Chapter 1
Chapter One
Midas
Ten years later
I’m about two seconds away from ripping this motherfucker’s arms off when I spot her.
Everything stops. It’s like someone hit mute, and all the bullshit pouring from this guy’s mouth cuts out.
My brain short-circuits, and for a second, all I can do is stare as she looks around.
She has her back to me, giving me ample time to eye fuck her without getting caught.
She has long blonde hair, a tight body that she obviously takes care of, and legs that seem to go on for miles.
I’ve never been jealous of a pair of shorts before, but the way the denim cups her ass and shows off every inch of her tan legs has me practically drooling.
Then she turns, and I get a look at her face.
Fuck. Me.
I’m not going to pretend I’m a saint. I like tits, ass, and legs, and this woman looks like sin sculpted just for me. But it’s her eyes that have me swallowing. Dark, inky blue pools I could see myself getting lost in as I pound into her—
“Are you even listening to me?” the fucker in front of me snaps.
I drag my eyes away from my walking fantasy back to the prick who clearly wants to feel my fist in his face.
“I’m not the one with the fucking hearing problem. Like I told you three times already, you had thirty days to pay back what you owed, or we’d keep the item you used as collateral. You agreed to that, so don’t act all fucking surprised.”
“You don’t understand. It’s my mother’s engagement ring. My dad’s dead. He died last year, and it’s all she’s got left of him,” he says, like it will change my mind.
“Not my problem.”
“Come on, man… this’ll break her fucking heart. Look, I can get you the rest by the end of the week. Two weeks, max—”
“No.”
“You fucking prick,” he snarls, and I reach under the counter for my gun. But before I can pull it out and aim it at this guy’s head, the blonde goddess walks over and looks the guy up and down.
“You pawned your mama’s engagement ring?”
He whips around, ready to throw down, but stops cold when he sees her. His eyes drag down her body—from the swell of her ample breasts in the cropped Led Zeppelin T-shirt to her long, lean legs in those tiny fucking shorts.
I grit my teeth the longer he looks.
She clears her throat, and his eyes snap back up to her face.
“I needed the money,” he mutters, trying to defend himself.
“You need her more, trust me. And by the sounds of it, she needs you too.”
He runs his fingers through his hair, dejected. “I fucked up.”
“Just tell her the truth,” she says. “She’s your mom.”
He looks over at the display case where his mother’s ring is, gritting his teeth hard enough for me to hear them crack. Then all the anger drains out of him, and his shoulders slump. He turns to Blondie, nods, and walks out without a word.
She shrugs and looks up at me. “Sorry for jumping in like that. It’s just you looked like you were two seconds away from kicking his ass. And I’m not sure that would’ve been good for business.” She smiles.
Fuck.
“Probably not. But seeing as it’s my business, you should have let me handle it,” I tell her, and her smile drops.
“Right. Well, sorry again.”
She turns to leave, but I reach over the counter and grab her hand to stop her.
“Wait. Fuck. I’m sorry.” I let go of her hand and hold mine up in surrender. “I just don’t like the thought of you getting hurt, and that could’ve gone to shit fast.”
“Don’t worry, I’m tougher than I look,” she says, crossing her arms under her boobs and cocking her hip.
I grin, letting my eyes roam over her without a single ounce of remorse. “That right?”
She rolls her eyes, but I see the grin she’s trying to hide as she drops her arms.
“I’m Midas, by the way. Welcome to Au. Do you need me to show you anything?”
There’s no way she missed the innuendo in my tone—not with the way she’s blushing. She tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I was just looking at the necklaces, but I didn’t see anything that caught my eye.”
“Nothing? I feign a wounded look. “Not even me?”
She laughs, shaking her head, and I can’t help but smile. Fuck, she’s beautiful. What I wouldn’t do...
“So, you new in town or just passing through?” I ask, needing to know.
“You know everyone in town?” she teases.
“I wouldn’t say I know everyone, but I recognize most folks. Perks of living in a small town. But you? Well... I won’t forget your face anytime soon.”
She bites her lip and grins. “A charmer, huh?”
“Look at this face. What do you think?” I say, flashing her my most charming smile.
“I think cocky men are usually overcompensating.”
“Ooh, a smart-ass, huh?”
“Look at this face. What do you think?” she shoots back, fluttering her lashes at me.
I burst out laughing, loving that she has no issue serving my shit right back to me.
“Well, this’s been fun, but I’ve gotta go.”
She heads for the door, and I’m so hypnotized by the sway of her hips that I forget she’s about to leave until she pushes the door open, and the bell above it chimes.
“Wait. You didn’t tell me your name.”
She looks back at me and grins. “No, I didn’t, did I?”
Sliding her sunglasses on, she leaves, the door closing behind her, and she’s gone.
For a second, I consider chasing after her, but I’m the only one here today. But that’s okay. I’m sure I’ll see her again. It’s hard to hide from anyone in a small town.
I’ve never been so glad to finish work before. After what went down earlier, the shop was quiet the rest of the day, which means every second dragged on. Still, I kept busy with thoughts of a certain blonde goddess.
I’ve already decided that once I’ve showered and grabbed something to eat, I’m heading down to the bar in town to see if she’s there. There’s no harm in looking. And if she’s not, well, I’m sure there’ll be someone who’s more than willing to take the edge off.
I climb off my bike and head up to the saloon, nodding at a few brothers shooting the shit as I pass.
Walking through the doors, I find it busy as fuck inside, which’s surprising, considering it’s still early.
After a quick look around, I spot G at the bar and make my way over.
Taking the seat next to him, I signal to the prospect for a beer.
“What’s going on? Why the fuck’s it so busy tonight?”
“It’s the welcome party for the new club girls from the Chaos Demons,” G says before taking a sip of his beer.
“Ah, shit. I forgot that was tonight.”
Just over a year ago, our former fucking VP Bear and a few brothers tried to overthrow the chapter and almost killed Blade, our president, but not before kidnapping all the women in the club first.
After that, things changed. A lot of the women couldn’t handle being here. Can’t say I blame them. Some decided the life wasn’t for them. A few chose to go to other clubs. It was actually supposed to happen months ago, but shit kept coming up.
The prospect sets my beer in front of me, and I nod my thanks before taking a pull.
“I still don’t think bringing in girls from other clubs is smart. How do we know they’re not here to spy on us?”
“Scope’s not the kinda guy to send in bunnies to spy. If he had a problem, he’d come in with a flamethrower and burn everything to the ground.” He grins and takes another drink of his beer. “Besides, his chapter’s still new. He’s got enough shit to deal with without adding us to the list.”
“Maybe.” I shrug and take a swig of my beer.
G shakes his head. “Always the pessimist.”
“I’m a realist, G. Big difference.”
Turning, I look around the room. Just as I’m about to take another drink, I freeze, my eyes landing on a familiar head of blonde hair.
“What the fuck?”
G looks over to where I’m staring. “That’s Legs. Seems nice enough. Not sure about the others yet, though.”
Without a word, I slam my beer down on the bar and stand, my eyes never leaving her as I push my way through the crowd and stop right behind her.
She must sense me standing too close, because before I can say anything, she turns and looks up at me, a big grin lighting up her face before it falters. That’s when I realize I’m scowling.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I demand.
“I live here,” she says, standing tall. “I’m one of the new bunnies.” She crosses her arms under her boobs like she did earlier, daring me to say something.
I’ve got no right to be pissed. I know that. Hell, I barely even know the woman. But I can’t deny that I am.
“And you couldn’t have told me that before?”
“Why would I? I don’t know you.”
Her eyes drift down my chest, landing on my cut.
Fuck.
I wasn’t wearing it when she came in earlier because I’d just spilled coffee on the damn thing, and it was hanging up in the back, drying.
Her eyes slip closed for a second. Her shoulders slump, and her arms drop to her sides. When her eyes open again, a little of the sparkle from before is gone.
“I had no idea you were a club brother. I was just picking up a few things for my room when I wandered into your shop. I’m sorry.”
“Two apologies in one day?” I lift a brow. “I don’t believe it.”
She shrugs. “I have no problem admitting when I’m wrong.”
I lean down so my lips brush her ear. “And how exactly are you gonna convince me you’re sorry?”
She shivers, and my dick goes rock hard.
“I’m not sure. What did you have in mind?”
Straightening, I grab her hand and pull her through the crowd, ignoring the groans and complaints. You snooze, you lose, motherfuckers. Just in case someone gets any ideas, I tighten my grip on her hand and practically drag her behind me until we reach my room.
“It’s a good thing I have long legs,” she jokes, slightly out of breath, as I open the door and step aside to let her in.