Chapter 4 #2
“No man, because I do not swing that way, but my brother does.” He winks. “No kids, not that I know of, anyway. I help run the garage at the club. I can fix any car or bike, which you already know, but we moved into custom work, which I fucking love.”
“No more racing?”
Something flickers across his face, and his jaw tightens at my question.
“No.”
I clear my throat, taking the hint that he doesn’t want to talk about racing anymore. It is what he used to live for, that and opening a garage, but I guess he now has that part of his dream sorted.
“So, you are a hot single biker now. How did you join the Rugged Skulls MC?”
There is that smirk again, damn, it could melt the panties off any woman.
“You think I am hot, huh?”
Waving my hand in a dismissive manner, making him laugh, I reply.
“You know you are hot, Logan Vaughan. All the girls wanted you in high school; hell, even some of the older ladies at races would seek you out to flirt.”
He sits back into his seat, his eyes bright, his smile wide. “Was it?”
“Was it, what?”
“All the girls?” Damn, did his voice just get deeper, sexier?
I lick my lips, clearing my throat again as I look at him, seeing him looking at me with desire in his eyes. Did he like me back then and he wants to know if I wanted him?
Not that it matters; we are older now and he was with my friend back then. Hell, he might be back with her now.
My body warms from the inside out, my cheeks heating up. I fidget in my seat, unable to look away from him. Couldn’t he have gotten ugly and balding since I saw him last?
I try to brush off what he is insinuating, but we both know I know what he means.
“Stop fishing for compliments, Logan. Even some of the female teachers wanted a piece of the blond hottie who tried to be a bad boy. If I remember correctly, you would flash that sexy grin of yours, bat the ocean blues, and offer to fix them right up, and you would get away with murder. I mean their cars, of course.”
He laughs, a full belly laugh, and I stare at him, stunned.
How is this sexy, handsome, sweet man still single?
Shaking his head, he brings his gaze back to mine, shining with humor.
“Shit, I have missed your quirky side, Stevie. Not many people could make me laugh like you did.”
“Then you had the wrong friends,” slips out before I can stop it.
He takes me in, his smile still in place but a little dimmer. Shit.
“That I did, but I found that out too late.”
“So, why are you back?” I sip my coffee, something flashing in his eyes that unsettles him.
His chest expands as he takes in a deep breath, his lips thin and it makes me think I am not going to like his answer. No doubt it has to do with Valarie. Maybe she was telling me the truth.
“I heard about Vinnie getting sent down. Got news that Valarie was in trouble.”
I know that it is stupid to feel it, but disappointment rolls through me. He is not mine, he never was, but I had hoped that he had come home for a fresh start. And yes, a fraction of me had hoped that we could spend time together, but I won’t stand a chance if they are together.
Valarie knew about my crush, and would not let me be around him again.
I nod. “Right.” I blow out a breath, reaching up to adjust my bangs, a nervous habit. “It was good catching up with you, Logan, but I just remembered that I have to help out a friend.” I stand abruptly, collecting my purse and coffee, avoiding his face.
I know he is watching me; I can feel his gaze. I feel stupid for thinking anything other than he simply came back here. Freaking girl feelings. Logan never knew how I felt about him, so me being like this is out of character.
As he looks at me, my body becomes hot, and not in the way it would feel when I imagined he touched me, but hot with embarrassment. I become hyper-aware of the crowd around us, every clatter of a cup hitting the table or a spoon being stirred in a drink.
Shit. My cheeks burn. I lick my suddenly dry lips as a low moan slips from him, but I can’t bring myself to look at him.
I hate that I am reacting like this in front of him, as I am usually so cool, calm, and collected. Over time I learned to not let things phase me as much as they did in school.
“I have to go. Sorry, I had to cut this short.” I look everywhere except at him.
“Stevie, look at me.” His voice is low. “Please.”
I am aware of him getting to his feet, and stepping closer. A gasp pushes through my lips when his finger touches my chin, lifting it so he can meet my gaze.
His blue eyes are so damn pretty.
“I am glad that you think my eyes are pretty, babe.”
I blink, then it dawns on me.
“I said that out loud,” I huff.
He nods with a chuckle. “You did, and you can compliment me any time.” He winks.
I playfully punch his stomach, and damn, he has abs. No doubt he looks good under these clothes, I wouldn’t mind seeing what’s hiding under that shirt.
“What did I say just now to make you bolt?”
I blink out of my fantasy of him and clear my throat, not getting lost in his gaze.
“Nothing. I really do have to go. We will do this again, okay.” I plaster a smile on my face, but the way his brow dips, I know that he does not believe me.
With a sigh, he steps back, nodding.
“Okay. I am not going to push.” He pauses. “This time. I am back now, and I would like to see more of you.”
Am I the only one who took that as a double innuendo?
“Good. Sounds like a plan.” For some stupid freaking reason, I lean in and kiss his cheek, gasp at my bold move, and then bolt.
Leaving him standing there, he’s watching me as I flee.
When I reach my car and am locked inside, I let out a deep breath. Damn, that man makes me feel like a silly teenage girl again.
I was fooling myself thinking that something could potentially spark between us, but knowing he came home for Val, I know that I am being foolish. Despite how he was looking at me, I am yet again, second choice.
Story of my freaking life.