“Oh, I’ve already imposed enough.”
“Lunch with a beautiful lady is never an imposition.”
“I just have things to…”
He held up his hand. Keys dangled. Her keys.
“Burgers are great. Thank you.” She conceded and slid into a chair. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until that first bite. After eating and polite conversation, Nova walked her to the car and returned her keys. “Be careful.” He opened her door.
She nodded.
“He’ll be back soon, but don’t hesitate to ask any of us if you need anything.”
“Back?” her head popped to Nova's face.
“Back in town. Didn't he tell you he was headed out?”
She shook her head. Maybe he wasn’t avoiding her.
He laughed, “That's Brick.”
Her heart lightened and she climbed in her car with a little more courage than she had earlier.
* * *
Thirty minutes later she parked in front of the Outdoor Store. She never noticed the old truck pull in after her and park in viewing distance.
The staff was helpful and patient as they assisted her in choosing a firearm and learning to use it. She utilized the indoor range until she felt comfortable with the gun.
Hours later leaving the store she still did not notice the truck sitting there. Waiting.
* * *
Brick strolled into the bar leaving his bag and bedroll strapped to his bike. He would head to the clubhouse later to unpack and crash.
“Look what drug in,” a voice yelled from behind the bar.
King shook his hand then pulled him in for an embrace just as the other brothers had greeted. He then swung a leg over a bar stool slapping the counter. “Sit. Drink. Let’s get you out of the funk that shit hole puts you in.”
Brick slid onto the bar stool next to King. A beer and water appeared in front of them. Brick leaned both elbows on the bar wrapping his hands around the beer. “In the past.”
King cocked his head to Brick and stared. “Yeah?”
Brick chuckled. “Not that person anymore.”
“Then we celebrate,” he slapped Brick on the back and held up his bottle in a toast. “That’s great. I already knew that, about time you did too.”
Brick rarely smiled but one side of his mouth turned up. He had learned more about himself in these few days than he thought was possible. He had a heart. He had a conscience. He wasn't ignoring his feelings anymore. Nealy's sunshine had broken through a crack in the wall he had built around himself. He was a better person for knowing her, even if he couldn't have her.
King's voice turned serious, “You know your woman is in trouble, man?”
Brick's smile faded, “not my woman.”
“Did you get the security feed?” This came from Oz. He was their computer whiz. If it was possible, he could do it. If it wasn't possible, it just took him a little longer to get it done.
“Nope,” he took a pull from his beer.
“I knew something made you go back. I put Oz on it.” He motioned to Oz. “Pull it up.”
“Why didn’t you check in?” he asked Brick.
“Lost my phone.”
King shook his head.
“Found Nealy camped out in her car behind the clubhouse. Car beat up. Hadn’t eaten. Scared to death. She’s bought a gun,” Rash told him.
His jaw ticked as he squeezed the bottle he held. He would protect her even if he did it from the shadows.
“Fuck.”
He closed his eyes then opened them and glared at King. Downed his beer and stood to leave.
“Sit,” King ordered.
“Gotta go.”
“Sit,” King demanded.
He turned back to the bar.
Oz slid a laptop in front of him showing a screen of security camera views.
He settled back on the bar stool and watched the screen.
Nealy and her parents enter the restaurant. Moments later he sees himself walk to the door to congratulate the couple only to see his woman with another man. He watched himself leave before being seen. He pushed the laptop back.
“I was there.”
King pulled it back, “Watch,” he demanded.
Nealy and the man walked outside. She rejected him! He focused closer. His woman rejected the man. He watched as she had words with her mother returning credit cards and jewelry. Some woman grabbed her angrily.
His fists twitched. No one should lay a hand on her.
The last view of Nealy was from the front running to her car.
The laptop closed.
Brick pushed his anger down. Why didn’t he talk to her first? He knew why. He knew he was not the kind of man she deserved. Never would be.
He turned to King.
“Got Cowboy sitting on her. She’s home. It’s your call now. Step up or step out.”
Without another word he marched to his bike. Thirty minutes later he pulled to a stop by her front door and signaled the truck to leave as he walked to the door.
Chapter Thirteen
Nealy shot from her seat when a booming knock shook the door. Heart pounding, she grabbed the gun and aimed. The handle twisted.
“Go away!” she screamed.
“Open up Nealy. Brick.”
She dropped the gun on the bar and ran to the door. Her hands shook. The door would not open fast enough with her fingers fumbling the lock. She pulled the door back and flung herself into him.
His arms engulfed her. Holding tight he backed her into the room then reached back closed and locked the door without letting her go.
Her shoulders jerked. He held her as tears carried all the tension from her body.
“What the fuck are you doing with a gun?”
She raised her head and followed his line of sight as she wiped at her eyes.
“I didn’t know what else to do. I was scared.”
“Of what?” he barked.
“Someone is after me.”
Still holding her, he reached down and scooped her legs off the floor. He stepped to the sofa and sat, placing her in his lap.
“Tell me.”
“I began getting phone calls at work a few weeks ago. Nothing threatening. Just weird. Last week they became more frequent, and scary.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“At first it was just annoying. Then when I tried to report it, they said it was just an unhappy customer or admirer. Nothing they could do without a threat. My manager found out and wouldn’t send the calls through when he asked for me. I thought they had stopped. Come to find out that only made him mad. And,” she sighed.
“Go on.”
She found his eyes focused on her. “His last call said you were out of the picture and he was coming for me.”
She watched the muscles in his jaw working and laid a hand on his chest. “Two nights ago, someone beat the side of the house with probably a baseball bat. There’s dents all around. The police came and said it was just some kids pulling pranks.”
“Yesterday, someone followed me and ran me off the road. I could see the car turning to come back and I got away. I believe it may be the same person.”
His hands tightened on her. Breathing deep, he managed to quietly ask, “You hurt?”
“Other than a couple of bruises from the car incident, no,” she shook her head.
“So, where was your fiancée during all this?” He studied her face.
How did he know? He said he frequented The Brick House, and she had been there with him. Someone must have recognized her and told him. He must be mad. That’s why she hadn’t heard from him.
“Don’t have one.” She cast her eyes to her lap, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “I called you. I tried to tell you. It was horrible.” Tears sprung from the corner of her eyes and fell to her lap.
“Shh.” He pulled her tight. Wishing he could take away all her fear and sadness. He berated himself for leaving town and not trusting her.
“I lost my parents. I thought I had lost you. And I was afraid of this person. I needed a gun.”
“Know how to use it?”
She nodded. “The man showed me when I bought it and let me practice before leaving the store.”
“Lot to talk to about.”
“I never heard from you,” she whispered.
“Sorry, Sweet. Out of town. No phone.”
He relished the feel of her in his arms. He was home. He vowed to himself at that moment to keep her safe and never let go.
“Have you eaten?” He questioned as he kissed her hair.
“Lunch.”
“Let’s see what you got to eat then.” He chuckled.
They searched the kitchen and agreed on a meal and cooked together. Throughout dinner they discussed the week's events. Neither could come up with whom might want to hurt Nealy.
He told her about visiting his mother.
“If there’s such bad memories why would you go back there?”
His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Sometimes, I need to remind myself where I come from. Who I am. Keeps me grounded.”
“But that’s not you.”
“Learned that this time. Not who you think I am, but not who she thinks I am either.”
The evening turned into night. The atmosphere became light and cheerful. Brick retrieved his bag from his bike and insisted on staying.
Lying in bed, Nealy listened to the shower in the next room. Soon the water grew quiet and the door clicked. She rolled to face the bedroom door which she had left ajar. The hallway brightened as the door opened then the light dimmed just as fast.
“Brick.”
He stepped just inside her bedroom door. Towel wrapped around his waist held with one hand, clothes in the other.
She sucked in a breath. Muscles. All muscles and tattoos. Wide shoulders, flat stomach, chest covered in dark curly hair. Her mouth went dry. Her thoughts disappeared. She couldn't take her eyes off him.
The light was dim. Only the light from the hallway lit the small room; enough light to see each other.
“Yeah, Sweet?”
“Oh. Um, I, uh... I’m really not comfortable with you sleeping on the couch,” she eventually forced out.
“Not leaving,” he turned to leave her room.
“No,” she quickly said.
He paused and turned back.
She was sitting before but now stood by her bed. “I mean...you should stay here. You’ll have more room.”
His voice abandoned him. He only stared at her body. Perfectly round breasts held out a cream-colored silk slip that dropped to hug rounded hips. Those legs were short but shapely. Bare feet with toes painted the color of the nightgown. His eyes jerked back to hers as she stepped forward.
“I’ll take the couch.”
“No,” he bit out.
She worried her lip. Both glued to the spot they stood. Longing eyes held the other captive.
She glanced to the bed and back. “There’s room for both of us,” she whispered.
“No guarantee I keep my hands to myself.” His voice came out low and rough.
“Okay,” she whispered her consent.
He shook his head. “Sweet, too old for games. I play for keeps. I’m a patient man and when I make you mine, it'll be forever.”
Make you mine. Those words warmed her body and sent tingles pooling low in her belly.
He let that settle in then continued.
“Not for just one night or a few. Not ‘til you realize what I am. I’m a bad person Nealy, but I’m working on it. You have given me a reason to be better.”
She closed the space between them and placed her hand on his chest. Her eyes found his.
She smelled of roses and vanilla. His jaw tightened and his breathing became heavy. His eyes followed her but his body never moved.
“I already know the person you are. You didn’t leave me stranded on a dark road that first night. Nor did you take advantage of me. You could have forced me into an auction. Instead, you dared anyone to try. You have some private pictures of me but you destroyed the rest to keep anyone else from seeing them. I’ve let you in my home. Yes, you could have easily had your way. You’re a big man I couldn’t have done a thing about it. But you didn’t.”
Both hands now lay tangled in the dark hair of his chest.
“You have protected me. You have been there when I needed you even if I didn’t know at the time that I needed you. But you knew.”
Her eyes lit up as her hands slid over his chest and up to his face.
“And you gave me the most romantic date I have ever had. That is who you are. Not the things you’ve done. And anyone you have hurt, I have no doubt they deserved what you gave. You are a good person with a good heart. You make me feel safe. You make me calm, yet alive. You make me feel special. And when I look at you, I see forever in your eyes. My forever.”
Before she realized he had moved, his clothes hit the floor and his arms were around her. His mouth crashed down on hers. Only the thin silk of her nightgown remained between them. His kisses were needy and consuming. As if she were his breath. His heartbeat. When he pulled back, breathing heavily, he studied her face as her hands explored his body. His chest. His arms. His back. She ran her lips over his chest as her hands explored muscles above the towel. He sucked in a breath. She continued her exploration with her mouth and tongue working her way to his neck.
Brick leaned in, capturing her mouth as he reached for the hem of the only thing between them and pulled it over her head. He tossed it to the floor where it landed with his towel.
He scooped her up and gently placed her on the bed where he joined her. Not a word was needed. He made love to her as if she was the most precious and fragile thing in the world. Because to him she was.
* * *
Brick awoke to the roar of motorcycles. They came closer, louder, until the front yard rumbled with the sound.
He growled.
“Something wrong?” Nealy lay curled next to him.
“Brotherly love.”
He kissed her then threw his legs over the side of the bed and jerked his jeans off the floor, pulling them on as he made his way up the hall.
The rumble quieted, but he knew they waited. Throwing the door open, he stood at the threshold glaring.
A row of bikes sat on the lawn. Amused bikers looked on as Brick filled the doorway.
King dismounted and stood next to his bike. “Had to witness for ourselves. See, it didn't kill you. Did you know what to do?” he laughed among the snickers.
“Couch.”
Wrapped in a blanket she grabbed from the foot of the bed, Nealy stepped beside him and peeked out the door. “Everything okay?” She whispered.
His arm snaked around her, “All good, Sweet. Shirt. Chair. Outta sight.” He nodded toward the living room then touched his lips to her forehead before she disappeared from the door.
“Evidence don’t lie. You're human after all.”
The corner of his lips turned up as he shook his head. He turned to step inside throwing his hand out, flipping them off.
Laughter roared from the yard.
“Whoa we brought you something,” King yelled. He unstrapped a large bag from the back of his bike, walked to the steps and handed it up to him. “We know you’ve worked up an appetite. Brought food.”
“Thanks.”
Halfway back to his bike King reached in his back pocket and pulled something out and tossed it to Brick.
Brick caught it.
“Found it last night by the fridge behind the bar.”
His phone. Glad it wasn’t on the road. He threw up a hand and pushed the door closed.
The rumble came to life again and quickly faded away.
Nealy sat cross-legged on the sofa watching him, in his t-shirt. Her eyes trailed him as he sat the bag down and opened it. Then he pulled containers out, setting them on the bar.
“Pancakes, bacon, eggs, sausage. Two each.�
��
He strode to the sofa and collapsed next to her. Throwing his arm around her he pulled her close.
He stared at the phone in his hand and squeezed, pushing in the power button until it lit up.
“Turned it off. Threw it in my bag.” He glanced at her. “Missed the bag.”
She moved to stand. “I’ll let you catch up on that.”
He tightened his arm holding her. “No secrets.”
Messages waited to be listened to or read. He viewed and listened to them all.
“If I’d known, I’d been here sooner.”
“You’re here now.”
“Not leaving your side ‘til we get this asshole.”
“I was thinking…,” she paused worrying her lip. “I know it’s not fancy, or big, but you can move in here.”
His gaze bounced between her eyes and lips.
At no reply she added, “Unless, you prefer living at the clubhouse.”
Maybe she overstepped asking him to move in. Maybe it was too soon. She had always heard love was hard to explain and there was no formula for knowing when it was right. It was something you just know. But she knew without a doubt this was right. Maybe it wasn't her place to offer. She should have waited for him to ask her. She turned away and closed her eyes.
“Let’s eat,” she suggested. She uncurled her legs from the seat putting her feet to the floor and leaned forward to stand.
His strong arm tensed, denying her freedom. He tossed the phone away and gently twisted her to face him.
“Said I’m not leaving.” The light in his eyes betrayed his stern face.
* * *
He was true to his promise and stayed by her. He chauffeured her everywhere she needed. If he needed to go anywhere, she accompanied him.
Next day, back to work, he walked her in.
“You really didn’t have to come in.”
“Need to see your boss.”
Her eyebrows rose.
“Needs to be informed.”
“I can do that.”
“I take care of my woman. You work and don’t worry. Stress is mine.” He leaned in until his lips touched hers.
“Go. Have a good day.” His eyes were on Nealy but he nodded to the teller windows. His hand on her back guided her in that direction.
She wrinkled her nose at him and continued around the wall that encased the glass windows. After sliding her bag underneath the shelf, she settled in at the window by the drive.
Brick Solid (Voodoo Troops MC Book 1) Page 10