Page 50 of Ink's Devil

As I dry myself off after the shower, I muse what would have happened if Ink had turned me down. Could I have actually gone with another biker?

No, I hadn’t been that desperate. I’d taken a calculated risk coming on to Mace. If it hadn’t had gotten Ink riled, I’d have backed out soon as I could. Luckily, my gamble had worked.

Though, I grin, as my mind circles back to the behaviour of the town girls last night, I doubt any of the bikers would have been a disappointment in the sack. Something about these rough tough men keeps the girls coming around. Coming, obviously, I give a childish giggle to myself at the double entendre as I sort out some fresh clothes.

“Bethany? Want some lunch?” a voice floats up the stairs.

“Sure, Mom,” I call back.

I go down, help her make some sandwiches. Give her a side-eye look when she tries to bring Ink into the conversation again, which gets her changing the subject.

“I’ve come up with some new designs I’d like you to look at.”

“Yeah?”

“I’d like a picture of you wearing those pants and shirt I did last week. Would you mind modelling again?”

The business mom is just starting up is designing clothes for taller teenagers and women, ones which actually fit. She’s had a lot of interest on her Instagram page.

“No, of course not.” As long as I can turn my head, or the picture just shows me from the neck down. I hate having my face on photos.

The afternoon passes like any other Saturday, and to my relief Connor doesn’t make an appearance. I do start getting fidgety, anticipating seeing Ink again later. Surely the fact he wants to see me again so soon means something?

When my phone rings I stand and leave my mother alone.

“Missing me already?”

“Huh,” he laughs. “Not yet. But babe, gotta tell you, I’m really sorry, but I need to reschedule. I can’t make tonight, something’s come up.”

“Reschedule, You can’t, huh? And what’s come up, has she got a name?”

“There’s no bitch involved, babe. Trust me.” His chuckle shows he knows I was joking. “Just need to do something for the club.”

Mel’s learned to accept Pyro disappearing at odd hours with no explanation, I suspect I’m going to have to learn to do the same if my relationship continues with Ink. “Is this club business?”

“You got it, doll.” He’s quiet for a second before adding, “But how about I make it up to you tomorrow? Storm’s moved off now, it’s already warmer. Forecast is dry with sun for tomorrow. How about that first ride?”

“That sounds really good, Ink. I’d love that.”

“Okay. I’ll call you in the morning. Might have to wrestle Beaver’s keys off him first. Oh, and if you’re worried about leaving your mom alone, bring her with you. I’m sure she and Jeannie would hit it off, and she already knows Mel.”

I’d giggled when he’d mentioned Beaver and the key to his bike, but my eyes had gone wide when he’d talked about Mom. What fuck buddy thinks of his partner’s mother?

“I’ll talk to her,” I tell him.

“I’ll be in touch tomorrow. Take care, babe.”

“You too, Ink.”

“Me? Come to a motorcycle club?” Mom’s eyes twinkle when I tell her, and she nudges me in the ribs. “There were a couple of older bikers I noticed at Mel’s wedding.”

“Mom!” I stare aghast at her. “Hellfire and Bomber are taken.”

“What about the redheaded man? He was quite striking.”

“Rusty?” I roll my eyes. “Mother! I am reconsidering this if you’re going to make a play for your own biker. If Rusty hasn’t taken a woman in all his life, what makes you think he’d start now?”

She nudges me again. “He obviously hasn’t found the right woman as yet.”

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