Page 3 of Hard as Stone
“We’re serious, Poppy,” Felix insists. “Don’t mess with the bikers.”
“OK! I’ll be nice…” I hold my free hand up in mock surrender as Hugo and Felix share rolled-eyed looks before heading back to the pipe repairs. The moment they’re out of earshot, I finish my sentence under my breath, “as long as they’re nice to me.”
2
AXEL
“Smell that?” I call over my shoulder to the pack of bikes behind me. “That’s what freedom smells like.”
The morning sun paints the mountains in shades of gold as I lead the brothers on a run through winding back roads. It’s still cool enough that my leathers don’t feel like a second skin, but not so warm that the scent of hot asphalt fills my nostrils. Instead, the wind is carrying hints of pine and the roadside wildflowers. Perfect riding weather.
Or it would be perfect if I could get that damn traffic girl and her incessant gum chewing out of my head. Why is it that all I can think about is plucking it from between those juicy lips of hers and putting it between mine? The fuck is wrong with me?
“Taking the long way today?” Lee pulls his bike alongside mine at a red light, shouting over the rumble of engines.
I jerk my chin toward the ‘ROAD CLOSED’ sign blocking our usual route back to town. “City’s got half the roads torn up. Gotta go around.”
Lee’s grin turns sharp. “Sure that’s the only reason?”
I shoot him a look that would have the prospects pissing themselves. Lee just laughs.
“Word is you been getting cock-blocked by a girl with a stop sign lately.”
“Watch it, kid,” I grouch, knowing how much he hates being called that. Lee has been giving me shit since I joined the club and he was still a teen. Perks of being the president’s son—he can get away with running his mouth, but I make sure I give as good as I get now that he’s a full member.
The light turns green and I gun it, leaving Lee’s laughter behind. But I can’t outrun the memory of bright eyes and a bubblegum smile. She stands up to me like I’m just another guy in her way, not someone who could make her life difficult.
It’s... refreshing. Annoying as hell, but refreshing.
We round the bend that would take us back to the clubhouse, and I damn near lay my bike down.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
There she is again, yellow vest making her look like some kind of demented ray of sunshine. Like most days, her long dark hair is pulled back in a messy braid, hard hat perched at an angle that somehow looks sassy.
And she’s grinning at me like the cat that got the cream.
“Morning, Toto!” she calls as I pull to a stop. “You like my new boots?” She clicks her heels together as she fishes into her pocket and pulls out that pack of gum she’s always chomping on.
I blink, momentarily stunned by the sight before me. This girl, this maddening traffic controller who’s been the bane of my existence since she showed up in Stoneheart, has somehow managed to transform her standard-issue work boots into something straight out of a storybook. The steel toes are now encrusted with what looks like hundreds of tiny red diamantes, caked in mud, while also still catching the morning sun and throwing off dazzling sparks of crimson light. They glitter and shine with every slight movement, turning her simple footwear into a pair of honest-to-god ruby slippers—trailer trash edition.
“What in the...” I trail off, unable to find words. The rest of the club pulls up behind me, engines rumbling.
“Cat got your tongue?” she teases, popping a piece of gum in her mouth and chewing with exaggerated movements. “Or should I say, lion, got your tongue?”
I shake my head, trying to clear it. This girl is something else. “You always this extra?” I growl, but there’s laughter under my words. I really don’t want to be, but fuck, I’m amused by her.
She shrugs and holds out her gum to offer me a piece. “Depends on how bored I get. How about you, Toto? You always this lost? I could help you get home with my ruby slippers if you like.” She clicks her heels and gestures to the signs they have up, using an otherworldly voice while singing,Follow the yellow detour signs,off key.
Behind me, I hear Lee choking on laughter. I decline the gum—and every part of this interaction—with a shake of my head.
“Suit yourself,” she says as she quits singing and shoves the gum packet back in her pocket. She blows a strawberry scented bubble while looking me dead in the eyes. Once it’s popped, she chews it back up and tilts her head. “Do I need to sing a different song for you to figure out you need to find another road to travel down?”
I can feel the eyes of my brothers boring into my back, waiting to see how I’ll handle this curvy firecracker. My jaw clenches as I fight the urge to smile. Damn if she isn’t ballsy.
“Thought I’ve made it clear that I don’t have time for all these detours,” I growl, trying to keep my voice low and menacing. But something about the sparkle in her eyes tells me she’s not buying my tough guy act.
“And I thought I’d made it clear that I’m Dorothy, and you’re Toto in this particular scenario. And since I’m the one with the ruby slippers, you don’t get to go anywhere beyond my magical signs without my say so,” she retorts, her grin widening. “But hey, if you want to trade boots and click your heels three times, be my guest. I could use the entertainment.”
