by Jayne Blue
“Good enough,” I said. I couldn’t help myself from peering over Pete’s shoulder. I heard movement in the back and a feminine voice raising as she hit the chorus of some country western song.
“Thea likes to sing while she works,” Pete explained. “She wears earbuds and I swear she cranks those things so loud I can be right next to her screaming and she won’t hear.”
“It’s a 1936 Harley Davidson El, Pete.”
Pete’s jaw dropped. He scooted around me and headed for the door. Then he stopped, smacking his hand on his head. “Oh, man. I gotta tell Thea I’m leaving and lock up. Are you shitting me? You got a ‘36?”
Laughing, I pointed toward the door. “You better hurry. Mickey’s fixing to tear the engine apart. Don’t worry, I can show myself out.”
Pete made a gun with his hand and winked as he shot it at me. Then, he turned on his heel and made a run for Mickey’s repair shop.
Curiosity getting the better of me, I walked around Pete’s counter and headed for the back room.
God, she was fucking gorgeous. She had her back to me, bent over a worktable as she applied a coat of stain to a cabinet. She had on worn, blue cowboy boots and her sweet ass looked damn near gifted on a silver platter from this view. My cock stirred and it took everything in me not to touch her. I leaned against the doorjamb and admired the view, twisting my neck sideways to see her from the front. Her paint splattered t-shirt was cut into a low vee, showing an abundance of tanned cleavage.
She pivoted on one foot and swung her hips as she belted out the final chorus of a Carrie Underwood song. Thea wasn’t half bad herself and chills ran down my spine as her voice lifted. I put one booted foot up against the wall and it drew her attention.
She turned around and pulled her buds from her ears. She flashed me the palest, coldest blue eyes and they drank in everything about me in a split second. She took in my cut, my ink, and she must have seen the outline of the piece I carried at my side.
“Motherfucker!” Thea shouted.
Before I could call her off, she reached for a staple gun on the table and shot one straight at my head.
Chapter Two
Thea
My heart nearly exploded out of my chest. Shaking, I two-fisted the staple gun, ready to take aim again. He’d dodged the first one neatly. His dark hair fell over his eyes and when he righted himself again, he brushed that lock of hair away and smiled at me.
In the span of two seconds, my life could change again. I waited for him to move toward me or give me some sign of his intentions. But, he just stood there, staring at me with smoldering eyes and a slow smile that grew.
“I’m so sorry. I mean, you shouldn’t be back here,” I stammered. “Pete handles all the customers out front.” It seemed a ridiculous thing to say considering I’d nearly put the guy’s eye out. That’s all he was, I told myself. Just a guy. The end of the world hadn’t come for me yet.
He put his hands up in surrender. His grin melted me a little even as my pulse jackhammered in my ears. I ripped the buds out but kept a grip on the staple gun.
“I can see why,” he laughed, keeping his hands up. “A staple through the cornea doesn’t exactly put a man in a buying mood. Stand down, will ya? I was just admiring your work. Pete said you refinished all of those pieces out in the showroom. I came back here to give you a compliment.”
His smooth, deep voice sent goosebumps along my arms. He was a mountain of a man with a fierce gaze that he fixed straight at me. “I’m sorry. It’s just, Pete’s usually the one who deals with the customers.”
He pushed himself off the wall and took a step toward me. My eyes went up and up. The guy was huge, maybe six foot three. His muscled biceps, covered in ink, stretched the sleeves of his white t-shirt. He extended a hand and I read the patch on his leather vest. Vice President, Great Wolves M.C.
My mind raced. I didn’t recognize him. My blood seemed to run hot and cold at the same time. Yet, his cool brown eyes seemed to stare right through me as if he wanted something. He ran a casual hand through those thick dark locks and smiled at me. His luscious, full lips parted and he held his hand out to mine. For a split second, I thought about using the staple gun again, but his sexy smirk disarmed me. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t keep living like this. At a certain point, I’d have to at least pretend to be normal.
I willed my heart back into my chest and managed my own smile. At some point, I was going to have to stop looking for disaster around every corner. I set the gun down on my worktable, wiped my palm on my shirt, and reached out to shake his hand. At the last minute, I realized mine was covered in wood stain and paint. The guy shot me the most charming wink I’d ever seen and my heart flipped.
His hands were broad and strong, the kind that could span my waist and keep me warm. Mine felt so cold when his fingers touched me. He gave me a kind smile, but his eyes held a sparkle of danger.
“My name’s King,” he said and the world seemed to shift beneath my feet. King. He looked like one. Tall with a strong back and muscles for days. He towered over me in his black motorcycle boots. I felt the urge to run my fingers over the soft, black leather cut he wore. It smelled clean and good from here. I knew if he put it over my shoulders its heavy weight would keep me warm. God, I don’t know why I thought that.
“King what?” I said, forcing my smile back in place. He had me off my guard and it was the last thing I could afford.
“That’s not enough?”
When he let go of my hand, a shiver went through me. King, indeed. “I suppose it’s enough for now. I’m Thea.”
Something flickered in his eyes when I said the name. They held a question, but he didn’t ask it. Instead, he just shot me another devastating smirk and stepped around me. I was in the process of reupholstering a vintage Vander Ley footstool and had it up on the workbench. King ran a hand over the threadbare horsehair fabric.
“Who the hell would sit on this?”
Smiling, I peered up at him. “Nobody. It’s for your feet. But, in your case, one of those boots you’re wearing would probably crush it.”
“Good to know,” he said, wagging a brow at me.
“Sorry,” I said. “We don’t really have motorcycle stuff here. Mostly furniture and novelties. I think Pete’s got some old movie posters out front. But, most of what he sells are toys.”
King cocked his head to the side. “I saw about a half dozen pieces of furniture out there with sold stickers on them. Something tells me you’re being modest and Pete probably couldn’t live without you.”
“Well, thanks.” My palms were starting to sweat. I wiped them on the back of my shorts. King’s eyes were everywhere. The workroom was in disarray with about a dozen half-finished pieces strewn all over. If he started picking things up and moving them around, I might not be able to keep my cool. The workroom looked like chaos to everyone but me.
But, King kept his hands in his back pockets and turned back to face me. His eyes burned through me and my heart started to pound again. Maybe I’d let my guard down too fast. He’d come out of nowhere. How long had he been watching me before he made his presence known? Where the hell was Pete? I shouldn’t have said anything. I should have just demanded he leave.
“Great Wolves, M.C.” I said after clearing my throat. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of you before. Did you bring the rest of your crew with you?”
King smiled. “Well, I never heard of Crystal Falls, Texas until my bike broke down just after I reached the city limits. And you sound Midwestern, Thea. How’d you end up in this little town?”
Alarm bells went off. I found myself taking a defensive step backward. King’s eyes narrowed just a bit and I gripped the countertop. I ran a hand through my hair and mustered a smile. “Oh, I’m from here and there,” I answered, realizing that wasn’t even close to what he asked me. But, King didn’t seem to react.
“It’s quiet here,” I said. “And for the most part, people mind their own business.” My words ca
me out a little harsher than I intended and King’s deep laughter vibrated along my spine. He’d asked innocent questions. It was just small talk. But, something about this man seemed to spark my every nerve ending.
“Really? See, it’s my experience with towns this size, nothing happens without everyone knowing it.”
“Oh, I imagine the whole town’s buzzing since you rode in. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if the mayor and the sheriff show up in a few minutes. You look like a pretty rough character, Mr. King. You look like the kind of guy that might be up to no good.”
His smile widened and his shoulders shook with low laughter. God, he did look downright dangerous. I traced the swirling ink on his forearms with my eyes. A thought flashed through my mind that I’d love to see him without his shirt. I dug my fingernails into my palm and turned back toward the bench. This was all kinds of wrong. I needed quiet solitude. I didn’t need some muscled-up biker messing around in my business.
“If you don’t mind,” I said, “I’ve got a lot of work to finish before I leave for the day.”
“And when might that be, Thea?” he asked. He hesitated on my name and heat flared through me.
Taking a deep breath, I turned back toward him. He was fearless and bold, all the things I couldn’t be anymore. Why in God’s name did he think he could just march back in here as if he owned the place and ask questions that were none of his business?
“I work late, Mr. King.”
“I told you, no mister. It’s just King.”
“Just? Did your mother name you that?”
He laughed again. God, his smile probably melted all the panties of whatever skanky biker babes hung out as his club. For a minute, jealousy made my back stiffen. Those girls didn’t know the kind of life I did. They could be careless, reckless and wild. Wild. That’s exactly what King looked like, and it stirred me deeply.
“My mother? No. She didn’t.” A shadow crossed his face and I regretted asking the question. On the other hand, it took some of the swagger out of him and that was probably for the best. I didn’t need him here. It was better if he was gone.
“Well, it was nice talking to you. I’m sure Pete will be back any minute if you see something you like.”
That twinkle came back into his eyes. “Oh, I’m pretty sure old Pete can’t help me with what I like. But, I really did just come back here to pay you a compliment, Thea. I know how to appreciate beautiful things. That’s all.”
“Well, that’s a hell of a line, King. But, I do sincerely thank you for the compliment.”
“Compliments probably don’t pay the bills. I kinda like that dresser out there. If I had my truck with me, I’d come back and buy it. It reminds me of one my grandmother used to have.”
“The waterfall?” I stepped around him and looked out into the showroom. The dresser he meant was part of a larger set I hadn’t gotten around to finishing yet.
“Yeah,” he said. “The one with the triangles in the woodwork.”
“Dammit,” I sighed. “That’s not even supposed to be out there. It goes with a twin bed and another dresser. I haven’t finished the others.”
I pushed past King and went to the corner of the workroom. The rest of the pieces were covered in white sheets. I pulled them off. The headboard was in two pieces and had a gauge on one side I was working on sanding out.
“Wow, Grandma had that very one,” he said. For as big a man as he was, King moved quickly. He reached over me and ran his fingers over the wood grain. Pain came into his eyes and for a split second, it gutted me. But, he covered just as quickly and put that shit-eating grin back in place.
His arm caged me, resting just above my shoulder. He was close enough that I could feel his body heat. He was so strong, so solid. I squeezed my eyes shut and let out a breath, willing my heart to still.
“Grandma had good taste,” I said.
“Maybe I’ll buy the whole thing when you finish.”
“You planning on staying in town that long? Won’t the rest of your wolf pack miss you?” I turned to face him.
He kept his arm on the dresser above me, staying impossibly close to me. It felt like a challenge. The look he gave me was downright predatory. His smile widened and he let out a growl, then snapped his teeth. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Damn,” he said. “I was hoping I’d get to see one of those before I left.”
“What, the bedroom set?”
“No, Thea. Your smile. You should try it more often.”
I rolled my eyes. “And you were doing so well.”
He sucked air through his teeth. “Damn. Too much?” He pushed off the dresser and took a step away from me.
“Just a little.”
He snapped his fingers then reached back, sliding his hands into his back pockets. His leather vest opened and I saw his holstered gun. My face dropped and he noticed before I could cover.
He put his smile back in place. “Well, Thea. It was nice meeting you. I was told it was urgent that I get my ass over to someplace called Lottie’s and ask for the apple pie.”
I gave him a sharp nod. “Well, then you were told the right thing. It’s legendary.”
“Any chance you might want to wander over there and join me?”
I leaned back against the workbench and picked up my staple gun again. “Well, that’s a kind invitation, but there is zero chance. I have too much work to do and as a rule, I don’t eat pie with strangers.”
King’s laugh rippled through me. “That’s probably a good rule, Thea. I’ll see you around. That is, if my pack can stand being without me for a little while longer.” He lifted his head and gave a short, comical bark. I couldn’t help myself; I laughed.
I gave him a salute as he finally turned and left. He took long, confident strides toward the front of the store and I couldn’t help admiring the way his jeans fit around the curve of his ass.
When the front door finally banged shut behind him, my shoulders sagged. My knees trembled and I had to grip the workbench to steady myself. Then, I went to the front of the store and flipped the open sign over and locked the door. Pete never should have left without telling me first. He could key himself back in. I pressed my forehead against the window and let out a deep sigh. I could still see King walking down the street toward Lottie’s.
In another lifetime, I might have said yes. I might have been bold enough to walk across the street and have pie with a sexy, dangerous stranger and see where it might lead. But, I wasn’t that girl. I could never be that girl again. I was the girl who had to keep her head down and walk in the shadows. King’s laughter carried across the street as he waved a hand toward Micky Weller. I could just make out Mickey and Pete. They had their backs to me as they hunched over a motorcycle. It had to be King’s. I found myself dreaming about what it might be like to ride on the back of it with my hands wrapped around his waist.
Then, I shook those thoughts out of my head. I couldn’t afford to be reckless like that ever again. Not once. So, I’d keep my guard up better than I did today, because men like King were dangerous.
And everything I’d just told him about myself was a lie.
Chapter Three
King
Damn, Thea smelled as good as she looked. Her perfume lingered around me as I made my way out of the store. I couldn’t shake the image of what it would feel like to bend her over that workbench and plunge into her deep.
Thea. I liked the sound of it. It was different, just like her, and a little out of place. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something sparked in her eyes when she saw me. She was skittish as a wild colt. Like any minute she might have bolted or taken aim with her staple gun again. I didn’t want her to be afraid of me. Hell, just the thought of anything or anyone that might have put that fear into her eyes made me want to smash something.
I walked across the street and fought the urge to turn back and look at her. Of course, I didn’t know it for sure, but I’d bet money Thea watched me the whole way.
“Mr. King!” Mickey Weller shouted. He waved at me with his shop rag. He’d pulled my bike into his garage and Pete Fuhrman was still there admiring it. Good. It would give me a chance to ask him about Thea.
I couldn’t figure out why the girl had me stirred up so much. She was gorgeous, sure. Her tight ass in those frayed denim shorts pretty much drove me out of my mind. She had shapely, toned arms from working with her hands and I knew I’d love the feel of them wrapped around my waist if I took her for a wild ride. But, by the look on Mickey’s face when I walked up, I wouldn’t be riding anywhere for a while.
“You got a diagnosis for me yet, Doc?” I asked. I stuck my hand out to shake Pete’s. He still seemed awestruck by the bike, and I could appreciate that at least.
“Not yet,” Mickey said. “But I’m pretty sure it’s your carburetor. That’s the good news.”
My heart sank. I knew what the bad news would be. It wasn’t like Mickey’d have a spare carburetor laying around for a ‘36 El. Plus, he’d have to take the engine apart to even get to it. It meant the Knuck was toast, at least for a little while.
“How long do you think we’re looking at?” I said. Mickey opened his mouth and closed it. I realized he was probably used to hearing people ask him how much more often. Plus, I already kind of knew the answer. I’d spent a year getting the thing road ready. When things went extremely well, two weeks was the minimum it took me to get the parts I needed.
“Well,” Mickey scratched his head. “See, that’s why it’s good news. I can get one. Or at least, I can get the stuff I need to rebuild one. I know a picker about twenty miles from here in Clemente and I’ve already talked to him. He’s got something that I think’ll work to get you on your way. It’ll be a temporary fix, but it’ll get you where you need to go.”
I crossed my arms. “How long, Mickey?”
“A couple of days at least. I’ll understand if you want to make other arrangements. I’ll tell ya though, I’m itching to work on this thing so badly I’m thinking about offering to do it pro bono and just have you pay for the parts.”