Peyton looked up at me. “It looks like new carpeting throughout the home, a recently updated kitchen, and a new roof. You should look at it.”
“Can we do it now?” I asked, excited to see the place.
“You could call John and tell him you’re interested in looking at it. I don’t know if he’ll be able to show it to you until tomorrow, though.”
“What if I don’t want John to show it to me?” I said. “What if I’d rather have you?”
“Oh.” She smiled and her cheeks turned pink. “I wish I could. I’m not a realtor. I normally don’t show houses.”
“You did pretty well with this one, even though it’s a pile of shit,” I said with a teasing smile. “Seriously, though, I’d like to see the other place as soon as possible. I have a lot to do this week and this house looks like it’s move-in ready.”
“Let me call John and see if it’s possible,” she replied.
“Tell him I’m a serious buyer. That should make him work harder for me.”
Peyton laughed. “I’ll let him know.”
Chapter 4
Peyton
I walked into the other room and called John. When he didn’t answer, I left him a message.
“What did he have to say?” Dom asked when I returned.
I knew he wouldn’t be happy. “John didn’t answer, but I left him a message.”
Dom looked disappointed. “Screw it. I’m going to head over there myself and take a look around outside. Hopefully he’ll call you and meet me there.”
Knowing John, he wasn’t about to show any more houses on a Friday night, unless there was some serious commission involved.
“I’m sure he has your number, too,” I replied, as we made our way through the house toward the front door.
“I should get something to eat first,” he said, running a hand over his face. “I’ve been running around all day and starving. What about you? Are you hungry? I’ll buy you dinner.”
My stomach growled at the thought of food. I was definitely hungry. “I’m supposed to be meeting some friends for dinner, but it’s after seven, so I’m thinking they’re finished anyway.”
“I took you away from your dinner plans?” He groaned. “I’m so sorry.”
I smiled. “No, it’s fine. I don’t mind.” In all honesty, I’d enjoyed talking with him. And he wasn’t bad to look at either.
“Hold up, now. I ruined your plans, so you definitely have to let me buy you dinner.”
“You ruined nothing. I just don’t know if it goes against company policy,” I replied.
“It wouldn’t be a date, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he replied, his brown eyes searching mine. “Just a friendly meal between two people who might even be neighbors one day.”
I smiled. Even if I wanted to resist, I couldn’t. He was so sweet. “Do you like barbeque?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Okay. There’s this place called Piper’s Pit. The food is amazing and they serve everything in large portions.”
“Sounds like my kind of place.”
“Good. Why don’t you follow me to the restaurant and hopefully, John will ring me back soon?”
“Will do,” he replied, smiling warmly.
***
Dom and I had a nice dinner together. We talked about him growing up in Oakland with his four sisters, and how he’d quit school when he was seventeen.
“It was just my mother and sisters. My old man died after my youngest sister was born, and as far as I can remember, my mother had always struggled to pay the bills. She worked two jobs, sometimes three, to make sure we had food on the table and tried to provide for us. I quit high school, the summer after eleventh grade, so I could help her.”
“Something tells me she wasn’t happy you did,” I said, noticing the wistful look on his face.
“No,” he laughed. “Not at all. She was pissed off as all hell. But, I could see how exhausted she was; even her health had begun to decline. She tried talking me out of it, but soon learned that I was just as stubborn as she was.”
I laughed. “I bet she adores you.”
His smile was bittersweet. “My mother died two years ago. Cancer.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I replied, seeing the sadness and regret reflected in his dark eyes.
“Thanks. At least she was able to see some of her grandkids. She also remarried about five years ago. A good guy, too. He loved her very much.”
“So she must have been happy.”
He nodded. “Yes. Even when she wasn’t, you’d never know it, though. She didn’t like to burden anyone with her troubles. Another reason why I dropped out of school to help out. My mother was proud and wouldn’t ever admit defeat.”
“Seeing how she raised a son like you, I’d say she was far from being defeated,” I replied, raising my wine glass to my lips.
He grinned. “Thank you.”
“How did your mother feel about you being in a biker club?” I asked.
“She was pissed at first. But then she met some of my brothers and understood why I’d joined.”
“What about your sisters?”
“They gave me shit about it, too. Still do.”
“I’m sure they worry.”
“I don’t know why,” he said with a gleam in his eyes. “We stay out of trouble.”
I laughed. “You do, huh?”
“Okay, we try to avoid it as much as we can. Unfortunately, it seems to enjoy following us around.”
“I noticed. Although, you all haven’t been in the news lately. So, that must be a good thing.”
Dom chuckled. “No shit. In all honesty, though, we try and keep our noses clean. It’s easier now that the Devil’s Rangers have stopped antagonizing us.”
“That’s right. I remember seeing something on the news about them, awhile back. They had a clubhouse in Minnesota that had been burned to the ground, right?”
He nodded. “The police tried to pin it on the Gold Vipers, but never had any evidence.”
“Was your club involved?” I asked, the words leaving my lips before I had a chance to stop them. I knew it was a bold question and didn’t think he’d answer truthfully.
He stared down at his beer. “If they were, I wouldn’t know. If I did know,” our eyes met, “I wouldn’t be allowed to say.”
“I figured,” I replied, realizing my tongue was loose from drinking wine. “And, I’m sorry for asking. It was none of my business.”
“You’re curious. It’s understandable. Anyway, most of the trouble happened in Iowa, and up until a few months ago, I was a nomad,” he explained.
“What’s a nomad?”
“I belonged to the club, but not to one particular chapter. I went wherever I was needed. During that period of time, I was in California.”
“Interesting. What would you be needed for?” I asked, intrigued.
His lip twitched. “Usually, special projects.”
“Ah. Sounds like trouble.”
He chuckled. “All I can say is that I’ve never done anything that didn’t need to be done. And, it’s never put me behind bars.”
“So, you’re saying that you’ve never done anything illegal?”
“I didn’t say that. But, there are a lot of things that are illegal that regular citizens do all the time. Smoking pot. Opening up someone else’s mailbox. Oral sex. At least in Minnesota.”
“You’re kidding?” I replied, not knowing that.
“Yeah, it’s a misdemeanor. Hell, I guess I am a criminal because no law is going to keep me from pleasing a woman.”
I swallowed. The conversation had just taken a precarious turn.
He smiled. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“I’m not embarrassed,” I replied. I was more turned on than anything. The thought of him breaking the law back at my place was making me warm all over.
“Anyway, I try to keep my nose clean, although, I’m certainly no choir boy. Like I said befo
re, I grew up in Oakland.”
The waitress took that moment to check on us. I could tell that she was a little intimidated by the fact that Dom was a member of the Gold Vipers. Just like I’d been. The more I got to know him, however, the harder it was to believe he was even in such a notorious biker club. I’d heard stories that most of them were sexist, arrogant thugs. Instead, he was soft-spoken, respectful, and polite. I wondered if it had to do with being raised in a household of women.
“How did you meet the Gold Vipers?” I asked when the waitress walked away.
“After I got my GED,” he continued. “I went to college for a while and someone took me to a bash they were having. That’s when my life changed course.”
“What are you doing now for a career?”
“I bartend part-time and,” he hesitated, “dance.”
My eyebrows shot up. I tried picturing him with tap shoes or giving salsa lessons; he just didn’t strike me as the type. “Dance? What do you mean, dance?”
“I’m an exotic dancer,” he said easily, as if talking about the weather.
I hadn’t been expecting that, and almost choked on my sip of wine. “You’re serious?”
He chuckled. “Yep. It’s great money. It’s also how I’ve managed to save for a new house.”
I imagined Dominic, dancing around in a G-string, his hard muscles glistening with body oil. I’d be more than willing to throw money at him.
“You just continue to surprise me,” I replied.
“Continue?” he asked.
I admitted to him that I’d been nervous about him being in a gang.
“We prefer the term biker club,” he replied. “And I understand. We are intimidating. It’s just how it is.”
I nodded. “Yes. But, meeting you has made me more open-minded. I mean, you’re not like what I would have imagined.”
“What did you imagine?” he asked with a little smile.
“I don’t know... bossy. Arrogant. Pig-headed. Scary.”
He took a swig of beer. “Some of us are all of those,” Dom said, wiping his mouth. “I’ll be the first to admit that I’m stubborn, and when I want something, I go after it full-force. The thing is, I haven’t wanted anything for a long time. At least, not from a woman. But, just being here with you tonight, is reminding me of what I’ve been missing.”
The look in his eyes made my stomach whirl. I laughed nervously. “Oh, yeah?”
He nodded. “Maybe it has something to do with finding out that I may have a daughter out there. I don’t know. But, I’m suddenly wanting more out of life. Including a relationship and with someone who isn’t bat-shit crazy.”
I laughed. “Well, good luck there. I think we’re all a little crazy, one way or another.”
“You’ve got that right. Anyway, we’ve been talking a lot about me. I’d like to learn more about you.”
“Well, I’m twenty-six. Single. Ah… to be honest, my life is kind of boring. I’m an administrative assistant for the real estate company, as you know. I also work at Olive Garden, part-time. Waitressing.”
“Nothing wrong with that. What about college?”
“I never went,” I replied, regretting it. “I’d like to go back someday.”
“You should. Just don’t wait too long. You’ll find yourself making up excuses, the older you get.”
I already had been. “I know.”
“Anyway, what do you like to do for fun?”
I was about to tell him that I was writing a book. A science-fiction novel about a young woman who woke up one morning and found herself the only human on the planet. I was a little embarrassed about it, however, and kept it to myself.
“Fun? I don’t know. I guess I’m kind of an outdoorsy person. I enjoy taking hikes and riding my mountain bike through trails. I also enjoy rollerblading.”
“You’re a loner, aren’t you?” he asked, studying me. “You feel more comfortable doing things by yourself.”
I stared at him curiously. I was, but having someone point it out was a little embarrassing. “Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Am I that easy to read?”
Dom chuckled. “To most, no. I’m just usually a pretty good judge of character.”
“Do I seem a little standoffish?”
He shrugged. “No. Not at all. I just got the impression that you prefer having dinner alone, although you make time for your friends, and would rather read than go out.”
“You’re absolutely right,” I replied.
Dom’s cell phone began to ring. He looked at the screen and frowned.
“Wrong number?”
“No. Actually it’s from my club prez,” he said, chewing on the corner of his lower lip. “It’s odd because he doesn’t usually call me at night. I’m sorry, I have to take this. I’ll be right back.”
“No problem,” I replied, watching him get up.
Chapter 5
Tarot
“What’s up, Phoenix?”
“Sorry to call you. Devon just texted me. She’s thinks she has a Peeping Tom. Twice, this evening, she thought someone was looking into her windows.”
“Oh, shit. Really?”
It wasn’t exactly a surprise. Devon, Phoenix’s cousin, was a beautiful, sexy young woman. She owned the tattoo parlor that connected to our clubhouse, and guys were always asking her out. Currently, she was dating Brass, our Sergeant At Arms. From what I understood, things were getting serious and he was about to ask her to marry him.
“Brass and I are out of town, otherwise, we’d go and check things out. We brought the prospects with us, so they’re not available.”
“That’s right. Fishing Opener,” I replied.
They’d driven up to Brass’s cabin in Alexandria, and had invited me, too. Needing to find a new place to live, I hadn’t been able to make it.
“I’m sure it’s just some neighborhood punks trying to catch her naked. It’s happened before.”
It was no secret that Devon had once appeared in a nudie magazine. I’d never seen it, but the woman was stacked, and if I were a teenage boy, I’d be panting after her, too.
“I’m surprised she isn’t trying to handle it herself,” I replied. She was a no-nonsense spitfire and not one to scare easily.
“I think she may have tried, but thinks that the only way they’ll leave her alone is if a big guy like you scares the fuckers away.”
“No problem. I’m just finishing up dinner. Tell her I’ll be over in about a half hour.”
“Will do. Thanks, man. Sorry to bother you about this,” said Phoenix.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get over there and see what’s up.”
“Sounds good. How are you doing, by the way?”
I’d told him the news about possibly being a father.
“No shit? You think it’s legit?”
“I don’t know. I had a fling with the woman. It’s possible, she’s mine. Anyway, it’s one of the reasons why I’m looking for a new place to live.”
“You sure you want to jump the gun so soon? What if the kid isn’t yours?”
“I was going to start looking for a house this summer, anyway. The apartment is too small and I need a garage.” Right now, I had to park in an underground parking lot, which made me nervous. My Hog was only two years old and I’d paid a pretty penny for it. I also had a truck, but kept it outside, in the parking lot. It would be nice not to have to worry about either vehicle.
“I hear you. Okay, I’ll let you get back to dinner. Let us know what you find out. Brass is already talking about driving back to confront the Peeping Tom himself.”
Something told me that the Peeping Tom was long gone, but I knew Devon wouldn’t rest easy until I stopped by and checked things out.
“Tell him to relax and enjoy the weekend. I’ll take care of things.”
“Will do.”
We hung up and I walked back to the table.
“Club business?” asked Peyton with an amused expression.
“A frien
d thinks she has a Peeping Tom, and Phoenix wants me to check it out. I told him I’d do it as soon as we were done eating.”
“Phoenix?”
“My club president,” I replied, sitting back down.
“Oh. Maybe she should call the police?” Peyton said.
“Nah. We think it’s just teenagers. I’ll go and scare them away. No need to involve the cops,” I replied, smiling.
“What about the house? Did you still want to look at it?”
“I do, but, it’s getting late. How about tomorrow?” I replied. “I’d like to see it in the daylight.”
“I’ll talk to John and have him set something up with you.”
“You sure you can’t show it to me?” I replied, smiling. “You’ve already sold me on it anyway. Why let him get all the commission?”
She laughed. “I wish it worked that way. As I said before, I’m just the administrative assistant.”
“Never sell yourself short. In fact, if you finish that book, your life is going to change in ways that you never dreamed possible.”
Peyton stared at me in surprise. “How did you know I was writing one?”
I smiled. “I should probably tell you… I’m a little clairvoyant.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re psychic?”
I nodded. “It’s not something I talk much about. But, since I know we’re going to be seeing more of each other, I wanted to get that out there.”
She stared at me, dumbfounded.
“You’re having a hard time believing me. I understand. A lot of people think I’m nuts.”
“I don’t. In fact, I’ve always been fascinated with the supernatural. Thus, the book I’m writing,” Peyton replied and then grinned. “And, what do you mean that you know we’ll be seeing more of each other?”
I grinned. “Like I said, I know things and I can already tell you and I are going to be good together.”
Chapter 6
Peyton
To say that I was stunned was an understatement.
Luring the Biker (The Biker) Book 7 Page 3