Running with the Devil: Plantain Series Book One

by Amelia Oliver

  “Guys, meeting!” Joey yells from the other side of the door.

  4

  I pull away and put a hand to my throat, what...the...fuck?

  “Maven,” Dornan says huskily as I back away.

  No seriously, what the fuck is happening? With shaky hands, I grab my papers and bolt for the door. Not looking back, I can’t believe I almost kissed him. He’s my friend, he’s off limits. I know if I let myself go there, I’ll be hurt, I’ll be just another notch on his bedpost...right? We have too good of a friendship to fuck this up by letting feelings like this get in the way. Do I have feelings like that for him? I mean we were hugging and he got hard, doesn’t that happen to a lot of guys whether they’re attracted to a girl or not? In a still lust-filled fog, I make it to the room we hold gathering at. Sven’s sitting in his President’s place at the head of the table, as the other guys stand around various parts of the room. He’s talking with Chain and I toss the prints down between them, interrupting their conversation, and two sets of eyes slowly look up at me.

  “Here’s the blueprints. Everything looks good,” I rush the words out, my breathing still a little too rapid.

  The two shoot one another a look at my odd behavior, before focusing on the papers. While I try to ignore that I was completely rude just then, and also that Dornan’s entered the room behind me. Fuck I can feel him, his heat and energy, and I wonder if he’s kicking himself also for what almost just happened.

  “And we’re on board for the deadline?” Sven asks.

  “We have a rough timeline yes, mid-June. Once we finalize the drawings we can get a firmer date.”

  “Oh, speaking of date,” Smokey says. “Fucking dude asked V out,” he announces to the room.

  “What dude?” Joey asks beside me.

  I look over my shoulder to see, that once again I’m making Smokey laugh as he answers for me.

  “Contractor. Had the balls to ask her in front of us.”

  I try to ignore the look on Dornan’s face, his very pissed off looking face. Not sure if the date talk is causing it, or the fact that I almost let us make a huge mistake only moments ago.

  “What did you tell him?” Dornan asks me, like we aren’t in a room full of people. His tone hard but intimate, and I can’t ignore the fact that the room falls quiet.

  “I told him I’d think about it.” I attempt to make my voice seem nonchalant, but it comes off a little raspy and strained.

  Everyone knows Dornan and Joey are protective of me, and I hope no one notes the added tension between us during this exchange. After a long moment, Dornan clicks his tongue and looks away from me. So I return my attention to Sven, as if nothing weird just happened. We discuss more about the blueprints, while slowly the chatter amongst the guys resumes. Eventually, the pool games start, and I’m able to get out of there without Dornan noticing and get home.

  ***

  Saturday, Joey and Katie drop off their three daughters, and Katie is nonstop thanking me for their night off. The girls ages range from eight to four, and although they demand all my attention, we have fun. We spend most our day playing dress up, then making dinner, and finally watching a movie before they all crash in my bed. By the time we get to Missy and Sven’s Sunday evening however, I’m about over being a mom for the weekend. I’m more than happy when the girls take off as soon as we get there, meeting up with Smokey and Emily’s kids in the backyard. Missy wraps me in a big hug when I enter the kitchen, and Emily gives me a one arm embrace as she holds her and Smokey’s two-week old son Evan to her chest.

  “You better gimme that baby,” I order.

  She smiles, kissing Evan on the cheek before passing over the sleeping bundle. He snuggles right in as I begin swaying back and forth, his warm little body giving me comfort. We chit chat as the kids play outside and the guys talk in the living room, watching some sporting event and drinking beer. There are about ten of us that always come to dinner on Sunday’s, and since I see the guys on a daily basis, this is time for me to catch up with the women.

  “Ugh that girl is on my last nerve. I swear, if I see her touch Smokey one more time, I’ll break her face,” Emily sighs, fixing the black hair knot on top of her head.

  She’s talking about some sweet bottom at the club, and both Missy and I laugh at her. Emily’s a small woman, soft spoken and sweet as can be. So when she says shit like this, it’s comical. Immediately, I feel Dornan enter the kitchen and my eyes meet his. He doesn’t smile or show warmth in his eyes, just looks at Evan for a moment then back at me. Then he moves past us and towards his mom, kissing her cheek and exchanging hello’s. My body engulfs in heat, although he’s clearly mad at me. Rightly so, we did something dumb. And me being the one who always wants to act like things aren’t a big deal, avoided his calls and texts all day yesterday and today. But we did need to talk, no matter how long I brushed it off. Having the girls over yesterday distracted me and I needed time to sort all this out, all the feelings and shit before Dornan and I have that talk. Katie and Joey arrive just before we all sit to eat, looking smiley and well-sexed. The table fills with chatter as the kids talk about things kids talk about, while the grown-ups laugh and joke. Dornan sits across from me, and I do everything in my power to avoid those blue eyes willing me to look up.

  “A man called aunt V last night,” Natasha, Katie and Joey’s oldest daughter comments. The table gets a little quiet just as I feel everyone’s eyes on me.

  “Oh?” Katie asks excitedly with a smile.

  “Who?” Joey asks in a stern tone.

  I take a sip of my beer in an attempt to stall.

  “No one,” I shake my head, taking a massive forkful of mashed potatoes and shoving it into my mouth.

  “Justin or something, what was his name Auntie?” Natasha asks.

  “Justice?” Smokey questions, his eyes wide as that Cheshire Cat grin begins.

  I look down at my plate, at the food I’m picking at with my fork.

  “It was about the blueprints,” I state, thinking that will shut it down.

  “Nooo it wasn’t,” Natasha beams.

  I shoot her a look with raised brows, then narrow my eyes to let her know I mean business, she just smiles and giggles in reaction.

  “You got all flustered and we heard him asking you out.”

  Dornan’s fork clatters onto his plate, as he sits back in his chair. The look on his face is like nothing he’s ever directed at me before. He’s mad as hell now, and I still don’t understand why exactly.

  “Well?” Katie asks.

  “Did you say yes?” Emily adds, the two of them look like they’re about to burst with anticipation for my answer.

  While the women are looking at me with wide eyes, the guys...not so much.

  “I told him I’d let him know,” I reply quietly.

  “Oh my God, is he hot?” Katie gushes.

  “Yaknow, I don’t really want to talk about this right now.” I look at my friend, giving her a tone of voice I hope she will interpret as;this is really awkward for me to talk about in front of everyone. Eventually, when I don’t answer any of the questions, the topic of conversation changes. I can sense the tension pouring out of Dornan, but still I refuse to look at him.

  After dinner the guys and I leave for the MC’s owned topless bar. The building is two levels, upstairs is the titty club, while the downstairs is a dance club. The upstairs is packed, and I make my way through the stages for the dancers to the manager’s office. We talk about how business’s been and look through finances for the month, while also discussing his possible move over to the new club. When I go back out to the main floor, the party’s in full swing and reminds me of a Motley Crue video. Scantily clad women hanging all over the guys under neon lights, while others perform on the stages for their dollar bills. I recognize the blonde sweet bottom who was trying to get Dornan’s attention at the tavern the other night, sitting on his lap. Straddling him actually, and she’s in a G-string...only in a G-string. Her breast
s are pressed in his face, but again he isn’t paying too much attention to her. She touches his chest and leans down to whisper in his ear, the urge to stomp over and yank the skank off him causes my vision to blaze red.

  That’s my cue to head downstairs to the civilian club, because I’m not going to torture myself by watching them. I don’t want to think of what she’s telling him or what his reaction will be. Halfway down the steps I realize that what is happening up there is probably for the best, he needs a distraction from thinking he wants me. I meet with the manager downstairs, looking over numbers and chatting a little, before deciding I need a drink and to dance. For a Sunday night, the club’s packed and the music’s pumping. It was my first decision as V.P. to turn the main floor of the building into a civilian club. We’re the only dance club within forty miles, so it’s a popular place with the younger crowd. I head to the bar and down a few shots of tequila in a row. I’m in a pair of white booty shorts, and a black halter-top. When we got to the club, I’d swapped out my boots for the pair of black strappy heels I usually keep in my saddle bag.

  As the liquor begins to warm my blood, the dance floor seems much more appealing. So I make my way into the massive crowd of bodies, moving along to the music. A few songs in, and I’m feeling good. When Rhianna’s- “Skin” comes on, the people dancing move together to the sexy song. Even though I have my mind open to maybe meeting someone tonight, I’m not drunk enough to allow just anyone to dance with me. So, I decide to maybe hit the bar again, when I feel hands gripping on my hips from behind, small hands and know they belong to a woman.

  The hands press tentatively against me, then harder as a masculine pair cover the smaller ones. One glance down at this pair of hands, and I know who it is. My head shoots around, looking over my shoulder and wondering what the hell is going on, and I lock eyes with Dornan. He’s dancing with a girl in front of him, their joined hands roaming over my body. She’s shorter than both of us, and I can’t focus on her as they press closer to me, their fingers running along the waistline of my shorts. His hands guide them, directing where they go. I face forward and allow them to get closer, my heart beating in time to the music as our bodies move. Rough and soft fingertips graze under the hem of my tank top to touch bare skin, as Dornan’s breath ruffles my hair. I’m relieved neither can see that my eyes have drifted closed so I can focus solely on that rough touch. Their hands run up along my ribs, right under the swells of my breasts. Causing my back to arch, pushing my chest out and ass back. Even through my bra, I can feel Dornan’s thumbs graze my nipples, and I exhale a shuddering breath. Fuck, he’s turning me inside out, my pussy is wet and throbbing, all from just his hands on me. I swear his touch makes me think crazy things and wanting things, things I never thought about with Brayden.

  They push closer to me, and the girl’s hands leave Dornan’s as she begins to rub my hips. Her leg pushes between mine, as his hand slowly creeps up to my neck, his other remaining on my breast as he fondles me over my shirt. The hand at my neck slides back and up into my hair, which I’ve left down. Allowing him to grab a handful, to tug my head back and to the side. His breath pounds against my cheek, as his tongue tastes the sweat behind my ear. My body trembles at the movement, and the existence of everyone around us melts away. The feel of his tongue, him just breathing on my skin, sends goosebumps all over and my body instinctively pivots to face him.

  The poor girl in between us doesn’t seem to mind, or even notice that she’s being used as a means for him to get close to me. She also turns and faces him, her back pressing into my front. Her lips kiss against the base of his neck, then trail along his collarbone, but he only seems to notice me. His fingers are still coiled tightly in my hair, as he pulls my face closer. His eyes liquid heat as I suck on my bottom lip, and beg with my eyes and body for him to kiss me. Leaning forward, Dornan brings my face closer. Just as the girl between us knocks her head into my chin, leaning up and planting a kiss on his lips, sealing around them as he opens and instinctively accepts.

  I pull back and again gather my senses, his head jerks away from her and I’m jostled by a man beside me as the music changes to a more up-tempo song. Effectively pushing me further away, regardless Dornan tries to reach for me, but I’m too far. I just stare at him, probably like a deer in headlights, as the girl continues to try and get his attention back on her lips. Fuck, fuck, fuck. In a fight or flight reaction, I take off. Pushing my way through the patrons, out the door, and to my bike.

  ***

  Monday morning is hell, I barely slept last night and feel like a zombie. My mind and body racing over the events at the club, hell the shit from all week actually. I don’t understand why Dornan’s sudden interest in me, or is at least now acting on it. So after I got home, I spent the next six hours thinking about my entire life. All the subtle things Dornan does every day and wonder, has he been like this with me always and I’m just now noticing? Yes, of course he’s always been touchy feely with me, always shooting me knowing glances and winks. But never, never has he tried to kiss me. Never tried to touch me like he did on the dance floor, never seemed pissed that a guy was showing interest in me. How insanely pissed he seemed when Drag came on to me, or livid about Justice asking me out. I just don’t know what to make of it all. Of course I slept maybe four hours, eventually rolling into work at noon.

  Relieved to make it to my office with no notice from the guys, as I sit down at my desk to skim over the papers sitting there, before reading my messages. Missy called a bunch of times, she also called my cellphone earlier, but I ignored them. Under the note to call Missy, there’s another piece of smaller post-it paper in Dornan’s handwriting, that says,

  ‘Come find me when you get in.’

  I crumple up the papers and toss them into the trash with a sigh, not sure if I’m ready to have this conversation with him yet. The one we definitely need to have, but part of me is terrified. Yes, terrified. Do I ignore the blatantly obvious quest Dornan is on to sleep with me, and go on like I don’t notice it to not risk our friendship? Because surely all he wants is sex, and there’s no way I can be friends with him after if we ever do that. Even if he wants a fuck buddy, a continuous arrangement to hook up, that’s all I was to Brayden, a convenient piece of ass that he knew was always willing and able. Like a fucking sweet bottom, and I will neverever put myself in that situation again. Part of me knows I can’t possibly come up with a solution, without knowing exactly what Dornan’s intentions are. I have to sort these feelings out, but wonder if I procrastinate enough, Dornan will get bored and drop it.

  On the flip side of that coin though, what really scares me, is what if he tells me he’s always wanted me and wants to settle down, to be with only me. I’m not cut out to be an old lady, I know this. Being on the inside, I see what goes on at the MC parties with the girls, and the dangerous shit we do on runs. I would go insane with doubt and worry. Can I handle sitting at home waiting for him knowing he might not come back alive, or that he’s going home with someone else? My cellphone begins to chime and at first I ignore it, but then notice Justice’s name on my display.

  “Hello?” I answer holding the phone to my ear.

  “Maven, it’s Justice, are you busy?”

  I let out a long breath, his slight southern accent just does something to me.

  “No. Nothing major, what’s up?”

  “Good, I’m in the area, wanna get lunch?”

  Do I want to get lunch? It’s just a date-was this a date? No, this is lunch, a day date, friend zone status...safe. Maybe he just wants to discuss work stuff, but no that’s probably not the case, since he’s been so pushy about seeing me on a non-work related occasion. My eyes land on Dornan’s note crumpled in the garbage. Why does seeing this make me feel bad for talking to Justice? I need to nip this thing in the bud with me and Dornan. Forget that he makes me feel electric, and sexy, and his hands on me feels fucking awesome, or the way he looks at me makes me want to do stupid things.

  “Y
es, lunch sounds good,” I reply quickly.

  “Okay, I’m just around the corner, meet me out front?”

  “Yes, perfect.”

  Maybe a little space from the grounds and with another man will help clear my head. I grab my purse and stop by Skye’s desk to let her know I’ll be back in an hour. Ignoring the look she gives since I just got here, and head towards the front gate. When I get out to the street, Justice is already sitting in his truck waiting for me.

  “Wow,” he says as I close the passenger door after climbing up into the massive truck.

  “What’s that?” I ask.

  “You wear that to work?”

  I cock my head slightly. Yes, okay maybe I wear things that aren’t business appropriate, but I work at a mechanic’s for God’s sake. Either way, I look down to make sure my shirt isn’t too low. Hating myself the instant I do it, because who the fuck is he to make me question myself.

  “No, you look pretty,” he hurries out at seeing my reaction.

  I don’t say anything for a moment, not wanting to really tell him to go fuck himself. Reminding myself repeatedly, that he’s a business associate, and I need to be professional and ignore his comment.

  “It’s fine,” I reply with a small smile.

  He returns the smile, while turning the volume of the radio up with his fingers on the steering wheel controls.

  “Oh I love this song,” I comment as “Stranglehold” by Ted Nugent fills the awkward silence in the truck.

  We drive down Main Street and pull into a spot just in front of the Plantain Diner, I guess he doesn’t want my opinion on where I want to eat. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Plantain so it’s not like we’re limited in options, something I note but tuck away. He opens my door and lets me walk in first, doing all the gentlemanly things girls go gaga over. But everything just seems off to me, almost forced. I can’t pinpoint it, but there’s a vibe. I’m also not sure if it’s on my end or his, but again I place it in the back of my mind. We’re seated by the windows looking out onto Main Street, and begin looking over the menus.