GOLDIE: Night Rebels Motorcycle Club (Night Rebels MC Romance Book 4)

by Chiah Wilder

  He chuckled. “Not often. Depends on whether the woman’s worth the time.”

  “Am I?”

  “Oh yeah… you’re absolutely worth the time.” Remember Ryan. Fuck, this shit is hard.

  “So…?” Her glossy pink lips parted.

  Ryan, in full battle gear, floated in front of him. His best buddy was in Afghanistan fighting in one-hundred-plus degrees and he was here in an air-conditioned bar, hitting on his bud’s sister. Ryan trusted him. Fuck!

  Sliding his hand off hers, he pulled away, then stood up. “I gotta get back to my party, ladies. Have a good time.” He ignored Hailey’s fallen face and walked back over to his brothers.

  “Struck out with the hottie?” Army asked.

  “Leave it alone.” Goldie threw him a hard look. He felt her staring at him, but he made himself ignore her as he talked with Steel and Paco. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her walk down the hallway to the bathrooms. He watched Sangre’s hungry eyes devour her as she’d passed. When Sangre headed in the same direction she had, he cursed under his breath before he went after him.

  “It’s a fuckin’ good party. This place is teeming with hot chicks. I just saw a sweet piece of ass and I’m gonna see if she’s as willing as I am to party.” Sangre chuckled.

  “The one who just came down here?” Goldie asked. Sangre nodded. “She’s with me.”

  “Really? I didn’t know that. You’ve been hangin’ out with the brothers most of the time.”

  “That doesn’t mean shit. I told you she’s with me. That’s all you fuckin’ need to know.”

  “Don’t talk shit to me or we’re gonna have a problem.” Sangre flexed his muscles and took a step toward Goldie.

  Goldie clenched his fists as the adrenaline began to pump through him. And then he saw her coming out of the ladies’ room. “Just chill, okay. I’m just pissed about shit. Nothing with you. I let it spill over. She’s really with me. I know her.”

  Sangre glanced down the hall as she came toward them. He clasped Goldie’s shoulder. “No worries. Later.” Then he sauntered off.

  Hailey turned her head away from him and brushed past him, but he reached out and grabbed her arm, bringing her crashing against him.

  “What the fuck is your problem?” she said.

  “I left the table kinda fast. I don’t want you to think I’m some kind of jerk.”

  “Too late. I already think you are.” She yanked her arm back, but he held her firmly, pulling her with him as he walked down the hall.

  “Where are you taking me?” Fear laced her voice.

  “I’m not gonna hurt you. We can’t talk with all the noise.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about. It’s obvious you aren’t interested in me. I made a fool of myself. End of story. Nice knowing you.”

  He kicked open one of the doors and pulled her inside. Swinging her around, he pushed her back against the wall. Cupping her chin, he tilted her head back, his gaze searching hers. “Not interested? Fuck that.”

  He tilted his head down and pressed his lips against hers. They were smooth, soft, and silky as shit, and he knew he was a goner—one taste would never be enough. Hungrily, he slipped her bottom lip between his teeth and sucked hard, knowing he was leaving his mark. A guttural moan escaped from deep in her throat, and it went straight to his cock that was punching to get out.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him closer to her, and he pressed into her softness, loving the way she felt in his arms, the way her scent wound around him, tangling around his dick. As her lips parted more, he slipped his tongue inside to taste and feel her. Her fast breathing filled his ears, and he ran his hand over her hips and glided it over that perfect ass of hers. Cupping the cheek, he gripped hard, careful not to touch the one he’d recently tattooed. Hailey rubbed herself against his throbbing cock and he thought he’d lose it. His cock was so hard that it hurt. He wanted nothing more than to have her full lips around it, sucking the shit out of it as he pumped fast and hard.

  The door swung open and, out of instinct, he jumped to attention, reaching for the knife in his cut’s inside pocket. One of the waitresses smiled at him. “Sorry. We’re out of napkins.” After grabbing two large packs, she said over her shoulder, “Go back to what you were doing.” The door closed behind her.

  Goldie looked at Hailey, who was still against the wall. Her hair was disheveled and her lips were a bit swollen and glossy from his kiss. Raising her hand, she brushed the strands of hair away from her face, then looked down at her fingers.

  Way to go, asshole. “I gotta get back out there.” His voice filled the space between them.

  “Sure. Me too. I’m sure my friends are wondering where I am.” She moved away from the wall and walked to the door.

  He looped his arms around her waist from behind. “About the kiss, I—”

  A nervous laugh spilled out. “No worries. We’ve both had a lot to drink. Well, I mean, I did. Gotta go.” She untangled his arms from her, opened the door, and disappeared into the hallway.

  Goldie slammed the door and rested his forehead on it. Fuck!

  The kiss was so good. He wished it would’ve been shitty, lukewarm at most, but it wasn’t. It was raw intensity. The type of kiss that stayed with you, scorched your insides, and invaded your thoughts.

  The type of kiss that couldn’t just stop at one.

  He was so fucked.

  Chapter Six

  Turning into the parking lot of Cherry Vale, the rehab center, Hailey shut off the radio and pulled the visor down. Swiping a bright fuchsia pink on her lips, her stomach fluttered when she thought of Goldie’s mouth on hers. She’d never been kissed that way by any man, and she could only imagine what his sexy mouth could do to her body.

  She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes. Their stolen kiss in the back room had been more than hot. If the waitress hadn’t come in, Hailey didn’t doubt that she probably would’ve ended up doing something decadent and totally out of character. She wasn’t one to rush sex or act on her emotions when it came to men, but the way he held her, rubbed against her, and kissed her was beyond awesome. Whenever she thought about it, her lips tingled and her body shivered.

  The only snag was that he acted like the whole thing had been a mistake. She’d told him it was no big deal only to save herself the humiliation of him dissing her, but the truth was she’d felt a connection to him, one so strong that she’d chided herself about it the whole way home. What’s the matter with me? So he was a good kisser, and he probably knows how to screw real well. So the fuck what.

  As if on cue, her phone rang and Brent’s name flashed. Making a face, she shoved her phone in her purse and exited the car.

  Her aunt Patty was propped up on a straight-backed chair in front of the large window overlooking a courtyard. The flowering crabapple trees around the small pond gave off the ambiance of calmness. Her aunt’s roommate wasn’t in the room, and Hailey smiled as she saw a half-made afghan. Josephine, the roommate, was either crocheting or knitting, and afghans, scarves, and baby hats were her favorite projects to make. Hailey reckoned she’d be taking home the red, green, and yellow striped afghan she saw on Josephine’s bed when she’d completed it.

  “Hi, Aunt Patty.” Hailey went over and gave her aunt a soft squeeze.

  Patty shifted her body around. “How’s the shop?”

  “Doing great. We’ve got so many weddings for the next three months. It’s going to be wildly busy. How’re you doing?”

  “The same. Stuck in this damn room and bored out of my mind. Some of my friends came by yesterday and snuck in a bottle of champagne. That was fun. You should’ve seen the way Josephine guzzled it down. I don’t think she’d ever had any. She was out cold for the rest of the night.” Patty laughed.

  Hailey placed a box of chocolates on the table next to her aunt. “I didn’t forget.”

  Patty’s eyes lit up. “Did you get the mixed variety?”

  Hailey nodded. “What d
oes the doctor say about your progress?”

  “He tells me everything’s going as it should be. I still can’t put weight on this damn leg.”

  “Just keep listening to him. You don’t want to end up coming back here like the last time when you rushed it.” She glanced outside and then back to her aunt. “It’s a beautiful day. Do you want me to take you for a walk so you can get some fresh air?”

  “Not today. I’m feeling kind of tired. Let’s just talk. Tell me all about the weddings and the flowers we’ll have to order.”

  For the next two hours, Hailey and Patty talked, laughed, and reminisced. Her aunt loved talking about the business as much as Hailey did, so she filled her in on all the goings-on at the store.

  When the physical therapist came in, Hailey stood up and said her goodbyes. Promising to see her soon, Hailey left the room and walked down the hallway.

  During the day, Cherry Vale was a flurry of activity with the nurses, aides, doctors, and techs bustling about. Residents congregated in the lobby either watching the birds flit in the aviary or the traffic whiz by on the street in front of the center. Hailey walked slowly and looked at the names posted on the residents’ doors.

  When she reached the end of the hall before the lobby, she glanced at the name on the door by the entrance. On a gold background in black lettering, she read “Helen Humphries.” The name sounded familiar. Then she remembered it was Garth’s grandmother’s name. A tickle rode up her spine. Can there be two Helen Humphries in Alina? She supposed it was possible, but it seemed like too much of a coincidence. She stopped at the doorway, then went in quietly.

  The early afternoon sun beat against the closed drapes, making the room not quite so dim. A woman in her early eighties with white hair dozed on a dark green recliner as the images on the television screen blinked. Padding over to the woman, Hailey glanced around the room and noticed several framed pictures. She paused and looked at one on the wall. Standing beside the Helen she remembered were Garth, his sister, Monica, and his brothers, Chad and Dylan. She smiled when she saw Garth’s smartass smirk and his blue eyes full of devilishness. He must be about thirteen in this picture. “I had such a crush on you,” she said out loud.

  Helen moaned, and Hailey darted her gaze to her. The woman’s eyes fluttered open, and a vacant look searched Hailey’s face. She went over to her, bending down in front of her.

  “Mrs. Humphries? I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Hailey Shilley. Ryan’s sister. It’s been a long time.”

  “Is that you, Susan? Where’s your father? Did he come home from work yet?” she asked in a feeble voice.

  “My name’s Hailey, not Susan. Susan was your daughter. Garth’s mother.”

  “Is Garth here? Where’s your father? Why won’t you answer me, Susan?” Helen’s face contorted into a mask of distress as her tear-filled voice crushed Hailey.

  “I shouldn’t have come in. I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”

  Helen tried to push herself out of the chair, wincing when she fell back against the cushion. Wringing her hands, her gaze darted around the room.

  “Are you family?” a woman’s voice asked.

  Hailey spun around and saw a pretty woman in pink scrubs walking into the room. “No. My aunt’s rehabbing here. Patty Manning. I just stopped in when I saw Mrs. Humphries’s name on the door. I used to live in Alina, and I knew the Humphries and their grandchildren. My brother and one of her grandsons were best friends. I just wanted to say hi, but I’m afraid I’ve confused and upset her.”

  The woman ran her eyes over Hailey. “Don’t sweat it. She’s confused a lot. I know your aunt. She’s a very funny lady. I’m surprised I’ve never seen you before.” She extended her hand. “I’m Shelly. I’m the day-shift nurse five days a week.”

  “Hailey. I usually come after work, or on Sundays.”

  “That explains it, since I have Sundays off. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Helen’s too agitated to take her meds right now. It was good meeting you.”

  Shelly dashed out of the room and Hailey hung her head down, pivoting around to face Helen. “I feel terrible about upsetting you, Mrs. Humphries.”

  “What did you do?” a deep voice asked from behind.

  Jerking her head up, she spun around and gasped: Goldie stood looming in the doorway. What the hell is he doing in Mrs. Humphries’s room?

  He walked into the room and went over to the woman. Bending down, he kissed her cheek and a huge grin spread over her face when she saw him. He hugged her. “How’re you doing, Grandma?”

  Grandma? This is Goldie’s grandmother? Confusion flitted through her. What the fuck’s going on? Then she looked at his leather vest, the one he wore the night before. She remembered he’d had a lot of patches, but she hadn’t seen the back of it. Now, looking at the back, the words “Night Rebels MC” stared at her in red lettering. Night Rebels. I know that name. Wait, Rory said it’s that biker gang. The one Ryan told me Garth joined. Goldie must be Garth’s friend. “Do you know Garth?” she said.

  He raised his head and his eyes boldly ran over her body, making her feel conspicuous in her jean shorts and blue T-shirt. She crossed her arms over her chest. He laughed.

  “Do you?” She stepped back.

  “Why do you ask?”

  “Because my brother told me he’s in a motorcycle gang, and this is his grandmother. I knew him when we were younger.”

  “Night Rebels is a motorcycle club, not a gang. Gangs are for fuckin’ losers.” He leaned back on his boot heels.

  “Garth! Your language,” Helen said in a strong, clear voice.

  He guffawed, leaned down, and hugged her tightly. “Awesome.” The elderly woman laughed, but then her bright eyes turned dull and the vacant veil came back.

  “She’s got Alzheimer’s,” he said softly as he ran his fingers through her snowy white hair.

  Hailey darted her gaze from Goldie to Helen, then back to Goldie. “I’m sorry. She thinks you’re Garth.”

  He leaned against the windowsill behind the recliner. “I am, or at least I was. No one calls me Garth except for my grandma.” He pursed his lips.

  A hand flew over her mouth as she took him in, her stomach twisting in knots. Goldie’s Garth? The guy I kissed last night is Garth! “I had no idea. You’ve really changed.”

  “I fuckin’ hope so. You grew up nicely.” His gaze dropped from her eyes to her shoulders, then to her breasts.

  An unwelcome surge of excitement coursed through her, and she moved farther away from him. “I can’t believe you’re Garth. I mean, you gave me a tattoo.”

  “On your ass. And an incredible kiss on your lips.”

  She groaned and threw her head back. “I can’t believe this. Did you know it was me?”

  “When you came into the tattoo parlor, I had no clue it was you. I thought you were just another hot-looking chick. Ryan never mentioned you moved back to Alina. When did you get here?”

  “About eight months ago. My aunt Patty shattered her left femur and needed help with the shop. She’s here for rehab. That’s why I’m here. I was visiting her earlier. I just happened to see your grandma’s name on the door. I don’t know why I didn’t notice it before.”

  “They just put them on the door. Before, they were just on the charts inside the rooms. This is a small world. I wonder why Ryan didn’t tell me you’re in town.”

  “I think he was trying to protect me. He did tell me you joined a biker gang—I mean club. I don’t know. Sometimes he acts like I’m still a child.”

  Cocking his head to the side, he slid his gaze over her again. “He knows me too well.”

  “This is kinda awkward.” Hailey rubbed the back of her neck.

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because of last night and the tattoo and all that.”

  “I bet you wouldn’t have done any of that if you knew it was me.”

  “No, I wouldn’t have.”

  “But you were attracted to me.”

&n
bsp; “Yeah, but I didn’t know it was you, Garth. I mean, the whole thing is weird. You’re my brother’s best friend. We’ve known each other since I can remember.”

  His face hardened. “You’re right. Ryan would be pissed, and we can’t do that shit to him. We’ll forget last night ever happened, and I’ll try to forget your cute ass.”

  Before she could answer, several personnel ran past. She poked her head out into the hallway and saw a bunch of people go into one of the rooms. A few residents stood in the hall trying to peek inside.

  “I wonder what’s going on,” she said.

  He came up behind her, pressing against her back as he looked over her head and down the hallway. Static charges jumped through her as the heat radiating from him hugged her. Her body became alert and she felt his heat radiating off him. When he placed his hand on her shoulder, it set off an inferno inside her, and she leaned back against his solid chest. A subtle scent of leather, pine, and earth infused her senses, and her arousal screamed for his touch, for his lips on her skin.

  “Looks like a problem in Mrs. Heller’s room.” His breath fanned over her shoulders and she fell farther back into him. His finger caressed her cheek. “Be careful what you’re doing. You might wake the beast in me, and he doesn’t play nice.” The way he ground his hips forward, rubbing his hard dick against her, made her want to wake up the beast and more.

  Shelly ran by, then stopped and came back to the door. Tension etched her face, and she glared at Hailey before looking at Goldie. “I didn’t know you’d come in.”

  “What’s going on down there?”

  “Mrs. Heller’s passed.”

  “Damn. That’s too bad.”

  “Yeah. She was old. When you get past eighty, you never know.”

  “Age doesn’t matter to her family. It still fuckin’ sucks.” Goldie’s hand slipped under Hailey’s hair and he swept his fingers over the base of her neck. Goose bumps freckled her skin as she shivered from desire.

  “True.” Shelly looked back down the hall. “I have to go. Are you going to stick around for a while?” She smiled widely at him.