She was attracted to him. Even though the conversation in the diner was awkward and a bit terrifying for someone who had been hiding that part of herself for years, it also felt freeing to have it out there.
He knew. He wasn’t grossed out.
“I’ll get you a set of keys. But this one opens the front door. Don’t ever go through the back, it opens out into the alley behind all of these shops. In fact, I don’t want to catch you ever in that alley, all right?”
She looked around with a nod, noting a homeless man going through the dumpster outside the convenience shop. Sorrow filled her and she made a note to make extra food next time she worked in case he was still around.
Duke opened the door and showed her the alarm. Crap. Numbers weren’t her thing. She’d have to write the code down and work on memorizing it. He led her through everything. He wasn’t impatient, but it was also clear he didn’t want to have to go over anything more than once.
None of it seemed too hard, though.
“It’s up to you to keep the staff room clean and stocked,” he told her. “Take the trash out each night.”
“The dumpster is in the alley?”
“Yeah. It is. Just leave it at the back door and someone will throw it out.”
She nodded.
“We have T-shirts and sweatshirts with the shop logo on it for you to wear. Got some spares in my office. Probably need to get some smaller sizes for you. That’s it for now. You good?”
“I’m fine wearing whatever you have on hand.”
The front door opened and a big, bald man stepped in. He was huge, muscular, dressed in a white T-shirt and dark blue jeans. Tattoos swirled their way down his forearms and over his hands. Another tattoo peeked above the neck of his T-shirt. It was hard to judge his age, but she guessed he was in his late forties.
“Yo, Duke, what’s going on?” he rumbled.
“Madden, this is Sunny. She’s our new front desk chick.”
Chick?
“I prefer ‘front desk person’,” she said, sending Duke a look.
He just waved a hand. “Whatever. I got a client coming in soon. Need to set up my station.”
Madden walked into the staffroom and she followed, watching him turn on the coffee machine.
“Oh, I should do that.”
“No problem, darlin’,” he said with a smile. “We’re used to making do. Been a couple of months since Darlene ran off with her man and left us high and dry. Didn’t think Duke would hire anyone else. You know him?”
“Um, yes, we’re neighbors.”
Madden raised his eyebrows. “Huh.”
She wasn’t quite sure what that huh meant. “So, um, as well as putting on the coffee is there anything else, I can do before we open?”
“Duke didn’t give you much guidance, huh?”
“No.”
“You’ll pick it up,” Madden said quietly.
“Fuck. I have got such a fucking headache,” another man appeared in the doorway. His hair was pulled back in a man bun, the lower half of his face hidden behind a patchy beard. He was thin and a little hunched.
“Rory! You’re late!” Duke barked. She jumped.
“Fuck, Duke, stop yelling,” Rory whined.
Duke appeared in the doorway, frowning at the other man. “Pull your shit together and get to work.” Duke walked away.
“Jesus, he’s an uptight bastard. Thought working for a biker he’d be more easygoing. Parties and biker trash sluts, but no, he’s all about work ethic and coming in on time,” Rory muttered.
Her eyes widened and she stared over at Madden who was glaring at Rory. “That’s your mistake then isn’t it? Duke’s a good boss, as long as you follow the rules.”
Oh, so it wasn’t just her that he had lots of rules for. Somehow, she was a little disappointed.
“Who’re you?” Rory turned to her.
“Hi, I’m Sunny. The new front desk person.” She looked over at Madden who just grinned as he poured himself coffee.
“About fucking time that Duke hired someone. I’m an artist not a fucking phone bitch.”
Right.
“Make me a coffee. Cream and two sugars.”
“Um, sure.”
Madden leaned against the counter and she had to reach around him to get a coffee mug from the cupboard.
“Not that one,” Rory barked. “The one with the bulldog on it. We got a lot in common, me and bulldogs.”
“Yeah, both ugly as sin,” Madden whispered to her.
“I don’t know, I think bulldogs are kind of cute. Him, on the other hand. . .” she trailed off, slightly embarrassed. You just started, Sunny. You should be trying to get on with everyone, not insulting them.
But Madden just grinned and winked.
“Here you go.” She handed Rory the mug.
He took a sip and nearly choked. “What the fuck? Have you never made coffee in your life? This is fucking shit.”
She’d worked with men for years and she’d never had one be quite so rude and abrasive, at least not right off the bat. So she just gaped at him for a moment. Then she was suddenly facing a wide, muscular back.
Madden.
“I made the coffee, asshole. Don’t like it, make it yourself.”
“Not paid to make coffee. New girl, make a fresh batch and bring me a cup. I’m going to get my station ready.” He stomped out.
“Was it something I said?” she asked, uncertain anyone had ever taken such an instant dislike to her.
“Nah, it’s not you. Rory’s got a problem with women. He’s just a fucking jerk.” Madden sighed. “It’s gonna be a long fucking day.”
8
Sunny parked her car around the corner from the tattoo shop and got out, opening the trunk to drag out the big bag of stuff she’d packed up. She’d been working here for nearly two weeks and this was the first time Duke had been unable to drive her in. Something about club business, which she knew not to ask about. He was very tight-lipped about anything to do with the club.
She carried her bag around to the entrance of the back alley.
“Marv? Hey, Marv, are you here?” she called out for the older homeless man who often hung around. But there was no one back here. Drat, she’d come out and look for him later. She turned around, only to find him standing behind her.
She let out a cry, dropping the bag.
“Marv! You scared me!” How the hell had he managed to sneak up on her?
“Sweet little thing like you shouldn’t be hanging out in an alley.”
God, now he sounded like Duke. He’d caught her going to throw the garbage out the other day and had a fit. She’d only been doing it because Rory had been bitching about having to do her work and she couldn’t take it anymore. Mind you, Rory bitched about everything. Especially if it was to do with her. Nothing she ever did was right for him.
But she shouldn’t complain. Other than Rory’s moodiness and Duke’s overprotective tendencies, she was really enjoying this job. Duke could be abrupt, but she was growing used to his manner. Madden was sweet, despite the fact he looked like he broke faces for a living. And most of the clients, while often scary looking, were surprisingly sweet and respectful.
Now if she could just get a hang of the damn ordering system, she’d be happy. She’d mucked up the last order she’d submitted. She could tell Duke was a little frustrated, but he’d been patient as he’d gone over it again.
Duke was bossy and protective, but like one would be to a kid sister. Not someone he wanted to drag into bed. Which was disappointing.
Her Little hadn’t been out once since she’d come to work for him. Not even at home. It seemed like she’d retreated for a while.
“I wasn’t hanging out; I was searching for you.”
Marvin had long, scraggly dark hair. She was uncertain of his age, but she guessed he was probably in his sixties. He was slightly stooped with baggy clothes. She worried he didn’t get enough to eat and always packed some dinner for him
.
Duke wasn’t particularly happy that she’d befriended him, and had made her promise she wouldn’t be alone with the older man. But Marvin was harmless.
“Here, I brought you some clothes. My ex left them behind and I think they might fit you. I’ve washed them all.” She was lying. Greg hadn’t left a thing behind and he wouldn’t be seen dead in the warm, flannel shirt and thick, down jacket she’d bought. While it was summer, it still got cold at night. So she’d bought Marvin a new shirt and jacket, removing the tags and washing them.
“Your ex? What kind of fool would leave you?”
She shrugged. “He didn’t think I was good enough for him, I guess. Greg wanted someone sophisticated and intelligent. Personally, I think he just wanted someone with more money so he could live the high life. . .and I can’t believe I just blurted that all out.”
Marv just gave her a gentle smile. “Thank you, sweet girl. That’s so kind.”
“I also included dinner and some cookies that I baked this morning. Are you sure you don’t need any bedding? I have some spare stuff I was going to donate,” she lied.
“No, no, I’m fine for bedding. You go on, and get to work. I have to make my rounds.”
She wasn’t sure what his rounds included, but she knew he liked to move around different places so she nodded and squeezed his hand. She walked to the front of the shop and unlocked it, heading to the alarm. She input the number, but the little red light continued to flash.
Had she gotten it wrong?
She re-entered it. More flashing red lights. Drat! Panic flooded her and she raced to her desk for the piece of paper she’d written the code on. The alarm started blaring as she searched through the top drawer. Where was it?
The phone on the front desk started ringing and she picked it up.
“This is Mason security,” a calm voice stated. “Your alarm is going off.”
That seemed like an idiotic statement. “Yes, I know! I can hear it!” Along with most of the block, no doubt.
“Are you in distress, ma’am?”
“Yes, I’m in distress! I can’t find the damn pin number and the alarm is blasting my ear drums!”
Suddenly, the alarm stopped. She sighed with relief, slumping into her chair. “Thanks for turning it off.”
“We didn’t, ma’am.”
She stood up, looking over the high back of her desk towards the door. A heavily tattooed, blond, surfer-looking guy stood there. Another sort of panic filled her until she realized he wouldn’t know the alarm number unless Duke knew him.
“Thanks, bye.” She ended the call.
“Forgot the alarm number?” the guy asked, leaning against the doorway and folding his arms over his thickly muscled chest. His hair was shaved at the sides and slicked back on top. His tattoos ran down each arm and she thought she saw glimpses above the neck of his T-shirt.
“Yes, Duke changes it every week and I just drew a blank.”
He grinned. “Yeah, he’s a real prick over security. I’m Ink.”
“Oh. Are you a friend of Duke’s?”
“Yeah. I’m a member of the Iron Shadows.”
Her stomach bubbled with nerves for another reason. “Right. Well, thank you. Did you have an appointment today?” She didn’t remember an Ink being booked in. She kind of thought she would. Then again, she couldn’t remember a four-digit pin, now, could she?
“Nah, the security company called me. I was around at the compound.”
“They called you?”
“Yeah, I own the company.”
“You do?” She stared at him in surprise.
He grinned. “I don’t look like the type of person to own a security company?”
“No, it’s not that. . .” she trailed off because it was exactly that. His grin grew as there was a screech of tires behind him. “Here comes Duke. Don’t think he’s too happy.”
Her eyes widened as Duke’s black truck pulled up and he jumped out. His face was like thunder as he strode to the shop.
Not too happy was an understatement.
Ink stepped to the side to let Duke in, but didn’t walk any further into the shop.
“Duke, hi!” she said cheerily. “I didn’t think you were coming in until later.”
Ink snorted. She looked around Duke’s wide body to glare at him. He just winked at her.
She started as Duke moved around the desk. Oh sugar. He wasn’t going to fire her over forgetting the pin number, was he?
“What happened? Are you okay?” He ran his gaze over her, as though searching for injuries.
“I’m fine. Why would you think I wasn’t?”
He took hold of her shoulders, looking like he really wanted to shake her. Then he drew his hands away and took a hasty step back. “Because I just got a phone call that the damn alarm was going off!”
And he’d been worried about her? That was really sweet. And it made her feel awful.
“I’m all right. I just forgot the number for the alarm.”
He gave her a slightly exasperated look. “Babe.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
He ran his fingers through his hair. “Where the fuck is Rory? I told him to come in early and open up with you.”
“Oh, ah, maybe he forgot.”
Or maybe he was just a prick who’d rather watch her mess up than help her.
Duke grumbled something under his breath as he turned away. He seemed to notice Ink for the first time.
“What’re you doing here?”
“Well, that’s gratitude,” Ink drawled, not seeming to take offense at Duke’s growly tone. “I rushed over here when the alarm went off to check on Sunny-girl here.”
He knew her name? Oh, Duke had said he was going to tell everyone at the club about her. For some reason that thought made her blush.
“I’ll just go start the coffee. Um, feel free to go about your business.”
She waved her hands at them both. Duke gave her an incredulous look. “Go about my business?”
She bit her lip, feeling that blush growing deeper.
“I’ll take some coffee, Sunny-girl,” Ink told her.
Duke scowled at him. “She’s not here to make you coffee. Besides, we’ve got a meeting.”
“I thought you might want to move it here, so I texted Reyes while you were checking out Sunny.” Ink grinned and she blushed at his innuendo. Duke had just been concerned that she wasn’t harmed. Nothing more.
Duke grumbled some more. Then he turned and headed to his office. “Make a big pot of coffee, Sunny. And when Rory gets here, send him the fuck in.”
Ink grinned at her as he walked past. “I take my coffee sweet and creamy, doll. Bit like you.”
Wow. That was so cheesy. She just rolled her eyes before walking out to the back room to get everything ready. After putting her stuff in her locker, she took a moment to steady her nerves. She hated upsetting Duke. She didn’t want him to regret hiring her.
She looked up as Rory strolled in.
“Coffee started yet?”
She clenched her hands into fists. Be nice. “Not yet. Duke wants to see you.”
Rory narrowed his gaze. “What? Why? Isn’t he supposed to be having some secret club meeting?”
She was pretty certain that Rory was jealous of Duke.
“It’s been moved to here.” She didn’t say anything more, just made a pot of coffee before heading out to the front room again.
Where was that bit of paper with the pin number on it? She got down on her hands and knees to start searching around. She didn’t want to admit to Duke that she’d lost it, she was in enough trouble with him as it was.
Ah, there it was. She spotted a piece of white paper beneath the desk and started crawling under the open space, grabbing it just as the buzzer indicated someone was coming through the door. She started wiggling back.
“Hello, down there.”
She sat up, misjudging where the surface of the desk was and bumping her head.
/> “Owie!” she muttered without thinking, reaching up to rub the sore spot while staring up at a large guy wearing a black, tight tee, and worn blue jeans.
To her surprise, he crouched down so they were nearly face-to-face.
“Ouch, that looked like it hurt,” he said with surprising sympathy for such a cold-looking man.
“I’m okay.” Aware of how unprofessional she was acting, she tried to scramble to her feet, only to bump into her chair and send it flying across the room on its wheels.
“Oh, whoops.” She turned back to look at the man with a grimace. “Um, hi, I’m Sunny, can I help you?”
“Hello, Sunny,” he replied. “I’m Reyes. I’m a friend of Duke’s. He back in his office?”
“Ah, yeah. He’s a little busy right now.” She winced as she heard Duke yelling at Rory. She moved over to get the chair, wheeling it back behind the desk. Reyes leaned against the counter, seemingly in no rush.
Reyes raised his eyebrows. “Seems like he’s upset.”
She sighed. “I forgot the darn pin number for the alarm again. I wrote it down on a piece of paper, but it went missing.” She held up the piece of paper she still held in her hand. “It must have fallen under the desk. Although I swear, I put it in the drawer.”
She rubbed her throbbing head again.
“Still hurts, little one?”
She dropped her hand. “Oh no, it’s fine.” Last thing he cared about was her sore head.
Reyes’ face grew cold and she bit her lip in consternation. What had she said?
“Lying is naughty. Did your Daddy never teach you that?”
“Ah, well, my dad didn’t teach me much of anything. Well, other than how to roll a joint properly.” Her face went bright red as she realized what she’d said. “And that probably wasn’t something I should have told you.”
“He smoked drugs?”
“He smoked everything,” she muttered.
Reyes gave her a concerned look. “I wasn’t actually talking about the man who fathered you.”
Then who was he talking about. . .oh, did he mean that he thought that she had a Daddy? That she was a Little?
You are a Little.
But how does he know that? Was he a Daddy Dom?
Motorcycle Daddy (MC Daddies Book 1) Page 7