Page 8 of Rugged Soul

“Uh-huh,” Diesel says, a stupid smirk on his face. “And how are things going with her?”

"How do you know she's a her?" I ask though I realize how foolish I sound.

Jett and Diesel chuckle at me but I just grunt in annoyance before gulping down half my beer.

“You combed your hair and put on cologne the last time you had a showing for a new clubhouse,” Diesel points out.

“I needed to look… presidential,” I justify, though my friends aren’t having any of it. “Whatever. Shut up.”

The two of them laugh while I glare at them and finish the rest of my drink.

"For real though, any luck with finding us a home base? I agree that we need a new space for a new era," Jett says.

I shrug and tell them about the two properties I’ve seen so far.

“Want me to go with you to the next showing?” Diesel asks.

“No,” I snap, pounding my fist on the table and making everyone’s beer bottles rattle and clank together. The two dipshits crack up laughing, and even though I know It’s at my expense, I’m just glad to have some levity.

There have been a lot of heavy days and weeks working through anger and betrayal over how Zeke tore the club apart. No way in hell am I going to let him destroy those of us who were strong enough to carry on without him.

“Just messing with you, Domino,” Diesel says once he’s calmed down. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for you to have a woman in your life though.”

“Like you’re one to talk,” I reply. “Can’t remember the last time I saw you with anyone. Or you,” I say, turning to Jett.

“Hey, man, I didn’t say anything. I’m good without a woman,” Jett is quick to reply, holding his hands up.

“Let’s get through one thing at a time,” I finally land on. “Figure out what the hell Zeke is doing back in town, secure a new clubhouse, and then…” I trail off, the image of Calista’s bright green eyes and sparkling smile floating through my mind.

“And then whatever will be, will be,” Diesel finishes for me.

“Cheers to that!” Jett shouts.

“Another round of beers on the house!” I call out, nodding to the bartender.

The men holler in approval and chant my name. Things might be messy right now, but it’s moments like these that make it all worthwhile. My heart squeezes up painfully in my chest and I realize I’m missing something. I want to share this moment with someone. Not just anyone, though. Calista. My girl. Dammit.

5

CALISTA

This is the one. I’m sure of it. This property has a large warehouse with a kitchen, very few windows, and lofts on the top two floors. Add in a giant parking lot for all the motorcycles and an acre of land behind the building, and it’s everything Domino is looking for. Speaking of…

My heart skips a beat when the rumble of a lone motorcycle grows closer and closer until it’s suddenly cut off. He’s here.

I wipe my sweaty palms on my dark green pencil skirt and then gather my hair to one side, tossing it over my shoulder. Domino has me all out of sorts, and not just because I may or may not have had a sexy dream about him last night. I woke up with a moan on my lips, though thankfully neither of my roommates seemed to notice.

Ugh. Roommates. Another reason I really need to land this sale and make a decent commission - so I can move out and finally, finally have my own space.

Domino steps inside, squinting as his eyes adjust to the dimmer light. I straighten my back and suck in my belly, even though I know it won’t make that much of a difference. I’m a big girl and there’s no hiding that. It’s not like the Greek god of a man has ever nor will ever think of me in a romantic way. Why would he?

Shut up, it doesn’t matter.

“Calista,” he says once he spots me. God, the deep tenor of his voice cuts through the silence and vibrates through me. I’m frozen in place as the powerful man closes the distance between us in three large strides.

“Mr. Domino,” I greet him. I have to tamp down my lust and replace it with my most professional smile. He furrows his brow at me and dips his head so we’re eye to eye. Those hazel irises turn from greenish-brown to dark mahogany, making my chest ache and my thighs tremble.

“What have we talked about, Calista?” Is he trying to kill me with that gravelly voice? I feel it scraping along my nerves and spiking my heart rate.

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