by Kay Marie
“You heard what Pops said. If I’m not going to waste my life away at college, then I’m no longer welcome here,” I remind her.
“He didn’t mean it, Bub. He’s upset you don’t want to follow in his footsteps,” she says. “He only wants the best for you. For us.”
“More like he’s upset I won’t be his little puppet,” I mumble to myself.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” I shake my head.
I’ve shielded my baby sister from the asshole our father really is for years now. Pops adores her, and her, him. I can only hope that doesn’t change when I’m gone. As soon as Pops found out I didn’t want to be a miserable fuck like him for the rest of my life, he lost his shit.
Luckily, Wren was at a friend's house when he showed me just how pissed he was. Drunk like he always is, he unleashed hell on me. He’s a high functioning alcoholic. It can be tough determining if he’s drunk or not, but I’ve learned the signs well.
He’s also gotten good about causing damage where it won’t show. When Mom or Wren would see the bruises on my face, I would lie and tell them I was in a fight at school. Pops got tired of Mom fussing over me and got smarter about it.
I got through high school, thanks to Mr. Lancaster. He owned a local auto garage, and I would stop by on my walk home from school every day. He didn’t always have much for me to do, but he always made time to teach me something new. It was like he could sense I needed a positive male role model and a safe place to spend time. That started when I was fourteen. My love for cars grew from there.
Mr. Lancaster passed away last year. He had no family, but Wren and I treated him as if he were ours. I would guess that’s why he left us each twenty thousand dollars in his Will. Wren won’t have access to hers until she turns eighteen. It was also noted that our parents couldn’t touch it or have any say in what we do with it.
Mr. Lancaster only asked that we use it for college or in my case, a trade school. He and I talked a lot about what I would do once I graduated. He helped me choose where I would go and everything. I was upfront with Mom about the money, but I never told Pops. Wren didn’t either. I told her she could always just tell him that she earned a scholarship. She’s a fucking smart girl.
Me, on the other hand, I graduated with decent grades, but I struggle with school. Cars I know like the back of my hand, so it was really no question what I would do after graduation.
I’ll be leaving Colorado in a few short days to move to sunny Arizona. Mr. Lancaster helped me find a good auto mechanic trade school that piqued my interest. Not only will I be doing something I love, but I’ll also be hundreds of miles away from my piece of shit father.
“Wren, promise me something,” I say to her.
She glances up at me. “What, Bubba?”
I move so I’m standing in front of her. “If you or Mom needs anything, call me,” I tell her. If he turns his anger to them, I will let hell break loose on him. “I will come home in a heartbeat if either of you needs me.”
“Okay,” she replies.
“I mean it, Wren.”
“I know, I promise,” she says. “Do you even have a place to go?”
“Yeah, I have it all planned out.” A smile spreads across my face. “I found a guy looking for some roommates. Turns out, he’s into cars too, and the parts store he works for is hiring.”
“You do have it planned out. I’m proud of you, Bub,” she says, smiling, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Come here.” She stands, and I wrap her in a hug. “I’m gonna miss you.”
“I’m gonna miss you, too,” she replies.
A couple of days later, I pack up my car and say my goodbyes to Mom and Wren with the promise to keep in touch. Pops is nowhere in sight, and I’m not the least bit sad. I leave before he shows up and before I catch Mom and Wren crying.
Chapter One
Shade
6 years later
Walking into Bluez Lounge, it’s nothing you’d expect a lounge to be. It’s more like a dive bar, but with a huge dance floor in the middle. The bar lines the wall directly across from the front door. There are tables on either side of the dance floor, as well. It’s a Saturday night and the place is packed.
“Look at all the hunnies,” Maverick shouts above the music. We all make our way over to the bar. There aren’t any open chairs, so we stand where we can and wait our turn. While waiting, I let my eyes drift over the crowd on the dance floor. My eyes land on a stunning brunette. She’s wearing a waist-high mini-skirt that hugs her body in all the right places with an AC/DC shirt cut, so it falls just below her tits.
Straight to My Head by Hippie Sabotage is playing and she’s dancing by herself. She’s swaying her hips a beat slower than the song. Her movements have me in a trance. I scan my eyes over her body, spotting a small tattoo on her left side— so simple yet so sexy. I’m so caught up in watching her dance and don’t notice Maverick talking to me until he elbows me in my side.
“In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you look at a woman the way you’re staring at this one.” He gestures to the woman on the dance floor. I turn to face the bar.
“She’s just another chick,” I say with a shrug. The bartender makes her way over to us, and we order our drinks.
“Clutch found us a couple of tables. Come find us after you get your beer,” Red tells us. I nod my head at him and wait. I get my drink, and we find the guys sitting off to the left of the dance floor. From here, I still have a view of the woman who caught my eye. Once the song ends, she walks off the dance floor to a group of women at the bar. She glances my way like she can sense me staring at her. Holding my stare, she gives me a seductive smile. She doesn’t break eye contact until one of her friends hands her a shot. I watch her toss it back like it’s a shot of water.
She sets her shot glass down before turning to walk in my direction. She walks by, giving me suggestive eyes. I watch her walk away, pausing before she walks down the hall toward the bathrooms. She glances over her shoulder, eyes locking on mine. Her mouth tugs up in a sly smirk and she disappears down the hall. I take a sip of my beer and set it down.
“I’ll be right back,” I say to whoever is listening. Following the temptress’s path, I find her leaning against the wall across from the bathrooms. Her hair is pulled back in a high ponytail, showing off her neck. She grins at me, her eyes sparkling.
“I wasn’t sure you would follow.” Her voice is sexy yet innocent. I smirk at her. Before I can respond, she crashes her lips onto mine. There’s a hint of whiskey, and like whiskey, the kiss goes right to my head. I run my hands down her sides to her ass and lift her up by the back of her thighs. She wraps her legs around my waist.
“Ladies room,” she says between kisses. “There’s a lock on the door.”
I push the door open with my back and walk inside. I hold her up with one arm and lock the door with the other. She nips my neck causing me to growl. I shove her against the bathroom door, a moan escaping her lips. I study every feature on her face. Her round eyes are amber, similar to the color of whiskey. I could get drunk off them alone, not to mention her defined cheekbones right down to her full, soft, delicious lips.
“Are you gonna fuck me or just keep staring?” she smarts off and damn it if it doesn’t make my dick harder than it already is.
“Maybe I should make you put that sassy fucking mouth to use,” I suggest. Her eyes go wide with amusement and I chuckle. I slide my hands up her thighs, pushing her skirt up to her waist. I bite down on her collarbone and suck, earning another moan from her. Moving her from the door to the counter, I set her down. I stare into her eyes as I pull her panties off.
“I’ll hold onto these.” I wink and shove them in my pocket. I pull my wallet out, taking out a condom. She glances down at my pants and backs up like she’s asking for permission. I nod and she unbuttons my jeans. Grabbing the edge and my boxer briefs, she pulls them down enough to pull my cock out. She takes the con
dom out of my hand, opens it and then slides it on my dick. Her touch sends a chill down my spine. I brush my fingers against the inside of her thigh up to her pussy.
“Already wet for me?” I slide two fingers in, and she bites her lip. With my other hand, I grab her hair and tip her head back. She lets out a breathy sigh as I slide my fingers out of her cunt. I bring them to her lips and she eagerly sucks them into her mouth. My dick aches. I slide into the hilt without any warning. A loud gasp falls from her mouth. She leans back, pushing her hips closer, letting me go deeper. I groan. Letting go of her hair, I grab onto her hips and start pounding into her.
“Oh, fuck, yes!” she moans out. “Harder!”
I pull out, instantly missing the feel of her tight pussy. She glares at me.
“Hop down, face the mirror,” I demand. She shoots me daggers but complies. As soon as she’s leaning over the counter, I slide my cock back in.
“Ahhh!” Her moans drive me to fuck her harder. I look at her in the mirror. She has her eyes closed, so I grab her ponytail, pulling her head back.
“Open those gorgeous eyes, baby. Watch me as I fuck your sweet cunt,” I whisper in her ear. Her eyes pop open, a fire blazing. “Such a dirty girl.”
I reach around to rub her clit, and her walls start contracting around my dick. I let go of her hair and move my hand to her neck, putting just enough pressure to keep her head still and bite right where her neck meets her shoulder. I feel my release building and move faster.
“Cum for me,” I say in her ear.
“Fuuuck!” she moans out with her release. I follow right behind her, cumming harder than I ever have before. I pull out, remove the condom and flush it. She stands and fixes her skirt, pulls her hair out and fluffs it.
“Thanks for the ride, Casanova.” She winks at me and disappears out of the bathroom, leaving me standing there, feeling instantly hungover.
“Did she just smash and dash?” I mumble to myself. I laugh, shaking my head. I make sure my pants are buttoned and head back out to the guys.
“Hey, hey! Where did you disappear to,” Maverick asks as I sit down.
“I think I met my match, bro.” I glance around the bar for her but don’t find her.
“The girl you were watching?” I nod my head. “I called it!”
“Only one problem,” I tell him.
“What’s that?”
“I didn’t get her name or number,” I admit.
“What a fucking rookie move!” Maverick chuckles. I shake my head. A waitress comes by to check on us. I order another beer and watch the guys flirt with different chicks the rest of the night and beat myself up for not getting that girl’s name.
Chapter Two
Sienna
“Hey,” I say in my friend Tessa’s ear. She jumps.
“Where the hell have you been,” she asks.
“Oh, just having a little fun.” I wink at her.
“Did your mystery man have any part in that?”
I give her a mischievous grin. “I need to leave. I’m supposed to spend tomorrow with my bestie, and I don’t want to waste the day sleeping.”
“Ugh, alright. You better text me and tell me all about this mystery man,” she tells me.
“Promise,” I reply. We say our goodbyes, and I catch an Uber home. My roommate, also my best friend, told me earlier this week she wouldn’t be home tonight. Something about one of her brother’s friends getting married to her boss. As soon as I’m in my apartment, I lock the door behind me and text my roommate, letting her know I made it home.
I walk to the kitchen, fill a tea kettle, and set it on the stove to heat. While the stove is warming up, I go to the bathroom and draw a bath, dropping in a relaxing, earthy scented bath bomb. Going on a walk or run has always been a way for me to relax. When I can’t do either, this bath bomb does the trick. Paired with some passionflower tea, it’s the best way to calm my mind of my demons and get a decent night’s rest.
The tea kettle whistles, letting me know the water is ready. Back in the kitchen, I grab my favorite mug. It holds twenty ounces and requires two hands when drinking out of it. I place two tea bags in it and pour hot water over them. Once it’s ready, I check on the bath. It’s close to being full, so I slip out of my clothes, pile my hair on top of my head, and slide in.
“Ahh,” I breathe out. “This is perfect.”
When my tea is gone and the bathwater has cooled, I climb out of the bathtub. I quickly dry off and slip into my pajamas— boy shorts, sweats, and a tank top. I lay down, hoping to fall asleep quickly. My mind has other plans. Thoughts of tonight drift through my mind and I start to regret not getting mystery man’s name. I fall asleep thinking of him.
I wake up close to nine and I already have a text from Wren, my bestie, telling me to come over to her friend’s house. Everyone is there except for Cali. She’s wanted me to meet these people for a while now and since I’m no longer working at the bar and making myself socialize more, I finally get a chance to. I let working there consume my life for the past few years. If I wasn’t working, I was sleeping or avoiding people. I have quite a bit of money saved up and figured it’s time to take a vacation, even if it’s more like a stay-cation, and find a new job. I grab clothes, some make-up, and my maroon chucks, slip on my Adidas slides and head out the door, grabbing my keys as I go.
Wren sent me the address to her friend’s house. What she didn’t tell me was it’s on Savage Menace property. I feel like an idiot pulling up to the gate. A guy in a Savage Menace cut walks to my car. I glance at his cut for his name. It just says prospect.
“Hey there, sweetheart. What can I do for you?” he draws out. His eyes are glued to my tits. I roll my eyes.
“Eyes up here, buddy.” He grins, bringing his eyes to mine. “I’m here to see Wren.”
“You must be Sienna. Through the gate, the house is to the left,” he explains. “See you around.” He winks at me before walking away to open the gate. I drive through, parking in front of the house. I toss my backpack over my shoulder as I climb out of my car.
“Eeeek! Sienna!” Wren screeches, running down the front porch. She throws her arms around me, squeezing me tight. “How is it that we’re roommates yet I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever?”
“I know! I’ve been a shitty friend. I’m sorry,” I reply.
She shrugs. “We have a lot of time to make up for,” she says. “We’ll start by introducing you to the girls!” She drags me inside the house and into the living room. There are five women sitting in here. One looks familiar, but I’ve never seen the others.
“Hey, y’all!” She gets their attention. “This is my best friend and roommate, Sienna. Sienna, this is Minx, Rivet, Tink, Lolita, and Emma.”
“Hi!” They all greet me. Emma is who I’ve met before. The one time I went to A Novel Bunch Bakery to pick Wren up, Emma was working too.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Minx smiles. They’re all sitting around in their pajamas eating cereal and watching cartoons. “We’re just having a lazy Sunday. We usually have a club BBQ on Sundays, but since Buster and Cali got married yesterday, we’re all just taking it easy today.”
“Sounds good to me. I could use a lazy day,” I respond.
“You’ve only been working your butt off for how long now,” Wren asks.
“Too long.” I laugh. Even hanging around a bunch of bikers, Wren still doesn’t cuss.
“Well, we’re happy to have you here,” Rivet says.
“We should totally start our own club,” Emma announces. I laugh again.
“I second that,” Rivet responds. Minx shakes her head smiling.
“Would you like some breakfast,” Wren asks.
“Please. I’m starving.” I smile at her. Wren, Minx, and I walk into the kitchen leaving Rivet and Emma to discuss ideas. Tink and Lolita are engrossed in whatever show they’re watching. The kitchen holds many different cereal options on the counter. “Doesn’t look like you have much to choose from,
” I tease. I pick a box and pour myself a bowl. Minx shoots me an impish smile.
“What are you planning to do now that you’re not working at the bar,” Wren asks me.
“I haven’t even thought about it,” I admit. “I’m going to take a week to just decompress. Next week, I’ll start the job search.”
“You should ask Tink and Lo if Rosie’s is hiring. The two of them work there and at Big Shotz,” Minx explains. “Both are club owned businesses.”
“I’ll talk to them. Thanks,” I reply.
“You could also talk to Cali about working at A Novel Bunch,” Wren suggests.
“I don’t think a bakery is a good fit for me,” I tell her, sitting down at the table. I can cook a little, but when it comes to baking, I always manage to fuck something up. Even with a recipe right in front of me.
“You’re probably right.” Wren giggles. “How did last night go?”
“It was . . . interesting,” I respond with a smug smile.
“What was last night,” Minx asks.
“The girls at the bar had a going-away party for me,” I tell her. “I may have done something out of character.”
“Do tell,” Wren says sitting. She and I are opposites. Where she’s primmer and more proper, I’m a bit more on the wild side. Even so, last night was not something I’ve done before. One night stands, sure, but fucking in the bathroom of a bar? Never. The way my mystery man was watching me made me exude more confidence than usual. Paired with the whiskey I was drinking, there was no stopping me.
“I had sex with a guy in the women’s bathroom.” Wren’s jaw drops while Minx’s eyes light up.
“You did what?” they say in unison. Wren in surprise, Minx more in awe.
“Who was he,” Wren asks.
“I didn’t ask for his name,” I state.
“Seriously?” Wren shouts.
“Yup, and when we were done, I just left,” I tell them. Wren is staring at me in horror. “It’s not like I was looking for Prince Charming.”