“I'm in love with him.” I felt the first tear slip out.
“I know.” She smiled.
“What if he doesn't feel the same way?” I ducked my head as the tears began to fall.
“What if he does?”
“Ugh, I need you to be miserable and negative with me right now,” I cried.
“Sorry, but I think he loves you too.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and turned to the building that led to our classroom.
“What if that's not enough? You should have seen this girl.” I shook off her arm and stopped walking.
“You're one of the most beautiful people I know,” she stated matter-of-fact. “He came to you last night as soon as he was done with work. He's probably still asleep in your bed right now.”
“Do you really think he loves me?” I asked as I wiped the tears from my face.
“Yes.” She nodded. “I do.”
“This is all happening too fast. There's no way he feels the same way as I do.”
“Who says?” She rolled her eyes and began pulling me toward the classroom again. “You need to start believing what a catch everyone else already knows you are. He would be lucky to end up with someone like you.”
“Thanks Han.” I leaned my head against her shoulder as we walked to our desks and took our seats.
On Thursdays, we were done with class before lunch. I knew he would be at my apartment when we got back and for now I was deciding to forget about what happened last night. I had a past too that he ran fist first into the day after we first got together. He didn't seem fazed or threatened at all by it. I could suck it up now and not make a big deal of this.
I smiled when I walked in my room and found him sitting up in my bed, checking email on my iPad.
“Hey.” I dropped my bag on the floor and shut the door.
“Hey.” He looked up and flashed me a grin that made my heart melt.
“I wondered if you were awake yet.” I kicked my shoes off and climbed on top of him on the bed.
“Are you feeling better?” He pulled on my thighs, bringing me right on top of his hips. “I was worried last night when I read your text and then you didn't answer your phone.”
“Sorry about that.” I leaned my forehead against his. “It was just a headache.”
He moved backward and tilted my chin up, forcing me to look him in the eye. “You sure you're okay? Why didn't you find me in the bar before you left? I could have left with you last night.”
I took a deep breath and felt the tears fill my eyes. This was exactly what I didn't want to happen, but with my emotions on high alert it was a given that I was going to cry in front of him sometime soon. Apparently I wasn't going to let this thing go like I had decided two minutes ago. I tried to move out of his grip but that only made him tighten his arms.
“Baby, talk to me.” He watched me as I let the war rage on in my head.
Screw it. Honesty was the only way a relationship like ours was ever going to work.
“A girl came into the office looking for you last night.” I looked back into his eyes. “She was gorgeous with red hair and was ready for some one-on-one time with you. I was just sitting there, and she walked in asking for you.”
“Was she rude to you?” He looked angry.
“No.” I let out a small laugh. “She was actually really nice. The whole situation caught me off-guard and then my mind took off from there. I came home so I could be alone and think about everything.”
“So what did you decide after you had time to think?” Now he looked nervous.
“I think it made me realize how much I really like you. I mean, I knew that I liked you, but we haven't dated that long. So when all of that happened, I was jealous and angry and sad and a million other things. It made me see things a little clearer and I freaked out.”
“Why?”
I tried to look away, but he placed his palm on my cheek, keeping my eyes locked on his.
“Because there's no way you like me as much as I like you. If this ended, you would walk away with a smile on your face. I would be crushed.”
He wiped a few fallen tears away and let out a small smile. “I do have a past, and for that I'm sorry. If I could go back and erase it for you, I would. But trust me when I say that nothing from my past can compare to what I have with you. You've had my entire heart from the first time I saw you. There hasn't been anyone but you since that night and there never will be. I don't want anyone else. I don't even think about anyone else. If this were to end, I'm not even sure I would survive it.”
I let his words sink in and felt a warmth spread throughout my chest. He was just as emotionally invested in this as I was.
“I love you, Riley.” He moved his hand down to my neck and ran his thumb over my jaw. “I've loved you since the moment I saw you.”
“I love you too,” I whispered as more tears ran down my cheeks.
He took my face in both of his hands and lightly kissed my lips.
“Promise me one thing.” He leaned his forehead against mine. “Don't shut me out again. I hated not knowing what was going on last night.”
“I won't,” I whispered. “I promise.”
Chapter 8
I only had a month left before graduation. My final senior project had been turned in, and my internship had offered me a full-time position once I had officially earned my degree. Luke and I had fallen back into a routine. He was even letting Roger take over the management part of the bar, which allowed him to leave early a few nights a week.
“Damn it.” He slammed his phone down onto his desk and ran his hands through his hair.
“What happened?” I looked up from the textbook I was reading from the couch in his office.
“My other bartender called in sick tonight. I have to find someone to cover his shift.”
“Can Mel not do it?” I asked.
“She's already working,” he answered right as she walked into the office.
“Where's my other bartender?” She seemed out of breath. “It's starting to pick up out there.”
“He just called in.” He was glaring at his computer screen. “I'll find someone.”
“I can help.” I jumped up from the couch.
“No.” He turned and glared at me. “No way.”
“Why not?” I challenged. “I know what I'm doing, and you guys need help.”
“That works for me.” Mel had her hands on her hips. “You've bar-tended before?”
“Yes, I worked at a bar some last year.” I took off my jean jacket and adjusted my fitted black tank top over my black shorts. I quickly applied some lipstick and ran my fingers through my hair.
“You aren't working the bar.” Luke stood up from his desk, but I raced to the door and grabbed Mel's hand.
“Wish me luck, honey.”
I saw his eyes narrow even more as the door slammed shut. We made our way behind the bar, and Mel showed me where everything was kept. I hadn't mixed a drink since last summer, but I liked being back behind the bar. It took more than several customers before I got the hang of things and figured out the cash register.
Mel and I laughed and made jokes with the men sitting in the bar stools. It was Wednesday night so the crowd was older and much better tippers.
“Thanks for stepping up, sweetie,” Mel said toward the end of the night. “I couldn't have done this without you.”
“This was fun.” I smiled at her and stuffed more dollar bills into the tip jar. “I think I should get a part-time job here.”
“I don't think the boss would approve of that.” She raised her eyebrows.
“Good thing I know how to handle the boss.” I wiggled my eyebrows back at her.
“Gross.” She laughed.
“How can you work all day and then come and work here?” I didn't know much about Mel. “Aren't you exhausted?”
“Most days I am.” She shrugged. “If this hadn't been our dad's place, I wouldn't help Luke as much as I do. But I want i
t to succeed so I help out three nights a week. It's hard to find honest bartenders who always show up when they're supposed to.”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“I have a husband.” She smiled. “And a three-year-old son.”
“What?” I was shocked. She had never mentioned that she had a son.
“He doesn't care that you work so much?” I couldn't stop asking her questions.
“He's been around for a long time. I've never been one to sit around and let a man tell me what I can and can't do.”
I watched as she handed back change to a customer and walked over to a man waiting at the edge of the bar. I finished cleaning the glasses and shot glasses and lined the liquor bottles back in order thinking about everything she had just said.
When I glanced across the small crowd, I began scanning the room for Luke. I hadn't seen him in a while. My legs froze when I saw him near a back wall talking to a familiar red head
My legs started moving towards them, and I hadn't decided yet if I was going to scream at her or at him or hit the wall, but this bitch needed to know that he was mine now. And she needed to back off. The crowd thinned out, and I had a direct path in front of me. Luke looked up and saw me charging toward them. The small smile that crept across his lips as he watched me fire toward them stirred something deeper in my soul.
I stepped between them and faced Luke. Pushing him back until he was pressed against the wall, I grabbed his face with both of my hands and pulled him down into a deep kiss. His hands wrapped around my waist and pulled me in closer to him and a deep moan came from the back of his throat. When I thought we put on a good enough show, I released him and looked up to see his green eyes were two shades darker. Turning around, she was standing there with her mouth gaping open.
“He's mine now.” I took a step toward her. “Get the hell out of his bar.”
The redhead shut her mouth, tilted her head as if she wanted to say something, but then turned and walked away. After she had disappeared into the crowd, I turned to see Luke watching me with a serious expression on his face. I didn't care if he was mad. She needed to know that he was mine.
“Any other skanks I need to scare off?” I took a step toward him.
“That was so fucking hot,” he growled before lifting me over his hips. “You're coming with me.”
He opened then quickly slammed a door I had never noticed before. The streetlights shined in from the only window in the room, and I could see boxes of cleaning supplies and toilet paper around us.
“Are we in the maintenance closet?” I asked.
“Turn around and bend over,” he demanded as he lowered me to my feet.
“What?” he had never been that forceful before. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it.
He took a step forward until my back was pressed against the cold brick wall. His breath tickled my neck and goosebumps covered my entire body.
“This is going to be hard and fast.” My body trembled when he finally spoke. “Now turn around, place your hands against the wall and bend over.”
I did as he said and my short black skirt was up around my waist in less than a second. I heard the familiar sound of my panties ripping and groaned when I felt his tip press against my opening. He slid in and out of me a few times before slamming into me. I let out a scream at the sudden impact but pushed back wanting more. He pumped in and out of me until I was sure I couldn't stand anymore.
My neck jerked back when he grabbed a fist full of my hair.
“Let go, baby.”
His words were my undoing, and we both screamed out in release. I fell back into his arms as we slumped to the ground. The music was vibrating the walls around us, and I smiled as I leaned into his chest.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he kissed the top of my head.
“More than okay,” I answered.
He turned my face with his hand and leaned down for a slow, soft kiss.
“I love you,” he said in a low tone. “Thanks for being so cool about the bullshit from my past that keeps showing up.”
“I love you too.” I gave him a quick peck. “I'll fight them all off if I need too.”
He gave me a surprised but thankful look before he helped me stand to my feet. I straightened my skirt as he pulled up his jeans. I found my white silk underwear on the ground and lifted them to him.
“If you keep ripping my underwear, I'm going to start wearing my cheap ones that come up past my belly button. This was my favorite pair.”
“Maybe you shouldn't wear any at all.” He took the torn pair and stuffed them down into his jeans pocket. I leaned back against the closed door and let out a small laugh as I looked over his strong features in the glow coming through the window.
“What?” he questioned as he placed his hands on either side of my face.
“I'm just looking at you.” I smiled.
His lips pressed onto mine and his tongue ran along my lower lip. “Are you ready to get out of here or do you want to go back to the bar?”
“Can we leave yet? It's still early.”
He let out a low growl before answering. “This damn place. No, we really shouldn't leave yet.”
“Okay, then. I better get back and help Mel.” I placed my hand on his cheek.
He kissed my forehead before opening the door and swatting my backside before we walked back into the loud music and crowds.
“Wait.” I turned around causing him to bump into me but then catch me in his arms. “Do I look like we just had sex? It was dark in there. How's my hair? Makeup?”
He ran his hands through my long wavy hair and brushed it behind my shoulders. “Your makeup still looks perfect. You look beautiful.”
I narrowed my eyes at him wondering if his vision was clouded by the sex we just had. “Hmm, okay I'm going to stop at the bathroom before I go back to the bar.”
I slipped into the door marked with a 'W' and saw him laughing as he walked back to his office.
Once the bar top had been wiped down, I went to find Luke. He was sitting in his chair, staring at his computer screen.
“Hey.” I sat down on his lap, facing him. “That was fun. Mel hired me full-time.”
“Good thing I make the final decision about hiring new employees.” He kissed my lips and pulled me closer into his hips. “You don't have to come up here and work. That was never the intention.”
“I know, but it was fun.” I ran my fingers through his hair. “You should let me help more. Hannah would work too if you let her.”
“Hmm, maybe,” was all he said before leaning back in his chair and pulling my mouth down to his.
“I'm out of here. Ooh, guys.” Mel walked into the office and handed me a wad of cash. “Here's your cut from tonight. Thanks again for the help.”
“You bet. Luke just said I could work tomorrow night too.” I smiled.
“I did not.” He shook his head.
“Hey, I wouldn't object.” Mel crossed her arms. “We made more tonight in tips than we have in months. And all of the customers were happy.”
“See.” I winked at him.
He narrowed his eyes at me causing me to squirm on top of him.
“Okay, see you both tomorrow. The doors are locked up front.” Mel turned and left the office.
“Let's go home,” I said once we were alone. It was well past two o'clock in the morning, and my first class started at eight thirty tomorrow.
“We don't have to go home to do what I have in mind.” I laughed out loud as he quickly lifted me and walked toward the new couch he had just bought after he noticed I refused to sit on the old one after discovering what used to happen in here.
“I'm really not supposed to sleep with my employees,” he teased as he kissed my neck. “It's against company policy.”
“I think we broke that rule a couple of hours ago,” I breathed out.
“Baby.” He leaned up and licked his lips. “We're about to break all of the rules.”
; Chapter 9
Hannah and I had finished our last final on a Wednesday and had three nights to celebrate before graduation on Saturday.
“Where are we going tonight?” she asked as we walked into our apartment.
Boxes were starting to line the walls since she was moving out next week. Her job in Dallas was starting pretty quick so Trey was helping her move the day after graduation.
“Probably to Luke's bar.” I laughed. “Where else do you want to go?”
“I don't know.” She shrugged. “It's my last few nights in Austin, but you're right. That is where I want to go.”
We laughed as we put on makeup and dressed up for our night out.
“Trey and the guys are already at the Italian restaurant a few doors down from The Green Room,” she announced as she walked into my room. “So we'll just meet them there.”
“You look hot.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her short green dress and tall silver heels.
“Yeah, well.” She shrugged. “Gotta remind Trey what he'll be missing.”
“Or you could tell him you love him.” I laughed at her as I slipped into my black heels.
“Now you're just talking crazy.” She rolled her eyes and walked back into the living room.
I adjusted my cream top over my black shorts and applied bright red lipstick. Grabbing my black clutch purse, we were in my black Honda and headed toward the restaurant.
“Is Luke coming to eat with us?” she asked as she searched through the radio stations.
“No, he said he was busy.” I knew I was frowning and couldn't help it.
“Busy at the bar?” She liked to know all of the information.
“He didn't really say.” I pulled into a parking spot behind Luke's bike. “Apparently so.”
She followed my gaze but chose her words carefully. “Do you want to go inside and talk to him before we go eat?”
I didn't have a chance to answer because Luke walked out of his apartment door and toward his bike. He was looking at his phone and not paying attention to anything around him.
“Um, hi?” I gave Hannah a confused look as we stepped out of the car and then looked back at him.
Bad Boys of Romance - A Biker Anthology Page 11