So not going there with him, or anyone for that matter.
I head out for lunch after giving up on trying to find the perfect model for the ad. It seems like an impossible task. I might have to look into other agencies. As usual, I’m late for our lunch date.
“I’ll always be the last one to arrive no matter what.” I sigh dramatically and they all laugh.
“Don’t worry you’re actually not late for once, we were early.” Marnie grins.
“Well that’s a relief.” I smile and sit down at the table. “Besides, you guys can’t blame me, I was forced to look into finding a hot model for the campaign I’m working on and I couldn’t find the perfect one. I did forward you guys a couple of pictures from the models for your own pleasure so you can’t really be mad at me.” I shrug and grin.
“Holy shit woman! You never told us you would have to work with hotties like those men. Hello sexy!” Martha exclaims checking the email I sent her on her phone, making all of us laugh.
“I knew you would enjoy that.” I grin.
“Looks like Michael has a positive effect on you, you look happy.” Marnie smiles, proud of herself for making things happen between us. If only she knew, I’m far from happy but there’s no way I would confess to that.
“Ah, uh, I don’t know, I think work is just keeping me busy and stops me from overthinking things.” I shrug.
“Oh come on don’t tell us you are not enjoying Michael!” Marnie seems shocked.
“He’s okay… He’s nice, too nice. It’s making me nervous.” I sigh softly.
“Awe hun I’m sure things will be fine, just give it some time. It’s only been three weeks you can’t know for sure within three weeks. I know he will be perfect for you.” Marnie grins wide.
“To be honest, I’m not blaming her for not moving on from Anthony, if you saw the man you’d understand.” Charline waggles her eyebrows making me roll my eyes.
“Oh, now we want to know,” Martha pipes in and I know unless I tell them they will grill me all through lunch and then some.
“Alright, alright, don’t get your panties in a knot, ladies.” I can’t help but giggle. “His name is Anthony, we grew up together, he’s a childhood friend and president of a MC and that's about it.” I shrug hoping they won't pry but I know better.
“Come on Ayd, we want details. For sure you’ve had a taste of him right?” Martha is hanging onto every word I’m saying.
“It was a long time ago. We dated for a couple of weeks then I left for New York. He’s moved on and I have too. Nothing will happen again, we are too different now.” I lie openly but I can’t go there, not now, not ever. If I start talking about it I’ll end up a crying mess. I can feel the tears welling already.
“Now you’re not fun! You have the hottest male friend ever, and you don’t even want to have some fun with that fine piece of man? Something is definitely not right with you Ayd!” Marnie says in a joking way, but she really has no idea. None of the girls know what happened in the past and it’s better this way.
All through lunch I get more questions from the girls. What is Anthony like, what he likes, if he has hot single friends, is he married? What I thought would be a fun relaxing lunch turned into the inquisition and all things Anthony. We are now halfway through lunch, and I notice Charline look up, her mouth hangs open and her eyes go big. She’s looking behind me. Not thinking twice about it, I turn around and find Anthony walking over to our table with Aleck, quite a fine piece of man as well if you ask me. I haven’t seen Aleck in so long, it’s good to see him again but I can’t help that nagging feeling of worry having them so close to me.
“Ladies.” Ant tips his head giving my friends his panty-dropping smile, making me roll my eyes seeing their dreamy looks while eyeing Ant and Aleck. Always the charmer.
“Why hello there gorgeous.” Martha says sweetly smiling wide. She’s the only one who could get away with calling a biker gorgeous. I try to stifle a laugh but end up nearly choking.
“Ayden.” He says, placing his hand on my upper back causing me to shiver at the contact. Usually I’d flinch if it was anyone else, but I don’t with him. I feel the heat radiating from his hand and spreading down my back. It’s a weird change. I don’t freak out when it’s Anthony and I don’t have any problems with him touching me, causing my thoughts to go all crazy and mess with my head once again. Damn him!
“Anthony. What are you doing here? Didn’t peg you to be the type to enjoy sushi.” I look up at him raising my eyebrow.
“I’m not. Just wanted to say hi and that we will talk soon, really soon.” He smirks.
“Or not, what don’t you get in ‘I don’t want to talk to you and I don’t have anything to say to you?’” I sigh lying again. I can’t take this risk…
“Oh trust me, we will talk. Like it or not Sweet Cheeks, it will happen. I promise you that one day you’ll listen to what I have to say and be on the back of my bike and wear my name. It will happen. I’ll just have to wait for you to open your eyes and stop being your stubborn self.” He smirks, bends down and kisses my cheek letting his lips stay a few seconds too long on my cheek and whispers, “See you around.” He straightens up, looks at my friends and does it again. “Ladies.” Giving his trademark smile, tips his head and leaves.
“Oh... my... God...” They all squeal causing me to roll my eyes, but inside I’m a mushy mess, doing my happy dance, my heart pounding. The effect this man has on me is unreal!
“You can’t tell us you don’t feel anything for him Ayd. The man is beyond hot and he’s really into you!” Marnie giggles.
“I thought you were pro Michael? Besides I don’t okay? We’re just friends. Well, we were and that’s all we will ever be, nothing more.” I say with finality, not wanting to talk about it anymore. I’m already confused enough without them gushing about him and what he just did. He knew what he was doing.
Still, I couldn’t miss the way Charline and Aleck were eye fucking each other before Ant decided to turn my brain into mush. I wonder what’s up with these two. I will have to make sure to grill her about it when we have some time alone.
I know she used to be into him when we were in high school and the couple of times she was hanging out around the MC, but I didn’t know she would still have feelings for him.
We finish lunch and go our separate ways. I head out to a business meeting outside of the office, the encounter with Ant still clouding my mind.
I’m finally back from a meeting outside of the office and it’s midafternoon. It started well, but got weird when Mr. Copeland insisted I call him Jason when we are outside of the office.
We had to meet with the company’s biggest client to present a campaign I started working on. It was so stressful. I had to speak to their entire team. I stuttered and mumbled a lot but they understood it was my first time in front of the entire board. I mean it was me against twenty people. Anybody would be nervous!
“Good job again, Miss Monroe,” Jason calls after me.
“Ah thanks. Glad it went well.” I smile, relieved that it’s over. He gives me a single nod and a slight smirk just before the doors to the elevator close. I turn around and nearly bump into Michael.
“Hey Honey.” He kisses me softly but with some force, keeping a hold of my arm.
“Hey.” I try to free my arm but in vein.
“How did it go?” He grins and finally let go of my arm.
“It went better than I thought, but I still have a lot of work to do for the campaign so if you don’t mind I’d like to go to my office.” I half smile and try to walk past him.
“Wait, dinner tonight?” He asks loud enough that a few of our coworkers look at me expectantly. I hate being put on the spot like this. I’m not ready to date. He’s too handsy and it’s starting to get to be too much. He’s expecting too much from whatever the hell he thinks we have. He keeps mentioning how I got my promotion thanks to him and that I should be grateful that he’s such a good boyfriend, and helping
me out with work. I need to get out of what we have—hell I can’t even call it a relationship.
“Ah… yeah okay.” I agree reluctantly. I’m going to have to put an end to this at the end of the night. This can’t keep on going. I only said yes because I just couldn’t say no to his face in front of our coworkers, it would have been way too awkward.
“Great I’ll pick you up at seven.” He kisses me again. I try not to frown into it. I break it rather quickly and make a mad dash to my office.
I seriously need to put my big girl panties on and end things tonight. I’m mad at him for putting me on the spot like that and mad at myself for saying yes, but really what was I supposed to do? Say no and embarrass the both of us in front of our coworkers? Things spread fast in an office. I didn’t want to be the talk of everybody tomorrow morning.
I get back to work, trying to focus on it, but thoughts of Ant invade my mind. I’ve seen him around town a few more times, but he hasn’t tried to talk to me again. I kind of miss it. I thought he would be in my face constantly after he started to crack the wall I had built around my heart, guess I was wrong. I mean I’m not ready to talk to him yet, but seeing him and talking to him, even if it renders me speechless, made me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt since it happened.
I finish working for the day, unable to focus anymore on this model search and head home. I’m trying to avoid Michael until then or I might say something he will not like, it would be an easy out, but I need to woman up and tell him calmly that it’s over, that I’m not ready to be in a relationship at the moment. Hopefully he will understand. We are adults, we should be able to talk openly and share our feelings, or rather our non-feelings in this case.
I head home and take a quick shower, trying to relax for the night, but it’s proving to be an impossible task. I’m so nervous and tense, wondering how the night will go. I’ve never had to dump someone so this should be interesting. I consider having a glass of wine before he gets here, but I want to have a sharp non-intoxicated mind when he comes to pick me up. I don’t want him to try to convince me to do something or go somewhere I don’t want to if I’m intoxicated.
I finish getting ready and wait nervously. Sure enough, at seven on the dot he’s here. Always so predictable. I grab my jacket and open the door, not wanting to let him in because I have a feeling he’s not going to want to go out again after he comes inside.
“Hi.” I smile softly locking the door and putting my jacket on.
“Hi. Always so beautiful.” He kisses me deeply, making me gasp for air. “Ready?” He grins and opens the car door for me.
“Where are we going?” I ask him as I get into the car.
“Brennan’s of course, the best for our one month anniversary.” He grins, proud of himself and I’m sure I’ve lost all color in my face.
“Oh wow, you’re spoiling me.” I try to smile.
“Only the best for you, Love.” He holds my hand and laces our fingers. I’m nervous and want him to let go of my hand, but he doesn’t. I’m glad that the restaurant isn’t too far from my place so the ride is quite short and I don’t have to endure him holding my hand for too long.
He parks the car in the parking lot and helps me out. Again he doesn’t let go of my hand and we walk inside. The place is amazing, too posh to my liking, but I don’t really have much choice. I’m more of a pizza and beer type of girl.
We walk to the maître d’, Michael gives him his name quite proudly and we are led to our table. It’s in a corner, quite secluded, I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’m just glad we are in a public place. I have a really bad feeling about how tonight is going to play out.
******
Dinner was delicious the food was the best part of this date. I’ve tried to tell Michael that I couldn’t do this anymore, but he wouldn’t let me talk. It was all about how he helped me out and made me better. How it would be awesome if we announced we are official and make it official in the bedroom too. How I should cut myself off from snacking and Frappuccino’s, that I’d lose the extra weight I have. By then I was seething and wanted to kick him in the balls. I know I should lay off the bag of chips or popcorn when I’m watching a movie, but for fuck’s sake you only have one life, you should be able to enjoy life and indulge in a little snack here and there.
He pays for dinner and we head back out to his car. I’m ready to go home and change into some PJ’s and watch a movie.
“We should go to my place tonight, you could spend the night. It’d be nice.” he says as we reach his car.
“I, uh, not tonight Michael. I’d rather go home.” I say rather nervously.
“Please, we’ve been together for a month. We should make it more official and be intimate. I want to be able to have some sexy time with my girlfriend.” He pleads. How in the hell am I going to get myself out of this one?
“I’m really not in the mood Michael.” I say softly.
“Come on, I’m horny and I’m sure you are too.” As if to prove his point he grinds into me and I shudder. He’s hard and I’m starting to freak out.
“Don’t. I’m not ready. It’s too soon. We’ve only been together for a month. Please take me home.” I try to keep my voice strong and not let it waver. I don’t want him to notice I’m nervous.
“We’re adults Honey, it’s not like we are teens and it’s our first time. We are grown-ups; grown-ups have sex and enjoy it.” He grinds into me one more time and I’m ready to bolt. I’m starting to get really scared at this point.
“I know we are but I’m not ready. Please respect that.” I stroke his cheek trying to get him to relax and drop the idea. He sighs and nods.
“Alright, not tonight but soon.” As if to prove his point, he holds the back of my neck and kisses me softly at first, and then more roughly when I don’t kiss him back. I’m trying to push him off of me and break the kiss, but he won’t budge.
I’m starting to hyperventilate at this point. I don’t know what to do other than try to push him off. There are a lot of people around yet no one is coming to my rescue. With the angle he has me in, there’s no way for me to even kick him in the balls and try to escape.
I feel his cold hand creep up my thigh and I freeze. I’m shaking, frozen to the spot. I’m starting to really worry and panic. I can’t move him off of me and I’m trying to with all the strength I have, but he’s much stronger than me. It instantly brings me back to that night six years ago. I try to fight him off. Tears are falling freely down my cheeks as he’s pinning me against his car.
All of a sudden he’s thrown off me and I’m standing there, breathless, dress hiked up mid-thigh, staring at Ant who looks crazed and ready to kill him. I feel like I’m in a trance, looking at Ant, not moving. It looks like he’s experiencing the same thing.
Chapter 9
Anthony
Fucking Angel!
She managed to trick me into driving her to her fucking parent’s place. Her car supposedly broke down and she couldn’t afford a taxi and she didn’t want one of the guys to look at it right now since it was so late.
At any other time I’d be happy to have a woman pressed behind me, grinding and rubbing her boobs on me, but that woman isn’t Ayden, so I’m not interested. I couldn’t care less, but I just couldn’t stand Angel whining over and over again. So I agreed to go so she would shut up and stop pissing me off. She’s a woman and I could never hit a woman, but I was close to having a few carefully selected words with her. Then she’d cry and want a hug so no thanks. Now I’m stuck on a forty-five minute ride with her behind me.
I ride fast, but I get a bad feeling before we even leave town. I don’t know what it is, but it sends shivers down my spine as I drive past a fancy restaurant. I spot a head full of red hair making out with a guy in a suit. I instantly know it’s Ayden and that fucking asshole. I don’t think twice before I park on the road, climb off of my bike and stalk to where they are. I can see she’s not enjoying it and trying to push him away, but he’s
not letting her go.
I grab him by his jacket and punch him in the jaw, sending him onto the pavement. I’m ready to kill the asshole, but the look on Ayden’s face turns my blood to ice. She’s shaking, crying, having trouble breathing and clearly scared out of her mind.
“What’s your problem man?” The jackass in the suit asks.
“She clearly didn’t want you all over her.” I growl, keeping an eye on Ayden. “You okay Sweet Cheeks?” I ask softly rubbing her arm. She shakes her head and I see red.
“I didn’t realize you weren’t into it Honey. I’m sorry, it won’t happen again, okay. I’m really sorry.” He dares call her Honey? She’s not his for fuck’s sake. I try to stay calm, but I’m close to snapping. She barely nods and wraps her arms around herself. “Come on, I’ll drop you off at home.” I take off my jacket and wrap her in it before dragging the fucking asshole away.
“Don’t you even dare getting anywhere near her again you motherfucker!” I warn him. “You hurt her again and I will have another type of discussion with you. She’s precious, if you really liked her, you’d treat her with respect and not be a fucking dick and try to force yourself onto her. Got it?”
“Y… yes. Please don’t hurt me.” He’s scared. Good.
“Now move! She clearly doesn’t want you anywhere near her.” He nods and rushes to his car.
I walk over to Ayden and wrap my arms around her. I’m happy to see she doesn’t flinch when I hold her. “It’s going to be okay Sweet Cheeks.” I whisper and kiss her head.
“T-thanks Ant. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t showed up.” She whispers and buries her head in my chest.
“Shh it’s okay. He’s gone now and I promise he won’t bother you again.”
“We work together.” She sighs, defeated. Fuck I didn’t see that one coming, guess Gabe was right.
“It’ll be okay, don’t worry. I’ll make sure it’ll be ok.” I squeeze her gently and she squeezes back. “Come on I’ll drive you home.”
Saving Ayden Page 7