Page 20 of Riggs
Chapter Eight
Luna
We've been on the road for several hours now, and my body is starting to feel the effects. This is only my second time on a motorcycle; my first being when I was rescued from the lumber mill. Even though I was with Rex for a couple of months, he not once took me for a ride on his; not that I ever showed any interest. I always thought I'd be scared to ride on the back of a motorcycle, but surprisingly being on the back of Riggs' is not so bad. I had been tense for the first thirty minutes of the ride, but as the minutes ticked by, I slowly started to relax. I'm sure Riggs was grateful since I had such a death grip on his torso. With my body so close to his, I am rewarded with the scent of his woodsy cologne mixed with his own personal musk and motor oil. I hate to admit it, but I like it; I like it a whole lot.
When the bike makes a turn, I open my eyes and lift my head from Riggs' back. I've been so lost in my thoughts I haven't noticed I'd been resting up against him. I straighten my back as I try to put a couple of inches of distance in between us as we park in front of a diner. Cutting the engine to his bike, Riggs offers me his hand and helps me slide off on unsteady legs.
Climbing off, he turns to me. "You hungry?" Just then, my stomach rumbles, answering his question. He must have heard because his lips tip up in a smirk and I blush.
Looking over my shoulder, Riggs tips his chin at the other men, Kiwi and Fender who have already parked their bikes and are now roaming in our direction. Without hesitation, Riggs takes hold of my hand in his much bigger one and leads the way inside the diner. The second we step inside, our presence draws the attention of each customer. Feeling uneasy with the sudden attention I shrink away, hiding my body behind Riggs. There is something about having so many eyes on me that brings a sense of vulnerability. It's the way people look at you as if they are judging you; making you feel transparent. As if they can see straight through me to all my flaws. I know it's not true. I'm the kind of person who'd rather blend in instead of standing out. But right now, that is kind of hard with the three bikers standing with me looking utterly unaffected by the attention they have gained. Then again, I'm sure they are used to it by now. Aside from being large men wearing MC cuts, they are also three handsome men.
Tugging on my hand, Riggs walks us passed an elderly couple sitting at a table looking at us with suspicious eyes as Kiwi and Fender fall in behind us. Stopping at an empty booth, Riggs motions for me to sit. I do without question, and he slides in beside me while his two men take a seat across from us. When the waitress steps up to us, she places our menus on the table. I also don't miss the googly eyes she makes at the man sitting beside me, then subtly pulls the front of her uniform down, like she's trying to offer up her big boobs as an appetizer. Without missing a beat, Riggs starts to sign what the waitress is saying. "Hi. My name is Becky, and I'll be your waitress. Can I get you all something to drink?"
As if our waitress couldn't get any more annoying, she swoons over the sight of a big, hot biker using ASL. I guess his ability to communicate with the hearing impaired has taken his hotness to the next level. I must not have hidden my reaction very well because I catch sight of Kiwi across from me and by the jerky movements of his shoulders, he's getting a good laugh. When I bring my attention back to Riggs and our waitress, she doesn't look too pleased with my reaction.
Damn. I hope she doesn't spit in my food.
Ignoring her, I tell Riggs, "I'd like a Coke, please." He relays my choice to Becky. After taking everyone else's drink order, she trots off behind the counter. I don't miss the way she puts an exaggerated sway into her hips as she retreats.
Desperate much?
I don't know why her flirting bothers me. Riggs is nothing to me. He's no more than a bossy, overbearing, babysitter. And I'm just a chick that was pawned off on him as a favor to the club.
Shoving those thoughts away, I turn and tap Riggs on the shoulder. When he trains those blue eyes on me, I tell him, "I need to use the bathroom." Nodding, he stands from the booth. Scooting my way to the edge, I wait a second for Riggs to take a step back and allow me more space to pass. When I see that he has no intention of moving, I am forced to invade his personal space as my breasts brush over his arm. The contact causes my skin to prickle and my breath to hitch. When I chance a glance up at his face, his stare has turned molten, and his pupils are dilated, making his blue eyes look more piercing. The air around us becomes electric; neither one of us says a word. I cut my eyes over to our audience; I see Fender with his head cocked as if he's trying to make heads or tails of the situation.
As am I.
Whereas Kiwi is sporting a shit-eating grin. Feeling overwhelmed and confused, I tuck tail and make a mad dash toward the ladies' room.
Finished with my business, I exit the stall and head to the sink to wash my hands. Bracing my palm on the counter, I give my reflection a long hard look.
I look like shit with my frizzy wind-blown hair to the bags under my eyes. Shaking my head, I hold my palm under the cold water then continue to splash it on my face. I wet my hands again and run my fingers through my hair. Taking a hair tie from my pocket, I go about braiding my long blonde hair in an attempt to tame the fizziness. Satisfied with the look, I dry my hands, toss the paper towel in the trash bin, and exit the bathroom. Waiting in the hallway for me is Riggs.
"I came to check on you. Wanted to make sure you didn't try to slip out the back."
"I already told you, no more sneaking out."
"I know, but still."
"Whatever," I sign my face going hard as I step around his tall form and make my way to the booth as he trails close behind. By the time I return to the table, the food has been delivered. Riggs must have ordered for me while I was in the bathroom. Once I am seated, I lift the bun off the top of the burger to see that it's mushroom and swiss.Yum.Satisfied with the meal chosen for me, I waste no time digging in. I let out a small moan as the delicious flavor hits my taste buds. What can I say, I enjoy food, and all ladylike manners fly out the window when I'm this hungry. Setting my burger down, I reach to my right for the ketchup and squeeze a healthy amount over the top of my fries. I then pick up the mustard, doing the same. Satisfied with my ketchup to mustard ratio, I pluck three fries up at the same time and shove them in my mouth. I do it two more times before I pick my hamburger up and take another generous bite. Realizing I have three sets of eyes on me, I peer up from my plate. I take in Riggs, Fender and Kiwi's faces. "What?"
Riggs grins and shakes his head. "Nothing, baby."
Realizing I probably look like a pig, I blush and look away from the guys feeling embarrassed. Snatching the napkin off the table, I hang my head as I wipe the ketchup from my mouth. Placing his finger underneath my chin, Riggs urges me to look at him. "I wasn't making fun of you, baby. I love watching you eat. I even like the sexy little moans you make when you enjoy your food."
Holy shit! If I thought my face couldn't turn redder, I was wrong.
"Eat," Riggs nods toward the table. Smiling, I tuck back into my meal. Once I have finished every bite, I push the plate away the same moment our waitress returns. She smiles and places the check on the table. I also watch as she tears a piece of paper from her notepad and slides it across the table in front of Riggs. She makes it a point to make eye contact with him. When he pockets the number, my stomach sinks, and she slides her gaze over to me with a smirk.
Bitch.
With all the confidence in the world, she trots back behind the counter where she goes about serving a few other patrons.
Standing from the booth, Riggs grabs the check from the table and offers me his hand. I look at his face, then his hand and back at his face. Lifting my chin, I ignore his offering. It pisses me off when I see the hint of a smile behind his beard.
Asshole.
I follow behind him as he steps up to the counter to pay the bill, but quickly decide I am not in the mood to watch him flirt with the waitress. When I go to move past him, I don't make it two steps before I feel a secure arm snag around my waist, and I'm pulled flush against Riggs' side. Bitch Becky loses the smile she had on her face moments ago. She takes the check, and the cash from Riggs as she goes about placing the money in the register then gives him his change. Crossing my arms over my chest, I not so patiently wait for them to finish. Beside the register, I spot the tip jar and wonder how much Riggs thinks Becky's service is worth. But instead of placing the change into the tip jar, he pockets it. Next, he takes a piece of paper out of the front pocket of his cut. It's then I notice it's the paper the waitress wrote her number on. Releasing his hold on my waist, Riggs places the paper in the tip jar then brings his hands up to sign. "My girl didn't appreciate your advance back at our table. My tip for you; don't flirt with men while you are on the job. Especially not when the customer is with his woman. It's disrespectful." Riggs finishes leaving me stunned, and the waitress pissed. Without a second glance, he places his hand on the small of my back and ushers me out of the diner.
