Page 12 of Covert
I cringe. Fuck, that sounds so lame. Why the fuck would a princess like her want to come to an MC compound for beer and pizza? I brace for the incoming rejection. I can still get her number and maybe take her out somewhere proper. I don't have dress clothes. Fine, just somewhere other than the compound.
"My two favorite things!" she says brightly, and I marvel at her just a little bit more. "Can my friend Leana come?"
I'm nodding before she's even finished asking the question. Anything to get to see her again and get her closer to me. "Of course!"
"Great, Scar has my number. Text me the time and address?"
Scar has her number. And she's green-lighting me getting it from him. I swear to God the heavens open, and angels sing.
I'm still smiling as Scar says goodbye and pushes me out the door and into the cool night air.
Chapter six
Nikki
"You're not going," Maddox growls after Diesel leaves.
"Excuse me?"
"You're not going. Those guys are killers. They'll eat you up and spit you out."
I roll my eyes at him.
"Those guys? They're teddy bears."
"You're naïve and stupid if you think that."
I bristle at the insult. I stare him dead in his eyes and lower my voice. "I've seen the Devil. Those men aren't it." I push off my stool and go to the back storage, effectively ending the conversation.
Usually, his hotheaded outbursts don't faze me, but Maddox is barking up the wrong fucking tree if he thinks he can tell me what I can and cannot do outside of the shop. I've spent my entire life letting men dictate where I go and what I do. I'm not about to let him do it, too.
I cooled off as the day went by yesterday. I know he thinks he's protecting me because he doesn't know me well enough yet. So the insults and barked commands were coming from a place of trying to keep me safe. Maybe we need to sit down and have a very long discussion.
Leana was more excited about going to this thing than I was when I texted her about it yesterday. I wasn't going to go at first. Too many people, not enough exits, variables I can't control, alcohol, strangers. It's all a recipe for disaster.
But the image of Diesel's hazel brown eyes, dimples, and blush stayed with me for the rest of the day. I could see his interest from the moment he walked into the shop. And yeah, I kind of liked it. I'm used to men leering at me or checking me out when I allow myself to go to a bar to pick up a stranger, but his attention felt different.
It felt nice to be desired. It felt nice to feel like a woman, to be appreciated.
Diesel made me feel special, and I know how stupid it is to chase after external validation, but it's been so long since a man has looked at me like I was something he wanted.
I catch Axel, Maddox, and sometimes even Beckett looking at me, but they look at me like I'm a puzzle they want to solve. Not like I'm a woman they want to go to war for.
That's how Diesel looked at me, and I want more of that. I want more of feeling beautiful and sexy. I have moments where I feel beautiful, but never wanted.
I usually avoid attention, but I'm feeling weak today and want more of one man's attention. Only one man.
Which is why I let Leana pick out my outfit for this party. I should have stayed strong and stuck to my normal wardrobe. I wear the same outfit every day. Flowy skirt that hits just above my knees, a large sweater with a tank top underneath, and ballet flats. It still feels feminine while allowing me to fade into the background.
I drove to Leana's apartment first to get ready, since we decided to let her drive to the party. I'm not sure my Betty would make it out of town, and haven't had the time to research what the clunking noise she's been making is. It wouldn't matter, anyway. I really shouldn't have paid for Diesel's tattoo, but fuck, he was cute.
"Look at you, spreading your wings," Leana teases from where she's sitting on her bed. We're both cross-legged, and she's doing my makeup. I don't own makeup, and never learned how to apply it, but Leana insisted.
I grumble, nerves eating away at my stomach. I forgot to eat dinner, and I know Diesel said there'd be food, but I might be too nervous to eat.
"I don't know why you're doing all this," I motion to my face as she outlines my lips. "If he doesn't want me without makeup, then I don't want him."
"It's just enhancing your best features. You're going to blow him away. I can already see little daredevil, nerdy children in your future."
