Page 20 of Bound by Desire
One man is covered in tattoos. He has this vibe that screams different pussy every night. That’s his view on women. Reading people in a split-second is what I do for my job, so I know I’m the prey and he’s the predator, ready to eat mealive.
The middle one seems tame, not really taking me in like a meal, but rather along for the ride. It doesn’t really fit the expected vibe I had for bikers. Meanwhile, the third is laidback, confident, and focused solely on me. He’s reading me as hard as I’mreadinghim.
“Green, Jacks, and Ryker,” Princess introduces. “Be nice; she’s workin’atX.”
The one with the tattoos stands up and saunters over to me. “Hey, baby. Workin’ at X, huh? I’ll give ya a ride.” His cut readsRyker.
Just catching myself from rolling my eyes, I smile as he leans in a bit, thinking he’s got me. I inhale him, the smell of cigarettes coming off loud and clear. He’s hot, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not a man I’d take home with me. Too much going on in that headofhis.
I lower my voice and tell him, “You couldn’t handle this ride if it came with training wheels.” His eyes flair. “Not a challenge.Truth.”
“Ryker, she’s not dancin’; she’s security. Now back off. You’re gonna scare her off before I even get it allworkedout.”
“Nah, he doesn’t scare me. It’ll take a lot more than him to do that. Thanks for the vote of confidence,though.”
Princess smiles. “What, Ryker? This must be a first. Nothingtosay?”
“I’ll have your panties by the end of the week,” he declares withagrin.
“Don’t hold your breath. Or, on secondthought—do.”
Ryker’s eyes light in amusement, yet there’s something behind them. It’s as if he’s covering for something or someone. Maybe this in-your-face shit really isn’t him—it’s an act. Pity. I know a lot of women who would eat that shit up if itweretrue.
“Comeon.”
I turn and follow Princess in through a large metal door. When it closes, I have to blink my eyes several times to adjust to the darkness. The place smells of smoke and stale beer, reminding me of Schade’s club and my time tending bar. Damn, that feels like a longtimeago.
The place is covered in a dark wood paneling that looks as though it’s been there for more years than I’ve been alive. There’s a bar off to the right with nicks and dings all over it. Tables and chairs, some filled with people, sit in the middle of the place. A large pool table sits off to the side, and there’s a wall full of pictures alloverit.
“Well, who do we have here?” a man with long hair braided down his back and a red, white, and blue bandana across his forehead calls out from one of the tables. He lifts a beer to his beard covered lips, takes a sip, then setsitdown.
“Rylie,” Princess answers for me. “Dagger, meet my new head of securityatX.”
He whistles. “What’s a little thing like her gonna do with that job?” I’m sure he’s joking, but I don’t appreciate beingbelittled.
“Wipe the floor with any motherfucker who doesn’t keep their fucking hands to themselves.” My tone is calm, even, and still. Yes, I can make my voice still in a way that conveys my seriousness. I’ve had quite a bit of practice over theyears.
Dagger takes another drink then points the tip of his bottle at me. “She’ll do … for now.” He throws it down like a challenge, but I don’t take the bait. It takes a lot more to hook methesedays.
Now, the scary as fuck guy to his right, he might be one of the few I don’t want to ever see in a dark alley. His face is twisted in a way that I think is permanent and strange. He’s all muscle and can more than likely take out anybody and anything. He’s definitely one for me to keep myeyeson.
“Rhys, this isRylie.”
Scary man—okay, Rhys—says nothing, but liftshischin.
“Come on; be nice,” a sing-song voice comes from beside me. A beautiful woman with blonde hair and a body to die for walks up to Rhys, making his scowl disappear as she sits on his lap, putting her arms around him. “Don’t be all hard to thenewgirl.”
He pulls her to him and kisses her hard. I hear her gasp, but she doesn’t pull away. His face changes. It doesn’t get soft, but there’s this slight change that is tender. That man loves her beyond allreason.
“Tanner?” Princess calls out as they pull away forbreath.
When she turns to us, her eyes are a bit glazedover. “Yeah?”
Princess chuckles. “This isRylie.”
“Oh, hi! Sorry.” She looks at Rhys. “Okay, not really sorry,butyeah.”
“Nice to meet ya,” I tell her, feeling a bit flushed after witnessing that kiss. Damn, it’s been a while, and seeing the passion they have for each other is a sight. Not to mention he’s got a few yearsonher.
