Page 58 of Charger

“When did you get so bossy?”

“I’ve always been bossy. You just haven’t had the pleasure of sampling a taste.” She flicks her hair and Tank shakes his head. That’s Angel, our spitfire.

“Jesus, woman.” Tank claps his hands together. “Well, guess I’ll go suit up, upon the request of Angel over here.”

“You’ll thank me later, when you have two girls in bed with you tonight.” We all laugh. Both Angel and Tank walk away.

Tequila slides a drink over to Jules, and to me a beer. We stand at the bar. I hesitate, only for a second, before placing my hand at the small of her back. There’s no denying the fact that she moves in closer to me, letting me soak in that sweet scent of hers. I know she likes it when I touch her by the way her body reacts.

“Thanks for inviting me. I don’t get out much and it feels good to have some fun. Not that having Chloe isn’t fun. It’s just… sometimes, it’s good to get out.” Her cheeks turn a rose color. She’s blushing and it’s cute as fuck.

“It’s good to have you back in my life, Jules.” We share a moment, her eyes filling with lust, sadness, appreciation. Everything. Too much. I deserve none of it.

“All right, folks, come and get her. Food’s out back, keg’s nice and full, and for the single folk, girls are hot and ready.” Jules giggles at Chain’s announcement. He walks over hand in hand with Mags. She clunks the floor with her high-heeled boots and chains. She’s still got it. “Sweet baby Jesus. I see why our boy Charger here has a protective barrier around you.” Chain lands a kiss on Jules’s cheek. Why does everyone feel the need to do that? “I’m Chain, darlin’. President of this club. And you must be the Jules everyone’s talking about. Why are you dressed like you’re going to the club, sweetheart?”

Maggie cuts in. “Don’t ask a woman that kind of question. You’re going to make her uncomfortable. Besides, I think she looks absolutely stunning.”

“I mean, me too. I was just asking.”

“There’s kind of a story, to why I’m dressed like I’m hitting up a strip joint. But we’ll just say I was tricked by a friend into wearing this thing.” She smiles at them and Mags chuckles.

“Well, you look pretty as a button.” Mags glances over at me and grins. “All right, old man, let’s go mingle and say hello to our guests.”

“Old man? Who you calling old, woman?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry. I forgot you still act like you’re in your twenties.” They walk away and I’m left alone with Jules once again.

“Wow, they seem perfect together.” She nods at the end of the bar. “Why is he always so quiet and alone?” I look over to Hush, and I have to wonder that myself. He’s sitting there, nursing his whiskey and watching the crowd. No one knows much about him. I guess that’s our fault, for not asking. But I can almost guarantee he wouldn’t tell us anyway.

“I know someone like that at my bar—name’s Joe. He’s kind of like a second father to me. He’s been coming to the bar since I opened it. No family. It’s sad in a way.” She must be referring to the guy who looks like he wants to beat my ass every time I walk in.

“Maybe he’s got this sick thing for you.”

She practically chokes on her drink. “No, no way, not Joe.”

“Just saying, we think with our dicks.”

She cocks her head to the side. “Oh, really, that so?”

Shit.

“I mean, yeah, but…” I’m saved from having to explain that one.

Tank gets on stage, clearing his throat. The music overhead stops playing and everyone focuses their attention on him. “As some of you might know, I like to sing and play some guitar from time to time. And tonight, our own Miss Spitfire, Angel, told me I needed to get back up here and show off my manly skills.” The crowd laughs. “So, here we go. Hope you all enjoy.”

Tank messes with some buttons. Jules leans in and whispers, “You know, you guys are like the worst bikers ever.” She laughs. I smirk.

“Oh yeah, and why do you say that?”

“Because I’ve never been around a biker club with folks as nice as yours—you know, the kind that throws benefit parties and has acoustic guitar playing members.”

“We ain’t your typical biker club, babe.” Hang on… “And what do you mean you’ve never been around one as nice as ours?” I lean in closer and Jules’s friendly expression drops. She swallows nervously, like she knows she just let something slip. Maybe this has something to do with whoever Chloe was talking about. Her eyes tell me she’s keeping something from me.

“I just meant…”

Tank starts playing and Jules avoids the question completely. That’s the second time she has me nervous over what she means. Tank is strumming to a song we all recognize immediately. “Wherever You Will Go” by The Calling. Jules squeals in her seat. “I love this song, and holy crap, Tank is good! She turns to me. “Hey, Charger… will you dance with me?” Her big, brown eyes stare up at me and I smile down at her. I try to ignore the sting of her calling me Charger instead of Zach, even though that’s exactly what I had asked of her when we’re around the guys.

“Sure, pretty girl. I’ll dance with you.” I will? I don’t fucking dance. Maybe I did in high school.

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