Page 27 of The Sentinels

I was so relieved that I giggled. I couldn't help it. "And here I was afraid of hurting you."

Doyle's laughter followed. "We’ll make great friends," he said, relief evident in his voice. He took my hand. "I was afraid of hurting you, too," he admitted. "I really like you, Emerson, and I was hoping that things would work out between us." He shrugged. "I just wasn't feeling it."

"Neither was I, and I don’t know why." That was an outright lie. The reason why was sitting inside. Looking all big and bad and unapproachable.

"I think we both know why, honey. I think we both have other people in our lives that we're not finished with yet."

I was stunned. "You have an ex you're still stuck on?"

Doyle nodded. "You're the first woman I've gotten involved with since Sonnie and I broke up." He looked almost guilty. "I thought I was over her. But every time I tried to get close to you, my heart just wasn't in it."

"You love her." He nodded, looking anything but happy. "I don't have an ex, Doyle."

His look was skeptical, one brow raised high on his forehead. "No, but there is someone you're interested in, and I'm pretty sure it's that huge biker who showed up at your place that first night I saw you home." He hesitated. "The same one who glared at us as we walked by inside." I opened my mouth to deny it. He shook his head. "Don't even try. His eyes were following you like a hawk."

Apparently Doyle saw more than what I saw. I laughed softly. "We're a mess. We can still be friends, right?"

"I'm counting on it," Doyle said without hesitation. "We're still going to hang out tomorrow night, aren't we?"

"Of course." I was so relieved that it seemed to be working out between us, while at the same time I was a little sad that it hadn't. I knew that it didn't make sense, but chalked it up to how badly I wanted to find someone that I could be happy and make a life with.

At about that time six motorcycles roared into the parking lot, their riders backing into spaces next to the Sentinels' bikes. I wondered who they were until one turned enough for me to make out the Sentinels’ logo on the back of his cut. I'd heard mention there were other chapters outside of Daytona, and these men must be from one of them.

Their appearance reminded me that I'd better get inside to work. I put my hand on Doyle's arm. "I've got to head in." We rose to our feet. "See you at JJ’s tomorrow around seven?"

"Want me to pick you up?"

"No more of that. We're officially in the friend zone. I'll meet you there."

I reached the door at the same time the bikers did. Every single one of them looked me over as if I were on the menu, causing a warm blush to flood my cheeks. I let their low mumblings go right over my head, suspecting that they were harmless flirts. They looked every bit as rugged and dangerous as the Sentinels that I already knew, and as one reached for the door to open it for me, another swept his arm out in a gallant gesture for me to walk in ahead of them.

"Thank you, gentlemen," I laughed, stepping into the bar. A hard slap to my rear caused me to squeal and jump forward. I rubbed the abused cheek and turned to see which one would own up to delivering it.

I received a wink from a blue-eyed blonde with a mischievous, dimpled grin. "Couldn't resist that, darlin'."

I couldn't resist his dimples. "I owe you one."

"Now that gives a tired man hope."

Whew! He was dangerous to women. I spun back around, took a few steps, and came to a sudden halt, my gaze landing on Ace. Or, I should say, the woman that was sitting on his lap. Candy, one of the strippers, and nearly naked but for her gold thong and matching pasties, was sitting sideways on him and getting personal. She was wiggling against him like an eel out of water, her hands all over him. Her movements screamed desperation, because it was obvious that he was practically ignoring her presence. His eyes lifted, meeting mine.

Cold.

Indifferent.

Intense.

Jealousy overwhelmed me in an instant, so much that I began to shake. I'd cut Ace off, so I'd known that there may come a time that I'd see him with someone else. I just hadn't expected it to be so soon. I'd at least wanted some time to get over him first. The fact that he seemed so uncaring reminded me that he didn't know how I felt about him. Maybe if he knew that he was killing me inside he would act differently.

I was aware that the visiting Sentinels had moved around me and were heading toward their table. I forced my feet to move until I was back behind the bar.

"Where'd you disappear to, honey? Bonnie inquired.

"I was out talking to Doyle."

"Giving him the ‘let's be friends instead of lovers’ speech?" she teased.

I chuckled. "How did you know?"

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