by Jenika Snow
****
The music was loud and pulsing, and the number of bodies crammed into this two-story house was intense. Callie had been at the frat party for the last couple of hours, and aside from the lone beer she had drunk an hour ago, she was now sticking with bottled water. It was hot as hell in the house, and sweat beaded between her breasts and along the length of her spine. Meredith was beside her talking to a guy she apparently knew from high school, and the vibes Meredith and the guy were throwing off to each other were nauseating and way too damn sexual for Callie’s liking.
“Hey, I’m going to get some fresh air,” Callie said, having to yell over the music.
Meredith turned and shook her head. “No, we don’t leave without the other even for some air. I’ll just have Brandon come with us?”
Now it was Callie’s turn to shake her head. “I kind of am not feeling the whole fuck me vibe I’m getting from you two.” Callie grinned. “Besides, I’ll just be right outside on the porch. It is hot, and I’m sweaty.”
Meredith shook her head again.
It was nice that, although she had just met Meredith, she felt like they were already good friends. She was about to tell her that she’d be fine ten feet away, but Ritchie’s voice came through the loud music, and was right by her ear.
“Want to be my chaperone outside?”
She looked at him and smiled. He smiled back, held up a bottle of unopened beer, and pointed to the front door.
She turned and looked at Meredith. “See, I have someone now to watch over me, and now you’ll be able to properly catch up with Brandon and give each other the ‘fuck me eyes’” Callie nudged her in the shoulder. Meredith glanced at Brandon, grinned, and then nodded at her, so Callie moved away from the wall they had been standing by and toward the front door. Once outside, there was a handful of people loitering around the porch, smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, and tossing the cups aside. Callie and Ritchie moved to the back of the porch where no one was, and she pressed her back to the railing.
“Thanks for getting me out of there. I know Meredith wanted to talk with Brandon some more, and I was feeling like a third wheel.”
Ritchie handed her the beer, and she shook her head. She held up her bottle of water. “Thanks but no thanks.”
He shrugged and set the bottle on the ledge, then leaned on the railing, too. After Ritchie took a swig from his bottle he glanced at her. “So Meredith knows that guy in there?”
Callie nodded. “Yeah, I guess they were kind of close in high school, like that friends with benefits kind of close.” She smiled and then chuckled when Ritchie’s eyebrows rose.
“Wow, can’t say I’ve ever had that kind of friendship.”
Callie chuckled harder. “Yeah, me either.” Hell, I have never had any kind of sexual relationship for that matter. Of course that was a piece of information she wasn’t about to share with him. “Hey, thanks again for taking us here tonight. I met some really great people- even a few that are in my courses.”
“Glad no one was a douchebag to you. Some of the guys can get … touchy-feely when they are drunk and there are pretty girls around.” He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes.
She felt her face heat, and although it was dark and she knew he probably couldn’t see how he had embarrassed her with his compliment, she didn’t doubt he probably could guess by the way she shifted on her feet.
“Well, I’m glad none of them were douchey, and if they had gotten touchy-feely I would have kicked them in the balls.”
Ritchie started laughing hard. “That’s a girl. Kick them where it counts. Remind me never to get on your bad side.” He reached out, and before she knew what he was doing he pushed a piece of her hair off her shoulder. “Your hair is really soft,” he said softly and looked at her right in the eyes. “You have a boyfriend, Callie?” he asked, looking at her lips now.
“I, uh—” She felt really uncomfortable right now, yet she couldn’t see to move as her surprise at what was happening moved through her. “No, I don’t have a boyfriend, but—”
“No boyfriend, but you’re so pretty.” He cut her off and leaned in, and the scent of his beer breath moved along her face.
Callie moved away before his lips touched hers, and she cleared her throat in discomfort. “Um, Ritchie.” She faced him, saw that he was looking a little uncomfortable, and smiled softly. “I’m not really looking for anything like that right now.” She ran her hands on her thighs and told herself she could have used a beer right now, but then thought better of it.
“Nah, it was my fault for reading something that wasn’t there, and for thinking I could be so bold.” He laughed, but it was clearly awkward. “I’m kind of drunk, and was not thinking clearly.” He rubbed his face with his hand and then finished off his beer. He grabbed the unopened one he had brought for her, popped the cap, and then downed that one, too.
“Hey, no worries.” She didn’t want either of them to be uncomfortable, and when he chuckled again she felt the weirdness in the air start to leave.
“Okay, don’t mind me, and please let’s forget all the stupid shut I just did and said right now?” He looked hopeful.
“Of course.” She smiled, feeling better already. She may have only met Ritchie, but he had been really nice to her, showed her around when he didn’t have to, and having him turn out to be an asshole would have been shitty.
The sound of a motorcycle engine revving had her heart racing and her looking toward the street. Of course she knew it wouldn’t be Lucien, but it was kind of second nature for her brain to jump to the conclusion that it was the man she craved. It was also instant to have the image of him on that massive motorcycle filling her head, making her hot that had nothing to do with the party, and to feel sensitive all over.
“Hey, you mind if I grab another beer?” Ritchie said, oblivious to the fact she was searching the street like some kind of psycho, looking for someone that would clearly not be there.
She shook her head and glanced at him. “Of course not, I’m not going anywhere without Meredith.” She looked in the window beside her and could see Meredith sitting on the couch with Brandon. He had his hand over her shoulder and was playing with a piece of her hair. “And I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere for a while.”
Ritchie nodded, and then lifted up the now two empty beer bottles. “You sure you’re good on the drink department?”
She held up her bottle of water and nodded. “I’m good, thank you.”
He turned and went inside, pushed through the throng of people standing by the front door, and then disappeared. She turned and focused on the street again, feeling stupid for even thinking about Lucien. She should purge him from her mind and forget about everything she felt, but of course that was easier said than done. And then she exhaled, leaned on the railing, and stared at the cars parked in front of the house. But it was the flash of silver right under the street lamp at the corner of the street that caught her eye. She followed her gaze up the big front wheel, over the gleaming chrome and detailed custom work, and the stopped when she saw the thick, big hands that held onto the handlebars. Her heart started working double time, her palms started sweating, and she knew without a doubt that she wasn’t seeing things.
Lucien Silver was here, sitting on his Harley just feet from where she stood, and staring right at her.
Chapter Six
No, Callie was most definitely not seeing things. Lucien was here, at her college and looking like he was about to tear shit up. He wore his leather cut, had on his rugged and worn-in jeans, and the shadows partially covered his face. But Callie knew it was him, could see the way his eerie grey eyes watched her, moved with her actions, and then she found herself moving forward. But a hand on her arm stopped her. She looked back, saw Ritchie handing her a fresh bottle of water. He then followed her gaze to where Lucien sat.
“Hey, you know him?” Ritchie asked, and still had his hand on her arm.
She glanced at Lucien, and her
stomach did a flip when she watched him climb off his bike, his face a mask of pure rage as he moved with determined strides toward them. “I do.” She pulled her arm out of Ritchie’s grasp. “You should go.” She tried to get him to leave, because the way Lucien was moving toward them, and the fact he looked pissed as hell, told Callie he was jumping to conclusions about Ritchie touching her.
“I can’t leave you when that beast of a guy is barreling toward us.”
“He’s my dad’s friend, but he doesn’t look happy, so please, Ritchie, you should go.” She pleaded, and then finally he took a step back. He looked between her and then Lucien, and finally turned and headed back to the house, but she could see that he stayed on the porch. It was sweet that he was looking out for her, but against Lucien he was this string-bean of a kid.
She stared at Lucien, and he stopped a few feet from her. He glanced over her shoulder, most likely at Ritchie, and she saw his nostrils flare and his jaw clench.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, still surprised that Lucien was standing right in front of her. He smelled good, like cologne that was wild and dark, and motor oil from working on his bike. He had on a white shirt under his cut, and she could see the defined outline of his muscles under the thin material. His short dark hair was a disarray around his head, but God, did it look good on him, and his eerie, powerful silver colored eyes watched them both with menace. She felt her arousal and feelings for this man come back with a vengeance. Of course they hadn’t disappeared, never would, she knew, but seeing him here in the flesh, hours away from River Run, had her feeling drunk off of the sight of him.
He pulled his focus away from the frat house, but it seemed like it took him a lot of effort. He stared at her, the muscles under his jaw clenching, but the look he gave her, solely her, could have had her melting from the intensity of it if she had been a weaker woman. Hell, who was she kidding? When it came to Lucien she was weak.
“Your dad told me you were coming to a party, and all I could think about was the shit you had gotten yourself into three months ago.” His voice was hard and unforgiving.
“I’m fine, and am drinking water.” She knew that she had been stupid back then at the party Lucien had saved her from, but she had learned her lesson, and was not about to get put into that situation again, especially not one weekend away from home. She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling this chill in the air even though she was still hot. “But to have you ride all the way over here because you thought I’d fuck up again?” She didn’t mince her words, and although she was thrilled to see him on a physical and emotional level because of how she felt for him, she was a little annoyed that he had come barreling out of the darkness about to kick Ritchie’s ass.
“It isn’t you that I’m worried about making mistakes, Callie. You’re smart as fuck, and I know you don’t put yourself in harm’s way purposefully.” He tilted his chin toward the frat house. “It’s all those motherfuckers in there that have me getting pissed, because I know what is going through their minds when they look at you.” He growled out the words and glanced down at her clothes. “I’m glad you’re covered up. When that fuck put his hand on you I about lost it, Callie. I saw red and didn’t give a shit if I committed murder.” He stared at her hard. “I meant it when I said I’d kill if any asshole put their motherfucking hands on you.” His voice was a low growl.
His voice was getting harder, darker, and she looked behind her. There were a few people watching them a little apprehensively, but she had a feeling it had to do with the fact Lucien was a scary guy in general, and not the fact that a biker was standing in the yard.
“I’m fine, everything here is fine, and you’re causing a scene.” She might love him, but right now she was annoyed. Callie grabbed his thickly muscled forearm and pulled him away, but at first it was like trying to move a slab of marble. Finally he relented and allowed her to pull him a few feet away from the house. She moved them over to his bike, glanced at the party again, and then exhaled. “Does my dad know you’re here?”
He crossed his arms over his massive and wide chest, and stared down at her. She was not a thin woman by any means, and with a size sixteen waist, boobs that were a little too large for her liking, and curves that she didn’t care much for, Lucien still managed to make her feel so feminine and petite.
“What do you think, Callie?”
The way he said her name had a chill and tremor moving through her. That was a no. He had not told her father, and although she was thankful because Kink would have flipped his shit, and because she knew she didn’t want anyone’s relationship to be strained, she had a feeling things would become that way eventually.
“Lucien, you made yourself clear back at the clubhouse. I left, went away because you told me to. I don’t understand why you’d show up, act like you care—”
“I do fucking care.” His voice grew harder. “I worried about you, Callie, and the only way I could not lose my shit and destroy something was to come up here and make sure you were okay.”
That had her shutting up, swallowing the lump that was suddenly in her throat, and she was stunned that he had said the last part softly, intimately even. The sound of footsteps approaching had Callie turning. Meredith and Brandon were walking toward them, and by the looks on both of their faces it was clear Lucien standing here shocked them. He was intimidating on the best of days, but with his anger still below the surface, and the aura of his dangerous nature simmering so close, she knew anyone within a foot of him could sense how powerful this man really was.
“I, uh, Brandon and I were going to head out for something to eat, and catch up,” Meredith said, tripping over her words, but she was staring at Lucien as she spoke. She finally looked at Callie. “You’re okay?”
“I’m fine. This is my father’s friend, Lucien.” She nodded at Lucien.
Meredith eyed him curiously. “Damn, hardcore biker in the flesh.” Meredith almost sounded awed, but Brandon looked a little hesitant to even be so close to Lucien. “So you want to go with us, or, uh, something else you have planned?” She eyed Lucien again.
“Actually—”
“I’ll just take you back to the dorm, Callie. It’s late, and your dad probably would be pissed knowing you’re out partying with a bunch of drunk adolescents.” He looked at Meredith. “No offense,” he said, but he didn’t sound very genuine.
She didn’t bother saying her dad knew where she was, that she had told him she was going to a frat party. None of it would have mattered when it concerned Lucien wanting something. It was weird hearing Lucien be all responsible sounding, especially as she knew he was less than sedentary when it came to his life and partying. She wanted to argue, to tell him he couldn’t just show up and start telling her what she could and couldn’t do, but she was ready for this night to be over with, and didn’t want to start any more of a scene than Lucien had already caused.
“None taken,” Meredith said, and then the sound of someone puking in the not too far distance came through, confirming Lucien’s words. Meredith looked over her shoulder, and then when she looked back at them she had this scrunched up nose. “Hence why we are leaving, because the sound and smell of vomit is kind of doing me in.” She shrugged. “You’re good with going back to the dorm though?” she asked Callie, and eyed Lucien again.
“I was thinking of heading back anyway, and I know you two want to catch up, so it’s fine.” Callie looked at Lucien, and felt her arousal and annoyance wage war.
“Okay, only if you’re sure.”
Callie nodded. “I am, but thanks.” She smiled, knowing that this whole frat scene wasn’t for her anyway. And since Ritchie had tried to kiss her, it was a little uncomfortable.
“Well, don’t wait up for me,” Meredith said. “Seriously, I haven’t seen this guy in the flesh in forever. He moved away junior year, and seeing him here totally caught me off guard.” Meredith was looking at Brandon. Callie didn’t know the deal with them, or how they had been fri
ends with benefits but hadn’t seen each other in a long time, but she was fine staying in the dark about it all. Meredith nudged Brandon in the ribs, and then they turned and left. The sound of her bangles jangling as she made her way toward her car sounded loud and distinct. When Meredith and Brandon got into the car and drove away, the silence, despite the pounding music coming through the house, surrounded Callie and Lucien.
“Come on, let’s go,” Lucien said in that hard tone of his, but when she looked at the house she saw Ritchie standing on the porch with a few of his friends. He was staring at her, and she looked at Lucien.
“Hold on. I can’t just leave without talking to Ritchie.”
Lucien growled out, and she stopped, surprised the noise had come from him because it sounded enraged, animalistic even. “Let’s just go, Callie,” he said, but he was staring at where Ritchie stood.
“Lucien, stop it.”
He snapped his gaze to her, and she felt her eyebrows pull down as confusion settled in her.
“What is wrong with you?” Callie asked.
He clenched his teeth, hardened his jaw, and looked as though he couldn’t control himself. She wanted to believe that he cared about her so much his need to keep her close was strong, but she knew better. This was probably him looking out for his biker brother’s daughter, feeling some kind of extra loyalty to Kink and her because of the kiss they had shared. He was feeling guilt, and being here, driving several hours out to come make sure she was okay, was proof of that. It was depressing to think of that way, but it was reality. Yes, he’d said he cared about her. Without saying anything else, or him responding to her question, she turned and walked toward Ritchie.
He was staring at Lucien a little nervously, and she felt horrible that he even felt like that. She climbed the few steps up to the porch, and the two guys that stood behind Ritchie looked away as she smiled. “Listen, I’m really sorry about just having to leave, but I think heading out is probably best.”