Page 8 of Vex

“Yes! That’s it! I saw her working there with Suki a while back. Not exactly the best place for a young woman to work, though. The security’s really lax,” Horse Nuts says while pouring a shot of Jack.

I frown because Taja mentioned something about the security there also. I make a mental note to speak with Suki about it.

“Are these guys sexually harassing you Vex?” Taja asks with a small smile.

I jerk around and see her standing next to me as the guys all hoot with laughter.

“Nothing I can’t handle. Ignore all three. They’re unimportant,” I answer back, grinning wide when the laughter switches to mock outrage.

“Copy that,” she replies while tying her apron back on and walking off.

“Whoa! Stop! Come back here,” shouts Pigeon. “Don’t leave us with his special kind of ugly! Woman! Have a heart!”

Taja continues to the other end of the bar and starts filling orders without responding.

“Fuck me. She’s even easier on the eyes up close,” moans Toes.

“Why don’t you all take your sorry asses to a booth and enjoy the talent?” I ask.

“Seen it all before. Many times. It’s more fun to fuck with you and check out the new employee’s assets,” grins Pigeon.

Again, I bite my tongue. Pigeon, Toes and Horse Nuts aren’t going to harass her or step out of line, and I know that. But I’m fighting this urge to be protective of her from even them. Fuck me. This isn’t the normal me, and I’m not liking it one bit. I move out from behind the bar and make myself do a round of the club putting distance between me and Taja.

Chapter 5

Taja

I enjoy the view of Vex walking away before realizing what I’m doing. I push the image of him from my mind and get back to mixing drinks. It’s busy and my hands don’t stop moving, but it’s not long before I find myself standing in front of Vex’s club members again. I was a biker kid for enough years to know what the patches on their cuts mean. One patched member, Pigeon, and two prospects.

“Refills?” I ask as I’m already reaching for more beer bottles.

“Yes, please, hit us again,” answers Pigeon before introducing the three of them.

“I’m Pigeon. Toes and Horse Nuts,” he states as he aims his thumb in their direction respectively.

“Taja. Nice to meet you. Need anything else, let me know,” I answer as I turn to walk off, but I get stopped when Horse Nuts speaks up.

“I’ve seen you at Club Zero with Suki. You still work there, right?”

“Yeah, part-time.”

“That’s a tough joint to work for a woman. Has their security gotten any better?” he asks.

“Not really, but I’m careful. I’ve learned a lot from working there. Freddy’s mentioned a job here, and I’m thinking it over, though,” I answer him.

“Security’s tight here. Freddy’s a great guy to work for. All the employees here like him. I’d put some serious thought into making the change, Taja,” advises Pigeon.

I look at him carefully and see nothing but sincerity. But my long-held dislike and distrust of bikers is hard to overcome. I nod my head and get back to work.

I feel a warm hand land on my right hip at the same time I hear Vex’s voice in my ear.

“Behind you. Grabbing a beer.”

I still my body and enjoy the tingle that runs through my hip from his touch. I’ve never felt that before, and it’s beyond nice. My heart rate picks up speed as his chest brushes across my back and his breath hits my neck. Involuntarily, I lean back slightly to feel more of his heat. He’s solid and warm. Yeah, I’m liking him being this close. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long. As his long, tan fingers grab the neck of a beer bottle, he moves back and away from me. With a gentle squeeze on my hipbone, he moves toward his club brothers.

I’m amazed at my reaction to Vex. I may be inexperienced in the sexual world, but I’ve had guys touch me like that before and had zero reaction. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Vex lays one hand on me, and I feel it everywhere. And now I can’t un-feel it. The man is sex on a stick, way the hell out of my league, and I’m standing here wanting to feel more of his touch. I’ve lost my damn mind, and I know it. I shake it off and turn back to the drink orders.

“Break time, Taja. Grab a drink and let’s go chill for a while,” Vex orders as Ash steps behind the bar beside me.

---