Page 20 of Ink's Devil

Again, I move on to another topic. “Your mom okay with you coming here tonight?”

Once again, her eyes meet the ceiling before looking back. “I’m twenty-seven, Ink, not a kid. Wouldn’t matter if she did, but to answer you properly, no. She’s always respected Mel’s judgement. She was at the wedding. I don’t know if you remember?”

Probably not. I didn’t take much notice of citizen guests. Replaying her words in my head, I snort. “Seems like we’ve got to up our game if we’re becoming respectable.”

I’ve made her giggle. “I don’t know about that. People who don’t know you’re big softies are still scared when they see your motorcycles coming along the road.”

My eyebrows rise, and I lean in. “Softie? You reckon I’msoft?” There’s more than a hint of suggestion in what I’m saying.

She doesn’t miss it. She swallows, then those blue eyes land on me, focused and not looking anywhere else. “I thought you didn’t do repeats.”

I don’t, but I’m realising that for her, I might make an exception.

I’m trying to formulate an answer that won’t raise her expectations too far but would allow us to end this party with us both getting some satisfaction, when a shadow looms over me.

“Ink,” Mace’s unwelcome voice interrupts me just as I’m opening my mouth. “Got trouble at Tits Up. Few of us are riding out. Beef wants you along.”

My eyes close briefly as I sigh. “Sorry Beth,” I tell her, already getting to my feet. “Duty calls. If you’re still around when I return, we’ll continue this, er, conversation.”

The flare in her eyes shows she knows exactly where our discussion was leading, and the crestfallen look on her face must mimic my own disappointment.

Fuck.

“What is it?” I snap at Mace, once we’re headed to the bikes, earning myself a quick glance and a raised brow at my unusual impatience. Luckily for him, he leaves it alone.

“Looks like someone might be dealing behind the strip club. Beef thinks it might be the asshole who was mentioned in church. Need to see whether we can catch up with him.”

Chapter Seven

Beth

Bad timing or what?I stare after Ink’s retreating form, not missing the tension in his shoulders, his shortness with Mace signalling he’s not happy at being called away. I’m part relieved, part disappointed. After our conversation which I certainly hadn’t come here today expecting would take place, I thought Ink was going to ask me to go up to his room. I couldn’t have refused. Couldn’t, because this controlling man wakes something inside me. Shouldn’t, because to go back for a second time would surely be a mistake.

Damn him. Why had he come over and stolen me away when I’d been sharing light-hearted jokes with his friends? Why had he taken time to eat and talk with me? Surprisingly I’d enjoyed our conversation and liked what I’d learned about him. He’d been focused completely on me, not looking for an escape, or, until the final few minutes, making any suggestion we’d do more than use words. His good looks, his masculinity, are a dangerous combination. He’s exactly the man I’ve been looking for all my life and spending more time with him will only set me up for disappointment.

When the men had arrived back from their ride, Mel had become glued to Pyro’s side. I’d grinned, seeing she hadn’t had much choice in the matter, her husband’s arm kept her there as though he couldn’t bear to be away from her. She’d sent me an apologetic smile, but I waved her off. If it was a room full of strangers maybe I’d be more nervous of being left to my own devices, but surprisingly, after the wedding and reception last week, I feel as though I’m among friends. I’ve been greeted and said hello to by name by everyone who’s come close. Maybe it’s down to Vi’s approval, she’s certainly not held back in telling how much I’d helped get things ready.

So, I’d stood, sipping my soda, feeling relaxed simply soaking up the general vibe. Pyro was far from the only one to show his greed for the company of his woman. Paladin quickly seated himself with Jay on his lap, Demon held on to Vi as if afraid she could disappear any moment, and Beef and Steph were joined like Siamese twins. Even Hellfire and Mo looked like they’ve been parted for days rather than a few hours. Buzzard and Bomber had quickly commandeered the presence of their women. When these men love, they love hard. I couldn’t help but wonder what such devoted attention would feel like.

I was well aware I was a single woman stood in a room which, apart from the aforementioned, is packed with otherwise single men. Unless I find somewhere to sit, it’s impossible for me to disappear into the background. I wasn’t left alone with my thoughts for long, and I was grateful for the interruption, and a chance to take my mind off my envy of the happy couples.

Judge had made me laugh, Sparky trying to outdo him as they both related tales of the ride they’d just been on. At first, I listened in awe, then realised some of the embellishments were just too ridiculous to be believable. I was soon cracking up with some of the outlandish tales.

Neither man had been anything but gentlemanly. Though their closeness and the way their hands would brush my arms gave me the impression that I could have gone with either of them had I given the slightest indication that I wanted to. They’d made me feel attractive and desired.

But they hadn’t made any part of me tingle.

They weren’t Ink.

He knew I was here. Stupidly, I’d drawn attention to myself when I’d gotten carried away in the heat of the moment, or more accurately, by that kiss that Demon and Vi had shared. For a second, I’d wondered whether he was going to come over. He didn’t.

Move on girl,I’d lectured myself.If you want a biker, there’re plenty of others here.

But it’s not another biker I want. When I’d carried on talking to the two men, I knew words were the only thing we’d be sharing. Only half listening at times, I’d decided I’d stay long enough to be polite, then slip away. Seeing Ink so disinterested had been painful.

Until he’d stormed over.

His dismissal of Judge and Sparky had been abrupt, and for a moment I was stumped to find an explanation. The one that occurred to me seemed ridiculous, but I could think of no other. Could he be jealous of their attentions toward me?

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