"I've got questions."
"I wouldn't expect anything different but there are some things that I'm not prepared to answer at this moment in time." James let out a loud sigh and briefly closed his eyes, "You're just going to have to trust me Ames."
I looked at him wearily but there was one thing I needed to ask and if he didn't answer, I wouldn't be seeing him again. "I need to know if you're in a relationship," I asked breathlessly as his close proximity was playing with my emotions.
I saw the slight confusion wash over James' face before he shook his head slowly. I sighed with relief knowing that there was no one else involved, I was still mystified as to why he would stand me up but trusted him enough to believe him.
"I'm not involved with anyone Ames," he said quietly as he leaned forward to place his open lips on mine and slowly let them shut. I followed his lead as he kissed me gently before slowly using his tongue to deepened the kiss. James moved his hand to my cheek and cupped it holding me tenderly as he continued to kiss me. I felt the tingling sensation between my thighs and tried to grind them together discreetly as I became putty in his hands. I heard the chimes from the door faintly in the background but I was too engrossed to think about anything logically.
"For fucks sake get a room you two."
I pulled away from James, shocked and a little embarrassed by the customers' outburst until I saw Mitchell and Ethan glaring at me as they strolled through the cafe. I instantly felt my cheeks redden at being caught in James' embrace and stepped back as I placed my hand over my mouth still feeling him on my lips. I glanced at James to see that he was still cool under the scrutiny of my brother and sniggered as he gave me a cheeky wink. His demeanour caught the attention of Mitchell and I could see him assessing us from the corner of my eye.
James stepped back and placed his hands into his jean pockets that hung loosely around his waist, "I'll pick you up at 7.30pm." He stated before turning his attention to Ethan and Mitchell and giving them a nod of the head before he sauntered from the cafe.
"So he's obviously wormed his way around you again!" Mitchell scoffed.
I raised my brows surprised by his comment, "And what do you mean by that?" I spat placing my hands on my hips affronted.
"Didn't he stand you up last night?"
I rolled my eyes, I couldn't believe how fast news travelled at the club. "He had a legitimate reason." I stated firmly and had to look away quickly as my own self doubt may become obvious. I busied myself by picking up a cloth and wiped down the counter.
"Ames!" I returned the cloth to the sink and rinsed it out in the bowl. "Ames!"
"What?" I asked glancing over my shoulder.
"Look at me properly when I'm talking to you." I turned my body fully and rested against the sink as I looked directly at Mitchell knowing full well that he'd seen through me.
"Is he fucking you about? Because if he is babe, you only have to say the word." I rolled my eyes at his comment, ever the alpha.
"Don't fucking do that, you know I hate it." I turned my attention to Ethan who had now got in on the act of being an arse. "He's just looking out for you and making sure you're okay."
I looked between the pair of them, "What the fuck is this? We haven't even been out on a date yet and you're getting on my case about the whole situation. How am I supposed to find anyone when you two want to scare them off before something's even started?"
Mitchell let out a sigh, "It's just that we care."
"Well can you care from a distance for a while?" I understood that they had my best interests at heart but I wasn't a teenager anymore.
Ethan put up his hands, "Okay, we get your point Amy but don't keep us in the dark."
Keep them in the dark? Why would they want to know what I'm up to and who with? They were planning something but at this very moment, I was a little unsure as to what that may be. I needed to keep them sweet though, in order to keep them off my back. "I know you care, really I do but you need to trust me on this. James is a good bloke but if I'm concerned in any way I will let you know, I can't say fairer than that." Mitchell and Ethan glanced at each other and my response seemed to satisfy them at least for now.
"Okay! Have you got the takings?" Ethan asked placing a rucksack onto the counter.
I looked at him confused, "How comes you two are here to collect this? Where's Daryl?" Daryl or a prospect usually collected from me each week so I was surprised that Ethan and Mitchell were here to collect the money. Mitchell raised his brows at my comment and I'd realised what I'd just asked. Of course they weren't going to tell me where Daryl was, he was obviously on club business.
"Sorry, silly question." I stated as I bent down to collect the jiffy bag from the cupboard where I'd put the money earlier. "Here you go," I stated sliding the envelope into the opened rucksack and zipped it up once it contained the money.
"Thanks Ames, enjoy your evening." Both Mitchell and Ethan stood from the stools and sauntered from the cafe like they didn't have a care in the world.
Once they'd left the building I let out a loud sigh feeling relieved that they'd gone. They were always protective of me even growing up but since the accident five years ago, they'd been worse. I'd pulled them up on their shit a couple of times and they backed off but I would most certainly have to assess the situation with James and let them know if they became too heavy again. I thought they would be happy that I'd met someone with a proper job rather than getting involved with someone from the club and I was still unsure of their motives.
It had been a busy day but I was pleased that I was now home and could spend the next hour getting myself ready for my date with James this evening. I wasn't sure where he was taking me and what we were doing which made it a little difficult to decide what to wear, so I'd opted for jeans and a smart top. I glanced at my watch noticing the time and felt relieved that he hadn't called to cancel, although there was still time as I travelled in the taxi.
James looked around the room, "This is a lovely restaurant." His statement took me a little by surprise as other guys I'd dated, wouldn't give a shit about how a restaurant looked let alone take me to one.
I walked briskly through the restaurant following the waitress and felt James rest his hand lightly on my lower back. "The food is to die for and I recommend the salmon." I said excitedly making conversation to try and calm the butterflies that were building in my stomach.
James nodded his head and smiled at my enthusiasm, "I'll keep that in mind, thank you."
The taxi driver had been given instructions to pick me up from my flat and take me to this restaurant in Sawbridgeworth. It was one of my favourites and I tried to get here at least once a month with either Pearl or Savannah, and I wondered if James knew that and that's why he brought me here.
As we arrived at our table, James pulled out my seat and waited politely as I nestled into it before pushing it slightly closer to the table.
"I'll give you some time to look through the menu but could I get you any drinks while you're waiting?" the waitress asked as she handed us both a menu.
"Can I have a vodka and orange and a diet coke please." The waitress wrote it onto her pad and smiled before leaving us. James glanced in my direction and smiled at my reaction, "Well that's what you drink isn't it?" he asked shrugging.
"It is but I didn't think you'd remember."
"You'd be surprised what I know!" he stated giving me a cheeky wink before turning his attention to the menu. I took this opportunity to watch him go through his thought process and smiled at the quirky things he did while analysing. He glanced from the menu and caught me staring, "What's up?" he asked confused.
"Nothing I was just observing the scenery," I stated as the waitress returned with our drinks.
James' attention was drawn to the buzzing of his phone, he delved into his trouser pocket and looked at the screen. Letting out a long sigh he glanced across the table at me, "I'm sorry Ames but I've got to take this."
I smiled and nodded my he
ad politely but felt a pang of disappointment, that something else had cropped up that was more important than our date. I watched as he slid the screen to answer the call and weave his way around the tables towards the exit of the restaurant. Once outside I saw him pace up and down the street talking animatedly on the phone and pitied whoever was on the receiving end. Who could he be having an argument with? A work colleague possibly but why would they call so late in the evening?
James turned and our eyes met through the restaurant window as he continued to berate the person on the other end of the phone. He placed one hand on his forehead and rubbed it out of frustration before ending the call.
I looked away trying to feign that I wasn't concerned what the outcome of the conversation would now entail. James sauntered through the restaurant and made his way towards the table.
"Is everything okay?" I asked trying to keep the frustration from my voice.
James sat in his chair and leaned back staring at me intently, "I'm so sorry Ames but I'm going to have to bale."
"Twice in one week, this is becoming a regular thing James." I stated quietly.
"I know, I know but there's nothing else I can do in this situation."
"Well then, you better be leaving." I returned my attention back to the menu. I was starving and there was no way I was letting him come between me and my food this evening.
James looked like he was caught between a rock and a hard place, as he glanced at his watch.
"Ames I wish I could stay."
"Then stay." I said sharply.
He let out a sigh, "I just can't."
"Then go." I didn't look up once during our conversation, I continued to pretend I was reading the menu but they were just words on a page. I had glanced over them so many times and hadn't processed a thing as I was once again hurting inside from his rejection.
"I'll call you later this evening." He said standing from his chair.
"Okay." I continued to flick through the pages of the menu and eventually James got the hint that I didn't want to talk and left without saying goodbye.
"Have you decided what you'd like to order yet?" the waitress asked standing beside me with her notepad.
"Not yet but can you stick a double in there?" I asked pushing my now empty glass towards her. She smiled and picked up the glass before making her way to the bar. I let out a sigh and knew that it was going to be another long evening alone.
Chapter 7
Amy
"Thank you, I really appreciate your help." Louise had been a godsend and had helped me out a few times when I'd been really busy. I had two other casual members of staff but they worked here for the wrong reasons. One spent more time flirting with anyone wearing a patch and the other worked here as well as the club because she was supporting her partner's drug addiction.
The fact that I could call Louise at short notice to assist in the cafe made her a perfect solution, the twins were more than happy to amuse themselves and I happily kept them fed and watered as their mother was doing me a huge favour.
"It's really not a problem, you're helping me out as much as I am you." She smiled and turned to continue wiping the table as she hummed a tune. Louise's resilience had surprised me, she'd been through so much but yet she continued to go about her business without bitching and moaning about what hand she'd been dealt. I glanced at her two beautiful children sitting at the table quietly drawing more tattoo designs, I sniggered by what I saw, Connor had not only made an impression on Louise but also the twins.
"While we're quiet, could I pop to the shop to get the children some more crayons?" Louise asked walking towards me to place the bottle of cleaning fluid on the counter.
I nodded my head, "Of course you can, they'll be okay sitting there." I stated glancing towards the children sitting quietly at the table.
Louise unfastened her tabard, "Thank you, I won't be long." She grabbed her purse from behind the counter and ruffled both Devon's and Tommy's hair as she passed them walking towards the door.
"Would you like another drink kids?" I asked knowing the answer to the question before they even spoke.
They turned in unison, "Yes please!" Devon shouted excitedly, beaming brightly as she jigged up and down on the chair. Tommy had an equally big smile and I was pleased that I was able to put that smile on their faces if only for a short time.
I gave them a wink before turning to make two orange squashes, I would have loved to have made them another milkshake but they'd already had one this evening.
I turned to the sound of the chimes on the cafe door, "Hi Connor, fancy seeing you here this evening!" I said smugly clearly mocking Connor as he strolled through the cafe. He'd been coming here more regularly and I knew it wasn't because of my cooking.
Connor simply nodded his head before narrowing his eyes expressing his unease at my comment and I couldn't help but smile as I wiped down the table next to the twins.
"Hi Spike sit next to me," I heard Tommy say excitedly. I smiled at the fact that the children were fighting over Connor's attention.
"Wow Tommy they're great."
I finished clearing the table and looked at the exchange between Connor and the children and my heart instantly yearned that attention from a child. Tommy was simply captivated by Connor's presence and was hanging on his every word.
"These are great too are you gonna add some colour?" Connor asked Tommy.
"Mum's just popped to the shop on the corner to get some more crayons." Devon said before leaning over to suck from the purple straw that was in her orange squash.
I felt the cold breeze as Louise opened the door and hurried into the cafe. Her dress probably hadn't kept her warm from the elements outside but she was eager to get back to the children. I watched the silent interaction between Connor and Louise and it was like a game of cat and mouse. It was obvious that they both liked each other but I was all too aware that Connor would have to build that trust first before any kind of relationship could develop with Louise. I'd seen so many disastrous relationships from working at the refuge because the women living there had such low self esteem that some would just settle for the first man that paid them any attention, and those men were often like the very people that they were trying to get away from in the first place.
Louise left the table after taking Connor's dinner order and I saw a brief interaction between Connor and the children but couldn't quite make out what they were saying. Both children grinned at Connor's words and I stepped closer to take Connor's drink to the table.
"I like your mum very much, and you and Tommy." I smiled at his comment and placed a large glass of iced water on the table before turning to the sound of a group of rowdy blokes that I didn't recognise enter the cafe as they shared a joke.
"Shhh, it's alright little man." I quickly turned to see Connor comforting Tommy. I hadn't thought about things such as loud people upsetting Tommy and didn't know what to do to try and settle him.
Louise placed Connor's dinner on the table, "I'm just gonna help Amy with these customers and then I'm going to take them home." She stated to Connor to let him know just how long she would be. Louise grabbed her pencil from the front pocket of her tabard and walked slowly towards the group as I made my way behind the counter waiting for their order.
"Hey beautiful, I haven't seen you here before." One of the rowdy customers said to Louise as she tried to take their orders. I glanced between Louise and Connor and could see that his interest had been piqued as he glared at the group.
The next thing I knew all hell broke loose as Connor quickly leapt from his chair and ran over to the group to yank Louise away to safety. Connor punched the guy directly on the chin knocking him off his chair which turned the table on its side with a bang.
I made my way around the counter and over to the twins who were now laced with fear by what they were seeing.
I watched in horror as the whole scene played out in front of me as if in slow motion, as Connor repeatedly punched the guy i
n the face as he held him by the scruff of his neck. When Connor had finished he grabbed the stirring man from the floor and pulled him to his feet. "If you ever come in here again, I'll fucking kill you. Do you understand?" he spat before pushing the guy in the direction of the door.
I stood frozen not knowing what to do. I'd seen the guys fight on many occasions but it was the way that the children had reacted that had me in a quandary. Devon had stood on her chair and screamed through the whole altercation but now her tears poured down her cheeks as she wept uncontrollably. I glanced at Tommy, he was petrified, fear clearly visible as his joggers were wet through.
As quick as a flash Connor's demeanour changed from aggressive to concerned as he surged forward to try and calm the situation and take Louise into his embrace. Connor reached out to touch her but she recoiled with a look of anger on her face as Connor instinctively went to comfort Devon.
"Leave her alone," Louise spat in a harsh tone. "She's my chid and I'll comfort her, just leave us all alone."
Louise pushed past Connor and grabbed Devon taking her from the chair into her embrace. Devon wrapped her legs around Louise's waist and held on tight as Louise span around. She quickly grabbed Tommy's hand and headed for the back room stomping through the cafe.
"Noooooo! Spike, I want Spike!" Devon shouted as she stretched out her hand for Connor to take. He held it briefly but had to let go as Louise moved quickly trying to get the children away from the very man that was trying to protect them.
Amy (Aces MC Series Book 3.5) Page 10