by Sam Crescent
She put the strap on her shoulder and held her breath as he offered her a hand.
No hesitation.
She took his hand, and the moment his closed around hers, she felt whole. His grip tightened around hers, and an electrical current zipped up her arm. So wonderful. She tucked some hair behind her ear and ignored the occasional stare.
She didn’t care who looked.
Brick had entered her world, and she really hoped this was all real and she wasn’t having some kind of cruel dream. As much as she hated to admit it to herself, she’d been hoping for someone to finally see her. Not her past family. Not the poor fat girl. Just to see her, and with Brick, he didn’t look through her, nor did he sneer.
He saw her, and it was the headiest thing she’d experienced.
Chapter Three
They’d been dating for weeks. Brick was fucked. All he could think about was Callie. He’d been the perfect gentleman, not even making a move—no kissing, no touching, nothing. He didn’t even recognize himself.
She was sweet innocence, and he was addicted.
“Skull Nation are rebuilding,” Reaper said.
They’d been in church for the past hour, and Brick was itching to call Callie. Every night, they’d talk for hours, sometimes about nothing at all. She soothed him, made him feel alive for the first time in forever.
“We burned their club to the ground,” Lord said. “They’re persistent fuckers.”
“They have no senior members left,” said Brick. “We took them all out. Who the fuck do they think they are?”
“Boss, they’re a joke. Nothing to worry about,” said Reaper.
“I’m not worried, but I also don’t plan to sit back pretending they can’t become a real pain in the ass at some point.” Lord scrubbed a hand down his face. “Keep eyes and ears open. I want to know when they wipe their fucking asses. Understand?”
Everyone agreed before they started to head out. He checked his watch as he stood up.
“Brick, stay behind,” Lord said.
Fuck.
He had a feeling Lord was on to him. His intuition was legendary. Callie was Brick’s dirty little secret, a separate life away from the club. He didn’t want to tarnish her innocence with the truth of what he really was. It was safer that way, too.
“You find out anything about our rat?” asked Lord. He stayed seated, but there was something in his eyes.
Brick paced, not wanting to share his secret but also not wanting his prez to think he was betraying the club. The brothers strayed all the time, fucking anything that walked in and out of the club. There weren’t any rules that said he could only enjoy club pussy, so why was he so damn nervous?
“Still working on it,” he said.
Lord was silent. Brick wanted him to say something, accuse him, anything.
“And the Skull Nation, they’re a bunch of pussies. Say the word, and we can finish them off together, like the good old days.”
His prez only nodded. Slowly. “Keep an eye out for the rat.”
Once Brick was out of the room, he closed his eyes and took a breath. He felt like a traitor and didn’t want Lord thinking he was. Brick was one hundred percent loyal to the Straight to Hell MC and always would be. The club was his life.
Anything Lord ordered, he made it happen. He was loyal to a fault, and it helped that Brick was a brutal motherfucker with a complete lack of empathy when it came to rivals.
Once in his room, he crashed on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Was he blind? Pussy whipped? He’d berated so many brothers when it came to women, even judging Lord when he took Ally as his old lady. Women were a weakness, and Brick had always been against the whole idea of love and family.
It was time to take a step back. He rolled to his side and grabbed his cell phone. Callie Johnson had a history, and he’d be a fool to rush in blindly without knowing everything about her. The safety of the club had to come first.
He did some research on his own, then texted Copper to dig up more dirt on the down low. Copper was their in-house hacker, even known for putting the local police department in the dark for forty-eight hours a couple of years back. Within the hour, the techno whizz sent him an email with all the dirt.
Brick was scared to open it, not wanting any of this to end. He actually looked forward to waking up in the morning. Before this affair, there’d been some days he considered putting a bullet in his head.
He scrolled through the email.
Callie wasn’t so simple after all. She had a dark past and fucked-up family. The things she had talked about were all the truth—her grandmother’s death, her job, the place she lived. He couldn’t blame her for leaving out all the messy details.
If she was anything like her family, she sure hid it well. From what he’d come to know of her, she was the exact opposite, and it only made him want to shelter her even more.
He’d keep the information to himself for now. Brick knew some of the characters she was involved with and most were bad news. Sean Rigby, for one, was a notorious loan shark. Why would Callie get hooked up with that piece of shit? She needed Brick in her life to protect her. It would be so easy for a sweet girl like Callie to get soiled by the wrong people—people like him.
The next day, he rode out to the building center. They had lunch together several days a week. He was itching to get more serious with her but kept holding back. Some days he questioned everything about their unorthodox relationship.
He walked over to the picnic bench where Callie sat. Her big smile lit him up from head to toe.
“Hey, stranger.” Brick straddled the bench seat next to her.
“You didn’t call yesterday.”
He shrugged. “Had a busy night.”
She fiddled with her lunch bag, looking over her shoulder on occasion. He didn’t like the vibe he was getting from her.
“You okay?” he asked.
“It’s nothing. Just some difficult customers. My boss doesn’t like me to get involved, but at least I’ll get a longer lunch out of it.”
Difficult customers? His hackles immediately went up and visions of him gutting the pricks who took out their frustrations on his woman filled his head. He took a cleansing breath.
“You know you don’t have to take shit from customers, don’t you? It’s a job. That doesn’t give anyone the right to treat you like garbage.”
“I know it’s just a job, but it’s a job I really need. It’s okay, though. They only come around a couple of times a week.”
He gritted his teeth to keep from saying anything further.
Brick refocused, tucking some hair behind Callie’s ear. The sun picked up the color of her eyes. She was a beauty. When she leaned into his touch, his entire body reacted. He was doing exactly what he claimed he’d never do—falling for a woman. And he hadn’t even fucked her yet. He was completely out of character.
“Yo! We’re waiting to cash out.” Two men walked toward the picnic table. Callie immediately tensed up.
“Is Jeff not in the office?”
“No, nobody’s in the fucking office. Are you going to sit out here on your fat ass or do your damn job?”
Brick stood up, but Callie wrapped a hand around his wrist in an attempt to pull him back down.
“And what the fuck do you want, big boy?” asked one of the men.
Before he could speak, Callie spoke up. “Please, he’s just a chicken farmer. We don’t want any trouble.”
They both laughed.
She attempted to stand up, but Brick set a hand on her shoulder. When she looked up, he shook his head.
“Why don’t you prospect pieces of shit back the fuck off?”
They were Skull Nation, and Brick didn’t give a shit. As far as he was concerned, they were outnumbered.
The bigger guy lunged forward. “What did you say?”
Within seconds, Brick had him twisted around, a blade against his jugular. The man let out a series of small, measured gasps. “I said, back t
he fuck off, or I’ll have to teach you some manners.”
“You don’t know who you’re messing with, chicken farmer,” said the other guy.
“Yeah, I do, a couple of pussies trying to climb their way up an embarrassment of a club.” He short punched the guy in the kidney, then shoved him away. After flicking his butterfly knife closed, he rested his hand on the butt of his gun in his jeans with a wink. “Run along.”
Once they were out of earshot, he sat back down.
Callie hadn’t said a word.
“Don’t listen to those assholes, Callie.” If they weren’t in a public place, those two Skull Nation prospects would be dead.
“Brick…”
She was too pale, like she’d seen a damn ghost.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“Those were bikers, Brick. They’re dangerous. Oh, my God, this isn’t good.”
He cooed, cupped one side of her face. “Don’t worry, baby girl. Nothing to worry about.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
No way would he leave until the Skull Nation were gone.
“Eat your lunch, Callie. Nothing’s going to happen to me.” He leaned closer and kissed her forehead. “I’m invincible, okay?”
“I’m scared.”
“What do you know about those guys, anyway?”
“They’re Skull Nation and bad news. I’m not even supposed to make eye contact with them.”
“Why are they here?”
“Some big project. They’ve been buying lumber and supplies for weeks.”
This was something Lord needed to know about. If the Skull Nation was this far into rebuilding, it was time to tear them down again. He wanted to ask her for specifics, names, locations, but had to remember she knew nothing about his history.
“Keep your distance from them. Any problems, anything at all, you call my cell right away.”
“No, Brick.”
“Callie, don’t argue about this. I’m your boyfriend, and that means I protect you at all costs.”
She was silent for a bit.
“Boyfriend?”
A quick flash of insecurity raced through him but vanished just as fast.
“Why do you think I spend so much time with you, Callie?”
She bit her lower lip, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. “It’s just that you haven’t really tried anything. I didn’t want to make any assumptions.”
“Should I have tried something by now?”
“I don’t know, Brick. I told you, you’re my first. I was starting to think you weren’t attracted to me and wanted to be friends.”
“I’m not looking for friends. I just don’t want to scare you away. This whole dating thing is new to me, too,” he said.
“You won’t scare me away. I’ve never been happier.” She took his hand in hers.
“Just so we’re clear, I’m very attracted to you, Callie. Let me pick you up after work. I’ll show you exactly how I feel about you.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
From his peripheral vision, he noted the Skull Nation drive off. This wasn’t over though.
****
The rest of the day at work, Callie was nervous as hell. Brick was going to move things to second base, and she wasn’t even sure what that meant. She was scared and excited in equal parts.
She couldn’t get him out of her mind.
When he’d challenged the Skull Nation bikers, she’d been terrified, but then he’d been so capable. And it turned her on. She wasn’t expecting him to be carrying weapons or to know how to wield them so expertly. His strength was impressive. The man was pure muscle and gristle.
He made her feel safe, beautiful, and wanted. She couldn’t get enough of his attention.
When she saw his bike pull into the lumber yard, she did a quick peek at the clock. He was right on time, and her heart began to race.
She clocked out and met him out front. He was wearing different clothes, and when he wet his lips, her entire body tingled. He was so rough and sexy. She climbed on behind him as she’d done numerous times, wrapping her arms around his narrow waist.
“Where we going?” she asked.
“Your place.”
She didn’t have time to argue before he hit the gas, drowning out all sound but the rumble of the Harley. Callie held on tight, loving the feel of the wind in her hair and sense of utter abandon. The destination was what bothered her. It was bad enough when he’d drop her off in front of her apartment, never mind actually coming inside. Her place was a dump, no matter how many little touches she tried to put on the place.
He took a longer way that she didn’t recognize, but not before long, they pulled into the lot beside her building. Brick turned off the engine and climbed off, helping her to her feet.
“Maybe we should go to your place,” she said.
“Bad idea. This is good.”
He took her hand and walked her to the entrance. She cringed as she unlocked the main door. The elevator was perpetually broken, so they took the stairs to the fifth floor. The stairwell stank of urine, making her even more embarrassed.
When she got to her door, she paused before putting the key in the lock. “My place isn’t great,” she said.
“I’m here for you, not a home inspection.” He jutted his chin for her to open up.
Callie swung open the door. Although her place was tidy, it was a bachelorette, tiny and in disrepair. She had a green fridge and a yellow stove. The counter was peeling apart and the laminate floor was deteriorating. Even with the state of her apartment, she could barely afford the rent. She’d had to take some drastic steps when she first started her job since they didn’t pay for two weeks.
“Sorry, the landlord doesn’t answer calls.”
“I like it,” he said.
She couldn’t help but smile. He walked into the place with no hesitation, exploring everything without a word. Brick picked up a framed picture from an end table.
“It’s my grandmother,” she said.
“I see the resemblance.”
He set it back down carefully. “No other family?” he asked.
“You said we weren’t going to talk about family.”
“Good memory.” He sat down on her brown tweed sofa. “But I think we’re past all that now, aren’t we? I want to know everything about my woman.”
She sat beside him. “Your woman?”
“You’re keeping shit from me. Don’t hide things from me because you assume I’ll judge you—I won’t.”
Callie swallowed hard. She loved that Brick was no holds barred. There was something irresistible about him, and she couldn’t deny him. All she could offer were bits and pieces because no matter how much she wanted to grow closer to him, the shame of her family tree was too much to share.
“My parents are AWOL.”
“We have that in common. What happened to yours?”
She fidgeted on the sofa, hating this conversation. “They were addicts. Kids were the last thing they wanted.”
“You know where they are now?”
“Brick, I really don’t care. I wouldn’t want to see them if I could.” She shifted in her seat to face him. “Can we please talk about something else? I thought we were moving onto second base.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t remember saying that.”
“Sorry, I’m not thinking straight right now.”
He ran the backs of his fingers along her jaw. “No, I like where you’re going with this.” Brick leaned in closer, brushing his lips across hers. Her heart was going to beat out of her chest. When he kissed her, she closed her eyes. Every move he made was soft and slow like he was dealing with a skittish doe. Her apartment never sounded so quiet. She felt completely inept.
The kiss deepened, his tongue tracing over her lips. The longer they kissed, the more her body relaxed. He pulled her closer, his fingers combing into her hair.
“You drive me crazy, Calli
e.”
He trailed his kisses down her neck. She shivered, resting a hand on his bicep. His lips against her skin had her entire reality spiraling out of control. She opened her mouth to breathe.
“Brick…” The word was breathless and sounded needy even to her own ears.
He returned to her lips, kissing her harder, deeper. She instinctually wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close. He slid his hand under her shirt, and she tried to suck in her stomach. Brick pressed forward, his big frame enveloping her until she was reclining on the cushion, his rough hand cupping her breast over her bra.
She felt his restraint, but the last thing she wanted was for him to stop. Callie was twenty-six, so it was about time she had a serious boyfriend.
“I should leave,” he whispered against her lips.
“What? Why?”
Was she too fat? Was he turned off by her? Crazy insecurities kept popping up all over the place.
“I want to be a gentleman. It would be so easy to take everything I want from you, but I won’t.”
“Do you want to see me again?” she asked.
He leaned back, sitting beside her again. His kind smirk calmed her. “Of course, I do. I’m going to do everything right by you, Callie.”
Hand-in-hand, they made their way downstairs. Brick was gaining control of her heart, and she knew he could easily break it.
It was dark outside now, and her neighborhood was unsavory at best. A distant siren wailed and a glass bottle broke out of sight.
When she saw Sean Rigby approach in that stupid black trench coat, she felt a surge of panic. He terrified her, and she didn’t want Brick to know all her affairs. She’d been desperate and had no one to turn to for rent money. It had been one of her low points, but she’d had to borrow from the local loan shark to pay her bills. Now the repayment had tripled, and as soon as she saved enough, he’d raise it again. It was a terrifying struggle she expected would never end.
“Callie…”
She held her breath.
“You haven’t answered my texts. Be smart. Answer my fucking texts.” He walked off without too much drama, and for that, she was thankful. When Brick didn’t ask her for information or appear upset like he had early in the day with the bikers, so was surprised.