“No you won’t. I pay my own way, remember?” She gives me a challenging grin before sauntering off to the counter.
We sit in the back row, and as far as I know that’s for one reason only. The place is half empty, and it’d be too easy to slide my hand under her sweater and play with her gorgeous tits. My dick stirs, and I grit my teeth. It can’t be good that I have a permanent hard-on whenever she’s near me.
I watch her from the corner of my eye as she digs into her popcorn. The lights dim, and it’s real hard not to sling my arm around her shoulders, but I have the weird feeling she expects me to—just to prove that I can’t keep my word.
She’s only a chick, and the only time my word is everything is when it comes to my brothers. If Amelia wasn’t interested, she wouldn’t be here with me now. We can spend the next ninety minutes making out like a couple of horny teens, and I won’t think any less of myself for breaking my word.
Or I can be a fucking martyr and call her bluff.
When the movie starts, she wriggles in her seat and rests her arm next to mine on the armrest. Is she doing it on purpose? We’re barely touching but it’s like an electric charge zaps through my body.
This is going to be the longest ninety minutes of my life.
…
When we finally leave the movies it’s late afternoon and dark, which is a relief. Not that I’d expect to see any of my brothers hanging around, but I guess I’m paranoid. As we reach the bike, Amelia bumps her shoulder against my arm.
“You didn’t fall asleep. I’m impressed.”
I shrug. “I’ve seen worse.” No way will I admit the movie wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. It’s still way too early to take her to a club, but I’m in no hurry to let her go, even if she isn’t going to put out at the end of the night. Guess we could get something to eat.
Before I can figure out whether I’m ready to ask her that, because movies and eating out in one evening is kind of full-on, she takes the helmet and hugs it, like it’s a shield.
“Well, thanks for inviting me. Can you take me back to my car now?”
What the fuck? Is that it?
“Sure.” I’m pissed off and don’t know why. I’ve had some shit ideas in the past, but taking Amelia out has got to be one of the worst. If this is dating, then they can keep it and I’ll stick to my easy no-need-to-think-about-it hookups.
“Only, I need to get home and freshen up before my shift starts at Odin’s.” She pauses for a couple of seconds, as if she’s letting that sink in. Christ, I’ll never understand how chicks’ minds work. “That’s if the offer’s still open?”
Chapter Eight
Amelia
It’s been two weeks since I started work at Odin’s. I’ve had all the shifts I can handle, which is great for my bank balance, but every time Gage turns his sexy-as-hell smile my way I lose a little more of my mind.
There’re a couple of other girls who work here besides Kat, who apparently only fills in when her brother’s desperate, and they’re real nice. I’ve gotten to know the regulars, and it burns me to admit that a couple of Viking Bastards who hang out here are quite hard to hate.
I know Gage has a hands off his staff policy, which is why we don’t get hassled, but even so, it’s hard not to remember how things used to be, when my dad was a respected member of the Wolves and all the brothers treated me and my two sisters like little princesses.
Before they kicked us out in the cold.
But it isn’t just his staff Gage looks out for. Last night a drunken SOB kept trying it on with a totally uninterested girl in the bar. I’d never seen her before, although the guy’s been in a few times. Before I even realized it, Gage had thrown the guy out with a warning.
It’s crazy how much that impressed me. After all, heaps of girls come in here for the sole purpose of hooking up, but he still noticed when one of his regulars overstepped the line.
It’s hard for me to remember if any of the Wolves would’ve done that, but I sure never would’ve imagined a Bastard having those kinds of principles.
The longer I’m around Gage, the less I believe he’s involved in illegal gun running. Where did Rex get that info, anyway?
There’s only half an hour until I knock off, and I collect dirty glasses from the tables and give as good as I get with the good-natured comments, but my heart’s not in it. Ten minutes ago, Gage disappeared out the back with a redhead, and it doesn’t take much imagination to know what they’re doing. I’ve discovered that the alley next to Odin’s, which leads from a locked gate at one end, to the main door to the upstairs apartment, is nice and private, where Gage allows a few select encounters to take place.
For two weeks, he hasn’t touched me and doesn’t seem to notice when I accidentally-on-purpose brush up against him. Just for a reaction. Just to know that he does still want me, as much as I want him.
Jesus, I’m messed up. All my talk about not having sex with him, that flirting will be enough, has rebounded and smacked me in the face. Well sure, he flirts like a pro, but when he wants more there’s a queue of willing girls.
Which is exactly what I knew would happen.
So why am I so torn up about it? Did I think he’d want to date me like we were in a relationship, and things would just progress from there?
Yes…No. I slam the thought down, the way I have every time it’s surfaced since we went to the movies. That was just a one-off. It didn’t mean anything. I’m not entirely sure what his motives were, but I guess if all he wanted was for me to return to Odin’s, then it worked.
The garbage doesn’t need emptying, but I take the bag anyway. The trash can is just outside the back door, and for a second, I hesitate. Do I want to catch him in the act? Will that finally crush my stupid fixation on him?
I need to get over him. It’s not like I haven’t applied for other jobs, but being so near to Christmas they’ve already got all the extra staff they need.
I haven’t tried that hard.
I ignore that thought, take a deep breath, and swing the door open. Fuck it, he doesn’t owe me anything, and a part of me hopes he’s banging the daylights out of the redhead, just so I can channel it all into the scene I’m stuck on in my current book.
The muted glow from the security light above the door is more than enough to illuminate the scene. Gage is on his knees beside a guy who looks drunk or stoned, and the redhead is twisting her hands together like she’s in some B movie.
I grip the garbage bag as heat washes through me. I’d been so sure of what he was doing that the reality is making me feel about two inches tall.
“Hey, Amelia.” Gage sounds tired. “Keep this to yourself, all right?”
“Sure.” I nod quickly, hoping he doesn’t possess the ability to read my mind and discover why I came out here. “Do you need me to do anything?” With Gage’s connections to the Bastards, I’m sure the ABC are just dying for a reason to close him down, so the last thing he needs is any hint of drug use on the premises.
“Hang on.” He checks his cell before hauling the guy to his feet. “Come on. Move yourself.” He glances at the girl, who appears rooted to the spot. “You, too, princess.”
He half drags, half carries the guy down the alley toward the gate. I shove the bag in the trash can and follow them. Gage unlocks the gate and offloads the guy to someone. I’m guessing a prospect of the club, since they always get the dirty work of clearing up.
He shuts and locks the gate and then turns back to me. “I’m gonna fucking tear Tod a new one for this.”
Tod’s not working tonight, so I’m not sure what he means. “Was he a friend of your cousin?”
Gage grips the back of his neck and works the kinks from his impressive muscles. In the dim light, he looks dark, dangerous, and irresistibly fuckable.
He always looks like that…
“They’re best buddies from school. It’s the only reason I let the jerk use the alley. Fucking idiot nearly OD’d.”
I’m not naive enough to think he’s being taken to a hospital. He’ll probably be dumped somewhere far from here so his girlfriend can call for help.
“Guess he’s barred, then.”
Gage focuses on me, and the hard expression on his face fades as he gives me that grin that always makes me want to melt over his boots. “You bet your ass he’s barred.”
It’s no good. There are a million reasons why I shouldn’t touch him and only one why I should—because I want to. And right now, that’s the only one that matters.
In two weeks, after the New Year, I’ll be out of here. I don’t want to think about the future, only this moment.
I roll onto my toes and brush my lips across his. We both stop breathing, as though we’re caught up in a magical world where only the two of us exist. He doesn’t push me back against the wall or shove his tongue into my mouth, and I have the sudden, terrible conviction that I waited too long and the magic is all in my mind. I pull back, and I’m shaking, which is the most ridiculous thing ever, since that kiss was so chaste it hardly even qualifies for the word.
For a couple of excruciating seconds, we stare at each other. Is he going to laugh? I’ll die if he does. I’ll have to leave Odin’s.
He doesn’t laugh. He doesn’t move. And then he speaks. “Does this mean you’re ready?”
I think my knees are giving way, and there’s nothing to break my fall. Is this the reason he hasn’t tried anything on? He’s been waiting for me to spell it out? It’s crazy, but it makes me want him even more.
“Maybe.” It comes out all croaky, like a frog with laryngitis, but he doesn’t appear to notice.
Instead, he takes a step toward me, until his warm breath fans my hot cheek.
“Maybe?” There’s the faintest hint of mockery in his tone. “You still playing games with me?”
My dad’s face flickers in my mind, and guilt spears through me. I shouldn’t get involved with Gage, not even for a brief Christmas fling, but if I don’t, I’m afraid I might never get him out of my head.
I take a deep breath, inhaling an intoxicating hint of leather and sandalwood. It scrambles whatever’s left of my good sense, and I slide my palm over his stubble-darkened jaw. “I was never playing games.”
A strange expression crosses his face, as though for the first time he’s considering my words. Leave it, Amy. The only thing he’s considering is whether I’m finally going to put out, right here in the alley.
I don’t even care. If I’m going to have a dirty fling with a bad boy, I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather do it with.
“You weren’t, were you.” It’s not a question. It’s almost as though he’s thinking aloud, and he rakes his hand through my hair, which is far more erotic than it has any right to be. “You’ve been driving me crazy these last two weeks.”
“I thought you’d forgotten me.” I push my hand beneath his leather cut so I can feel the rock-hard muscles of his back through his T-shirt. His grip on my hair tightens.
“Forgotten having you?’ His grin is lethal, and my pussy quivers with delicious anticipation. “No. But I’m gonna make you pay for making me wait.”
“If you’re very good, I might even let you.”
He dips his head, and his teeth graze my earrings in a sensual caress. I shiver and clutch his back a little harder. “I’m not giving you the choice.”
It’s a threat, and I shouldn’t find it such a turn-on, but his arrogance is somehow irresistible, and it’s making me wet. He trails kisses along my jaw, and my head falls back, but only for a second before his rough grip on my hair forces me upright.
“Is that right?” My voice is husky, and he finally pins me against the cold brick wall, his hot body imprisoning me from breasts to toes.
“Yeah.” His mouth takes mine, and it’s primitive and wild, stealing my breath and leaving me dizzy. My nails dig into his back as his tongue owns me, and his free hand cups my face in a gesture both tender and possessive.
He pulls back, just enough that our mouths are no longer touching, and drags the pad of his thumb across my tender lips. “First, I’m having you on your knees, and I’m going to fuck your pretty mouth.”
His words slam into me as the visual fills my mind. Out here, in a dark alley. It’s kind of disgusting and so freaking hot that if he wasn’t holding me up against the wall I’d probably tumble onto my knees right now.
His thumb slides inside my open mouth, and I dig my teeth into him, just enough so he knows he enters at his own risk. It’s a crazy thought, and a nervous giggle escapes me because I seriously doubt I’d be able to bite him if my mouth’s full of his cock.
“Don’t think I won’t punish you if you’re a bad girl.”
Oh, my God. Did he say that? “I’m not into BDSM.”
“Who’s talking about BDSM?”
“You just said you’d punish me.” I’m not sure I should be feeling so horny at the prospect, but then again, since I’m breaking all my good guys only rules when it comes to Gage Reynolds, why not go the whole nine yards.
“That’s right.” He obviously feels that’s enough explanation as he trails a finger along my throat and over my breast. My nipples are aching, but he doesn’t stop to give them any attention. Instead he slips his hand under my short denim skirt and cups my throbbing sex.
I try not to grind into his palm, and totally fail. His stubble grazes my cheek as he breathes into my ear. “Then I’m gonna fuck your sweet little pussy.”
A needy moan escapes me, and I don’t even try and hold it back. “Gage,” I whimper, hardly aware I’m speaking at all. But he hasn’t finished torturing me yet.
His strong hand molds my thigh and then grips my ass cheek. As if that doesn’t feel good enough, his fingers tease my butt crack, slowly sliding downward until he’s massaging my anus.
I suck in a shocked gasp, and all my muscles tense. But not because I don’t like it. He smiles against my temple, and I can just imagine the evil intent in his eyes.
“And when you’ve collapsed across my bed, I’m taking your tight ass and making it mine.”
Whoa. I’m so turned on I can’t even think straight anymore, but no way is he getting away with that comment.
“I’ll take a rain check on that.” I sound like I’m dying for it.
His finger probes a little deeper, hampered by my winter tights, and I’m not sure whether I’m relieved or not by my unexpected chastity belt.
“You ever taken it up the ass?” His voice is a smoky whisper, and any reservations I might’ve had about doing it that way are melting along with my panties.
“No…”
“Why not?”
What? I struggle to remember what we’re talking about, because his finger is causing all kinds of havoc in places I didn’t even know existed before now.
“No one ever asked me.” And I sure as hell never asked them.
He pulls out and rubs my ass, round and round, as though he’s getting ready to give me a spanking or something. I give another unintentional moan, and I swear his impressive erection, pressed hard against my stomach, gets even bigger.
“Guess you’ve only dated nice boys who do it missionary style.” There’s more than a thread of mockery in his voice, and I’m not telling him he’s too close to the truth for comfort.
Instead, I tangle my fingers in his hair and pull his head back so I can look into his eyes. “I might only date nice boys, but tonight I’m with you.”
Something flickers in those gorgeous eyes of his, as though he didn’t much like my comment. It’s gone in an instant. I probably imagined it. “That’s right.” The words come out in a growl. “You’re with me, and you’ll do it the way I want.”
Any other time I’d have so many issues with that statement it’s not funny, but right now it’s everything I want to hear. I push my hand between our bodies and cradle his junk. Jesus. My mouth’s watering already. “Guess that’s fair. I owe you one from the kitchen.”
He grunts and eases back a fraction, then he drags his hand from my hair, rips open his fly, and shoves his jeans over his hips. “Knees. Now.”
None of my boyfriends ever spoke to me like that.
Gage isn’t my boyfriend.
I sink to my knees, even though I’ve never done that before, either. The ground’s rough and cold, and a tiny part of my mind is reeling that I’m doing this. Anyone could stroll out of the door and see us. Instead of shocking me back to my senses, it makes me hotter than ever.
I’m a closet exhibitionist.
He plunges both hands into my hair, which kills the nervous giggle bubbling inside, and holds me still so my face is right by his cock. For a second, I’m paralyzed by the sight. I’ll fucking choke.
I wrap my hand around him, and his appreciative groan makes me forget about the gravel digging into my knees. Jacking a guy off has never done much for my lady parts before, but tonight my pussy’s pulsing in time with my heart, and I’m so freaking wet I can’t even.
“Open your mouth.” It’s a harsh command, and I’m so turned on I’m already obeying before some sliver of sanity kicks in.
“Rubber.” It comes out all wobbly, and I can’t tear my fascinated gaze from his erection. Is it because we’re in a sordid side alley that he appears so damn huge?
His grip on my hair is painful, and I let out a faint gasp. It’s so tempting to just give him a quick lick, but I don’t think I’d be able to stop once I started.
“Fuck.” He sounds agonized, and I glance up at him. “You for real?”
“What?” I keep stroking and playing with his balls because hell, I can’t stop myself even if it’s making him all but rip my hair out by the roots.
Payback (Viking Bastards MC) Page 6