Vex's Temptation

by Elizabeth Knox

  I nod, completely understanding what she means. “I get it. My parents weren’t fans when I came out as a lesbian a few years back. Even when they died, they both made it known that they weren’t approving of the way I choose to live my life, and my brother, well, he’s another story.”

  “Ugh, it’s the worst. My dad’s from Georgia, but my mom grew up around here. After she had me and got pregnant with my sister, she convinced my dad to move up here so my grandparents could help. But by the time she was pregnant with my sister I was already thirteen, and well, I’m sure you can imagine.”

  “I can.”

  “Anyways, I’ll stop talking about them. Are . . . are you single, or are you seeing someone?” Kayla’s question causes me to laugh and it’s a breath of fresh air.

  “You really are straightforward,” I giggle, needing this so badly. I spot a bench that we’re walking up to, so I plop my ass down on it and set my backpack down on the ground. Kayla takes a seat beside me and puts her purse down on the pavement below us as well.

  “I won’t apologize. I think you’re really sexy with your red hair and accent, and you said you were a lesbian so, I’m gonna shoot my shot while I can,” Kayla giggles, while her eyes sparkle with mischief.

  “Yes, I’m single.”

  Kayla’s smile widens. “Awesome, I was hoping you would be.”

  I didn’t think about getting laid while I was down here, especially since my first priority will be dealing with the cult bullshit . . . but if I have a pretty woman trying to scratch my itch I won’t complain. Plus, since I won’t be seeing Devi’ for quite a while, I don’t have anyone I know who will do it. And it’s not like I’m going to be fucking Finley, not with the way she’s been a raging bitch to me.

  My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out seeing Boss’ texted me and asked me to give her a call when I can. “I need to get going, but I’ll see you on Tuesday in class,” I tell her, sliding my phone back in my pocket.

  “Okay, see you then,” Kayla responds as I pull my backpack up from the ground, she rises as well and moves directly in front of me. It’s almost like she’s trying to block me from moving. Kayla puts her hand against the side of my face and before I realize what’s happening, she’s pressing her lips onto mine and sucks my tongue into her mouth. I kiss her back briefly before pulling away, muttering how I’ll see her on Tuesday morning.

  Chapter Twelve

  Finley

  “You know, I really hate it when you do this,” Mara-Lee says, entering my office at Night’s Bliss.

  “What do you mean?” I ask, giving her a look of innocence.

  “Don’t play coy with me, Fin’, I know what you’ve been doing. You haven’t been to the Fort since the other day and now it’s Thursday. You’re hiding from Ainslee. Admit it,” she snaps, crossing her arms over her tits while cocking her hip to the side. If it weren’t for the fact, I love Mara-Lee like a sister and knew her as well as I did, I’d totally fuck her right now. It’s been a week or so now since the last time I picked up a random chick down in the bar and I’m not used to going more than a few days without getting laid.

  Every time I’ve thought about it, a certain image of a red head pops into my head and dammit I can’t. This shit isn’t normal.

  On top of it all I sent a text to Ainslee this morning apologizing for the way I acted, but that wasn’t it, I told her I’d like to speak to her in person and to let me know when she’d be home. Her response was callous, thanking me for the apology and said she didn’t know when she’d be in. So, I at least attempted to make a plan to talk to her. I’m simply waiting for her to give me a time. I’m not about to tell Mara-Lee this either. I have a feeling she’ll try to act like a matchmaker. She’s constantly trying to set one of the boys up with someone she meets or thinks will work with them.

  “Babe, I’m not about to admit to shit, cause I’m not hiding, I’m working.” Which is mostly true, I’ve been working the entire time I’ve been away from the Fort with barely five or so hours of sleep a night.

  “Whatever. But I’m here to tell you I want your ass home for dinner. We’re having family night tonight. We haven’t done that in ages,” Mara-Lee demands.

  “Fine, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay all night since it’s Thursday. You know ladies’ night brings in the cash. The club’s already on high alert with the bullshit going on.”

  “Just come home for a couple hours then we’ll do family night Sunday when the club is closed,” she says, interrupting me.

  “Alright fine. Let’s get to the house then,” I mutter, not wanting to deal with an argument. And if I’m honest with myself, I need new clothes anyway. I have the last pair of clean clothes I brought with me on. I’ll have to get them to the house and in my laundry basket.

  “Great, I’ll see you there.” She giggles, spins around on her heel, and strides out of my office like she’s walking on clouds.

  Sighing, I stand from behind my desk where I’d been working on an interest tally. This guy borrowed some money to go sit in on some poker tables. Of course, just like them all he has an addiction to gambling. From what I’ve calculated so far, he’d be getting a visit from either one of my boys or Twister’s very soon. I leave the work for later, rise, and exit the building. I get into my car and head for the Fort, putting all thoughts of work aside for a little while at least.

  “Eight ball, corner pocket,” I say, making my call for where I’m going to put the eight-ball. Mara-Lee ordered some food from one of the local places tourists rarely find, and the three of us spent the afternoon relaxing.

  I tried to relax somewhat, but of course my phone kept going off with emails, texts, and calls I’m unable to ignore. Finally, Cedric had enough with hearing it go off. He made it a point when we’re all home trying to have some family time, we need to assign someone else to take the calls. After that he left to go to the club to make sure things were being handled properly. See, I’m not the only one who can’t stay away from work.

  As the ball sinks into the hole, I don’t get the satisfaction since of course my phone goes off. I pull it out of my pocket and immediately frown at the name on the screen. Swiping my finger across the screen I place the phone to my ear. “What’s going on, Halton?”

  “Sorry to bother you, boss, but Cedric asked me to give you a call and report that an Ainslee is here at the club with another woman, looking to be all cozied up to one another,” Halton says as he clears his throat.

  My hand tightens around the phone. “Thanks for letting me know,” I mutter. Hanging up I look over to Mara-Lee. “I’m heading to Night’s Bliss. Promise I’ll be back, and I know Sunday is family night. We’ll do family shit. Maybe even go down to the boardwalk or something.” I shrug.

  “Sounds good. I need to come to the club as well. One of the girls texted me asking if I could come help her with an outfit that came unstitched on the side,” Mara-Lee says. For some reason I don’t believe her. I’m betting Cedric texted her and she wants to see what I do.

  Well, I’m not planning to do shit.

  Nodding to her I head for the door, grab my keys, and leave the house. My mind races with thoughts of Ainslee with another woman and it pisses me off. Deciding to take one of my two bikes, I head for the garage and open the door while snagging my helmet from the bench. I throw my leg over the beast. Turning the key, the bike fires up with a thunderous roar. I put my helmet on and lift the kickstand.

  I hit the throttle and speed out of the garage, down the driveway in the direction of Night’s Bliss. The entire time flashes of Ainslee filter through my head. Only this time instead of her doing what I envision with me, she’s with this unknown bitch and that seriously pisses me off.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ainslee/Vex

  Staring down at the screen, I re-read what I’ve read at least a thousand times—Finley’s apology. It seems really shitty, impersonal, and honestly like a cop out. I don’t even know how the woman got my phone number, but
I’m betting she called someone at the Devil’s Riot MC and they handed it over, not even thinking about it. Whatever, it’s not like she wouldn’t have gotten it at some point again anyway.

  Smearing a matte nude lipstick over my lips, I give myself a once over in the mirror. My hair is straightened, styled in a blowout, and I’ve put a lot of effort in my makeup this evening. I even went a little crazy with my eye color, which I never do. I’m not the type who craves attention but mixing these two pigments in the palette I picked up the other day at the store has paid off. Honestly, it makes the black latex dress I’m wearing really stand out . . . and I want to feel sexy as fuck tonight.

  Since I didn’t bring much with me, I grabbed not only the palette, but this dress and a pair of heels the other day when I went shopping with Kayla. She took me to a local mall and we went a little nutty with the spending, but it was so much fun. It reminded me I don’t need to be a pushover for anyone, especially Finley. It’s probably part of the reason I think her apology is half-assed.

  I get an alert my Uber is here, so I grab my clutch and head downstairs. Mara-Lee spots me from the living room and gives me a once over, boosting my ego a little bit, but she doesn’t say a thing. In a matter of minutes, the Uber driver and I have introduced ourselves and I’ve given him the address of the club Kayla took me to the other night. The entire atmosphere was amazing, super fun, and the crowd didn’t get rowdy like they do sometimes back in Scotland.

  While it’s only been a few hours, I’m eager to see Kayla again. Today was our second day of classes and I’d be lying if I said the material was easy, but I know it’ll be worth it in the end. We agreed to meet here around eight, so hopefully we get a few drinks and I get to know more about her. While we’ve shared a few kisses, there hasn’t been anything else and I’m eager to lather my tongue with her essence.

  My phone buzzes in my hand and instantly I tap on my text messages icon, seeing a text from my brother, Bram. We don’t communicate often and he was always supportive of my parents, but he does try to check in with me every once in a while, usually in a text. He simply asks how I’m doing, so I tell him I’m okay and then I ask him the same question he’s asked me, as a courtesy. I know we’ll never have a true sibling bond like some people do, that our relationship is more on a surface level.

  I back out of his message and see the beginning of Finley’s apology, so of course I tap on it and re-read it yet again. So many emotions run through my mind, but most of all the confusion, the fear I’m being mind-fucked with . . . and I know I’m only thinking this way since Bram texted me. He’s a constant reminder of the games my parents would play with me. I’m wondering if Finley’s doing the same, or if this is just my past finding another excuse to creep up on me, finding another way to make me inferior, like I don’t belong.

  I shake my head at the thought, pushing those negative feelings deep down and suck in a deep breath. Tonight, is about new beginnings. Every day is a new opportunity, and I’m going to have fun with Kayla tonight.

  My phone buzzes again, but this time it’s from Kayla. She’s telling me she’s already at the club and she managed to get a small booth in the back. The Uber driver pulls up at the club a few minutes later and I get out, pay the entry fee, and make my way inside. Thankfully, Kayla told me where she was sitting when she texted me a bit ago, so I keep going forward.

  I find Kayla relatively easily and make my way over to her, dropping down to the booth I slide in and she wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer to her until her lips are on mine. We’re in the back corner of the club while the dance floor is directed more toward the center. She pushes her tongue in past my lips and aggressively pulls me further into the kiss. God, it feels nice, to feel this wanted and needed.

  I snake my arms around her body and match her speed, moaning a bit into the kiss, realizing we haven’t even said hi, but why would we need to? We’ve been playing this flirtatious game for days now, and maybe tonight is the night we’ll actually do something about the sexual tension building between the two of us.

  Kayla breaks the kiss but sucks my bottom lip in her mouth and gnaws on it. “Good evening.”

  “Hello yourself,” I murmur seductively, sliding my hands down her back, I shift them to her torso and run them along her hips, diving a bit lower and graze my fingernails along her inner thigh. Her eyes light up with excitement and I debate toying with her clit right here, right now, in this very public place. But I don’t know if that would scare her off . . . and I don’t want to frighten her, not when we’re so new with whatever this is. I don’t know if we have a label, but I hope she lets me know what her plans are soon, whether she wants to date me or fuck me. Regardless, I won’t care . . . I just need some sort of release. This shit with Finley is too much.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Finley

  As I pull into the parking lot of Night’s Bliss, I park my bike in my usual spot in the back and put the kickstand down. Removing my helmet, I run my fingers through the thick curls to smooth them out. I climb off my bike and notice Colton is already at the door, holding it open for me as I make my way to the building.

  “Boss,” he says in greeting.

  “Everything going okay?” I ask.

  “Typical night so far.” He shrugs. “I do know that Lacy is asking to speak to you.”

  Groaning, I roll my eyes to the back of my head. I take care of all my girls here but I hold true to my rules about no employees getting together same goes with me. Only Lacy seems to not want to get the hint. She’s one of the favorites amongst the women who come here wanting an evening in VIP.

  “Do you know what she wants?” I’m sure I already know the answer to my own question but I ask all the same.

  “You know how Lacy is, she’ll only talk to you,” Colton smirks.

  Fucker.

  “Whatever, I’ll deal with her later. Tell her I’m busy and unless it’s something that doesn’t involve me personally, then to take it up with Cedric,” I order, perfectly happy with handing her issues over to my right-hand man.

  “You got it, boss, also, Halton said Ainslee’s sitting in a back booth with a blonde chick.”

  “Thanks,” I snap, feeling the need to slug him as he chuckles.

  What’s up with everyone laughing over anything that has to do with Ainslee?

  I make my way up to my office on the third floor without stopping to speak to anyone. My mind set on getting up there to look out on the crowd down on the first floor. Upon entering my office, I place my helmet on the table near the door. Mara-Lee bought it for me to put my stuff on like at the Fort. Her reasonings for it being I’m here more than I am at home.

  I step over to my bar across the room, grab a tumbler, and put a hefty amount of Maker’s Mark in the glass. Taking a sip, I walk over to the window and glance around looking past the people on the dance floor, I immediately spot Ainslee and the blonde bitch sitting too fuckin’ close together.

  Fuckin’ hell.

  From here I can see the women are in an intimate conversation from the way the blonde bitch is wrapped around Ainslee.

  I know texting her an apology isn’t the best way to say it to her and I intended to do it in person when I saw her. Seeing her now with this chick is a hard slap in the face and along with a big fat screaming fuck you. Ainslee could’ve easily said, ‘No, I’m not talking to you’ or whatever.

  As I notice them getting up out of the booth, I can all but see the intent on what is about to happen between the two of them. Turning to my desk I grab my earpiece that connects me to security and put it in my ear.

  “Which one of you is closest to the back booths?”

  “I am,” Link says.

  “Two women just got up from one of the booths, I want you to keep them from getting wherever the fuck they’re going,” I order, making my way to the door.

  “You got it, boss,” Link mutters and I can nearly see the grin on his face as he responds.

  “Need
us to back you up?” Halton asks.

  “Naw,” I decline his offer. I got this.

  I rush down the stairs and to the second floor, ignoring the girls as they try to catch my attention to speak with me, and move for the next set of stairs. I should’ve taken the back stairs that leads straight up to the third floor, but this stairwell brings me closer to where I want to be when I get to the first floor.

  “Boss, I’ve got two unhappy women glaring at me, I suggest you get here quick-like,” Links suggests as I make it down the last set.

  “I’m almost to you,” I affirm, seeing them straight ahead. I can hear the blonde bitch screeching at Link through the headset.

  “Damn, boss, this shit worth the headache we’re all gonna have due to this chick?” Colton asks.

  “Shut up,” I mutter just as I round Link, take hold of Ainslee’s hand and shove the blonde chick away from my woman as she tries to get between the two of us.

  Ainslee’s eyes show her surprise at seeing me here. And as she starts to protest, I ignore her and turn to Link. “Keep blondie here back,” I order.

  “Got it, boss,” he chuckles.

  “What the hell, Finley? You have no right in manhandling me,” Ainslee yells over the loud music.

  I keep quiet, not trusting myself to say something I will regret.

  It dawns on me that I’ve called Ainslee mine in my head and in truth that’s what I want her to be. If she wants to get laid, find a release, then it’ll be with me and if she’s not ready to accept what I’ve come to realize I want then I’ll let it be what it is.

  For the time being that is.