by Joanna Blake
“Come to the meeting.”
I stared at him, my jaw ticking.
“Fine. Not at the Jar though.”
“Why not? It’s neutral territory.”
“No, it’s not. It’s my place. And I don’t want to expose my staff to any danger.”
Cain cracked the barest semblance of a smile. For him, that was saying something.
“Heard you got a real pretty new waitress over there.”
“What?”
My hackles were up again, just like when he’d mentioned Cass.
He shrugged.
“The guys won’t shut up about her. You know I don’t give a shit about that stuff. I know what I want. I can wait.”
I nodded, instantly relaxing. I didn’t love that the guys were talking about Michelle, but it didn’t surprise me. More importantly, Cain wasn’t after her.
The truth was, Cain barely even acknowledged women on most days. I was sure he used to have a woman now and then, but it was hard to say. Not since he met Kelly, that was for sure. People talked and I listened, whether I wanted to or not.
Casual sex definitely wasn’t a priority for him.
Which was part of the reason his reaction to Connor’s sister Kelly had been so hilarious. I kept hoping that something would come of it, but so far I hadn’t heard a word.
“Talk to Connor, too. See if he knows anything.”
I shook my head.
“I can ask, but he won’t tell. He’s way too straight-laced.” I cocked an eyebrow at Cain’s stormy expression. “Kind of like you. You should talk to him.”
“That wouldn’t go down well.”
I cracked a smile.
“You afraid to piss him off?”
Cain growled at me a little and I laughed. I knew he wanted to go out with Connor’s sister. He was trying not to make things worse than they were.
Maybe Cain was in deeper than I thought.
“Don’t go there.”
“Okay man, I’ll do what I can.”
He was still glaring at me for cracking a joke at his expense but I didn’t care. He nodded and I stood up.
“Good.”
I whistled as I walked out. Not that I wasn’t concerned. I was. But I was one of the only people who could push Cain’s buttons and get away with it.
It gave me great joy, even under the circumstances.
The truth was, I was worried as fuck about what he’d told me. Not for my own safety, but for those I had sworn to protect.
Michelle, Paton and of course Cass and my Goddaughter Daniella were at the top of the list. Even Connor was on there, though I would never admit it. Hell, they were the list. The people I cared about most in the world.
I didn’t even think twice about the new additions to the list. Michelle and Paton mattered to me. Didn’t matter that I’d only known them a couple of weeks.
They were written in indelible ink on my battered old heart, and they were staying.
I had to look out for my girls.
Chapter Eleven
Michelle
I rubbed my neck with one hand while I bent forward, clearing the empty beer mugs from the table. The Jar was rowdy tonight. The crowd was full of bikers and the party hadn’t slowed down yet, and it was nearing 1 AM.
The kitchen was still open too.
I was tired but I didn’t slow down for a second. It was worth the extra tips I was getting. And Mason was helping out, running food out to tables when I got slammed.
I bussed the table, then ran back to clear another table. There were people at this one, but they needed room for fresh beer.
They were drinking a hell of a lot of beer.
But they were tipping to match, so I pasted a smile on my face and ignored the stares. I’d never been called ‘honey’ or ‘sweetie’ so much in my life.
“You alright? You can go home, you know.” Mason looked worried. “In fact, I should insist you do. It’s about to tip over to anarchy.”
“It does feel different tonight.”
Mason shook his head.
“There’s been some serious stuff going on with the local MC’s. Just be on your toes, alright?”
“Okay. I’ll just make one more pass with the checks.”
“I’ll get sleeping beauty. Do not go outside without me.”
“Thanks, Mason.”
I gave him a shy smile and returned to my tables, fetching a couple of pitchers of beer and handing out the checks.
That’s when I felt it. A hand closed over my ass, grabbing and squeezing. A big, hot hand. I squealed and jumped a foot in the air.
“Hmmm, you got a great ass sweetheart.”
“Let go of me!”
I turned around to see who was manhandling me just as thunderous footsteps echoed throughout the bar. A man with broad shoulders and a look of pure fury on his face.
Mason was coming.
The biker leered at me for a split second before he noticed the charging bull heading his way.
“Oh, shit.”
The guy looked scared. Not just worried. He looked terrified.
I almost smiled, but I was transfixed by what happened next.
Time seemed to slow down as Mason pushed me behind him with one hand and slugged the guy with the other. The guy tried to fight back, he did. He was big and mean looking. The kind of guy you did not want to fight.
But Mason was a force of nature. He always seemed so mild mannered. Not that he was sweet exactly. He wasn’t. He didn’t embellish or flirt.
He was just… good.
And right now he was good at mopping up the floor with the cretin who’d grabbed my ass. Mason had taken less than two hits. The other guy was bleeding profusely, rocking back and forth on his feet with each hit.
I realized Mason was holding him up while he beat him. The guy would have fallen if not. Finally, Mason stopped, grabbing the guy’s shirt and yanking him in close.
“Which hand?”
“Wha?”
The guy’s mouth was swollen, and I was pretty sure he’d have two black eyes and need some serious dental work. But Mason wasn’t done with him yet. I knew it in my gut something bad was about to happen.
“Which hand did you touch her with?”
The guy looked like he wasn’t going to answer. But then he lifted his right hand. Mason smiled coldly and then did something I knew I would never forget.
He crushed it.
I actually heard the bones snap. The guy started wailing. Tears, mucus, and blood ran freely down his face. But Mason didn’t even flinch.
“Remember this the next time you want to touch a lady without permission. Especially this one. Forget you ever saw her. And don’t come back or I’ll do something worse.”
The guy nodded and his friends dragged him out of the place. Mason stared at them, his face hard and cold. The moment the door closed behind them, he looked at me. His face softened immediately.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded, still staring at him in awe.
“Are you?”
He looked at his bloody fist and grimaced.
“Worth it.”
“Let me clean that up for you.”
He said nothing, staring at me with a dark and hungry look in his eyes. He followed me to the back and into the stock room, where we kept a first aid kit. I looked around, and pointed to a couple of stacked boxes.
“Sit.”
He sat.
I busied myself with the kit, cleaning the cuts on his face first, and then tending to his hands. He didn’t move, or speak the entire time. His eyes never left my face.
“You didn’t have to do that, you know.”
I felt awkward, but it had to be said. He didn’t need to do that sort of thing for me. Not that I hadn’t felt a thrill when he did.
I’d never felt anything like it. Never had someone in my corner. Never had a champion.
He was… protecting me.
“Yeah, I did.”
I glanced
up from tending to his hands, our eyes catching and holding. My breath hitched. I couldn’t have looked away if I wanted to.
And I definitely didn’t want to.
“Michelle…”
The raw sound of his voice did something to me. It was like a dam burst inside me. All the feelings I’d been hiding came pouring out. It felt like time stopped as we hovered on the verge of something… big.
He stood and towered over me. His hands were on my face, pulling me closer. I felt like a magnet, drawn towards him without effort. Nothing could have stopped what was happening.
And then he kissed me. His lips were warm and surprisingly soft. His beard tickled my skin in a delicious way. But it wasn’t a gentle kiss. It was the most intense kiss of my life, not that I’d had all that many. I felt like he would swallow me whole.
But, God help me, I wanted him to.
I felt myself melting into him. He felt hard and hot as our chests collided. I had his shoulders in my grip and his arms were around my waist, touching me, stroking my back through the thin fabric of my t-shirt.
And then he pulled away. He wouldn’t even look at me. I reached for him, my hand resting on his thickly muscled forearm. Finally, he looked at me, his eyes full of remorse.
“Christ, Michelle. I’m so sorry.”
Chapter Twelve
Mason
She was too close. I didn’t think I could control myself for another moment. I had to get away.
Hell, halfway across the state might not be enough.
I’d touched her. I’d held her in my arms and nothing had ever felt so right in my godforsaken life. And now I wanted more.
So much more.
“I’m sorry.” I muttered again.
“What for?”
I clenched my jaw, staring at her like a starving man at a buffet. She looked good enough to eat. I wanted to lose myself inside her right now. Take her and mold her and make her scream in pleasure.
But I couldn’t. I knew I wouldn’t be gentle. I was an animal. She deserved better than getting mauled by her boss in the stockroom.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to grab you like that.”
“Oh.” She lifted her chin. “Well, I’m not.”
I blinked at her. This gorgeous, unbelievably lovely girl wanted… me? I hand my hands against the wall, turned away from her. I was holding onto the crumbling plaster for dear life.
“Michelle…”
She stepped closer.
“Don’t.” I warned, but she didn’t listen.
“Why not?”
“I don’t think I can control myself right now.”
She nodded thoughtfully.
“So, don’t.”
With a groan I was on her, swinging her around and pushing her against the wall. Then I went to town. My lips were on hers. My tongue was in her mouth. My hands found her ass and squeezed.
Jesus Christ, she felt good!
And so help me God, she kissed me back almost as frantically. I had a feeling if I yanked her jeans down and pulled out my cock, she’d bend over the boxes and let me do all the dirty things I’d been dreaming about since the moment I met her.
This was bad. Dangerous. I wasn’t going to be satisfied with a quick fuck. I’d demand more. Take more. And she had no idea the fuck-storm I wanted to unleash on her.
I shoved myself away from her.
“You are my employee. I can’t do this.”
Her mouth opened. Her gorgeous, hot, wet mouth that I wanted my tongue back inside. I balled my hands into fists and tried to control myself.
“Mom?”
My head jerked to the side to see Paton watching us. She must have woken and come downstairs looking for her mom. The door to the stock room was barely ajar, but she could see.
“You two should go home.” I turned sideways and ran past the kid, worried about the enormous tent in my pants. I shouted over my shoulder. “Shorty, walk these two to their car on your way out.”
“Coming, boss!”
I took one last look at Michelle before I turned the corner. Her beautiful eyes were bright even in the dim light of the hallway. They were shiny with unshed tears.
I’d already ruined everything.
I’d already hurt her.
That’s how destructive I was. I’d hurt the loveliest woman I’d ever met. I’d already lost her.
Deep pain tore through my body as it hit me. Two kisses. That was all I was going to get. And she’d probably leave the Jar high and dry because I couldn’t control my damn self. Not that I cared about that. I just didn’t want to be without her.
She’d leave me.
I knew I deserved it. I was no good.
I cursed and turned away.
Chapter Thirteen
Michelle
“Are you okay, mom?”
I nodded, forcing a smile. I was driving on autopilot back to the motel. We checked in every night since we were paying cash.
They wouldn’t hold a room for us without a credit card, which I did not have.
But soon, it wouldn’t matter. As long as that apartment was still there, we’d have a home. We would be safe at last.
Pate would be safe.
I called every few days to check. So far, it was still vacant. I clenched the steering wheel. We were so close to being okay… truly okay for the first time in years.
And now I’d gone and ruined it all.
If only I hadn’t given into temptation. If only I hadn’t kissed Mason. The man was my boss. I was sure he had his pick of women. I was just one of many.
I’d acted like a tramp. Embarrassed myself. I’d practically begged him to keep going.
But he had stopped it. He hadn’t wanted me. At least now I knew there was no hope.
I forced my hands to relax. We were almost there. I could take a long shower and lick my wounds.
Mason had not been mean. This was worse, though. He just didn’t feel the way I did.
And now I was stuck here, wanting him and knowing he didn’t feel the same.
He probably felt sorry for me. The sad little waitress with holes in her shoes and the kid with no daddy. He probably thought I was homely. Pathetic. Weak.
I wiped a tear off my cheek.
Not in front of the kid, Shell!
Never cry in front of the kid.
“Maybe we’ll go to that pancake place in the morning. Sound good?”
Paton nodded happily. She was doing well here. As soon as we had an address she was starting school. I had to remember what mattered. Running was not an option, no matter how painful the situation was.
Besides, it was just a little embarrassment. I would just give Mason his space. Not intrude. Not throw myself at him again.
Lay low.
We pulled into the motel parking lot. Pate took my hand and yawned, padding along beside me. I knew she was more than ready for bed.
“We’ll take a double if you have it.”
The attendant chewed on a toothpick, giving me an odd look.
“Sorry, we’re full up.”
I stared at him, my stomach dropping. This place? In the middle of nowhere?
The Jar was halfway between a big town and a small one. The motel was off a country road near the national park. This place was never full up.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Some sort of convention. Rangers.”
I exhaled sharply, squeezing Pate’s hand. It was late now. Really late.
“Do you know any other places nearby?”
He shrugged.
“There’s a few places about an hour away, other side of the park. On this side, it’s just us.”
I stared at Paton, my insides curdling with worry. I was so tired, I was afraid to drive. With a sinking feeling in my gut, I realized sleeping in the car was probably the safest thing to do.
“Can we park here?”
He shook his head and the wind went out of my sails. I squeezed Pate’s hand and we left. I drove mindlessly back t
owards the Jar. I was a few miles away when I pulled onto a side road and onto the shoulder.
I tried to smile as I tucked Paton into the backseat. I kissed her forehead.
“Last time we do this, hon. I promise.”
“It’s not your fault, mom.” She snuggled into her blankets. “I don’t mind anyway.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.
“You’re a good egg, you know that?”
She gave me a sleepy ‘uh huh’ then yawned and was out. Bless her, that ability to conk out was something I never had, no matter how tired I was. I climbed back into the front and tried to get comfortable. I wasn’t an extremely tall woman, but I was too tall to lie flat. I pulled my bra loose and pulled the jacket over me.
It was cold, but I had to leave the windows open a crack for safety. I turned the car back on for ten minutes and blasted the heat. Then I turned it off and tried to sleep.
I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. Worried about the future. Thinking about the kiss.
When I finally slept, I dreamt of Mason. He was angry at me. Disgusted that I had kissed him. He told me he couldn’t stand to be around me and we had to leave immediately. Hit the road.
We couldn’t get the apartment if I didn’t have a job.
We drove away, both of us crying. Seeing my girl cry, even in a dream, was so crushing it woke me up. I stared around the car stupidly. It was dawn, still early. The air was cool and misty.
I closed my eyes. Mason might not want me, but he wouldn’t fire me. He needed me.
With that comforting thought, I fell back asleep again.
Chapter Fourteen
Mason
I took my truck the long way to work for the dog. I was going in early to meet one of my suppliers. And Besos loved riding in the truck with his head out the window.
I rubbed his head affectionately. The dog was so damn happy. I wished I could be but I knew it would never happen.
Of course, I’d pushed away an incredibly sweet and beautiful woman last night, so this was my own damn fault. I probably didn’t deserve happiness. I knew that I did not deserve her.