Sweet Perdition

by Cynthia Rayne

  But she didn’t drift off.

  Now the fever had passed, she had no more distractions to keep her from the deep thoughts. Couldn’t help but contemplate what she’d learned about the club tonight. Elizabeth stared at the gun on the nightstand and Ryker’s muscled arm wrapped snugly around her body, inked with the image of death on horseback

  Chapter Nine

  “What are your intentions towards my son?”

  She sat straight up in bed, clutching the covers to her chest. Blinking. An older woman stood at the foot of the bed. Ryker was nowhere to be found, but she heard the sound of water coming from the bathroom. He must be taking a shower.

  “Are you gonna lay there, or say somethin’?” the woman drawled.

  Hold up. What did the angry woman say? Son? This was his mother?! Craptastic. “Oh, uh, I’m Elizabeth and you are?”

  “I know your name, honey. But I asked you what you are doing with my son. From what I’ve heard, Ryker is actually dating you.” She narrowed her eyes. “What makes you so different from the others?”

  Had he mentioned her to his mom? “I don’t know.” She bit her lip. “I’m not sure, I mean. I met him at the bar,” she babbled. “We just seemed to hit it off.”

  This was way too much drama, way too early in the day. She hadn’t had coffee yet and now she had to face off with his cranky mother while only wearing a blanket. “If you could turn around or something, I will get dressed.”

  Her smile never reached her cat-like green eyes. “Relax, honey. I’m going to make some coffee and then you and I will have a chat. You’ve got exactly ten minutes to make yourself presentable.” After establishing her status as Queen Bee, Ryker’s mother turned on her strappy black heels and made for the bedroom door, leaving the scent of violets in her wake.

  Ten minutes later, dressed in her date night clothes, but without panties because she couldn’t find them, Elizabeth crept into the kitchen. She found the woman at the table with a carafe of coffee, a silver tray with two delicate China cups etched with the Texas state flag, a little silver bowl of sugar cubes, and a tiny pitcher of what she hoped was real cream.

  Elizabeth sat down across from her and gestured to the coffee service. “This belongs to Ryker?”

  “No, it is an old set of mine that I left here.” She tapped one French manicured nail against the rim of her coffee cup. “He’s a man, honey. He’s happy to drink coffee out of Styrofoam cups.” When she moved her wrist to the side, she could see a tattoo on the underside. Someone’s name? Joker. She guessed that was Ryker’s dad.

  So, his mom had been a biker chick back in her day.

  That explained a lot, actually. Particularly the clothes she’d borrowed. She made a mental note to return them. “I didn’t catch your name.”

  “That’s because I didn’t give it to you. I’m Edna, but my friends call me Eddie.”

  She stuck out her hand, but his mother stared at it, until Elizabeth put it back down, embarrassed. “Nice to meet you, Eddie.”

  “Honey, I barely know you. You can call me Miss Edna.”

  She poured Elizabeth a coffee, which she took gratefully, and added some cream and sugar into her cup. She tried not to gulp it down, but it tasted like heaven. Miss Edna continued the interrogation.

  “You never answered my first question. Are you and Ryker dating?”

  No wonder he avoided commitments. Who needed this kind of intense scrutiny? “I don’t know,” she said, simply, hoping his mom would drop it and move on. Fool’s gold right there. She should have known better any woman who’d given birth to a man as gritty as Ryker, had to be tough.

  “That’s some horse shit and you know it. You’ve had a couple of dates with him, which must mean something.” She narrowed her eyes. “You aren’t one of those skanky hellions who hang around the bar, so you must want more.”

  “No, really, I’m not sure.” She honestly didn’t know, the revelation that he was involved in criminal activity was a huge deal. One she needed to figure out.

  “Well, you’d better get real sure, real quick, young lady. We had enough heartbreak in this family to last a lifetime. Speaking of,” she leaned close, meeting her gaze. “If you hurt him? They’ll be finding bits of you up and down old Route 66, and don’t you ever forget it.”

  She nearly choked on her coffee.

  “Good, we understand each other.” She smiled brightly. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, would you like a blueberry muffin? I stopped by the bakery this morning.”

  She blinked, having trouble keeping up with Miss Edna’s mercurial ways. The woman acted like threatening someone over pastry was completely normal. But she took a muffin from the plate, too afraid to say no.

  “What are you doing here, mom?” He came in to the kitchen, dressed in blue jeans and a T-shirt. He kissed his mother on the cheek.

  “Mornin’, Pinky,” he drawled as he pecked her cheek as well and she relaxed a bit. He smelled good, clean, like soap and aftershave. Hopefully, he’d act as a barrier between her and his mother. He glanced between the two of them. “Two of my favorite girls in one spot.”

  His mother smiled over the rim of her cup. “Want some coffee, kid?”

  “Nah, I got to motor. Lots of shit to do.” He eyed Elizabeth. “You okay? You are paler than usual.” He narrowed his eyes at his mother. “Come on, out with it. What did you say to her?”

  “Honestly, you’re paranoid. Nothing happened. We were having a nice chat.”

  “Uh huh. Ain’t buyin’ that for a second.” He shook his head. “Anyway, I need to give her a ride home.” He held out his hand to her and Elizabeth took it gratefully, standing up and putting herself behind him.

  His mother placed a hand on his arm. “Honey, we were still talking. Why don’t you head on over to clubhouse while I get to know her a bit better? We’ll have more coffee, another muffin or two, and then I’ll take her home myself.”

  He shook his head and she could see the bemusement in his eyes. He obviously loved his mother, even if he found her exasperating. “You aren’t fooling anyone, mom. You want to grill her. I think you missed your calling, you should have been in the CIA.”

  Miss Edna chuckled “Those nosy bastards have nothing on me, honey.”

  He grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the door. “Come on, let’s get out of here, before she asks you for your dental records and a blood sample.” He turned to his Miss Edna. “Make sure you lock up when you leave. See you later!” He grabbed his cut from a peg near the door and pulled it on.

  Feeling like she’d escaped a very polite but thorough waterboarding session, Elizabeth barely resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at the older woman on the way out the door.

  ***

  Later that night, she dutifully went to work, but she didn’t really feel like it. Nearly nine and the library was about to close up for the evening. The day had passed in a haze, her thoughts filled with Ryker, his mother, and the club. She currently stood in front of the crafting section supposedly reading the Dewey decimal numbers and putting the books back in order, but she hardly even saw them.

  Ryker consumed her thoughts. Underneath his badass exterior, beat the heart of a really decent, honorable guy. Who didn’t love an alpha dog with a soft underbelly? It didn’t hurt that the way he touched her set her on fire. Not to mention the way he talked her into doing wicked things.

  He brought out her bad girl side in a serious way. In the past few days, she’d done things she never dreamed possible, for instance wearing the sexy butt plug he’d bought her underneath her work clothes. She’d gotten a salacious text from Ryker late in the afternoon, reminding her to put the plug in today. Blushing the entire time, she’d inserted the toy and then texted him, per his instructions, to let him know she’d put it in.

  She still couldn’t quite believe she’d had the courage to slip it in and leave the house. It made her feel alive, and intensely sexual, just like the man. She had a wicked little secret all her o
wn.

  But she’d decided that if she was going to be a bad girl underneath, she’d dress the part of a proper librarian. She had put on a pair of demure white panties over with a matching bra, her gray paisley skirt, and a white blouse, covered by a black shrug.

  Too bad he wouldn’t get the chance to check beneath her librarian uniform tonight. He’d mentioned he’d be at the homecoming party for Duke, one of his brothers, so he would have to pass on seeing her this evening. She hadn’t protested, after all, everyone needs space.

  Unfortunately, her body hadn’t gotten the message. Made her want to text him after the party, ask him to come over. If she had to wait until tomorrow night to sleep with him again, she might spontaneously combust or something.

  “Hey, babe.”

  She froze. Oh crap.

  She knew who had spoken without having to turn to face him. Carl. She hadn’t received a text or phone call from him in a bit and had assumed he’d gotten bored and decided to find someone else to irritate.

  No such luck.

  She didn’t bother glancing up from the books. No point in keeping up appearances. She didn’t care what he thought anyway. “Shouldn’t you be on your honeymoon?”

  “Oh, we didn’t have much vacation time.” He sighed. “So I’m back to work tomorrow morning.” He got closer, trying to put himself between her and the shelf and she moved backwards, keeping a good three feet between them.

  “Come on, babe.”

  She spared him a glance, reluctantly. Yep, still handsome. Carl had a wholesome, clean cut appearance in his khaki pants and blue button-down shirt. He had thick sandy blond hair, with big brown eyes, broad shoulders, and a slight tan.

  Still an asshole though, despite the outer wrapping of hunk.

  “You look good,” he said.

  She could practically feel his eyes creep over her body. Starting at her hair, which had been left down and fell around her face in red curls and then he focused on her breasts. His gaze shot down to her bare legs, visible beneath the skirt. She felt like putting on more clothing, maybe a turtleneck. And then adding some mace to her ensemble, the perfect accessory when dealing with an oversexed jerk.

  She wrapped her arms around herself and thought about making a hasty exit. Unfortunately, Carl blocked the aisle. Trapped between him and the cement wall at her back, she didn’t have many options. The library was nearly deserted, save for a student assistant at the circulation desk several hundred feet away.

  “Well, I’m busy and you should be getting home. To your wife.” Yep, nothing but ice in her voice.

  He placed a hand on the shelf by her head, inching closer. She jumped back, trying to maintain the distance between them.

  “Come on, what’s wrong with you? Don’t be so cold. Aren’t you even a little glad to see me? It’s been ages since we talked. I’ve missed you, babe.”

  She didn’t share the sentiment. In fact, she’d found his phone calls and texts exasperating. She changed the subject, not wanting to talk about their past relationship. “What is Lisa up to tonight?”

  His brow furrowed. “Lisa? I can’t think about my wife. Not around you. You are the only thing on my mind these days. Ever since I saw you at the wedding.” With that, he backed her up against the wall. “I keep thinking about all the good times we had together.” His voice lowered. “Remember when you and I spent that whole weekend in bed in college? Remember the way you came for me when I—”

  “Carl that is hardly appropriate talk in the library!”

  Their relationship had fizzled a long time ago, mostly because she’d never been able to satisfy him sexually. He’d wanted her to try new things in bed, but she’d never been really interested. Maybe she’d never had the right chemistry with Carl to begin with, because Ryker had excited her sexually right from the get go. He made her willing to explore new sexual avenues with him. She’d been eager to please the biker in bed. But Carl? Not so much.

  “Come on, talk to me,” Carl implored.

  Why pursue her now? Had she become more attractive because she no longer wanted his attention?

  “Carl, I’m not really sure what you are doing here or what you want, but I’m not interested.” She squared her jaw, her tone becoming sterner. “I want you to leave now.”

  “Don’t be like that. I didn’t come here to upset you. I wanted to see you. Talk to you.” He smiled at her. “Besides, this is a public place. It’s not like you can kick me out.” He splayed his hands. “Can’t we talk a bit? Like old times? You and I go way back. No reason we can’t be friends.”

  She hesitated, not wanting a scene and she could feel this encounter leading to an embarrassing one, at her place of business, no less.

  “At least hear me out,” he coaxed, seizing on her indecision.

  “No, we can’t be friends. I’m not one of those people who believes you can actually be friends with your ex. There is no we anymore Carl. You and I are done. End of story.” She couldn’t be any clearer about her feelings on the matter.

  Just like that, he turned off the friendly vibe. “Why are you being such a bitch?” He scowled.

  Moments like this? She had trouble remembering why she had found him so attractive in the first place. “You thought wrong.”

  “You are still hurt, aren’t you? That I married her and not you? I know that you’re jealous.” He smiled. “That’s a good thing. It means you still want me, deep down, even though you won’t admit it.”

  “Oh, please!” She rolled her eyes.

  “And I’m jealous of that biker you’ve been running around town with.”

  She froze. The Hellacious grapevine rears its ugly head. Again.

  “Don’t act all shocked, babe. This is a small town and everyone talks. Your car’s been spotted at their bar. Overnight.” His voice lowered an octave. “Never knew you could be so wicked,” he murmured. “I might not have broken up with you if I’d known you were such a dirty girl. Screwing bikers and staying out all night.”

  Her mouth fell open. Oh, ick. Definitely time to end this toxic relationship. For good. She pushed past him, all pretense of politeness gone. “Our conversation has come to an end. Goodbye, Carl. Don’t call, don’t text. Don’t show up here again. In fact, forget I’m on the planet.” She stomped to the end of the aisle.

  “Come on, babe, don’t be like that,” he said, trying to turn on the charm. “You know you don’t really want me to go.” He got in her space again and she shot back against the shelf, knocking a few books off. “Give me a little of that dirty girl side you kept hidden,” he murmured, bending down to kiss her.

  Last. Freaking. Straw.

  She reached out to slap him, but he grasped her arm. Holding it still. “Don’t do that. You’ll be very sorry, if you do.”

  His eyes were cold, something reptilian in their depths and it made her shiver. She’d never seen this side of him before. His fingers dug into her arm, hurting her.

  “Let me go,” she hissed.

  “I will when you stop being such a bitch.”

  “Let. Go,” she gritted out between clenched teeth.

  After a tense moment, he finally did and she backed away from him. “The only thing I’m sorry about? Is wasting my time with you. Stay away from me, Carl!” With that, she turned on her heel, told the student assistant, he would have to close up by himself, and marched out the door.

  Chapter Ten

  Twenty minutes later, Elizabeth sped down the road. Her car automatically headed to Perdition like it had a mind of its own. She couldn’t explain it, but she needed to see Ryker’s face, talk to him. Homecoming party be damned.

  When she got to the bar, she found the parking lot empty, except for a one long row of motorcycles. She cut the engine and as she approached the entrance, she could hear muted rock music coming from inside. Highway to Hell by ACDC.

  She’d thought a biker party would be a bit more crowded? Maybe it was only for club members? A closed for business sign hung on the door, but she
knocked on anyway, hoping one of the guys would recognize her and let her in.

  With any luck, he would be close to the door. She could have a quick word with him and be on her way. She didn’t want to come off as the insecure clingy girl who couldn’t spend the night away from her boyfriend.

  Woah. Not her boyfriend.

  They’d made that clear. He was… what? Her lover? Nope, that didn’t sound right either. Friend? No. She shrugged it off. Find him now. Analyze later.

  But instead of a brother letting her in, his mother opened the door. The older woman stood there, a hand on her hip. “Well, hello, honey. I thought I librarian could read a bit better. The sign says we’re closed.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You are closed to patrons, but I came to see Ryker. Is he here?”

  “He is,” she confirmed. However, she didn’t elaborate, nor did she issue an invitation to come in.

  Peering around Miss Edna, she could see the front portion of the bar was empty but she heard some raucous laughter echoing down the long hallway in the back. Distinctly male laughter, the dirty kind.

  Hmm. Ryker had been a bit vague about what a homecoming party entailed. Since she didn’t see any girls hanging around in the front, she could only assume they had gone in the back to party with the brothers. Damn. Now, she had something else to freak out about. The thought of him partying with those leather-clad skanky girls pissed her off, especially because he’d blown off a night spend with her to go.

  “Anything else I can help you with?” Ryker’s mother drawled.

  She could read the challenge in her eyes. Fine, she wouldn’t back down. “I need to see him.”

  Miss Edna raised a wicked brow. “You sure about that, honey?”

  “Very.”

  “Well, then come on in. Go down the hall. You’ll see a set of double doors at the end. We call it the pinball room.” She moved aside so Elizabeth could walk past her and then locked the door. Then, Miss Edna went back behind the bar and started wiping down the counter.