Page 51 of Ox

I rolled my eyes. “Sure. Because you caresomuch about me!”

“I thought bikers were the ones that were supposed to be jaded and distrustful. Not pretty little nurses with killer bodies,” he teased.

“You underestimate my profession, then,” I quipped dryly.

Geo laughed and his leg brushed up against mine. It was such a slight movement, but I didn’t doubt the subtle move was every bit as calculated as the man himself. “I like you, Kayla. You’re smart, funny, and a fucking smoke show. Especially in that leather top.” His gaze dropped to my breasts as he whistled his approval.

I didn’t doubt Geo liked my looks. I mean, what did he gain by lying? But I believed he liked the chase more. Some men lived for the thrill of the hunt. And the more it evaded them, the more invested they became.

I sensed when Geo and Ox had interacted earlier that the two weren’t particularly close. Maybe less than close. More like two men who didn’t like each other one bit. Now, here I came along, an easy way for Geo to hurt his “frenemy” while satisfying his baser urges at the same time. It wasn’t flattering, but it was probably the most accurate description of what was going on here.

Nervously, I tucked a strand of honey-blonde hair behind my ear. “Something tells me your interests are varied and quite open ended, Geo.”

The biker’s blue eyes sparkled with dark interest. “You have no idea. But I’d love to show you some time.”

“Love to show her what?” Ox demanded then, moving exceptionally stealthily for someone as large as he was. I supposed it hadn’t helped that the room was so loud and I had a pretty good buzz going on to further distract me from his arrival.

“He wanted to show me the bike outside,” I quickly returned, hating the fib, but hating the idea of a fight more. “I told him I wasn’t interested,” I added a little sharply.

Ox didn’t believe me. His intense, narrowed gaze said it all. “You’re sitting too close to my girl, Geo,” he returned, all of his six and a half feet looming over the smaller biker.

The VP only smiled, acting as though he didn’t have a care in the world. And, surrounded by his buddies, he probably didn’t. As big as Ox was, he couldn’t take them all. I had no doubt the Mavericks would support Geo over Ox if it came down to it. It didn’t matter who was in the right. MCs stuck together no matter what. Ox had told me that himself.

Geo knitted his fingers together and casually placed them on the back of his head. “I moved close because it’s loud in here. I wanted to make sure Kayla heard my offer.”

Taking a heavy step forward, Ox leveled the man with the most intense stare I’d ever beheld. “You got your answer. Shedoesn’t want to go anywhere with you, Geo. Now get the fuck out of my seat.”

This unfortunate situation was degenerating faster than I could ever hope to stop it. Standing, I said, “I’m tired and ready to go, Ox. Will you take me home?”

There was a tense moment where I thought he might say fuck it and drill Geo directly in the face with his fist. But, ever the one in control of his emotions, Ox tore his menacing gaze from the biker seated next to me and said, “Sure, Babe. I’ll take you home with me.”

If I wasn’t mistaken, there was extra emphasis on the words “with me” when he’d said them. Melany walked back to the table slowly then, picking up the sudden tension between the men. Her gaze traveled between Ox and Geo, identifying the origin of the problem lay between them.

“How long was I gone for?” she spoke to no one in particular. “I feel like I’ve missed a lot.”

Needing to pee before we left, I said, “I’m just going to run to the bathroom before we go. Melany and I will be right back.”

Without waiting for approval, I headed toward the bathroom. My bladder was about to burst, but I also needed to tell Melany what happened and get her advice on the matter before I got into the truck with Ox and walked into unknown territory.

As soon as we were in line, Melany said, “Okay, spill. What happened when I was gone? Ox looked pissed and Geo smug, so I know we were seconds away from all out war.”

She wasn’t kidding. I told her about what Geo had said and she swore. “He might be my man’s VP, and a loyal son-of-a-bitch at that, but the man’s a shameless pig.”

“Yeah, I’ve only known him for a day, but I’m getting that impression,” I confirmed. “What do you think I should do about this?”

Melany toggled her head back and forth. “Not much you can do. The good thing is he’s not in your man’s Club. I’ve seen that shit happen before, and it ain’t pretty. Bikers aren’t forgiving when you mess with what’s theirs. That shit usually only ends one way—in blood and violence.”

That was the truth if I’d ever heard it. “Did I do the right thing? Not telling Ox everything Geo said?”

“I’m not sure if it’s the right thing or the wrong thing,” Melany confessed, “but it’s what I would have done if I was in your shoes. I’d wait until everyone was sober before I told Ox the rest. That way, he’ll act with deliberation, not emotions.”

That was some sound advice. “Thanks. I appreciate it. I’m so new to all this, I’m afraid I’ll mess things up between Ox and me before they even have a chance to get going. And that’s the last thing I want to do.”

Melany’s phone lit up again. “Damn! My sister must actually be going into labor this time. I gotta call her back and find Hatchet. Will you be okay waiting in line by yourself?”

Because we were up next, I didn’t see why this would be a problem. “Of course. Text me to let me know if she’s okay.”

Melany gave me a hug then dipped out of line and back into the bar in search of Hatchet. The bathroom opened up then and I went inside. When I came out, the bar seemed much more full than before. As I scanned the sea of faces, I began to notice a few familiar ones. My eyes shot down to their vests when I realized why I recognized them. They were all members of the Watchmen MC. They must have come in through the back entrance of the bar. Ox probably didn’t even know they were here yet.

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