Saving Dallas

by Jones, Kim

“Dallas!” I heard Luke call from the bedroom. Oh shit, just what I didn’t need. Forget what I said about wanting Luke to take care of me. Right now, I just wanted him to leave me the hell alone. I tried to tell him to stay away, but I couldn’t even catch my breath. I flushed the toilet, hoping the swirling water would distract me from the nausea. No such luck. It just kept coming. After my stomach was empty, I began dry heaving, my whole body convulsing with each horrible gag. Hands were in my hair and a cold rag was on my neck. He was here. Rubbing my back and keeping my hair out of my face. My body finally calmed and my stomach settled. I laid my head on the toilet, trying to catch my breath. Luke handed me the towel from around my neck and I wiped my face, blowing my nose in a not so discreet way.

  “I’m okay. Just go back to bed,” I said, trying to push him away with my weak arms and failing.

  “Fat chance babe,” he replied. I knew without looking at him that he had that damn smirk on his face. I leaned up, wiping the residue of my vomit from the toilet. “I’ll get that babe, come on,” Luke said, placing his hands on my shoulders, waiting for me to stand.

  “I got it. Just go away. Please.” I was mortified and the last thing I wanted was for Mr. Perfect to see me like this. I struggled to stand and he helped me, holding onto me while I went to the sink to wash my mouth. Fuck it. He could stay. I didn’t have the strength to argue with him anymore. My face was pale and my still damp hair was a mess.

  I washed my face, rinsed my mouth and brushed my teeth with the new tooth brush Luke handed me. Noticing my shirt was no longer clean; I took it off and carelessly dropped it to the floor. Luke never spoke, just stood there beside me. I never looked at him. How could I? I made my way back to the bedroom and crawled in the bed, turning my back to him. If I had my car, I would have left right then.

  Luke laid down beside me pulling the covers up with him. He rubbed my back, my ass, and my shoulders. He was so attentive. How in the hell was he single?

  “Why are you single?” I blurted out.

  “I have been waiting for you,” he responded, kissing my head. Good one Luke. I smiled to myself, wondering how many times he had used that line. I lay awake for a long time after that. When I finally did dose, Luke’s tireless arms were still caressing me.

  Mornings in Luke’s arms are indescribable. I have never felt so safe and secure and loved as I do when I am in his arms. I knew there was no way he could love me this soon, but it was nice to think about. We were still in the same position as when I went to sleep, so I couldn’t see his face. I wanted to turn over so I could admire him, but I didn’t want to wake him, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to wake up completely myself.

  His arm moved from my waist and I quickly closed my eyes. For some reason I didn’t want him to know I was awake. I was sure it had something to do with attention, but I didn’t want to admit that. I felt him lean up, like he was looking over at me. He brushed the hair out of my face and planted a kiss on my temple then got out of bed.

  I could hear some noises that sounded like it was coming from the kitchen.

  Deciding not to spend all day in bed I got up and rummaged through his drawers, finding a pair of basketball shorts and one of his many black t-shirts. In the bathroom, I noticed that the color had returned to my face. I looked well rested and was only slightly sore. I piled my hair on my head and brushed my teeth, then struck out to find Luke. He was in the kitchen, wearing nothing but pajama pants that hung low on his waist. He looked scrumptious. He spotted me and his face lit up into a smile.

  “Good morning beautiful,” he said cheerfully. I smiled shyly, crossing my arms and looking at the floor. He always knew just what to say to make me blush. “I’m making us some breakfast. It’s quite a delicacy too. You may have heard of it before.” He held up a packet of instant oatmeal and I laughed.

  “Sounds great,” I said, taking a seat at the bar.

  “Orange juice or coffee?” he asked setting both on the bar in front of me.

  “Juice, please.” He poured me a big glass and I greedily drank it all. He smirked at me refilling my glass. “I was thirsty. You know dry mouth from the… well from last night.” I looked down at my knotted fingers, not meeting his gaze.

  “Well, I have plenty,” he said turning and taking the steaming kettle from the stove. Thank God he wasn’t going to elaborate on what happened last night. He fixed us both a bowl of oatmeal and sat down beside me. The oatmeal smelled fabulous and I was starving. It tasted just as good as it smelled and I couldn’t remember ever being able to make it taste this good.

  “Dallas, I want to make us official,” Luke suddenly said. I looked up to see him watching me. Wow. I couldn’t believe this was actually happening. Did people even do that anymore?

  “Are you asking me to be your girlfriend Mr. Carmical?” I asked dramatically. He laughed and dropped his stare to his hands. Was he embarrassed?

  “I’m serious babe. I want you in my life.” He was serious. This un-believably hot guy wanted me in his life.

  “Luke, I…,” I couldn’t find the words. How was I going to tell him that I wasn’t the girl he thought I was? I pushed myself away from people. I had lived in a bubble for years for a reason. “Luke, you don’t want to be with me,” I said defeated.

  “Oh, I don’t?” He seemed surprised, but I could tell he was just being facetious.

  “Look, I’m fucked up. I have issues. I’m not like most girls,” I said, staring at my hands in my lap.

  “Baby I can do fucked up, and I have issues myself, everyone does.” He turned in his seat so that he was facing me. “I know you are not like most girls. That is why I’m so attracted to you. Do you have any idea how many women throw themselves at me just because I am the President of an MC? But you, you like me for me. For the man I am without the vest. I want you in every aspect of my life. The club, the job, my family… I want you to be a part of it.” I felt like the breath had been knocked out of me. He was laying his feelings out on the table and I had nothing to offer in return. I had no group of friends to introduce him to, my job consumed my entire life and my family was pretty much non-existent.

  “Luke, I don’t have anything to offer you in return. I mean… I am self-centered and often ruthless, I have absolutely no empathy, I’m jealous and controlling and everyone thinks I’m a bitch. The only reason people even tolerate me is because of my name.” I was on the verge of tears. I had always known all of those things, but it cut deeper when I said them out loud.

  “Hey,” Luke said taking my face into his hands and making me look at him. “You are also kind, and beautiful and thoughtful. And, who cares what everyone thinks. They don’t know the Dallas I know. You are an amazing woman.” His voice was so sincere and his face so thoughtful, that I almost believed him. “If it makes you feel better, we won’t make any promises. Let’s just try this and see where it leads.” Luke was amazing. He knew more about me than I knew about myself. It was clear to him that I had commitment issues and he was willing to revise the invisible “normal” contract between two people, just to make me comfortable. I would be a fool not to keep this man. I nodded my head in agreement. “So that’s a yes? You will be my girlfriend?” he asked, his facial expression that of a little boy. The comment immediately relieved the tension in the room and set my mind at ease.

  “Yes, Luke. I will be your girlfriend,” I said, smiling back at him. A broad smile broke out across his face and he leaned forward, kissing me deeply. When he pulled away I was breathless.

  Luke didn’t waste any time. The first thing he did, after we finished breakfast was take me to his “Harley Room.” I remembered the room from the last time I was in here, and just like before, the beautiful motorcycle was parked in the middle of the room. “I was three years old when I rode my first Harley. My grandfather, Pops, took me around the yard. I still remember it. Most kids were scared of the loud pipes and the big burly men that drove them, but not me. I have loved them since that first ride,” Luke said passionately.
“When I was sixteen, my father bought me a truck. He wanted me to have things he never did. He was so proud when he handed me the keys. I had it for less than an hour before I traded it for an old Harley my Pops had at his shop,” he paused, laughing to himself. “My dad was so pissed. He didn’t speak to me for over a week. It took him years before he accepted my lifestyle. Now, even though he doesn’t agree, he is one of my biggest supporters.”

  “Why didn’t your father ride?” I asked, intrigued with his story.

  “My Pops wasn’t much of a father to my dad. He was constantly in and out of jail. When he did get out, he couldn’t get a respectable job because of his record. The bike world welcomed him with open arms. Once he knew all the connections, he and another guy started their own club.”

  “Connections?” I asked. I knew what that meant, but I wanted him to tell me.

  “Another time, babe. I want to show you something,” he said, dropping the subject completely.

  He took my hand and led me outside to his shop. The inside looked like a honky-tonk. There were pool tables and a juke box, a bar that ran the length of the building and pictures of motorcycles were hung everywhere. Behind the bar, I could see bottles of whiskey and tap beer available. I half expected someone to show up and take our order. In the back of the shop, there were two large double doors that were locked with a padlock. Luke presented a key, unlocked the doors and pushed them open. A huge table was centered in the room. Around the table were large brown leather chairs that looked like something an executive would sit in. What was most amazing to me though, were the large, framed shadow boxes that covered the walls housing leather vests with different patches on them. I felt like I had stepped into a museum.

  “The boxes are fire and bullet proof, so even in the worst circumstances, they are protected. These two here belong to the founders of the club. My Grandfather Pops and his lifelong friend Gill.” Luke said, leading me to the head of the table and pointing to the two boxes on the wall behind it. “They did time together in Parchman, a five year stretch in the seventies. When they got out they went their separate ways. My grandfather joined in with an MC out of Louisiana and Gill moved to Texas. After about two years, they reunited and decided to start their own club. That’s how the Devil’s Renegades MC began.”

  I was amazed at the history in the room. Founders and members were listed on the wall and a shrine made of each and every one of them. Each box held their vest and a personal keepsake. I noticed Pop’s keepsake was a coloring page that had been scribbled on and the name James printed on the bottom in a child’s handwriting.

  “My father drew that for him when he was very young. He kept it with him for years. He said it was the only memory he had of my father ever loving him,” Luke said, melancholy ringing loud in his voice. Poor Luke, it must have been terrible growing up in the middle of a family feud. I couldn’t imagine having to choose between my parents and grandparents. Even though I was lacking in the family department, at least when they were alive they all got along. I smiled at him and grabbed his hand reassuringly. “It was a long time ago babe-water under the bridge,” he said, kissing my hand. He showed me the other vest, housed in the shadow boxes around the room. I soon learned they were called “cuts.” They all belonged to former members, all of whom had passed on. “We have meetings here weekly, and hold a formal church once a month. All members are expected to be present at church. It’s the time that we discuss business, upcoming events, and any problems they may affect the club.”

  “Where do you sit?” I asked.

  “At the head of the table,” he said to me as if that was something I should have known. I laughed. Of course he did.

  “So, where do I fit in with all of this?”

  “You don’t.” He said matter-of-fact. Oh. “You are with me. If things work out, I would love for you to become my ol’ lady.” Luke was back in biker mode.

  “Ol’ lady? What the hell is that?” I asked. It sounded horrible.

  “It’s not disrespectful babe. It’s actually the complete opposite. Being an ol’ lady has its perks, especially if you’re the president’s ol’ lady,” he said smirking at me.

  “I don’t like the term “ol’ lady.” It sounds silly,” I said, frowning. I liked babe a lot better.

  “Ol’ lady is used as an endearment. It might sound silly to you in the outside world, but in my world, it’s the most respectful position a woman can have.”

  “Well, what will I have to do?” I asked.

  He laughed, “Let’s get you through one day at a time. If you see this is something you want and can handle, then I’ll tell you more and we can take the next step. The girls can really help with these things. I know you don’t like them that much, but at one time they were right where you are. Red knows a lot about this lifestyle. She is kinda the go-to girl in the club, and can help you with any questions you have. Tomorrow night we go out for steak night at a local bar and grill. I would really like you to come. You will get a chance to meet everyone and see if this is something you really want.”

  This was a lot to take in. I wanted to find out what this life was really about. I had become so attached to Luke. I knew I couldn’t be happy without him in my life, so I was willing to take a chance. Plus, my curiosity had gotten the better of me.

  “I would love to go,” I said, walking up to him, putting my arms around his waist and burying my face in his chest. He kissed the top of my head and engulfed me in his arms. I could stay here all day, but I knew if I wanted to be off in time to go out tomorrow night, I would have to work today. “I have enjoyed this weekend so much. And thank-you for sharing all of this with me,” I said, squeezing him a little harder.

  “My pleasure, babe. I really want us to work. Just promise me you will keep an open mind.”

  “I promise.” I meant it too. I would not let my jealousy come between us again.

  “I have some things to do this evening. Would you like to stay and have dinner with me tonight? You can do anything you want. I won’t be gone too long,” he asked, looking down at me. I looked up at his handsome face. I tried to find a flaw about his appearance, but everything was perfect. Lucky bastard.

  “Do you have a computer?” I asked. I could work from here. That would give me another night with Mr. Wonderful, and perhaps I could do something to piss him off and earn myself a delightful, punishment session. The thought excited me.

  “I do. Come on. I’ll show you where it is.” He took my hand and led me out, locking the doors behind us.

  Back inside, Luke presented me with his laptop and headed off to get ready. I opened my email, finding over fifty that I needed to respond to. My company was huge. I had offices all over Mississippi, and even though each office had its own management team, any major decisions had to come through me. My employees often emailed me personally, asking for favors, whether it was advances for their paychecks or a discount on a property. I usually had Lindsey sort through them and give them a generic response, but last week I had to answer them myself and I found that some conditions were serious. Since then, I have decided to respond to each one of them personally. Perhaps I needed to hold church with my employees. The thought reminded me of Luke, and even though he was in the next room, I missed him. Well, he was my boyfriend.

  I walked in his room and found that he was not in there. I could hear him in the bathroom, so I decided to stay until he came out. When the bathroom door opened, I was glad I did. Sprawled out on the bed, I had the best view in the house of Luke’s incredible body. He didn’t notice me at first. I heard him humming a song to himself and wondered what it was. He had his back to me and I watched while he shimmied into some underwear. I couldn’t help it. I walked up behind him and put my arms around his waist. I registered his surprise, but he immediately relaxed when he glanced over his shoulder and saw it was me.

  “You snuck up on me babe.”

  “Sneaky, sneaky,” I giggled, quoting one of my favorite movies. He turned around and p
icked me up. I put my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck, giggling once again.

  “What’s so funny gorgeous?” he asked, mirroring my smile.

  “Nothing, I just get excited when I watch my boyfriend dress.”

  “Well, if it will make you smile like that, then I’ll let you watch more often.” He kissed me sweetly and butterflies formed in my stomach. “I love seeing my girl happy. Would you like to sit and watch the rest of the show?” His girl. I loved how he said that. I nodded enthusiastically and he sat me on the bed. What in the hell was wrong with me? I was giddy and felt like a love-struck teenager.

  Luke glanced at the clock on the wall, and to my disappointment dressed a little too fast for my liking. He looked hot in a pair of khaki pants and a white button down dress shirt. He slipped his belt on, grabbed his wallet and keys and leaned down giving me a kiss. He smelled so delicious I wanted to lick him all over. I wandered where he was going, but I figured if he wanted to tell me he would. He had not asked me to go and I couldn’t help my disappointment. Not that I would have went anyway, but it still would have been nice to be invited. I pouted like a petulant child, and when he saw my frown, he knelt down in front of me and stuck his lip out.

  “Why so blue panda bear?” he asked, mocking the catch phrase for an old commercial and making me laugh.

  “Do you have to leave?” I asked, still frowning.

  “Unfortunately baby, I do. Riding a Harley and making love to you don’t pay the bills, although I wish it did.” I smiled in relief. He was going to work. I admired his dedication, which was much like my own.

  “Well, hurry back or I may be forced to do something that will result in you reprimanding me,” I said grinning.

  “Oh, baby. How I wish you would.” He kissed me hard, leaving me breathless and stood to leave. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” And with that, he was gone.

  Chapter 12

  The next few hours flew by as I busied myself with work. I responded to every email in my inbox and went back to review some previous ones I had over looked. My office in Tupelo contacted me about some rental properties they were having some issues with. Apparently the tenants had been somewhat destructive and had not held up to their end of the deal. They had received a notice of eviction, and were now giving threatening calls to the office manager.