Page 3 of Downward Dawg
“It was a gag gift,” he blurted, unable to concentrate on anything else but her drinking from the absolutely vulgar mug. “I didn’t know it migrated from the back up here.”
“So, it’s your personal mug. One of your favorites.” She gave him a regal nod, then sipped the coffee again. “I feel honored.”
“And I swear, I wasn’t open. I wouldn’t jack with your classes like that. I’ll make a post on social media to clarify the hours so it won’t happen again.”
“It’s not a problem for today.” She finally took pity on him and lowered the mug, turning it in her hands to giggle at it again. “If your customers had been much earlier, I’d have managed, but it wouldn’t have been pretty.” She drained the cup and handed it back to him, cheeks bright pink. “I’ll let you get back to business, Mad Daaawg.”
Hellfire and fuck me. Even the way she says my name is cute.
He stood there like a stupefied bull and watched her mesmerizing ass sway back and forth on its route through the store. She paused for a moment at the door and smiled back at him, then was gone, the tiny slapping sounds from the flip-flops marking her progress as she moved out of view.
Was that a flirty smile? Saucy? What the hell? Does she like me?
He’d carried a torch for her since their first meeting. Given their forced proximity, Mad Dawg had long determined to not act on the blazing attraction he felt. Now he wasn’t sure he’d managed to conceal it very well.Plus, if she’s interested, is it something I have to ignore?It could be messy, his shop next door to her studio.Only if things didn’t work out. I’m borrowing trouble here. Likely that smile was because she thinks I’m an idiot, not because she found my flailing endearing.
“Oh, man, you got it bad, brother.” One of the few men Mad Dawg had met in this group was standing right behind him. Meant Martini had gotten the same view of Elodie’s ass.
Instantly filled with irritation and the hard edge of some unfamiliar emotion, he glowered at the man. “What was it you needed?”
The man held up a hand filled with a leather jacket, patting the air with his other hand. “Down, boy. I’m already locked down. No competition for ya. Promise.” He grinned. “Yeah, I found it. Already texted the old lady and she’s approved.”
Anger slowly subsiding to simmer just underneath the surface, Mad Dawg nodded briskly. “Let’s get you rung up and on your way, then.”
A small line had already formed at the register, and as he spoke with each man about their purchases, his heartbeat slowed until Mad Dawg felt relatively normal.Thank fuck.
Martini was the last to check out, and they tossed small talk back and forth during the transaction. As he reached for the bag Mad Dawg had placed the jacket in, Martini leaned close, cutting his eyes to one side as he whispered, “Wanted to let you know that I don’t know those two guys. Think it’s kinda weird that their bikes are well seasoned rides, but they don’t have a vest or jacket on.”
Mad Dawg looked in the indicated direction just in time to see one of the men indicate with a nod up to where the security cameras were mounted, then watched as the two men shared a glance, turned, and strode quickly out the door without making a purchase. He didn’t remember even speaking directly to either of them.Odd.A moment later, the rumble of pipes rattled through the building and Mad Dawg gave an internal wince at the level of sound, knowing it would have totally disrupted Elodie’s class if she had one now.
“I don’t know them either,” he said, turning his attention back to Martini. “Interesting they didn’t seem to have any friends in the group of y’all. I assumed you’d all ridden in together.”
“Nope. The rest of us met for breakfast at the VFW and shot the shit until we figured you’d be open. I don’t think any of us knew about the afternoon thing. Sorry again about that. But I can guarantee you those two weren’t with us. They tagged onto the back of the group a couple of blocks away, and just followed us in.” He lifted the bag with a salute. “My old lady thanks you, and I thank you for makin’ me the hero. Her old jacket started fallin’ apart from being in the rain and shit. That fashion statement wasn’t ever supposed to be a biker chick’s jacket. I think she’s learned her lesson.”
“Good gear makes a difference. Dress for the slide—”
“Not the ride.” Martini laughed as he walked to the front of the shop.
Mad Dawg followed Martini to the door and locked it after he walked through, lifting a hand to wave at the group of men as they rode away. He grimaced again at the noise.
“If those two think to rob this shop, they must not be real smart.” He shook his head as he walked to the back room and settled in behind the computer. “Any amount of research at all, it wouldn’t take a half a minute to know who I was, and the club that’s got my back.”
He’d have to tell his brothers the idea of having dummy cameras installed for an overt show of security was a good one. The real ones were hidden, and the system wasn’t easily bypassed.
“They come knockin’, we’ll see who does the rockin’.”
Sitting at the computer, he reopened the spreadsheet he’d been working on earlier and went back to the tedious business of inventory. Through the thin walls between the businesses, he heard the softly chiming music of Elodie’s studio as a new class began. The sound was comforting, familiar, and his breathing slowed to match the pace of the music.
He liked his neighbor. More than he’d expected. Like Martini had noted, Mad Dawg had it bad.
Abandoning the spreadsheet, he opened a browser window and idly searched for the name of Elodie’s yoga studio.
Clicking on the link filled the screen with soothing colors and images, out-of-focus pictures of women and men in leggings in various poses.Leggings, as if.There was a cycling set of graphics in the home page header, identifying various positions and giving a glimpse into the uses of each. He was surprised at how specific some were regarding the physical benefits, but then they talked about things called chakras—something he knew nothing about.
That sent him to a new browser window, and a confusing dive into a type of spirituality he’d never knew existed.
But it all fit what he knew about Elodie. She’d been calm and centered every time they’d interacted. Confidence was a serious turn-on, and she had it in spades.
Except today. Just for a minute. She kinda acted flirty.
