BAD BOY ROMANCE: DIESEL: Contemporary Bad Boy Biker MC Romance (Box Set) (New Adult Sports Romance Short Stories Boxset)

by Parker, Kylee

  “You know how I feel about you associating with him and how your family feels.” He had stood up while her eyes were closed and gotten really close so that his warm breath grazed her face. It was unnerving. “But if I am still in the running, I guess that’s better than what I thought before.” Kim opened her eyes to see a small smile spread across his face before he reached down to grab his phone. “I’m texting you his phone number but please don’t tell him where you got it. Things aren’t great with the family as it is.”

  Kim nodded and walked around him and back into the house. She had a phone call to make. She took the stairs two at a time, feeling her heart racing at the thought of possibly talking to Diesel. She was both excited about hearing his voice and nervous about what he might say. The possibility he could still reject her was very real. Just because she would have Spencer to fall back on didn’t mean it wouldn’t sting.

  She dialed the number on her phone just as she shut the door to the room she was staying in. She could faintly hear the children’s voices coming from the den drifting through the cracks in her door. After several rings she was ready to hang up, assuming he wasn’t going to answer, but then she heard his deep voice. “Hello?” Kim had to remind herself to speak as her mouth got dry with the nerves she was feeling. “Who is this?” he asked as her silence continued.

  “Umm, it’s Kim.” She felt like she was twisting her tongue in knots as she stumbled over the words.

  “Kim?” He sounded confused. Did he not remember her? How embarrassing was that? “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m kind of surprised to hear from you.” Oh good, so he did remember her, at least. “A lot has happened, and I wasn’t sure if you even cared to talk to me again.” The conversation was not going like Kim had planned at all, and she had to stop it in its tracks.

  “Wait. I called for a reason, and I don’t think this conversation is going in the right direction. There are some things I need to know, and while Spencer cleared a few things up for me, I want your side of things and definitely wonder about you were going to tell me about Spencer.” Her cheeks burned remembering her boldness that night; how she’d just gone ahead and kissed him.

  “Look, I don’t want to put you in an awkward position, Kim. I know what your family thinks of me and that you’ve known Spencer most of your life. You don’t need to get stuck in our troubles with each other. I’m sure your judgment is just fine. I just felt like I needed you to know that he’s just not some innocent bystander in everything that goes on at the MC like he would like everyone to believe. I’m not one to talk, but that was it too; I wanted to speak up for my own self instead of you hearing things about me from others.” Kim felt he was being completely sincere, unlike Spencer.

  “Well, that’s why I wanted to be fair. Thank you for sharing that with me,” Kim said softly. “I would have asked in person, but my grandfather is kind of treating me like a child and made me go to Chicago with him for a family thing. And just so you know, I’m sorry about what I did, jumping on you like that. I had no right. I don’t know where my head was at.”

  “I’m not sorry.”

  Chapter 3

  The site of her home was a welcome one as the cab that held her, her grandfather and Spencer pulled up to it. Dealing with the extended family along with Spencer for almost a week had been emotionally and mentally draining to say the least, and she was ready to get the chance to relax and get back to being herself. Part of her realized that a piece of that would involve making a clear decision about Spencer and Diesel. And the truth was she felt like she had known her choice the whole time and just hadn’t allowed herself to make it clear to herself or to the men in her life.

  Kim had been doing nothing but thinking and worrying the whole way back home, but now that she was home she was certain that her decision hadn’t changed. That was the only clarity being away for a few days gave her. She watched as Spencer sat her grandfather’s bags down as well as hers and stood around awkwardly. It was like he knew that the decision was coming soon. Her grandfather, however, was clearly still avoiding her. He walked through the room and didn’t even look at her. It was time for her to be honest.

  “I think that we need to talk,” she said suddenly, causing both men to pause in their tracks. Spencer looked at her in anticipation while her grandfather just looked exasperated with her. Deep down she knew as much as she hated the idea she was going to have to find a way to get a job and move out before they ruined their relationship forever. “I have heard everything the both of you have said and taken it with a grain of salt, and the same can be said for anything anyone ha said on the subject. The truth is, though, that this is my life and my decision. I can’t let anyone push me one way or the other because it would be doing more than just myself a disservice. Who I fall for is ultimately not up to you, Papa, but I am so happy that you care for me enough to try and protect me. However, you are both trying to protect me from something that is inevitable; being involved with the MC.”

  Kim paused and saw her grandfather staring at the floor and bracing himself on the back of the couch. She couldn’t read his mood, and she didn’t dare look at Spencer. He would certainly convince her to stop, which was something she couldn’t afford to do. “You are both involved and have been in my life forever and will continue to be, or at least I hope you will. You are both involved in my life and in the MC. So, that was never a sound argument against anything. What matters is what I feel inside, and Spencer…” Kim trailed off and turned to look at him, taking a deep breath. She was almost certain tears were beginning to form in her eyes because of what she was about to do.

  Wanting that closeness to him that she might be missing for a while, she closed the distance between them and grabbed his hands, voice cracking as she continued. “You have been there for me all my life, and I never would have asked for anything different. In fact, I’d still love you to be there because I really do love you. You are handsome and so sweet and considerate, I am certain that any heartbreak you get from me will be wiped away the moment you meet a beautiful girl and sweep her off her feet. But the truth is, you deserve better than someone who has to try to fall in love with you. You need someone who is already there; who wants to kiss you every time she sees you and finds it hard to control her emotions around you. That is what I wish for you and cannot give you. And I am so sorry because I know that you would have been great to me.” Her hands and lips were trembling, and she was sure she detected a hint of tears building in Spencer’s eyes as well.

  “I understand if you never want to see me or talk to me again,” she finished, searching his face for any sign of him being able to forgive her. She felt like she had spent so much time leading him on, and the guilt felt like bricks laying on her chest. Without any answer from Spencer, she dared to lean in and wrap her arms around him in a tight embrace, and to her relief he returned the hug. She could hear the tears in his voice as he whispered to her.

  “I wish I understood why I’m not enough for you but he is. If there’s ever a day that you realize you made a mistake, I don’t want you to feel like you can’t come to me. That’s why I’m going to take some time to grieve you and then come back to being your best friend. That’s what love is.” Spencer pulled back from the hug and kissed her lightly on the cheek; a kiss she heartedly returned.

  They both turned to look at Don who was red in the face like usual when it came to that subject. “She tried; you have to let it go now. She’ll be fine, and she’ll learn one way or the other,

  Spencer told her grandfather, trying to diffuse the situation. Though, Kim swore she heard a bit of a threat in there. Her grandfather nodded and left the room, and Spencer gave her one last look before slinking out the front door.

  Left alone in the silence of the living room that hadn’t been lived in for the past week, she had to confront what just happened. The pain was almost overwhelming, and her future seemed so up in the air. However, she knew that she had done the right thing by being honest before things
got any worse between them. She wasn’t about to bulldoze a friendship because she couldn’t let Spencer down easy.

  She began to pace back and forth, wondering what her next step might be. She hadn’t really thought the rest of it through. She knew what her choice was, but would it even matter? She pulled out her phone and ran through the contacts, landing on the one she was looking for. They hadn’t really talked since that night on the phone other than quick check-ins about how each other were doing. It was kind of lame really, but she was looking to change that.

  Kim dialed the number feeling like there was nothing else left to lose. “Hello?” Diesel had picked up right away that time. Maybe that was a good sign.

  “Hey, Diesel, it’s Kim. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time, but I kind of had one more question for you.” Kim heard her own voice and felt annoyed with herself she was so terrible at flirting.

  “And what’s that, Kim?” She loved the way he said her name, and she closed her eyes and enjoyed it for one short moment.

  “I was actually wondering where you were right now so that we could talk.” How desperate and strange did that sound?

  “I’m actually at my house,” he replied, making her mood drop. Of course he was, and no way was he going to invite her crazy self over there. He probably thought if she knew where he lived, she’d stalk him or something. Kim was about to cut her losses and hang up when he spoke again. “Would it be possible for you to come here? I don’t get to just hang here and relax often, and I’m kind of set on it.” He chuckled little into the phone, making her feel slightly more secure about the situation.

  “Sure,” she answered maybe a little bit too quickly. “Just give me the address and I’ll be over there in just a bit.” Kim placed the phone on speaker to type the address he was spouting off into her GPS before politely thanking him and hanging up. She ran straight to her closet, suddenly concerned about what she might wear. She knew that she couldn’t get away with chilling with Diesel in her pajamas or sweats. She had to make an effort; especially considering she was about to clue him in on her feelings for him and try to convince him to feel the same way.

  As she looked through her closet, she realized she didn’t need to look like she was trying too hard either, so she figured casual on top and sexy on bottom would be the best for the occasion. She pulled on a pair of black, torn up shorts and a belt with a pirate skull belt buckle over some old fishnets before placing a large flannel shirt over the vintage band tee she was already wearing. She finished it all off by redoing the eyeliner that she'd been wearing for the past 24 hours and her most comfortable pair of boots.

  She grabbed the keys to the old clunker and practically ran out the door before her grandfather could get an idea of what she was doing. She was not in the mood to deal with that sort of confrontation at the moment. She needed to lift her spirits, and what better way was there than finally partaking in what her mind and heart had wanted for a while now?

  Miraculously, as always, the old car rumbled to life, vibrating her body as she pulled out of the garage and out onto the road. She felt so on edge as she drove towards the address she had plugged into her GPS. There was still the chance of being rejected after everything she had just put herself and her family through, and it was quite unsettling.

  Finally, she pulled up to his small but nice home, feeling impressed but a little confused about how normal it looked. Kim had been half expecting to find him living at a bar or in some old industrial building he’d renovated. In reality, he just lived in a typical urban building.

  As she climbed out of the car, she smoothed her clothes back into place and attempted to calm herself to no avail. Her long hair blew back from her face as she approached his door and gave it a double knock.

  Kim could hear the television blasting from inside and hoped he would hear her knocks. But sure enough, she heard the sound of it being muted and feet shuffling along tile just before the door clicked to signify someone unlocking it.

  Diesel swung the door open and gestured for her to come in, but Kim felt like she had to walk through a field of molasses just to get there. he looked completely unlike the man she was used to seeing at the MC's hangout. His hair was wet and lying flat on top of his head, and it looked like he had missed a shave or two. He had on a tight tee shirt that showed off many of his tattoos as well as a pair of loose shorts that allowed her to see that he had tattoos encircling his ankles as well. He really did resemble a piece of art. She was certain women would pay a pretty penny to take a look at him in a museum.

  Kim smiled nervously at the thought as she stood there awkwardly, wondering just how to go about telling Diesel she had chosen him. She bit her bottom lip and fidgeted. Diesel apparently noticed because he gave her a quizzical look before smirking at her in amusement. he so knew what looking at him did to her. how could he be so cruel as to tease her that way? "So, what brings you to my humble abode?" he asked, his eyebrow twitching upwards at her.

  Kim was relieved when they both stayed standing because she knew if she sat down and got comfortable that the evening would begin and end in small talk.

  "Actually, we all just got back from Chicago not too long ago."

  "Well, it was so nice of you to think of me so quickly. Then again, I'm sure you've already had your chance to see Spencer." The words came out sounding bitter, and Kim felt uncomfortable with him even being brought up after what she'd just had to do to him. "I'm sorry. that was uncalled for," Diesel apologized.

  "Actually, you're right about me seeing Spencer first, but that was mostly because he came home with us. It was easier to tell him first." Kim suddenly felt that pull he often had, like a string connecting the two of them getting shorter as his eyes met her and sparkled with a question.

  "And how did you tell him you felt?" It was the first hint of true vulnerability he’d felt on since she had met him, and she wasn’t about to prolong the moment any ore. She took several steps closer so that they were only about a foot apart.

  "That he was my best friend and I didn’t want to lose that. He deserved better than me because I couldn’t feel about him the way I feel about..." Kim trailed off, not needing to finish the statement. As their eyes locked again, she knew that he knew what she meant. he instantly closed the distance between them and placed his lips desperately on hers. His hand held her head to him, not letting her go. She knew instantly that the whole time he must have felt the same about her. he had just been better at hiding it.

  "I will do everything in my power to try and make you not regret this," he whispered as he pulled away slowly, still keeping a close distance. Kim smiled happily, knowing that there had never been any other choice for her.

  Chapter 4

  Diesel sat parked in front of an empty house for sale a few doors down from where Kim lived with her grandfather. He didn’t dare get close enough to the door to cause trouble since she was already at war with her own family over him. He appreciated it but still couldn’t understand why. In a way, Spencer and Don were probably right about him not being good enough for her. But he wasn't about to send her back into Spencer's incapable arms either.

  He heard her voice and the slamming of the door before her saw her form coming from where the bushes at the front of the house hid her.

  Diesel couldn’t keep from smiling at the sight of her; mostly because she had actually put some effort into how she looked for their first date. He had gotten the impression that she was not the type of girl to dress up or be girly, but there she was in a low cut black top that was partially mesh and a pair of perfectly pressed skinny jeans. She was even rocking some studded black heels. He chuckled to himself, thinking about the date they were about to have and wondered if he should have warned her to wear more practical shoes, but then he wouldn’t have gotten the pleasure of seeing her strut to him in them.

  He whistled at her playfully, and she rolled her eyes. Though, he saw a hint of a smirk forming on her lips before she climbed onto the back of his bike.
It was a strange feeling to have a woman on the back of his bike again. It had been so long since his ex-wife had been on it with him since she had insisted on her own after a while as a member of The Shadows. “So, are you ready for this?” he asked as he watched her turned her head each way as if looking for something.

  “Sure, but don’t we need helmets or something?” she asked sheepishly, and he realized that her only experience in a bike would have been with Spencer. He chuckled a bit as he looked back at her.

  “Babe, I don’t ever plan on putting you in enough danger to need a helmet. I’ve been driving this thing since I was 15. Plus, I wouldn’t want to cover up those eyes for anything.” He nodded at her as he saw a blush forming on her face. Kim wrapped her arms around his waist firmly, making a chill run through his body. Was he really ready for feelings like that again?

  “Alright then, let’s get going before my grandfather comes out here and causes a scene,” she told him, hanging on even tighter. She must not have had a very good experience on a motorcycle at all yet. Diesel smiled to himself and revved the engine, ready to follow his plan to give her a stress free and fun first date. They took off down the street smoothly, and he made sure to be thrillingly fast but careful about the way he was driving. He wasn’t about to scare her. He wanted everything to be just right.

  He watched everything fly by as he headed into a rougher area of town. He hoped that it wouldn’t turn her off watching the medium-sized houses turn into trailers that were bunched together and smelled a bit of smoke and sewage as they passed by. Diesel knew it wasn’t the most attractive place, but it held a special place in his heart for many reasons. Most of the people that lived in the area weren’t as scary as people assumed, just a little lost and maybe not as clean or employed as the rest of Montreal. There were some gems there, though; gems that had kept him going when he was young and lost himself.