Page 15 of Memphis

I’d been around beautiful women before, but none had ever had such an effect on me—none had ever made me consider risking everything for just one more touch, just one more taste. It was all I could think about. She was my every desire wrapped up in a beautiful but damaged, package.

I knew it was fucked up.

I knew I was crossing lines I had no business crossing.

But I couldn’t help myself.

I simply couldn’t keep my hands off her. When I pulled her into the water, I just wanted her close. I didn’t want to hurt her. I’d never hurt her. The second I saw that she was struggling, I grabbed her up and pulled her into my arms.

Everything went downhill from there.

It was all so stupid, and I was stupid for even giving it a second thought.

I was done with the bullshit.

It was time for me to get Toni out of my head, once and for all, so without thinking, I started walking towards the bar. I’d only taken a couple of steps when Ghost called out, “Where ya going?”

“I got something I need to do.”

Without saying anything more, I walked up to Star and took hold of her hand. Her eyes lit up when she saw that I was leading her to one of the private rooms. As soon as we were inside, Star closed the door and turned to face me with a seductive smile. “I was hoping you’d change her mind.”

“Don’t have long.” I sat down on the lounger as I added, “I’ve gotta get back to my post, so let’s get on with it.”

“Whatever you say, boss.”

I leaned back and watched Star begin to sway her hips to the beat of the music, and I had to give it to her. The chick was a hellof a dancer. Her movements were fluid, hypnotic, and lured me in like a moth to a flame. She straddled me, and with her hands in her hair, she leaned forward, teasing me with her full breasts.

My hands dropped to her hips, guiding her to inch closer, and I was just starting to get into it when my blood ran cold. I couldn’t understand it. I had a beautiful woman in front of me and she was giving it all she had, but it wasn’t enough to keep an image of Toni from flashing through my mind.

I tried to push her from my thoughts and focus on the amazing woman before me, but that didn’t stop my stomach from twisting with the memory of her smile, her warmth, and her touch.

Damn.

Damn.

Damn.

I gently pushed Star out of my lap and stood. Without a word, I left the room and went back to my post. Ghost glanced over at me, but the second he saw the expression on my face, he could see that I was in no mood to talk. I turned my focus to the crowd and submitted to the fact that it was going to be a long damn night.

Ghost and I made sure the girls were cleared out and gone, and it was well past midnight when we finished locking up. We headed out to the parking lot. I’d just straddled my bike when Ghost asked, “You headed back to the clubhouse, or are you going on home?”

“Going to the house. I need a night in my own bed.”

“Alright then. Have a good one.”

“You, too. I’ll catch up with ya tomorrow.”

“Sure thing.”

I put on my helmet, then waited until he was in his pickup before I turned the key and followed him out of the lot. After endless hours of loud music and bright lights, I needed somequiet, so I decided to take the back way home. Riding at night down the old, winding roads was always the best part of working the late shift.

It gave me a chance to clear my head after a long day.

But tonight was different.

Something was off.

Maybe it was just my exhaustion catching up with me, or maybe it was something in the air, but something didn’t feel right. I figured it was just my mind playing tricks on me, so I twisted the throttle and let the darkness swallow me whole.

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