“Ah…um…”
“Seven. I’ll pick you up.”
“You don’t know where I live.”
He grinned. “I do, actually, but if you want me to pretend I don’t, I will.”
“Yes, please pretend you didn’t find my unlisted address.”
“Okay, Dimples. How about you give me your phone and I’ll send myself a text, then you can tell me where you live, and I’ll pretend to GPS it?”
Oh my god, I’m pretty sure my panties melted off the second he called me ‘dimples,’ but I was grateful he’d given me the nickname before he saw my butt.
I swallowed a few times before I said, “Or, you could give me your phone and I’ll decide whether or not I’m going to share that much information with you.”
He grinned, handing over his phone. “Would now be a bad time to tell you I already have your number?”
“You do not.”
“I do.”
I scrolled through his contacts and found my number, biting my lip, unsure how to feel about this nugget of information. I looked up at him. “Why haven’t you used it?”
He smiled gently. “Didn’t wanna freak you out.”
“You couldn’t freak me out if you tried,” I blurted.
“Seven,” he said again.
I sighed. “Can we make it seven-thirty?”
“Yeah, Dimples, we can do that.”
“Can I meet you somewhere?”
“No.”
I swallowed. “I…I can’t get on your bike, Sundance.”
“How come?”
“Oh, maybe because I’m scared to death of them,” I admitted.
He smiled again. “I’ll bring my truck.”
“You have a truck?”
“A nice big, safe one,” he retorted.
I relaxed. “Oh, okay, good.”
He reached out and stroked my cheek gently. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I bobbed my head up and down but couldn’t really speak, considering his touch made me all melty. He walked away and threw his long leg over his bike, taking off and giving me a chin lift as he passed. I was still stuck to the sidewalk…you know, because I melted and all.
“Shit,” I whispered.
What the hell was I supposed to do now?
Wyatt
MY PHONE BUZZED at seven twenty-nine, and I snagged it off my kitchen island as I zipped up a boot.
Sundance: Downstairs. Your doorman won’t let me up. I like him.
Me: Be right down.
I smiled, my heart fluttering with excitement, grabbed my purse, and with one quick look in the mirror by the door (and a boob fluff), I made my way to the elevators.
As the car took me down, I laid my hand over my belly to calm the butterflies, then stepped into the lobby once the doors opened.
And there was Sundance in all his glory. Dark jeans, a tight white T-shirt, and a black leather vest with patches on it. He wore black motorcycle boots, a cuff on his wrist, and I saw a chain on his belt loop, which I assumed was attached to his wallet.
“Am I overdressed?” I asked.
He grinned, his eyes raking over me. “No, baby, you look great.”
I wore a black, herringbone pencil skirt with knee-high black boots and a slouchy black sweater that exposed my shoulders.
“Am I adding Sundance to your approved visitors, Ms. Bates?” Gio, the night watchman, asked.
I raised an eyebrow at Sundance and cocked my head. “I haven’t decided yet, Gio. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Very good,” he said, and Sundance smiled, holding his hand out to me.
I took it and he led me outside where a shiny, black Ford F350 was waiting at the curb. “You weren’t kidding,” I said.
“About?”
“A big, safe truck.”
“Yeah.” Pulling open the passenger door, he chuckled. “Your chariot awaits.”
He helped me climb inside, then closed the door and I secured my seatbelt while he made his way to the driver’s side.
“Where are we going?” I asked once he started the truck.
“Surprise.”
Shit, I hated surprises.
I forced a smile. “Great.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry, Dimples, you’ll love it.”
“Sorry.” I bit my lip. “I really need to teach my face to ignore what my brain says.”
“It’s all good. Trust me.”
Less than ten minutes later, we pulled up to Blue Door Gallery, a local art gallery that showcased all manner of art including painting, photography, and sculpture.
I gasped. “You like art?”
He smiled. “A friend’s showcasing her photography tonight and I promised I’d come.”
Her photography.
“Do you like art, Dimples?”
I bit back the feeling of jealousy and nodded. “Sure.”
“We just need to make an appearance, then we’ll go eat.”
“No, it’s good,” I rushed to say. “We can stay as long as you like.”
He climbed out of the truck, made his way to my side, and helped me down, then took my hand and led me into the building.
I’d been here once. It was a really cute little space with lots of low walls and open hallways to showcase whatever needed to be showcased.
And the photos on the walls right now were spectacular. “Wow,” I whispered as we walked further into the room.
“Sundance! You came!” a feminine voice squeaked, and a flurry of raven hair trailed behind the gorgeous young woman who rushed over to us.
“Hey, Arianna.” He accepted her hug which meant he had to let go of my hand, and I fussed with the strap on my bag, securing it better on my shoulder, just to have something to do with my hands.
Good lord, the woman looked nine.
“I can’t believe you came,” she breathed out.
“Told you I would.”
She smiled and her smile lit up the room. I could see why he liked her. She turned to me and held out her hand. “I’m Arianna.”
“Wyatt.”
“Oh my god, that’s such a great name.”
“Thanks.”
“Come and meet Len,” she said.
Sundance wrapped an arm around my waist, leaning down to whisper, “Arianna’s boyfriend.”
“Oh.”
He chuckled. “You can stow the jealousy, Dimples. Ari’s the same age as my daughter and I don’t play in the kiddie pool.”
“I’m not jealous,” I lied.
He gave me a squeeze, then guided me to where Arianna’s boyfriend was standing with an older couple who I guessed were Arianna’s parents. She looked exactly like her mother.
Her father eyed Sundance a little more judgmentally than I liked, but Arianna’s enthusiasm seemed to smooth over any disapproval as she introduced us to her family and boyfriend.
“Oh, this is the man—” her mother started.
“Sorry, Mom, I need to show Sundance a couple of these pictures,” Arianna interrupted. “This way.”
“It was nice to meet you,” I said as Sundance took my hand again and followed Arianna.
An hour later, Sundance had had enough. “You hungry?”
“Very,” I admitted.
“Let’s go.”
We said goodbye to Arianna, then made our escape, heading out of Monument and into Colorado Springs to a hole in the wall Mexican place I’d never heard of before. Actually, less of a hole in the wall and more of a food truck built into the side of a building.
“Tacos good?” Sundance asked as he parked.
“Tacos are perfect,” I breathed out. “I’m starving.”
He grinned and got out of the truck, walking to my side and helping me down, once again taking my hand as we walked to the window.
I couldn’t remember a time when holding a man’s hand made me this giddy. Silly, really, but I liked him. I mean, I hardly knew him, but what I’d seen so far impressed me. He loved his kids like crazy, took chemo l
ike a freakin’ champ, and looked like something out of a biker fashion magazine. Plus, I kind of wanted to follow the veins in his arms with my tongue. Just to see where they led. Mostly because I knew they’d lead to delicious places.
“What do you want?”
“All of it,” I retorted, and he grinned.
“Got any food allergies?”
“Just cilantro.”
“You’re allergic to cilantro?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’m allergic to eating anything that tastes like soap.”
“Got it.” He laughed. “Trust me to order for you?”
“Wow me, big man,” I quipped.
He guided me to one of the tables and waited for me to sit down before heading to the window to order.
I took a second to pull my phone out and check my messages, finding a voicemail from Dr. Hilliard. Glancing over at Sundance, he was still in line, so I listened to the message.
“Hi, Wyatt, it’s Dr. Hilliard. Sorry to bother you on a Friday night, but we’re having some issues with Teddy and I really think it would be best if you could come down here at your earliest convenience to discuss them. Give me a call when you get this and we can set up a time.
Oh my god! What kind of issues?
I dialed his number immediately and he answered after one ring.
“Hey, Wyatt.”
“Hi. What’s going on?”
“This could have waited until tomorrow.”
“You didn’t say it could wait until tomorrow,” I pointed out. “So, what the heck’s going on?”
He sighed. “Teddy has been taking his underwear and leaving them hanging on a few of the girls’ doorknobs. He’s also expressing himself in a more overtly sexual way than he has before. It’s all very normal and manageable, but as his guardian, you should be aware.”
“How is leaving his underwear on doorknobs normal and manageable?” I whispered.
Dr. Hilliard chuckled. “It’s his way of letting these young women know he’s interested. No one has complained, let me be clear, but we are talking to him about the appropriate way to treat a woman and giving him some coping skills to deal with his adult urges.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. Never did I ever think I’d have to be hearing about my older brother’s ‘urges.’ Adult or otherwise.
“You still there?”
“Yes, yes, I’m here,” I said. “Sorry, I… just…”
“It’s a lot,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “You’re taking on the role of a parent and it can be overwhelming.”
“You’re telling me,” I breathed out.
“Babe, what’s wrong?” Sundance asked, and I looked up at him.
I shook my head and pointed to the phone. “I can come by tonight if you need me to.”
“He’s asleep, so all the drama is over for the moment.”
“Tomorrow, then.”
“That’ll work. I’ll be checking in on patients around eleven. If you want to come at ten-thirty, we can chat with Teddy and go from there.”
“Sure. That’s fine.”
“Okay, Wyatt. Don’t worry about him. He’s good. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Dr. Hilliard.”
He hung up and I threw my phone into my purse with a groan.
“What’s goin’ on?” Sundance asked.
“Nothing.”
“I don’t play that game, Wyatt,” he warned, setting food on the table and sitting across from me. “What the fuck’s wrong?”
I dropped my face in my hands and shook my head.
He tugged on one of my arms. “Dimples, talk to me.”
“It’s Teddy.”
“Everything okay?”
“Oh, I don’t know. He’s taking his Underoos off and hooking them on girls’ doorknobs hoping they’ll have sex with him.”
“No shit?”
“No shit,” I breathed out.
“He wears Underoos?”
“That’s what you took from that?” I asked, grabbing a chip, scooping out a huge blob of guacamole, and shoving it in my mouth.
“Well, I’d be more concerned about him wearing underwear with superheroes on them than him lookin’ to get laid.”
“Of course you would.”
He smiled gently. “He’s a grown man.”
“I know that logically, but he’s a child mentally and I guess I just never expected to be dealing with this.”
“Is he at Meteor House full time?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Meteor House had been started by a very sweet Mennonite woman, Dorothy Epp, back in the seventies. Her daughter had special needs and she found she had no support, so, she created some. It was now a long-term living facility for adults of all challenge levels, and I know my parents had felt it was a godsend. I’d met Dorothy right before she died about ten years ago, and she was one of the most genuine people I’d ever encountered.
“Since when?” Sundance asked.
“Since my mom died. Dad just couldn’t cope, and she knew he wouldn’t be able to, so she made provisions. Well, enough money so I could provide the provisions.” I sighed. “It’s a great place. I just, I don’t know… everything he needs… it’s just over my head sometimes.”
“Bring him to the club. I’ll get him laid.”
“Don’t be disgusting.”
Sundance raised an eyebrow. “Getting laid is disgusting?”
I met his eyes. “I am never bringing my brother to your club, so just drop it.”
“What’s wrong with my club?”
“I’m sure it’s fine,” I ground out. “But it would not be appropriate for my brother for obvious reasons.”
“And what would those reasons be exactly?”
“You’ll treat him like a sexual pinata for your own amusement.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“You’ll get him all liquored up and lock him in a closet with some whore who will do god knows what and traumatize him for life.”
“Jesus Christ, you have a very vivid imagination,” he accused.
“I’ve watched those biker shows on cable. And the only thing you need to imagine is what I’ll do to you if you hurt, humiliate, or haze my brother for your own personal amusement.”
He threw his napkin on the table. “This date’s fuckin’ over.”
“What?”
“Look, I understand you protecting your brother. But if you think for one second, me or any member of my club, would use anyone, let alone anyone with your brother’s needs, just to get their rocks off, I’ve either failed to show you what we’re about, or you’re just a bitch.”
“Wow.” I rose to my feet and grabbed my purse. “Okay, that is not helpful.”
“It wasn’t meant to be. I was trying to be helpful earlier, but you rejected my offer.”
“By offering to pimp out some woman to pleasure my brother.”
“I’m no pimp, and the woman would be willing, believe me,” he growled.
I let out a snort of disgust. “I’m calling a car.”
“Knock yourself out.”
I pulled my phone out and ordered a car, forced to sit there for six full minutes before it arrived.
Wyatt
THE NEXT MORNING, I headed to Meteor House, planning on dropping in on a yoga class afterwards. I needed to namaste the fuck away from any and all men right now, so my strictly female yoga class was just the ticket. Walking into the building, I found Dr. Hilliard waiting for me.
“Am I late?” I asked.
“No, I’m early,” he said, smiling. “How did you sleep?”
“What’s ‘sleep’?”
He grimaced. “Sorry.”
“How is he?”
“He’s great.” Squeezing my shoulder, he leaned down slightly. “You have nothing to worry about. He’s fine.”
I let out a deep breath and nodded.
“Come on. He’s in the day room.”
I followed Dr. Hilliard back an
d Teddy was sitting at a table with a very cute woman about my age eating an apple.
He caught sight of me and pushed his chair back. “Riot!”
“Hey, Teddy Bear,” I said, wrapping my arms around him as he pulled me in for a hug. “Who’s your friend?”
“Sarah. She’s my girlfriend.”
Apparently, the underwear on the door worked. I looked up at him. “Well, that sounds very serious.”
“I’m gonna marry her.”
I smiled. “How exciting.”
“Can we see the bike now?”
“No, buddy, not today. I just wanted to come by and say hi. I’m still going to pick you up for dinner later, though.”
“Okay, Riot. I’ll stay here.”
“I’ll be back before you know it.”
That promise fell on deaf ears, as Teddy had left me for Sarah, and they were laughing about something secret. I let myself relax, finally, and Dr. Hilliard walked me out.
“We’re monitoring that,” he promised.
“Please don’t let him get her pregnant,” I whispered.
He chuckled. “We won’t.”
“Or get an STD.”
“Wyatt, it’s all under control,” he assured me. “I’ll call you if anything changes.”
“How are his night terrors?”
Teddy had had them since he was little and the doctors had been controlling them with sleeping medication, but I was trying to find an alternative because I hated him being dosed whenever he had a panic attack or an ‘outburst.’
“So far so good. If we have to increase his dose, I’ll let you know.”
“I don’t want his dose increased. We need to find some kind of alternative.”
“And you’re well within your right to make that decision. He’s holding steady for the moment, so we have some time.”
I nodded. “Okay, I’ll be back at six to pick him up.”
“I won’t be here, but you guys have fun.”
“We will.”
“Hey, before you go…”
I faced him again. “Yes?”
“I hope you don’t think this is too forward, but are you seeing anyone?”
Sundance’s gorgeous face flooded my mind. “No. Why?”
“I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me sometime.”
I bit my lip. “A date?”
“Yes. Maybe next Friday night?”
“That actually sounds really lovely.”
Primal Need (Primal Howlers MC Book 2) Page 4