by Chiah Wilder
The club president had made it clear to Tigger at Cara and Hawk’s Christmas Eve party five months before that he expected her to start attending family club functions since she was Tigger’s old lady, and that suited her just fine. It also helped that the club had a ton of outings, so Tigger couldn’t use her as a punching bag as often as he had the year before.
“Are you ready? I’ve been waiting too fuckin’ long,” her husband said in a voice laced with irritation and hardness.
Panic twisted her nerves as she grabbed her clutch purse and rushed out of the bedroom. “I’m done.” She plastered a smile on her face while her insides tightened and quivered.
Tigger scowled at her. “Your top’s too tight. You trying to attract men?” He took a step toward her.
Knowing that any sort of explanation or protest would result in her staying home nursing a black eye and worse, she turned around and headed back to the bedroom to change her T-shirt. “It must’ve shrunk in the dryer,” she said over her shoulder. Tigger grunted. Sofia tugged the shirt over her head, hung it up, and took out a loose fitting blouse. The last thing she wanted was for Tigger to change his mind and leave her home. For the past two weeks, all she’d done in her spare time was count down the hours, the minutes, and the seconds until she’d see Wheelie again. If Tigger made her stay home, she’d die. Hurry up! She fumbled with the buttons as she walked out of the bedroom.
“All ready,” Sofia said as she walked through the kitchen into the garage. “Are we taking your Harley?” She crossed her fingers hoping he’d say yes. She loved riding on the back of the motorcycle with the wind blowing through her hair. It’d been such a long time since Tigger had taken her for a ride.
“The SUV,” he grumbled, opening the door and sliding in.
Inhaling and exhaling deeply, Sofia opened the passenger door and slipped into the seat. Disappointment wove through her, even though she knew she was being silly. The fact that Tigger was taking her to Steeler’s that night was huge, so she really shouldn’t have expected him to take her on his Harley as well. That would’ve been too much kindness from him, and the one thing she could always count on with Tigger was his malice. The fact that he regularly took the club girls and several hoodrats he banged at club parties on the back of his bike hurt her, and the way he’d look at her when he’d tell her about the girls told Sofia he received an inordinate amount of pleasure from humiliating her.
Stop it! Who cares about all that now? I’m going to see Wheelie! An adrenaline rush coursed through her, and Sofia turned her face toward the window so Tigger couldn’t see the huge grin on her face.
It’d been over three months since she’d seen the biker, and each time she and Tigger would attend a family night at the club, sadness would fill the empty spots inside her when Wheelie wasn’t there. Sometimes she’d go to the bathroom and let the tears out, then apply copious amounts of eye drops into her reddened orbs before joining the others. The truth was that she and Wheelie were playing a dangerous game, and the end result could cost Sofia her life, and for Wheelie—the brotherhood. She couldn’t blame him for staying away from her. Nothing good could come out of them hooking up together, but Sofia wanted to throw caution to the wind and have just one night with the sexy, handsome biker she’d come to adore.
“You’re quiet. What are ya thinking about?”
Wheelie. Always Wheelie. “That I should plant some flowers in front of the house. Maybe some basil in the backyard.”
Tigger ran his fingers through her hair. “That sounds nice. We can go to the nursery on Saturday.”
Sofia turned to him and smiled. In that moment he was like the man she’d fallen in love with when she was in high school. She’d met him at a friend of a friend’s party the summer before her senior year. He’d been leaning against the railing on the patio, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, and his muscles bulging under tight, tanned skin. Sofia had thought he was the coolest guy at the party, and the bad boy vibe he was giving off made the blood rush to her head. Then he looked at her and her insides turned to mush. After that night, they’d been inseparable.
As they turned into Steeler’s, Sofia scanned the parking lot looking for Wheelie’s metallic red Harley. It wasn’t there. Maybe he changed his mind when he found out I was coming. I know he’s avoiding me.
Tigger came over and pulled her toward him, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He usually did that when they’d go to bars or restaurants as if to show other men that she belonged to him. In the early years of their marriage, it’d made her feel loved and cherished when he’d do that, but now it felt controlling and smothering.
As soon as they entered the biker bar, she saw several of the old ladies sitting at a large round table while their men stood to the side, huddled in groups, talking. Tigger led her over to the table, leaned in close and whispered, “Be good tonight. No looking at any man but me. Got it?”
He pinched her arm hard as if to drive home his words.
Nodding, Sofia suppressed a yelp. He swatted her on the butt and strode away.
“Have a seat,” Cara said, pushing out a chair with her foot.
“I’m so glad you came,” Belle added, her blue eyes twinkling.
“Me too,” Sofia said as she sat down on the chair.
“What would you like to drink?” the brown-haired waitress asked while handing Sofia a menu.
“Do you have blueberry vodka?” she asked in a soft voice. From her peripheral vision Sofia saw Tigger watching her.
“No, but we have lime, lemon, and cranberry.”
“I’ll just have a glass of the house white wine. Thanks.”
“Sure thing.” The waitress walked to the bar.
“I’ve never tried blueberry vodka,” Cherri said. “I wouldn’t think it’s that popular.”
Sofia smiled. “I love it, but I haven’t had it in a while.” Not since Wheelie brought it over when Tigger was on a poker run. That was the night we kissed. She blinked rapidly. You can’t let Tigger see you cry. I’m acting like a lovesick fool. But she couldn’t help it. It was like all the excitement in her had seeped out when she didn’t see Wheelie’s bike in the parking lot. I’m being so silly. The knowledge of it didn’t erase the letdown she was feeling at that moment. For the last several years, her life had become moments of fear … and loneliness so that it killed her just a little bit more every day, taking what had been her inner light and replacing it with a darkness that overshadowed most moments. When Wheelie had kissed her, a pinpoint prick of light emanated from the darkness shrouding her heart, and that’s what Sofia clung to.
“Are you going to get anything to eat?” Belle asked.
Sofia scanned the menu. “I think I’ll just have a dinner salad.”
“I wish I had your discipline,” Addie said, closing her menu.
“It’s not really discipline. I’m just not very hungry.” Sofia’s nerves were all in knots as they usually were whenever she went out in public with Tigger. Any little perceived indiscretion—real or not—could set him off, and she’d have hell to pay. She glanced over her shoulder and met his penetrating stare. Smiling softly, her insides quivered until the corners of his mouth twitched upward, and he turned around to talk with some of the brothers. Tigger’s not mad. It’s all good.
“Will you all help out if I order nachos?” Addie asked as the waitress approached.
Several of the women nodded, and Sofia giggled. “I’ll help you out with those. I love nachos. All of a sudden, my appetite has come back.”
Whoosh! A warm gust of wind blew around her as she heard Rags say, “Dude.”
“Hey,” a deep voice replied.
Sofia froze, excitement weaving through her. Wheelie! She’d know his voice anywhere. She glanced up just as the entry door closed and he walked in. At the table next to her, the women gasped, their gazes fixed on him. Sofia couldn’t blame them: The biker oozed sex in his black leather cut, gray muscle shirt, and blue jeans. His T-shirt molded ove
r a well-defined chest and a hard, flat stomach, and static charges jumped through her body as she stared at him. His dark hair had grown longer since she’d last seen him, and now it was almost down to his shoulders. How she wished she could run her fingers through it.
She held her breath when two sweeping dark brows above the most mesmerizing eyes she’d ever seen looked her way. They were gray, but not a dull, unremarkable gray like that of concrete or stone. They were the color of the ocean an instant before dawn’s first rays struck the water, and they were entirely focused on her. A tiny smile teased the corner of his full lips, then he turned away and swaggered over to Throttle and Rags.
“O.M.G! Did you see him? He’s so fucking hot,” one of the women at the next table said.
“I’d like to try him out,” her friend added.
“Don’t look now, Tiff, but he’s looking over here,” the woman said.
Sofia darted her eyes to the women and then to Wheelie; his gaze was not on the citizens, it was on her. A flush of heat rushed through her, and she picked up her glass of wine and sipped it, trying to cool down.
She saw Throttle say something to Wheelie, and his brows furrowed right before he broke eye contact with her. She glanced at Tigger, but he seemed oblivious to the exchange that had taken place between her and Wheelie. The old ladies did not. They smiled at her and chuckled.
“Wheelie sure has eyes for you,” Cara said as she brought a salsa laden chip to her mouth.
“According to Jax, he hasn’t been going out with any women, not even the club girls, in quite a while,” Cherri added.
“He’s such a sweetheart,” Belle said, picking up her margarita. “Whenever Banger needs something done, Wheelie’s always one of the first to volunteer. He’ll make a special woman very happy.”
“I’m not sure he’s into settling down,” Sofia said softly. “Tigger tells me that a lot of the Insurgents are commitment shy.”
“That doesn’t mean crap.” Cara picked up another chip. “Hawk had no intention of ever settling down, and here he is with a wife and two kids. They all think they don’t want it until a woman comes along and tells them they do.” The old ladies laughed.
“I couldn’t have said it better,” Addie said, raising her glass and clinking all the others.
“Just don’t rule Wheelie out,” Cara said softly.
Sofia felt the heat on her cheeks. “We’re just friends. I’m married.”
“That can always be fixed.” Cara glanced over at the men.
Belle laughed and gently tapped Cara’s upper arm. “You’re so bad.”
“Don’t let Hawk hear you talking like that,” Cherri said, motioning the waitress for another drink.
Sofia shifted in her chair. The conversation made her nervous because ever since she and Wheelie had kissed, she’d fantasized about what it would be like to be with him … to have Tigger out of her life. The thought terrified and scintillated her at the same time, and she knew imagining a life without her husband was dangerous.
“Leave Sofia alone,” Addie said, moving the plate of nachos toward her.
“What’s going on here?” Tigger asked, his hand grasping Sofia’s stiffening shoulder.
“Nothing,” she said in a barely audible voice.
“We’re just teasing her,” Cara said, fixing her gaze on Tigger’s.
“Really? What about?” Steeliness had crept into his voice. “Tell me.” He gripped Sofia’s shoulder harder.
Before she could answer, Belle laughed. “About how she’s having salad and we’re all pigging out. Your beautiful wife is putting us all to shame.”
Tigger’s hand relaxed and Sofia exhaled. “She’s a good girl. She knows what makes me happy.” The smugness in his voice made her want to throw up, and she held in a giggle when she saw the flashes of anger darting in all of the old ladies’ eyes.
“Tigger, get your ass over here. Banger’s showing pics of the bike he’s gonna buy. Hawk’s gonna customize the hell out of it,” Jax said.
Tigger jerked his head. “Ladies.” Then he leaned down and kissed Sofia’s cheek. “I’m glad you just ordered salad. You don’t want to look dowdy like Belle and Addie,” he whispered in her ear. He strode away just as the waitress came over with a large tray of food.
“That guy’s a looker too,” the woman at the next table said.
“I wonder if he’s in for a little fun. He’s been giving me the eye ever since he came in,” Tiff replied.
Sofia’s stomach churned and she stared down at the dinner salad swimming in creamy dressing. Grabbing her purse with one hand, she pushed away from the table with the other one. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.” She started to walk over to Tigger but he was too engrossed in Harley talk, so she walked toward the bathrooms.
When she’d finished drying her hands, she ran a cold, damp paper towel over the back of her neck and her throat; the coolness felt good against her heated skin. Sofia reapplied her lipstick, fluffed her hair, then walked into the hallway.
“Hi, Sofia,” Wheelie said as he leaned against the wall, his eyes raking boldly over her body. “You’re looking good.”
Tingles skittered down her back. “Hi, and … uh, thanks.” She glanced down the hall.
“Tigger’s preoccupied with Banger’s Harley.”
Sofia nervously giggled as she played with her purse strap. “He’s still talking about getting a new one.”
“How’ve you been?”
“Good. You?”
“Is he treating you okay?”
She looked down at the floor. “It’s been fine, especially since Banger made the family outings mandatory. For me, that’s helped a lot.” Sofia wrapped the purse strap around her wrist.
“Am I making you nervous?”
“No. Why?” Sofia’s heart fluttered in her throat as Wheelie’s hand reached out and pulled the strap from her grip. Goosebumps sped across her skin from his touch.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, leaning back against the wall again.
“Then why have you been avoiding me?” Sofia shook her head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you that. I know why.”
“Do you?” He reached out and laced his fingers through hers.
“I have to go.” Sofia pulled away. “Tigger will come looking for me.”
Wheelie tugged her to him and tilted her head back then pressed his lips gently on hers. “I really have missed you,” he said against her mouth. “More than you can fuckin’ imagine.” Then he pushed her back at arm’s length and walked down the hall.
Sofia watched him disappear into the room as she touched her lips where his kiss still lingered. This thing that was going on between them was dangerous, but at that moment, she didn’t care. Wheelie had captured her attention and she couldn’t help but gravitate toward him. He made her feel like a desirable woman again.
How can I just walk away? She ran her hand over her sweaty face. How can I not? Wheelie was the magnet pulling her to him, and she was tired of resisting. She wanted him more than anything in her life.
“What’re you doing in the hallway?” Tigger asked as he came up to her.
His presence was like a bucket of cold water dousing her. “I just got out of the bathroom. I’m not feeling so well.”
“I’m not ready to go home.” His words were sharp like jagged glass.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Next time you need to go anywhere, you let me know.” His fingers dug into her skin so hard that she knew there’d be bruises the following day. “Did any man try and talk to you?”
Bile rose in her throat. Does he know Wheelie came this way? Is he checking to see if I’m going to lie? Sucking in her breath, she shook her head no, only releasing it when he guided her back to the table.
When she peeked over at the bar, she saw the woman named Tiff laughing and brushing her hand over Wheelie’s forearm, and her stomach twisted again.
“Are you okay?” Cherri asked. “You don’t
look so good.”
Belle handed her a glass of water, and Sofia grasped it in her hands and took a few gulps. I’m losing it and acting like a fool. I’m a married woman. Wheelie’s single. End of fucking story.
“Feel better?” Belle asked.
“Much. Thanks.” She speared a tomato with her fork and popped it in her mouth, refusing to turn around again. I’m making more out of this thing with Wheelie than I should. He’s just flirting with me like he does with all the women. It doesn’t mean anything. If I keep this up, I’ll end up looking like a stupid ass.
Brushing her hair over her shoulder, Sofia broke her resolve and glanced over at the bar again. The woman was gone and Wheelie reclined against the counter, pinning her with his heated gaze. The look sent a bolt of fire between her legs.
“How’s your salad?” Cara’s voice broke the intensity of the moment Sofia and Wheelie shared, and she dragged her eyes away from him.
“It’s good.” From her peripheral vision she saw Tigger looking at her. Cara probably just saved my ass. Sofia smiled at her. “It’s very good. Thanks.”
“Anytime,” Cara said as she picked up the wine glass.
Sofia was doomed. As much as she wanted to play the good wife, she knew Wheelie had invaded not only her thoughts, but her life, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. All she knew was that he had brought excitement back into her life.
And like an addict, she craved her next fix.
Chapter Two
Seeing Tigger’s arm wrapped so possessively around Sofia as they walked across the parking lot made Wheelie’s nostrils flare with something he refused to call jealousy. Pushing the emotion out of his mind, he nodded his head at Sofia as she looked quickly over her shoulder before climbing into the SUV.
Wheelie fixed his eyes on the street long after the white car disappeared into the horizon. He hadn’t planned on coming that night. He’d been purposely staying away from family nights since Banger had made them mandatory for all old ladies. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see Sofia—hell, he couldn’t get her out of his mind—it was just that he didn’t see any point in torturing either of them. Sofia was taken by another brother, and as much as he hated that, he had to respect it. Getting involved with a brother’s old lady was off-limits and cause for getting a member’s ass thrown out of the Insurgents … something he didn’t want to happen. The brotherhood was his life; it was the blood in his veins. Banger, Hawk, Throttle, Rags, Bear, and all the other members had been with him every step of the way when Kendra had been murdered by her fucking husband. If it hadn’t been for their unflinching support, he would’ve drowned in his rage and sorrow.