by Xander Hades
When finally, the kiss broke and he took a step back, he muttered, “Do you know Windy Park?”
I nodded, confused as to why we stopped kissing.
“Good. How about we have lunch there tomorrow? I can pick you up here at noon.” It was then when I realized this biker was being a gentleman! He knew I was drunk and was making sure there would be no doubts the first time we went past kissing. Damn it! A handsome, strong, protective guy, and he doesn’t rush into things! What was the world coming to?.
“Sounds good, Jake. I will make some sandwiches and a side if you want. I am a good cook, by the way. Even better than my pool playing.”
“I will be the judge of that,” he winked, then leaned down for another kiss. “I will see you tomorrow, Dana!” He made an almost theatrical bow before he turned and walked away. I went up to the porch and turned to watch him walk down the street. His gait exuded strength, or a solid physique. He walked like a man who was not afraid of anything. He stopped at the corner and turned back. I went in before I could do anything stupid. I needed a shot of something strong and a cold shower. Damn. A gentleman biker? Maybe I needed two shots and a bath.
Chapter Two
Jake
I got back to my bike and hesitated. Then I went into the pub and ordered a shot of whiskey and a beer. This new development deserved some thought.
The barmaid set the drinks down. “Thanks, Tina!” She was a cute little redhead in a black blouse and skirt. To my surprise, my usual undressing her with my eyes didn’t happen as she walked away.
“Just like that and you got it bad, boy,” I muttered under my breath.
I took the shot and then a sip of the beer. Getting interested in a rival club member’s sister. Shit! How did that happen? I shook my head. I would worry about that later. I looked over to the empty pool table thinking back a few hours to when I was watching her play with her brother. Damn, she was hot. And incredibly adorable. I remembered that each time she’d bend over the table, her unruly hair would fall on her face and she had to brush it back. She was irresistibly sexy. Bent over like that, her luscious breasts pressed against the table and her sexy rear had been enticing. I took a gulp of the beer. I wasn’t near drunk and wasn’t planning on getting that way, I just needed to reflect for a bit.
Tina the barmaid returned. “Slow night, Jake?” She was polishing a glass with a twinkle in her eye. I had known Tina for years and knew she was the perfect bartender. She could tell a great tale, but didn’t tell them out of turn. I could talk to her.
“A great night, Tina, just needed a nightcap. What do you know about Dana?” I asked straight up. No point beating around the bush.
“She’s a good girl. Big heart and wild spirit. She just got back into town today from school and is looking to get settled in again. So, what happened, man? I am pretty sure from the look on her face when she left with you that she didn’t shoot you down.” Aside from being good at tending bar, Tina noticed everything around her.
“Of course not, jeez, Tina, give me some credit. We are just taking it easy for now. Is her brother a hard ass?”
“He can be. Wild Wolves are like that. So are your brothers, if I remember right.” She grinned. I chuckled and nodded. She was right. It was why I had wanted to keep it on the down low with Dana, for the time being.
“That could be a problem. Right now, though, I don’t seem to give a shit,” I answered honestly. She laughed softly at that.
“I don’t blame ya, boy. She is a catch,” Tina said. “If I hadn’t known better I might have tried for her. You know, I am a big believer in loving who you want, but sometimes you gotta be careful, ya know?” Living in a small town and being a lesbian had taught her the hard way on that point. Worse than what I would get from my brothers, I was sure.
“Well, darlin’, I agree. So, you don’t think I am making a mistake making a move on her?”
She reached over and patted my arm.“There is no mistake in loving someone. Just watch your ass, but you know how to do that” She was right again. I figured I was making too much of it and blew her a kiss.
“Thanks, I guess I was looking for someone to agree with me. Ya know, if I hadn’t known better when we met, you might have been who I went after,” I said, remembering a night a few years earlier. She laughed.
“You might have scored for a night or two, too. It wouldn’t have lasted though. I am happy for ya, just watch your ass.”
“I will, sister.” I paid and stood up. “I should be going. Thanks for the talk and the booze.” I had some club business in the morning, before lunch, and wanted to clear the decks of that so the rest of my Saturday could go smooth.
***
I got the dues collected and made sure the new recruits were keeping the rolling iron clean. It was a good bunch and they had potential. Hell, they wouldn’t have made it this far if they didn’t. I went to the back room of the club and put the money in the safe with the notes on who owes what. All done, I thought with a smile. Almost time to go on a lunch date.
“You hear the latest, Jackhammer?” Crazy Mary said when I walked into the main room of the clubhouse.
“What’s that, Crazy?”
“The Wild Wolves did a rescue during the fire last night. Saved some forester and a chick. It sounds wild. I know they are rivals, but that is pretty badass,” she said with a giggle. Her giggles always had a crazy sound to them. I remembered Dana’s cute giggle and preferred it to Mary’s. With Mary, you never knew how close the crazy really was.
“You’re right, sister,” I said. “Credit where credit is due. That is badass. Anyone hurt?” I realized why Dana’s brother Mitch had left her at the bar. Duty called. I understood that and in a way, was glad for Dana’s affiliation through her brother. She would understand my duty, too.
“Not that I heard. All’s good on their end. They had just finished a good poker run, too. When is our next run?” Crazy had this slightly unnerving look in her eyes.
“Haven’t heard yet. Ask Gorilla or Hammer,” I told her.
They were the President and Road Warrior, respectively. I was not that high up in the hierarchy and didn’t want to be. I liked my mid-level rank just fine. It gave me more room to live my life. Between my part time gig and club stuff, I had plenty of money, too. The possibilities seemed to blossom when I thought about Dana. Hell, I was always thinking of Dana now. I had taken a cold shower when I got home the night before, as a necessity. I couldn’t wait for lunch. Time alone in the park, the opposite direction of the fires, no possibility of interruptions, all added up to a fantastic Saturday.
“I will, brother. What are you up to tonight? Going to the barn dance at Flatteries Ranch?”
“Don’t know,” I hedged. “I am doing some hunting tonight, ya know?” I leered. Crazy was used to the brothers always looking for tail. She bought it. The club wouldn’t interrupt a guy looking for a good time. She cackled with laughter.
“If she’s good enough for ya, you’ll have to bring her around. She might be good material,” Crazy said and giggled again. Crazy was always on the hunt and didn’t care who the prey was. Interesting woman, I reflected thinking of past times and parties.
“Maybe I will. Will see who I can get,” I told her. She cackled again and went into the kitchen. I shook my head. She truly deserved the name Crazy. I finished up my duties and checked in with the Hammer.
“All done, man. Got anything else for me?”
“Naw, you are doing great. Go enjoy the weekend,” Hammer said. Billy Ridgeway was his real name. About my height except perhaps a hundred pounds heavier. He didn’t look like it, but one hit from him would end your day quick.
“Thanks, Billy. Crazy was wondering when the next Poker Run was gonna be,” I remembered.
“That’s because she won the last two,” he said. “Greedy little bitch. Good for our rep, though. It isn’t scheduled yet, but I’ll let her know.” He waved me off. I liked Hammer. He wasn’t lording his position over anyone. You did y
our job and you got a pat on the back and free time to spend. If you didn’t, you got the hammer.
“See ya,” I said.
“Later,” Hammer called.
***
I was glad I got done early because I could stash some stuff at the park before going for my…new girl? The thought came to me as a question when I pulled up at her house in my pickup. Yes, my new girl, I decided, hoping she agreed. My truck was black and beat up, but her brother wouldn’t hear about a biker visiting his sister. She opened the door when I reached for the bell. She was smiling and looked flushed.
“Good timing, Jake,” she said as she let me in. “I’ve just finished getting stuff together.” She shut the door behind us and turned. I bent, kissed her deeply and she melted against me. It felt amazing. We both gasped for breath when I pulled back.
“Sorry, girl, I have been thinking of you all night and couldn’t wait,” I said. She blushed but nodded.
“Me, too. I thought maybe after sobering up I would feel different, but no chance.” She looked me in the eyes. She reached out and hugged me.
“I know, right,” she said, her voice muffled against my chest. I kissed the top of her head. “I am looking forward to every moment of today. So, shall we go?”
I followed her through the little house into an airy kitchen with plenty of counter space and a nice kitchen nook. I liked watching how her sexy rear moved with each step. Dana was wearing black leggings and a red frilly mini-skirt with a loose red blouse over a black spandex half top. She was ravishing. Slow down, boy, I told myself. Not yet, almost. Her hair was wild and unruly, yet, there was nothing about this little lady that wasn’t attractive to me. Usually I could find something I didn’t like about people right away, but there was nothing wrong with Dana at all.
“Here is the basket. I got some sandwiches and potato salad in here as well as some chips. We may have to stop for drinks, though,” she said.
“That is already taken care of,” I told her.
“Oh, okay. I guess we’re ready.”
Her skirt swirled around her legs as I followed her out the front door. I licked my lips. It was almost lunch time.
Chapter Three
Dana
Jake’s shirt was tight against his bulging chest muscles so I could almost see them ripple under the fabric. I wanted to make them ripple, I thought. I had never been so hot for a guy. There was a kindness in his bright eyes, too, and a gentleness to his soft smile that made my heart flutter. I couldn’t help wanting all I could get of it. Jake started the truck up.
I had talked to Mitch that morning and he told me about the forest fire and the run to save two people. One of them had been the VP’s woman. It had been very dramatic and amazing, yet through the whole conversation she had been thinking of Jake fighting for her honor the night before. Mitch had been apologetic. I am living in Lowtown now so they would have plenty of time to hang out. They had decided to have a Sunday night barbecue before the last of the clear weather was gone.
“Did you hear about the fire last night?” I said.
“I did. Pretty wild,” Jake said. “Crazy Mary called it badass and she was right. Did your brother ride on that?”
I shook my head. “He was back up. They wanted all hands ready.”
“I would, too. That is some dangerous shit. I always knew the Wolves were a tough club,” he said. I was glad he wasn’t one of those bikers who thought anyone outside of their club were idiots and assholes.
“They are that. I’ve heard the Dragons aren’t exactly weak sissies,” I told him to even the score. He grinned.
“We have our moments of kicking ass,” he responded humbly. I had heard about more than a few righteous fights. After talking to my brother, I got a call from an old school friend and we had gossiped. Ruth Menendez knew everything about everyone around Rapid City, so I felt caught up on things.
“Yeah, that’s what I heard. So, who’s this Crazy Mary?” I asked. He laughed.
“That chick is crazy! Seriously,” Jake said. “But she’s a true believer in the club. She was around the MC this morning while I took care of dues and shit. She told me about the fire. She can kick some serious ass, too, as she has no shame in a fight.”
“Most biker chicks are like that. At least the fighting part. I don’t know about crazy,” I added.
“I don’t know. I think any chick who hangs with a brother is a little crazy,” he said and glanced at me with a big grin on his face and then winked. I reached out and took his hand. He squeezed mine.
“That explains me, then. I have always been a little wild,” I admitted.
“Me, too. Could be why we clicked so well. That or watching you play pool turned me on,” he said, his voice serious this time. He returned his gaze to the road in time to take the cut-off to the park. The trees were majestic and I rolled down the window to catch the breeze. It was getting hot. We held hands as he drove us through the recreational area to a little road that took us further back from the main area of the park.
“Most of the club like the Kinkler Park on the other side of Rapid City. I have always liked this one better. More places to have some space to yourself with less visitors,” he said. He brought the truck to a stop in the shade where the road ended. It didn’t look like many other cars had been up that way. “I got just the place for a picnic.”
We got out of the truck. He grabbed the basket as we met at the back of the truck. He took my arm and led me down a little path that was barely noticeable. I was beginning to wonder what he meant by having taken care of the drinks when we walked into a little clearing with a lean-to along the back. There were several blankets inside and a big cooler next to it. I looked at him in surprise. There were even flowers. I felt my heart flutter. It had taken some effort to set this up and he had been at work for most of the morning. He must have busted ass to do it. No one had ever gone to that much effort for me before. No man, anyway. My eyes felt moist as I gazed at him and he set the basket down and took me in his arms.
“Are you okay,” he said. “What’s wrong?” As usual, for a guy, he didn’t get it. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Shut up and kiss me, Jake,” I whispered in his ear. “I am so happy right now!” We kissed. It was even better than the night before. He tasted so good. His lips were surprisingly soft. When our lips parted I didn’t want it to end this time.
“I guess it is lunch time,” Jake said. “We’ve got all day Dana.” He reached for the food basket. The cooler was closer to me so I popped that opened. There was soda, beer and a bottle of wine.
“I’ll say you got the beverages handled,” I told him and got us both a pop to start.
“You never know, Dana,” he said. “Who knows, we may want to order pizza for dinner and need something to drink. I have it on good authority they will deliver up here.” I laughed. Not because I didn’t believe him but because I did. I had a feeling he would find a way to get anything he wanted and it pleased me.
We sat side by side and ate, enjoying the birdsong and the sandwiches. He liked the potato salad, which was my specialty. I wanted to please him as much as he did me. We finished lunch and decided to go for a walk. There was a stream a little way behind the little lover’s nest he had made for us. We walked along, holding hands and leaning against each other happily. Trading stories of our childhood and life experiences.
“So, I didn’t grow up in a club. It wasn’t until I dropped out of school and was getting in so much trouble that I ran into a couple of bikers,” Jake began. “They convinced me to give it a try. Honestly, at that point it was the club, prison, or dead. After a while in the club I saw you could have fun and not be constantly in trouble. Not only did they give me a life, but they saved it too.” I knew not all gangs were like that but I was glad he had the Dragons. Without them, I would never have met him. The Wolves had similar values. Although she was sure both gangs did some illegal activity, she had never asked Mitch and no one ever got busted so
she didn’t ask Jake.
“Mitch started with the Wolves back when we were in high school,” she said. “Running errands, that sort of thing. Dad wasn’t in a club but he knew all the wolves and let them use his shop to work on their bikes if they needed. So, our folks never had a problem with him joining. It calmed him down a lot, the discipline, I mean. For me, college is what got me to slow down and focus. I love math and could really dig in. Although after four years of it I am ready to let loose a little.”
“That is never a terrible thing,” he said. “To be honest, I can’t believe we are here together. Being near you is so amazing. I keep expecting the feeling to end, but I hope it doesn’t.”
I thought what he said was deeply romantic. I could see the honesty in his eyes.
“I am not going to try and puzzle out the why of this yet,” he said, and suddenly, he seemed nervous. “I am going to accept it and run with it… if you’re cool with that?”
I leaned forward and cupped his face in my hands. “That would be perfect, Jake. This is a gift that I don’t intend to question either.” We embraced and I felt my heart miss a beat with the power of my desire for this man. I almost wondered about how I could be so lucky. Just enjoy it girl, I thought, you deserve it.
I laughed as he managed to get a cell signal and did indeed order a pizza later. We had to walk down the road a mile or so to a place the driver would go but we got our pizza. Then we ate and got a good buzz before we were under the lean-to again. By morning, we were wrapped in blankets, the wind blowing around us. I hugged him close, my heart beating madly in my chest, the wind singing in my ears.