’t stuck my dick in anything since her because I simply hadn’t wanted to. I figured I’d eventually get over it.

  Then I’d run into her this morning as I’d stopped for a coffee.

  Anyway, talk about the floor dropping out from under me.

  I was pretty proud of how I handled it, because I was so far out of my element I was in another universe. I’d done my very best to seem chill and—well, normal.

  I’d noticed things about her I hadn’t noticed in the dark that night. Like the cute as fuck sprinkle of freckles across her nose and cheeks. And how her hair was more of a shiny golden and strawberry blonde than just blonde.

  And those fucking eyes. Jesus. They were light green with a
dark bluish-green ring around them. Like some kind of goddamn fairy eyes or something.

  Eyes you could get lost in.

  And Christ, did I want her something fierce.

  Every detail of that night was still seared in my brain. As I lay in bed at night, I replayed every little sound she made. And how she tasted, how she felt—how she fucking smelled, for Christ sake. I’d stroked my dick to her memory more times than I could count since that weekend in November.

  My phone vibrated in my hand, startling me from my reverie.

  Gwen: God I must be a damn moron. But okay. Only if I meet you there.

  My lips curled into a smile.

  Me: Why? You afraid I’m going to kidnap you? Sell you to the highest bidder? Keep you locked in my closet? Wear your skin?

  Gwen: Now that’s just creepy. I might need to reconsider… at the very least stop on my way to take a concealed carry class and buy a gun.

  Laughter shot unexpectedly out of me. I couldn’t remember feeling this happy, even when I’d thought things were good with me and Grace.

  Me: Mmm I like a girl who comes strapped.

  My mind was picturing a different kind of strapped though. Like the kind involving my bed.

  The visual of her tied to my bed had me adjusting my junk.

  “Christ, bro, what the fuck? You need help with that? And what the hell are you lookin’ at on that phone that had your dick getting excited?” Asphalt chuckled from behind me.

  “Where the fuck did you come from, you little spook?” His road name really should have been Merlin, Spook, or Ghost or some shit, because he was like a goddamn magician.

  Grinning, he refused to answer me and just stood there. When my phone vibrated, he pushed his tongue in his cheek and crossed his arms. “Ahh, it’s someone you’re talking to… I’ll be damned.”

  “Shut the fuck up.” All I could do was shake my head at him, because I couldn’t lie to him. Glancing at my phone, I couldn’t help but smile.

  Gwen: Oh Lord. Moving on. Where are we meeting?

  Me: Chuy’s in Cedar Park? What time are you done?

  Gwen: I can be there by 5:30

  Me: Roger that. See you there.

  Poking my head in the door, I shouted to Steel, “Hey man, you care if I leave my truck here until tomorrow after work?”

  “No problem, man. Just give me a ring when you’re close so I know it’s you taking off in it.”

  “Cool. Thanks!” There was no way I wasn’t riding my bike to see how she ran now that we’d finished all her upgrades.

  Cold be damned.

  After pulling on a pair of chaps, a neck gator, and my warmer gloves, I gave the brothers hugs, put my helmet on, and straddled the beast of a bike. The grips in my hands made everything feel right in the universe.

  Revving the throttle, I gave a satisfied nod to Steel and Asphalt and decided to swing by to see Radar since I had time to kill. Except I’d take the scenic route to see what my scoot could do now.

  By the time I pulled up to Radar’s house, I was feeling the weather. Not that I was complaining. A cold day on a bike is better than no days on a bike. Fuck, I didn’t know how the brothers handled it up there in Iowa.

  Not being able to ride for weeks at a time? Man, fuck that.

  Knocking once, I opened the door. I could hear him talking at the back of the house where he kept his office, so I headed that way.

  With a grin he waved at me as he kept talking into his headset. While he was conducting business, I dropped down into the spare chair by his desk. As usual, the nerdy fucker had at least four computer screens going.

  The network security business was a hot commodity and he dealt with some high-profile companies. He was damn good at his job and in demand.

  I called him nerdy, but truthfully, by looking at him you’d never know he was a computer geek. He was a pretty boy, but his neck, chest, arms, hands, and God knew where else were all inked up.

  Ending his call, he set the headset on the desk. “What’s up, bro?” We both stood, hugged, and sat again. “I heard you pull up. I take it you and Steel finished with all the modifications?”

  “Oh hell yeah. Oh my God, she’s a bad bitch now.”

  “Bad enough to smoke Steel?” He chuckled.

  “Shit, I’d have to have fucking nitro or some shit to beat whatever the fuck he has going on with that sick beast of his.” We both laughed.

  “True.”

  “You said you work tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, I switched shifts with Hunter because he had some family shit going on.”

  “You’re still gonna be at Sunday dinner, right?”

  “Hell, yeah, I’m only covering Saturday for him.” I wasn’t missing Sunday dinner with the club. It was bad enough I missed every other weekend because I worked. I was going to be there, and hopefully not alone.

  We sat and shot the shit for a while before I checked my phone for the time. Realizing I needed to get a move on, I stood.

  “You got a hot date?”

  I knew he was only joking, but like earlier, I couldn’t keep it in. “Actually, yeah. Yeah I do.”

  His eyes widened. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. Seriously. If things go the way I hope, I’ll be bringing her with me on Sunday.”

  “No shit?”

  My lips quirked. “We’ll see.”

  “I fucking told you!” Gloating, he lightly punched my arm and chortled.

  “Christ, you’re worse than one of the ol’ ladies.”

  “Phbbt! What, all two of them?” He was right, we didn’t have a lot of ol’ ladies in the chapter. Maybe that would change soon. It sure as shit wasn’t what I’d planned on, but fuck if I was going to pass up what being close to Gwen did to me.

  Yep. Certifiable.

  Chapter Six

  Gwen

  I’d gotten to the restaurant early because I couldn’t concentrate on the papers I was trying to grade. I’d finally shoved them in my tote, deciding I would work on them at home after dinner.

  Which led to me arriving early and eating my body weight in chips and salsa.

  I couldn’t help it. Chips and salsa were my greatest weakness. And it would appear my other weakness was now a tall, dark, sexy, smartass, sex god biker.

  Evidence of which was embarrassingly present between my legs as I watched him prowl his way over to the table I’d gotten us. Chest fluttering, I gave a small shiver as my stomach began doing donuts.

  Holy Hannah, he was gorgeous. As other women in the restaurant stopped and stared, some with food halfway to their mouths, I wanted to shout at them. The green-eyed monster in me was growling and snarling.

  I wanted to stand up on my seat and yell, “He’s mine!” Even though I told myself that was foolish. For crying out loud, we’d just met, really. We’d been a one-night stand.

  God.

  Sliding onto the bench across from me, he nearly mesmerized me with his beautiful white smile. In fact, it took him tapping the hand that held a chip in the salsa bowl for me to realize he’d said something. “Huh? Sorry.”

  A soft chuckle as he looked up at the waiter who came to get his drink order had my face burning. After the server walked off, he met my gaze again. “I asked you how work was.”

  “Oh. Uh…. You know, it was middle school kids in math class.” I smirked and shrugged a shoulder.

  We placed our order and made small talk until we were both done eating. He insisted on paying, even though I tried to at least get mine.

  “No way. I asked you out to dinner. It’s my treat.”

  “Well, thank you.” I was so damn full from the food and the two tons of chips and salsa I’d consumed before he arrived, I was sure I’d be rolling out. I really wanted to unbutton my skinny jeans under my long sweater.

  Struggling to get my gluttonous ass up, I was thankful when he held out his hand to help me. When he let go, he placed his hand on my lower back to escort me to the door.

  And let me tell you, the h
eat that burned from his hand through my sweater was molten. That simple nonsexual touch had me on the verge of a spontaneous orgasm. If that was even a thing.

  We’d nearly made it to the door when I heard a woman call, “Maddox?” He stiffened next to me. His steps stuttered as he turned to his left.

  Glancing around him, I saw a model-like woman step toward him. At the same time that I realized he’d never told me his real name was Maddox, I also felt short and frumpy.

  I’d never been more aware of my freckles, my full hips, and the slightest bulge of my belly thanks to my love of chips and salsa.

  “You’re looking good.” She stepped closer to him.

  Though I’d earlier wanted to scratch women’s eyes out, this woman made me feel insecure and out of my league.

  Clearing my throat, I tried to put some distance between myself and Styx… Maddox. “Well, thank you for dinner. I’ll head out and let you two visit. I’ll be seeing you around.”

  Except when I tried to leave, his fingers clenched around my hip and he tugged me back until I was plastered next to him. “No, baby. You’re not going anywhere. I have nothing to say to her.”

  Turning his back to her, he ushered me through the door.

  “Wait! Maddox! Don’t do this. Please… talk to me.” I couldn’t help studying her silky brown hair and the exotic tip to her kohl-lined eyes.

  The change in his demeanor was instantaneous. “Don’t you do this. We have absolutely nothing to discuss. You stay the fuck away from us.” His words were venomous and she appeared instantly doe-eyed as her bottom lip trembled.

  However, once his back was turned and he was again leading me away from the restaurant, I took one last look at what I felt was the standard I could never live up to and was shocked at the sheer hatred in her eyes as she glared at me.

  We’d turned the corner of the building when he stopped and ran both hands through his hair. Frustra-tion laced his words. “I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have had to see that.”

  “Look, I understand if you don’t want to see me again. You and she obviously have history and I am fully aware I can’t compete with someone like her. I—” My words were abruptly silenced as he pressed his lips to mine.