Page 28 of The Other Princess

“Kissing, is it always like that?”

“No babe, it’s not. That feeling is only there when it’s someone special, something special.”

The wattage on her smile ramped up even more, if that was possible, and she ghosted her finger over her bottom lip before she managed to speak again. “Then I’m glad I waited for you.” Her words were a whisper on the wind, but just as permanent as if she’d tattooed them on my heart herself. I leaned in and stole one more kiss before scooting her inside her apartment so I could get going.

“Lock up babe. We’ll pick this up another night, and believe me, next time, my phone will be turned off.” Her answering giggle was all I needed to hear to set my heart quaking inside my chest. Jesus. This girl was going to be my undoing.

“Ride safe, Deck,” she called as the door shut behind her. I stood, listening to her engage the locks, and then I turned in time to see the bike that had been parked in the shadows taking off. Sure enough, it was one of our prospects. That did not bode well for the conversation I was about to have once I got back to the clubhouse.

~*~

“Double-D around?” I asked Trunk as I walked through the door, because he was the first person I saw.

“Yeah, he’s in a meeting with Merc right now, but they should be finishing up soon.”

“Good, can you let them know I’m here since they summoned me?” It was obvious by the growl in my voice that I wasn’t happy with the summons, yet it only made Trunk grin.

“Come on man, did you think you could date the VP’s daughter and not have him come down on you?”

“Honestly?” I asked. He tipped his head in a nod. “I didn’t think anyone here would give a shit about Ever’s dating life.”

Trunk bristled at that. “I’ve always given a shit about that girl,” he intoned darkly.

“Then you’re probably the only one,” I hissed back.

“Damn, but they fucked shit up, didn’t they?”

“Yeah, and after hearing what Ever had to say tonight, I’m not so certain that these tattoos will be the salve on that wound that I thought they would be.” Trunk clapped his meaty hand down on my shoulder.

“Don’t give up on it now, brother. Never know how these things will turn out. I have faith in Ever. If you want her, she’ll try for you.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I admitted.

“How so?”

“I don’t want her to be uncomfortable and to try to be a part of something she no longer trusts and wants to be around just to make me happy. I think that will cause too much resentment down the road, you know?”

“And what about if things go the other way, you don’t think you’ll resent her the same way?” My shock must have shown on my face, because he moved in so that his words wouldn’t run the risk of being overheard. “Don’t think I haven’t put two and two together. If she can’t hack being around the club, I don’t see you sticking around anymore either.” He moved back to look me dead in the eye then. “I would be behind that decision completely, if it came to it, man. She deserves to have someone in her life who would choose her, and I see it in your eyes. You’ve already made that choice, you’re just waiting to see if it’s necessary.”

“I think they fucked up with your road name, man. Your size is not your biggest attribute,” I said speaking of the fact that the man missed absolutely nothing.

“I know,” he offered with a shit-eating grin. “It’s my beauty,” with that he was off to the back where the offices were, laughing as he went. I just shook my head and made my way over to the bar to wait for Double-D to join me.

It wasn’t Double-D who plopped down on the stool beside me a couple minutes later. I didn’t bother to look up though, because I could smell the cloying perfume that always turned my stomach. That was something else I loved about Ever. She was all natural with hints of vanilla that clung to her in the subtlest of ways. The over powering flowery scent of whichever whore had parked her ass to my left could learn a thing or two from Ev about subtlety. I twitched my arm back as soon as the woman reached out to trace a finger down my forearm. She damn near touched the tattoo Ever had drawn for me, and that was unacceptable.

“What’s the matter, baby?” She mock pouted. “I’ve been waiting for you to notice me since you got back to town.” At that, I turned to take her in. At first glance, it was obvious she was one of the club’s whores. Her surgically enhanced tits were all but hanging out of the tight little Aces High Support tank top she wore, and the short denim skirt she had on wasn’t much more than a belt, revealing the length of her overly tanned legs and a hint of her black lace panties. Her face, overdone with makeup, seemed familiar although I couldn’t quite place her. At my puzzled look, she spoke again. “It’s me, Daphne Jacobs,” she breathed out as if her name was sexy and should mean something to me.

When I didn’t respond she gave an indignant little huff. “We went to high school together,” she added.

“Okay,” was the only response she got as I tapped the bar in front of me to signal the prospect that was tending it to snag me another beer. As he pushed the new bottle into my hand Daphne leaned in making sure her tits touched the back of my upper arm.

“Why don’t we go get reacquainted upstairs?”

“No.” It was a simple word, but conveyed a lot. She moved back slightly, but then just grinned at me.

“You don’t mean that. Why don’t you finish your beer and come find me, Sugar. I’ll make you forget about whatever’s putting that little frown on your face.”

“You are the only thing putting a frown on my face, now get the hell out of my space, Daphne.”

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