Page 3 of Quadruplets for the Vipers

“Do you have any children, a husband, or a boyfriend?” Axel asks.

“Why? You asking me out?” I retort. I’m not normally so outspoken, but their personal questions were making me uneasy.

I don’t like being under such scrutiny, but the president of a notorious biker gang wanting to know so much about me can’t be a good thing.

“I think I’m done here. It was nice to meet you both,” I say, jumping to my feet.

For a moment, I think they’re going to force me to stay, but Zeus simply nods. “It was a pleasure to meet you, too, Lacy. Until next time,” he adds, a threat or a promise.

I head to the restroom to compose myself.

“Fuck, I would climb that man like a tree,” one of the girls giggles to another as they reapply their lipstick in the mirror.

“God, me too. I wonder what they’re looking for… I’ve heard half the Steel Vipers are stone-cold hotties. Maybe we should find out where their club is and hang out there,” the other replies.

The girls look up at me and smile, but ignore me as I make my way into a cubicle. They’re polite to me, but I’m not one of them, so I’m generally excluded from their gossiping tales of customers. I hear them leave as I’m leaving the stall. I take my time washing my hands and fixing my makeup. I don’t wear much, but in this line of work, it pays to look your best. Considering I’ve been living out of my truck for the past few weeks and showering at work, it hasn’t been easy.

I slick some gloss on my lips, the kind that contains a hint of chili to plump them up, and scrunch my long, wavy, brown hair between my fingers. It’s an unruly mess that I frequently tieup to keep out of the way, but again, I get better tips when it’s down.

Wearing makeup and my hair down are also small acts of rebellion against my ex, who hated me doing either. In a way, so is working in the club. Knowing how much he’d hate my new career choice brings me a small sense of satisfaction.

As I leave the restroom, I collide with a steel pillar of muscle. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there,” I stammer as I realize I’ve just barged right into Axel’s chest.

At well over six feet with broad shoulders and rippling biceps, he’s not exactly easy to miss. I step back to look up at him, he dominates the entire corridor; I can’t get around him without touching him.

“The customer restrooms are back that way,” I add, pointing behind him.

He nods but makes no move to leave. He steps closer, watching me with that intense gaze.

“You didn’t answer my question before,” he says.

“What question?” I reply, playing dumb.

“Are you taken?”

I don’t know what takes over me—perhaps it’s the raw, animalistic sexuality that he exudes, or the fact that I know there’s no way a man like him would be interested in me so he’ll likely find my answer funny and back off—but I find myself replying with uncharacteristic confidence.

“Why don’t you try to take me and find out for yourself?” I challenge.

A sound akin to a growl erupts from his chest, and before I fully understand what’s happening, he closes the gap between us, buries his hand in my hair, and crushes his lips against mine. Instinct takes over as I kiss him back hungrily. He lifts me from my feet, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he pins me against the wall. He kisses down my neck—strong, violent kisses that will surely leave marks, but feel incredible. A moan escapes my lips, and I can feel myself soaking wet through my panties as I grind against him.

I should not be doing this. Not here, in the middle of work. Not with some biker. But I don’t care, I’m totally lost in the moment. I’ve never wanted anyone more.

“Leah… you dark horse!” Honey screeches, breaking the spell.

As quickly as we collided, we spring apart. I avoid looking at him as I adjust my rumpled clothes.

“Save some for the rest of us,” Honey purrs as she sashays past us into the restroom.

“I’m sorry… I don’t know what came over me…” I mumble as I push past him to leave.

He captures my wrist in his hand, stopping me. “I’ll see you around, Leah,” he says, drawing out my name like a promise.

I don’t reply. I wouldn’t even know what the hell to say, and he lets me go. I can feel his eyes burning into my back as I walk away. I mentally curse Honey for using my real name. Though I get the impression they could have found it out if they wanted. I head back to the bar, losing myself in busy work while fending off Big John’s questions and resolutely avoidinglooking in Axel’s direction. I think I’d die of embarrassment. He’s probably used to women throwing themselves at him all the time. Thankfully, they’ve already paid their tab, and they leave the club shortly after Axel comes out.

I think of his last words to me, something tells me this isn’t the last I’ve seen of the Steel Vipers. I can’t decide whether that’s a good or bad thing.

Chapter 2

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