by Zara Teleg
“Sully kept it open for you,” he yelled over the music.
Before I’d even taken a step, a gorgeous blond slammed into my chest and flung her arms around my neck.
“Hi, Kai. I was hoping you’d be here tonight,” she slurred.
I gently removed her arms and took another step toward the table. “Good to see you again…doll.” I didn’t remember her name. I did, however, remember the heart tattoo on her ass. “I’ll catch up with you later, okay? I need a couple rounds with my boys first.”
“Ahh, okay… Find me later, please?” She brushed her hand across my crotch.
Sully sat on a high stool, keeping an eye on his place. He tipped his hat in our direction when he saw us at the table.
The DJ played anything the girls requested. I hated most of the dance music, but he threw in a good one here and there. Our beers were replaced before we finished our last sip. Amber always made sure our table was well taken care of. She was a fun girl with a smokin’ body. We had some great times over the years. She was a wild one, always keeping Sully on his toes.
“Hey, boys, the ladies over there wanted you all to enjoy a blowjob.” A shit-eating grin was plastered on Amber’s face as she placed one shot at a time in front of each of us.
We looked at each other, took our shots in hand, and headed over to their table.
“Ladies, thanks for the offer of the blowjob. Maybe it will pay off later.” I placed my shot in front of the blond with enormous tits that were barely contained in the red tube top. “I think we would enjoy watching you take these down. Now, hands behind your back.”
The boys each placed a shot in front of the other women. They bent their heads over, covering the whipped cream–rimmed glass with their mouths.
“Alright you naughty girls, down ‘em.”
Using no hands, they tossed down the sticky-sweet Irish cream and Kahlua drink into their mouths. They all giggled, removing the excess whipped cream from their lips.
“You missed a spot.” I leaned down and gently licked the spot on the corner of her mouth clean of the cream.
“Wow,” she moaned.
“I’m Kelsey.” She gazed at me with fuck-me eyes.
“Kai,” I whispered in her ear.
“Want to dance, Kai?”
I finished my half beer in a single gulp and let her lead me to the overflowing dance floor. Our bodies ground together as we moved in sync. I loved a woman who could dance. Oddly enough, I felt daggers being stared into me. I looked around and caught Angelica standing at the edge of the floor, white-knuckling her tray before giving me the middle finger. I smiled at her, grabbing Kelsey by the waist, slamming her body against mine. Her back was to my front. I held her tight, grinding up and down, staring right back at Angelica until she turned around and huffed away. Fuck her. She did this shit all the fucking time. If I fucked her too often, she thought she had some claim on me. No chick had a claim on me.
Kelsey leaned her head back on my neck. “Want to get out of here?”
I was sure she could feel me hardening against her as we dance-fucked to the beat. “Fuck, yeah.”
“Got to let my girls know that I’m leaving.”
We started to head back to the table and were only a few steps off the floor when the yelling began. The bouncers were trying to work their way to a waitress who was obviously in trouble. Sully was standing, pointing to an area not too far from our table.
“Babe, I’ll be right back.”
Colt and Hawk flanked my sides as we pushed through the people. The bouncers were too far from the girl. I didn’t know who it was—Sully always had a new girl or two, most of whom couldn’t hack the rowdier nights.
“You stupid bitch!”
I could see the back of the man who was yelling. My hand landed heavily on his shoulder.
“Is there a problem here?” I asked. He turned, and my eyes widened in shock. Paige stood there, hands on her hips. Her eyes met mine.
What the fuck? Paige worked here? She was Sully’s new girl? The one this moron was yelling at?
“Dude, this is none of your business. This stupid slut won’t sell us a vodka to go.”
I pinched his shoulder, bringing him to his knees. “I’m sorry, I think I misheard you. I think you meant to say, ‘Miss, thank you. I understand, and I’m sorry for being a rude twat.’”
He attempted to push my hand away. “Fuck you… get the fuck off me.”
“Apologize to the lady.” I squeezed the pressure point even harder as he squealed.
Colt and Hawk stood menacingly in front of the jerk’s friends. They backed away like little girls, not helping him out.
“Ahh, okay, okay. Sorry.”
“And here is a generous tip for your trouble, miss.” I squeezed again.
“What? No way—”
One more pinch had him digging in his designer jeans to pull out a fifty.
Paige’s face gave a condescending smile. “Thank you, sir. This should be just fine.” She snatched the money from his fingers.
The bouncers finally made it to the area.
“Everything’s good here. These assholes were just leaving.” I waited for the area to clear before I approached Paige, who was still cleaning the mess from the spilled drinks. “Tink, what are you doing here?”
Her cute little face scrunched. “Me? I’m working. I have a landlord who needs his rent.” She winked.
“I could wait until you found a safer job.”
She flashed the fifty in front of me. “And give up these great tips? No way.”
My eyes flashed up and down her tiny uniform, which did not make her look like the “kid” I kept telling myself she was.
“You shouldn’t be working here. This place can get really rough, and the bouncers can’t always be counted on. Maybe I can help you get a job at—”
“No, Kai. I’m a big girl, I could have handled that.”
“Tink, be sensible.” I pulled at her wrist lightly, trying to get her to stop cleaning up and look at me.
“Does Rage know you’re working here?”
“Um, last time I checked, I was twenty-three and needed no one’s permission. Ivy got me the job, and Juliet and Rage have no say in what I do, and neither do you.” She batted those long eyelashes.
An arm came around my waist. Paige’s eyes looked down at the painted nails that now held my stomach.
“Kai, are you ready?”
Paige’s jaw tightened. “Yes, he is ready.” Her fake smile aimed at me as she looked back down to the mess she was cleaning.
“We’re not done talking about this.”
Paige
How dare he?! I had the situation under control. Then he just swooped in and had the audacity to judge me and where I worked! He was judging me? I wasn’t the one with a parade of different women every night! I wasn’t the one with a ridiculous playlist every time they had sex! Lots and lots of sex… I mean, how much sex can a person have…? He must be really…
I shook my head, refusing to let my anger turn to lust. But it was too late, my mind was already picturing him naked and fucking.
“You did good out there.” I stepped back from my cubby to see who was talking to me. It was Amber. She lit a smoke and was looking at herself in the mirror.
“Thanks. Is it always this crazy?”
“Nope. It gets way crazier when there is a popular band. But don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” She rested her cigarette on the sink as she applied a fresh layer of mascara and some lipstick. Smacking her lips, she grabbed her smoke and turned to face me.
“I saw you had some trouble at one table. A man helped you out, you know him?”
“Kai?”
“Yeah, Kai.”
“Um, he’s my current landlord.” I grunted and rolled my eyes.
She coughed, choking. Her eyes began to tear up.
“You okay, Amber?”
“You’re living in Kai’s building? I’m shocked. How’d you get in there? Kai
never rents to single women. I tried for years.”
“How do you know I’m single?”
“Have you seen Sugar Maple? Everyone knows everyone in this postage-stamp town.”
She pointed her pack of cigarettes to me, offering me one.
“Nah, I’m good, thanks.”
Amber shrugged her shoulders and went back to fixing her hair.
“One piece of advice,” she said, looking me dead in the eye. “Don’t get messed up with Kai. He will ruin you. You seem like a nice girl. He’s an asshole.”
My eyes widened. “I don’t plan on it.”
“Good.” She pulled at the bottom of my shirt to straighten it, then pushed my boobs up.
“You’ll get better tips.” She winked.
“Thanks…I think.”
Amber’s curls bounced as she threw her head back, laughing. “You need to loosen up a little.”
“Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind. I still have so much left to do in the apartment.”
“That’s cool. I could stop by and help you if you want. We can hang out and get to know each other.”
Amber wasn’t the sort of girl I would generally befriend. But who was I kidding—I didn’t have any friends and it would be nice to have one.
“That would be nice, Amber. Thanks. Maybe Sunday?”
We exchanged numbers and agreed to meet on Sunday. By the time our shift was over, all I wanted to do was go home and wash the day off me. But then again, I wasn’t looking forward to hearing the fuckfest that would most likely be happening in the apartment next door.
Chapter Six
Kai
I zipped my crumpled jeans and pulled out the last smoke in the pack.
“Hun, it’s time to go.” I nudged the woman wrapped in sheets on my sofa bed. Her ass was hanging over the edge, swallowing up a little red G-string, just begging for another round. This chick was quite the screamer.
The sofa bed dipped as I sat on the side, lacing my boots. I wanted to get out of here and grab some smokes and coffee before Hack met with Paige.
I tapped her shoulder several more times before she stirred.
“Morning, handsome.” Her voice was raspy, matching the mascara running halfway down her face. She sat up, letting the sheet fall to flaunt her beautifully naked breasts.
She wrinkled her forehead. “You running off on me?”
“Yeah, hun. Sorry, I got shit to do, and you have to go.”
“Alright, but I want to see you again…soon.”
“Yeah, well, leave your number on your way out.” I gave her a smile to make her think I’d call, but that probably wouldn’t happen.
I got back to the house as Hack was parking his blacked-out van that held all his equipment. Hack looked a little too good, with every hair gelled in place. I guessed that was how someone would look if he wasn’t up banging till 5 am.
“Morning.” He reached his fist out before throwing a large duffle over his shoulder.
I gave him a nod and returned the fist bump. “You’re here early.”
“Kai, for anyone else, eleven is not early.” He waved smoke out of his face.
“Then you’re not spending your nights the way I am.”
“Thank fuck. Do you even know the names of the women you sleep with?” he asked as we climbed the steps together.
“That’s what nicknames are for. Doll, angel, hunny, sweetie—they think it’s cute, and I don’t need to remember anything.” I winked at him.
“You’re a pig.”
“What’s the fucking point of wearing this cut and being given this face and body if I don’t have a line of pussy waiting on me?”
He just shook his head and tapped his knuckles on Paige’s door.
I watched as Paige greeted Hack with a welcoming smile. Her platinum hair was piled on her head. She looked sexy as hell in her cropped sweatshirt and leggings with unicorn slippers on her feet.
“Hi, you must be Hack.” She extended her hand.
I watched Hack’s face change as he took in her beauty. He almost lost his words. Her eyes met mine as I unlocked my door.
“Morning, Tink.”
She gave me an annoyed look and did not return the greeting. I guessed she was still pissed.
Hack kicked his boots off outside her door. “Wow, this place looks amazing. Nothing like it did before.”
“Aww, thanks, Hack,” she said sweetly, shutting the door.
I showered and waited an hour in hopes that Hack would be gone by now. How long did it take to hook up the internet? The music of her laughter penetrated the thin walls. Another hour went by. What the fuck was he doing in there? Should I knock and pretend I need something?
I paced and thought about how much those two probably have in common. Both of them were smart, unlike me. They’d probably think I’m the fucking idiot of the bunch.
After another twenty minutes, I crept onto the fire escape. I brought a joint just in case I got caught and needed an excuse to be outside. I smiled when I saw her window was cracked open.
My jaw tightened at the scene before me. Hack was leaned over Paige at her desk. He was close enough to smell her jasmine-scented hair. He pointed to things on her screen as she used her mouse to do as he said.
“I can’t believe I didn’t know that. Hack, you are amazing,” she said as she turned her face to him. I wanted to punch the grin off his face.
“Nah, it’s no problem. You just needed a few tweaks.” He placed his hand over hers to move the mouse. Scumbag. Then they started talking tech that might as well be French. Their chatting and laughter continued. How the hell was I going to get him out of there?
“I don’t have any beer, but would you like a glass of wine?”
“Um, I really gotta get back soon…” Yes! He was going to say no. “But, sure, I guess I could stay for one.” Goddammit.
Paige took out a cutting board. She placed crackers, grapes, cheese, and olives on it. She broke out in hysterics when Hack popped the top of the wine and it shot through the room, crashing into her wind chime. She poured them glasses and placed the tray in front of him. They sat on her pillow-chair things.
“Sorry I don’t have much food yet. I gotta go restock. I’m hoping to get out of town to a bigger store with better options. I hate to have things shipped here. In Austin, I lived a block from Whole Foods. It kind of spoiled me.”
“Well, if you want, I could take you to Whole Foods. There’s one about an hour from here, but their buffet is worth the drive.”
“Well, if you want, I could take you to the Whole Foods…” I whisper-mocked, getting angrier by the second.
I eavesdropped until Hack was getting ready to leave. I tucked back into my apartment, quietly exiting to the stairway. My heart raced as I took the steps two at a time and was at the bottom by the time Paige opened the door to walk Hack out.
“I don’t know how to thank you. I would never have been able to get that all set up myself and that quickly,” she raved.
“No problem.” He blushed, looking toward the floor.
What the fuck? I’d never seen a biker blush, let alone Hack, who usually seemed so emotionless. I ran my hand through my hair and made a noise to make myself known. Hack backed away a bit. He glanced down the stairs, watching me come up.
“Hey, Kai. Just leaving. I guess I’ll see you at the club later?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there,” I said with a little more snap than I wanted to. Hack’s forehead wrinkled at my tone. I just shook my head. “I’ve had a bad day.”
He tipped his head at me then turned his attention back to Paige.
“See you later, Paige, and thanks for the wine and snacks.” He smiled warmly. I could feel my knuckles whitening as she pulled him in for a hug.
“It was the least I could do, considering you wouldn’t take my money.”
“It was my pleasure.” He hugged her back.
“Okay, see ya, Hack.” I blurted. They broke apart, both looking at me.
> I followed Hack back down, pretending to take out some trash. I walked over to him when he put the last of his gear back in his van.
“Something wrong?” He folded his arms over his chest.
“Not with me, but if Rage finds out you’re crushing on Paige, I wouldn’t want to be there. He will fucking rip your nuts off.”
“Crushing on Paige?” He looked taken aback. “I was just being friendly.”
“Oh, if that’s you being friendly, I don’t want you being friendly to me.”
His lip curled. “What the fuck are you talking about, Kai?”
“Just warning you. I saw the way you looked at her.”
“How could I not? Fuck, have you seen her eyes? They’re mesmerizing. I’ve never seen eyes like hers. But I’m not crushing.”
“Uh-huh, you keep telling yourself that.” I patted his back.
Paige
Hack was sweet to come here and set up my computer. He was so different from Kai. I figured most of the club brothers would be hardened men who slept with tons of women, drank a lot, smoked weed, and got themselves into trouble. Hack didn’t seem like he fit that mold. He wore designer clothes, he had not one hair out of place, he smelled fantastic, and he was so damn intelligent. It was the first time since I’d left school that I had someone to geek out with.
I logged into my email. A small squeeze of dread knotted in my stomach. I created this new email so it would be totally separate from anything else I had. I didn’t want anyone to know what I was looking into. The flutters came in waves as the screen displayed one new email. It was from WhoAmIgenekits. I nervously clicked on it. This was it, the moment of truth.
“Thank you. We received your kit and are working on your results now.”
It went on to say that I would get an email letting me know when my results would be in. It wasn’t the life-changing email I was hoping for, after all.
My phone chimed for the second time with a text from Amber
Amber: Hey, girl.
Amber: All your computer stuff set up?
Me: Hi. Yes. Hack left a little while ago.
Amber: You busy?
Me: Not really, just setting up a few things online.