Page 2 of Wild Card
“Usual, Byron?” She picks up the napkin holder and wipes a cloth over our table.
“Not for me, thanks, Ruby. I ain’t stoppin’ long.” He smiles at her.
“How about you?” Her eyes lock on mine, and I swear something starts tugging at my insides.
“I’ll take a beer.” I clear my throat and try to get a handle on myself. Females don’t ever affect me in this way.
“Coming right up.” Her smile makes my dick hard, before she breezes back off to where she came from, and I take a breath before I look back at Byron.
“Off- fucking-limits,” he warns me with a snarl.
I was just about to ask him who she is and if she belongs to anyone, but I can see that wouldn’t go down well right now. I shouldn’t let myself get distracted anyway. I’m here to do a job and to get back in Jameson’s good books. The sooner I do it, the sooner I can fuck off back to my life of solitude.
“I ain’t here for pussy, Byron,” I assure him, though I can’t help wondering what hers would taste like.
“Good, cause there ain’t no time for it. Kids are dying, townsfolk are starting to panic, and I won’t have us lose control.I sure as hell don’t want the authorities puttin’ our little town on their radar.
“I hear ya.” I nod my head.
“Glad to hear it. Get yourself settled in, we have a charter meeting first thing in the morning. It’ll prepare you for your first assignment tomorrow night.”
“What's happening tomorrow night?” I check, hoping to hell it’s gonna involve some action.
“There's a party happening down at the lake; they’ll be college kids there looking to score, which means there will be someone there to supply. I want eyes and fuckin’ ears there. The sooner we find out who's bringing this shit into our town, the sooner we can eliminate the problem and you can disappear back into the void.”
“Jeez, you really don’t want me here, do ya?” I laugh at him.
“What do you find so funny about that?” Byron frowns, allowing me to see how much my humour pisses him off.
“The fact you can hate me, without even knowing me. Or maybe you just see me as a threat. There were no troubles in this town when my dad was president.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Ash. You're just a reckless, obnoxious kid who’s earned himself a reputation. You weren’t raised by your daddy, and I’m pretty sure he gave you an easy ride during your prospect probation to make up for it. Look how you thanked him for that.” He smiles because he knows his words fuckin’ hurt, even if I act like they don’t. “The club and this town welcome you, Ash. But we won’t tolerate your shit.” His chair scrapes on the wood floor as he stands up, then, with a nod of his head toward Earl, he heads out the door.
“Wow, what did you say to him to make him so grumpy?” A voice comes from the table behind me, and when I turn around and see the girl clearing it, she stops what she’s doing and moves to sit in the newly vacant seat opposite me.
“Ruby Saunders.” She holds out her hand, and I take it without hesitation. It’s so small and dainty inside mine, I could easily crush it, and when she goes to retract it, I almost fuckin’ do.
“Ash Rivers. Club brothers call me Wild Card,” I introduce myself to her.
“Wild Card.” She tests out my name and at least acts as if she’s impressed. “Sounds like there's a story behind that.”
“There’s always a story.” I smile back at her, wondering if her hair feels as soft as it looks. I want to trail it through my fingers and smell it.
“You wanna tell it to me?” She wets her lips a little with her tongue, and it makes them even more fuckin’ desirable. I don’t think I’ve ever paid so much attention to a female in my life, but with this one, I don’t wanna miss a single thing.
“Maybe one day.” I grip my hands into fists to stop myself from reaching out for her hand again.
“Oh shit, your beer.” She quickly stands up, sending her chair flying backward, and looks all flustered as she crouches down to pick it up.
“I’m sorry, I’m a real scatter-brain; I swear Earl only hires me because he knew my momma.” She laughs, and when I get up to help her, she stands up far quicker than I expected, and we butt heads.
“Fuck…I’m sorry.” She swallows thickly. “Did I mention I was clumsy, too?” Her giggle is infectious, and as she strokes the bump on her head, I feel my heart beating far too fast.
“That was my fault,” I assure her, liking the way her cheeks are flushing pink; they match the colour of her lips now.
“I better get you that beer.” She smiles adorably before scurrying off toward the bar, and I retake my seat, watching her every move and wondering why it makes everything inside me ache.
“There she is.” My head turns toward the door, and I hurt a little more when the guy who steps through it heads straight for her. “How's my girl today?” He kisses her for everyone who's here to see, and when his hand freely reaches around her body and squeezes her ass, something dark and unfamiliar rushes through my blood.
