Page 3 of Twisted Ties

He calls out. “Aye! Close up!” The gate groans as it starts to close, and desperation cloaks me as I call out.

“No!”

He’s smirking at me; he’s got a nerve, and now he’s wagging his finger. I’m not going to make it and my escape plan is doomed. I stop, as I don’t want to look any more of a fool than I already do. I put my hands on my hips, catching my breath.

Sledge arrives as I’m sucking in air and grabs my hand. I snatch it away in defiance. I don’t know who he thinks he is right now, but I’m not better off for his assistance. Now, I’m going to be number one on Slither Road’s hit list.“Let me help you, baby."

“I don’t need any help,” I bark back at him, realizing as I take a closer look that the guy is smoking hot. My defensive hackles have risen, but I’m not equipped with the skills to take them down. I don’t know who I can trust, regardless of how this sexy biker with a sweet smile is staring at me. He holds steady, not backing down, and with my choices being limited anyway, I walk slowly back with him to the clubhouse.

You’ve been in worse places; you can handle yourself. No matter what, don’t go down without a fight. After being a part of the Savage Outlaw crew, how much worse can it really be?

As soon as I walk in, I see bikers are in the place wall to wall, and all of them have their beady eyeballs on yours truly. I walk through, flexing my fingers out, trying to look natural, my hip throbbing from when Slither threw me to the ground. That had been unexpected, but in essence, his malevolence was something I’d become used to.

There are old ladies in the expansive building, which feels lighter than the dingy, dark quarters of the Savages. Their facilities are better. For one, there’s better lighting, and the place doesn’t stink of rank pussy and bourbon. It’s clean, open, and the girls, yeah, they’re scantily clad. They look like paid pros; it’s impossible not to notice the bazookas on one of them, since they’re almost as big as her head. Her Coke-bottle body is barely poured into one of those bandage dresses in a hot fuchsia pink, and of course she has a mane of platinum blonde hair framing her surgically-enhanced face. I can feel the jealousy dripping off her.

“Who is this bitch?” she says to the other women who snark it up with her, talking back and forth. Now my nerves are like a superhighway, and I want to shut down and run again. I’m like a deer in headlights and I hope this Sledge guy doesn’t think this is fun for me.

Sledge, who has been walking a pace behind me, slips his large, warm hand into my slick one. I’m embarrassed that it’s so hot and want to let go, but the kind look he gives me brings my heart rate back down to level. He leads us to a darker section of the club away, from the critical eyes as we sit down together.

The couches are comfortable, and I sink in easily. “Hey, I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Sean, but my people call me Sledge, are you feeling okay now?” he asks quietly. I’m leaning on him, and it feels so natural, like I’m supposed to be sitting so dangerously close to him.He’s like a magnet.I sit upright, not getting it.

“Leave me alone, I don’t have to tell you anything,” I mumble, folding my arms one over the other in protection.

“Okay, okay, I can dig it.” Sean sits beside me, and doesn’t do anything but relax and put his feet up on the soft stool in front of him. He’s vibing out to the music playing in the background as I take the opportunity to observe everyone. After a few minutes, he gets up to leave me alone, and while I’m relieved, I also feel a little vulnerable.

Bikers are laughing, telling jokes—what is this? Bikers aren’t high, either; they’re playing pool and look to be coherent. There’s nobody playing dark, heavy rock metal; it’s easygoing country tunes and classic rock music. The girls who gave me the once-over sit with their men and canoodle. I don’t see any drug exchanges, not one. I do pick up that there’s a well-stocked bar and one of the guys is serving drinks to the others, but he looks to be part of the club. The club banner is hanging over the top of the bar, and I’m absorbing the energy of the unfamiliar environment. Things are chill. It’s not like at the Savage Outlaws when anything can pop off at any given moment.

Sledge returns with a generous smile, and I want to attack him, but he’s been nothing but nice to me, so I can’t. He might have been the man who saved my life; God knows what Slither was about to do to my face. I have no reason to be a bitch to him.

“Do you need anything, babe?” he asks as he sits on the edge of the couch.

“Um, I could use some water, my throat is on fire.”

“Can you grab the fine lady a bottle of water from the fridge? Make sure it’s cold, thanks.” Sean addresses a nearby biker is standing next to him, and he scoots off to get it. I’m fairly sure it’s a prospect.

Sean is even hotter now that I’ve gotten a better look at him. He has an undercut on one side and a long-fringed part of his hair hangs on the other side. He reminds me of a punk rocker, except in biker skin. Tattoos poke out from under his shirt. His playful eyes are a liquid chocolate-brown, and despite appearances, I can feel the sincerity in them. I want to run my hands through his full beard and stroke it, but we can get to that later. His mustache fits perfectly on his face too. Everything about him is right. His hands are marked, and he’s covered in pretty-ass tattoos.Just my type.He’s wearing a beaded bracelet, and to me they look like prayer beads.I wonder if he’s Catholic.I focus on what I want to say to him, so I don’t get off-track.

"Sean, can we talk?'

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I just wanted to say thank you for helping me out back there, and sorry I've been such a bitch. Call it misdirected anger.”

"Nah, you're good. To be honest, I'm usually not like that. Most of my brothers are short-fused and lose their temper at the smell of a spark. I'm usually the opposite, seeking the path of least resistance. Violence is always more trouble than it's worth. But when I saw you standing at the bar and our eyes met, I saw the despair in your eyes. I could hear your soul calling for help.I knew you needed to be saved!Plus, neither one of us could deny the electric surge when our eyes connected; some things are undeniable."

He’s right, I feel what he feels, especially when I wrapped my arms around him on the bike. He grins at me, and I melt right there on the spot.

“I can’t disagree with you there,” I say breathily as Sean closes the small space between us in the corner. His full lips bend to rock mine, as I clasp my hands behind his neck. My mouth parts lightly to allow his tongue entry. It feels like it’s just me and Sean in a bubble; he’s giving me those butterflies in my tummy. He’s pulling me into his orbit as our tongues dance together. I can feel his strength, his body pressed against mine, there’s a flame in his kiss and I’m going to burn in it.

CHAPTER THREE

Happily Ever After?

(Sledge)

She can kiss, and I have to stand still for a minute before I can do anything else because my body is spinning. She tastes like sweet candy, and the more I lock my lips with hers, the more I want her. I know she’s scared, and I don’t want her to feel intimidated by the others. I have to get her out of her shell, a little more relaxed. As the Sarge, I’m not going to take any shit from the hoes that like to hang around the club. I saw her clam up when Debbie called her out, but she needs to shut her mouth before I kick her out.

“You have a hot little mouth. I hate to say this, and I don’t want to come off as a complete asshole, but I’m kinda glad there was an altercation so I had a chance to rescue you.” I find a spot on the side of her delicious neck and land a kiss there.

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