Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
STEVIE
I am at work, finishing paperwork. It has been a good day, seeing families coming to stay at the hotel while visiting Phoenix. I like keeping busy because it makes the day go faster.
There’s something satisfying about knowing people are making memories together, and I feel grateful to play a small part in their experience.
Knowing the area, I can offer advice on places to visit.
The steady rhythm of work helps me clear my mind of thinking about a certain blond biker who makes my blood pump.
“I am done for the day,” one of the girls calls out as she walks past the front desk.
“Oh, hot date.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her, seeing her with a face full of makeup on and wearing sexy clothes.
“Yes,” she sighs dreamily. “He is a trucker. We hook up when he is back home and girl, let me tell you, he leaves me aching for days after he is finished with me.”
“Well, go and enjoy him, babe.”
She waves goodbye and skips out of the hotel, ready for a night of hot steamy sex by the sounds of things. Lucky girl.
Thinking of sex, images of Logan float into my head, and I groan, dropping my head into my hands.
It was a week ago that he found me, kissed me, then hurt me.
When he found me at the sandwich shop, I thought maybe fate was finally telling me that we could be something now that he was being placed in my path.
Clearly not.
The way he kissed me, how his hands felt good on the back of my neck, it was like he was desperate for my mouth, and damn, I was just as desperate for him.
I knew the second the vibe changed between us: when he pulled back, the regret flickered in his eyes. It was not something I could work out until he opened his mouth.
His questions made the good feeling of his kiss vanish, and my chest feel tight.
Fate was playing a cruel trick on me, one that I will not fall for again. I know what the club means to the members; I have read enough biker books and watched TV to know that the club comes first in everything, but Crash made me feel like a fool.
“Stevie. It is time for your break, honey.” I look up, seeing Lisa leaning on the desk, with a kind smile in place.
“Oh, thank the precious gods, I need me some caffeine and sugar,” I whine, making her laugh.
“You and your sugar.”
“It fuels my brain. You know this. We all know what I am like when I am lacking in caffeine and sugar.”
“Oh, yes. I remember. You once switched bookings for a man who stayed here with someone who clearly wasn’t his wife, and you gave his suite to a family, while he was given their family room.”
“I apologized.” I shrug with a smirk in place.
“Go and get caffeine and sugar.” I salute her and leave to go to the lounge the staff uses when we need a break.
Removing my work blazer, I hang it up, then collect my purse out of my locker. I pat Cody on the head as I leave, messing up his hairstyle. He calls out to me that he will get me back, making me giggle.
Walking out of the hotel, I breathe in the humid air, the sun heating up my skin. turning left, I walk down the street to my favorite deli. This part of Phoenix is known for its tourists; there is so much to do here that it pulls in people from all over.
Bars, restaurants, coffee shops, but also a motorcycle and art museum and do not get me started on the tattoo, and beauty studios. Damn, I need a new tattoo. I only have two right now: one on my left thigh, and one on my right wrist.
My thigh tattoo is an old school pin-up lady reading a book with roses around her. On my wrist I have a floral band that is bright and colorful. On my right ring finger, I have a moon with some delicate stars.
On my right index finger I have a vine with one flower, which represents Aunt Cass.
Pushing through the door of the deli, I see it is full of people. Thankfully, once I place my order and collect my food, a table becomes available so I can sit down.
Unwrapping my sandwich, I take a big bite just as someone slips into the chair across from me. Looking up, I am about to lie and say that the seat is taken, but the words get caught in my throat.
Crash gives me a tight-lipped smile.
My heart does a stupid little flip, and my stomach clenches. Freaking hell, I was not ready to deal with him yet.
“Hi.”
I chew slowly, then swallow while he sits patiently waiting for me, watching me. It is a little unnerving because of how things were left the last time we saw each other.
Using my napkin, I wipe my mouth then take a sip of my cola.
I sit back and cross my arms, arching a brow at him to let him know that I am still pissed at him.
My embarrassment and hurt transformed into anger. Then ideas on how to hurt his balls would randomly pop up into my head— especially when I was alone in my new condo with a beer or three.
“What are you doing here, Crash?”
He scrubs his hands over his face, and that is when I see how tired he is. Dark circles sit under his eyes, and his stubble has evolved into a beard. It suits him, but I like the short stubble better.
“I needed to see you. Hated how things went the last time. It was fucking shit of me to ask you about Val, but fuck.” He sighs. “It was club orders. I am a new fully patched member, and I have to be at the top of my game and listen.”
“I get that you had orders, but it still cut deep. You could’ve handled it differently. I felt used, Crash.”
His explanation makes me understand, but it does not erase the emotions I had to feel.
He nods, his eyes full of sorrow.
“I know. I told Racer, that’s my Pres, that I won’t do it again.”
“I hope not. It is not nice to use women.”
“I know. It was fucked up. I am sorry, Stevie,” he mutters. “This is not me, you can ask anyone from the club. It is why I stood up to Racer and he agreed.”
I nod, but do not say anything. We sit in silence just looking at each other and damn, he is beautiful.
Can men be beautiful?
Apparently so, because Logan Vaughan is.
“I want to make it up to you.” He smirks, like he has mischief in mind.
“And how do you plan to do that, Crash?” He tilts his head, eyes narrowed as he regards me. “Logan.” I sigh dramatically.
The smile he rewards me with would make women go nuts over him, offering all kind of things to please him, and yeah I guess I would be in that line.
Leaning forward, he rests his elbows on the table, his fingers locked beneath his chin as he looks me in the eyes. God, I bet they go dark when he has sex. His brow arches, as he watches me while heat fills my cheeks. The idea of being taken hard and fast by this man fills my head.
Clearing my throat, I shift in my seat, which makes him smirk at me.
“I like that I can make you hot without touching you, baby.”
“I am itching to get back to work. Plus, it is warm in here.”
His grin widens. “If you say so. But back to how I would make it up to you. First, I would take you for a ride on my bike. Maybe stop at a place to get a beer and something to eat.”
That sounds freaking good to me.
“Then?”
Leaning in closer, his hand reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Holy cow, that happens in romance books and it makes me cringe, but Logan doing it has my body swooning.
Damn, he is good.
“Then, I will hold your hand while we walk, and people will see that this sexy, yet sweet woman at my side is mine. They will know that her lips belong to me, her body. That she will be coming home with me.”
“Oh,” I murmur low.
The way he says “coming” sends a shiver straight through me, a flutter in my lower stomach. These romance novels are definitely rewiring my brain, making ordinary words from a man suddenly feel loaded.
Or maybe it’s just a Logan thing.
His voice is low, deep, a little rough around the edges… the kind of sound that lingers on your skin long after he stops speaking.
“Yeah. So what do you say? Will you go on a date with me?”
Dumbly, I nod.
“What time do you finish work?”
I blink, and clear my throat. “Oh, um, I finish at five.”
He nods, his smile so freaking handsome it should be illegal.
“Okay, I can pick you up at seven. That give you enough time to go home and get ready?”
“Yeah.”
“Good, babe. I will come by your aunt’s at seven; give her a warning that I am coming, okay. Do not need her to shoot at me.” He winks.
I giggle. “I do not live with my aunt anymore. I moved into my own condo,” I announce.
His stare hooks into mine, charged and deliberate. It makes me hot and flustered, like the space between us has suddenly become too small.
I get the sense he’s imagining possibilities now that I’m no longer living with my aunt— thoughts he probably shouldn’t be having, but definitely is. And if I’m honest with myself, the idea sparks something in me too: a heated thrill that settles in my panties.
I’m painfully aware that being around him requires caution; he could break my heart without even meaning to. When it comes to Logan, I feel delicate, like a fragile flower—because even the smallest things he does hit me far harder than they should, especially since we’re not even together.
“Text me your new address and I will be there at seven.” His voice pull me out of my thoughts.
He pushes to his feet, and I lean back to look up at his face. Stepping around the table, he rests one hand on the table next to mine, and leans in close. He is so close, his warm breath washes over my face.
“Dress for a ride on the back of my bike.” His fingers brush at my bangs, his eyes never leaving mine. “Do not overthink it, babe. Dress for you, not me.” His lips press to my forehead and damn it, I swoon again.
The forehead kiss gets me every freaking time.
With a sexy wink, he leaves me sitting there like I am not about to melt into a puddle on the floor. The lady who is sitting across from me now catches my attention, her smile wide and knowing.
“Girl, that man wants you, but you better make him work for it.”
I smile awkwardly, my cheeks heating with my blush.
I am a somewhat confident person, but not when it comes to the opposite sex.
The way she looks at me makes me feel a little exposed, like she can see right through my bravado.
I try to laugh it off, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear, but I can't quite meet her gaze.
With a nod of acknowledgement, not to be rude, I gather up my barely eaten deli sandwich and tuck that, my drink, and the chips into my purse. Leaving as fast as I can, I walk back to the hotel, the heat of the day doing nothing to cool me down.
Once back at work, I get busy, trying to push the sexy biker out of my head, so I do not mess up. Logan remembers a part of me and that is I tend to overthink things on occasion, but like he said, I have to not overthink what could happen and to be me. Frick, I can be me, right?
Of course I can. What the hell am I going on about? I shake my head to clear the random thoughts and clock out. Saying goodbye to my co-workers, I walk to my Bronco and drive home. Biting my lip, I start thinking about what to wear.
Should I go with sexy underwear, just in case we have a good date and one thing leads to another? Or do I wear something comfortable? Freaking hell, I am freaking out. I need to take a breath and just go with whatever comes to mind, right?
Yeah, I can do that.
I arrive at the underground parking and take the elevator up to my place.
I take a quick shower, and by quick I mean, I scrub and shave every part of my body that needs it. Then I moisturize, walking to my bedroom to do my hair and makeup.
I add some natural waves to my hair, with my wave style wand, and I keep my makeup natural, but with a darker lipstick than I usually go for.
Once I am done, I sort through my clothes and feel the panic start to set in.
Taking a deep breath, I flick through my clothes and settle on a pair of tight jeans that make my ass look good, and a long-sleeved shirt.
It will keep me warm plus, my leather jacket will top it off.
I slip my feet into my wedge-heeled ankle boots, and I am ready.
Looking at the time on my phone, I see that Logan will be here in five minutes unless he has forgotten.
Frick, I did not think of that. What if he forgets about the date?
Before a full-blown panic attack sets in, the condo phone rings.
Rushing to it, I answer.
“Hello.”
“Stevie, this is Rodney from the front desk. I have a Mr. Vaughan here for you; shall I send him up?”
“No, that is okay. I am ready, I will come down. Thank you.” We hang up and I take in one more deep breath and leave, before I lose my nerve. Locking up I go down to meet him.
This is a man I have dreamed of dating since I was fourteen, so I need to pull my big girl panties up and make the most of it, because in my life, the other shoe always freaking drops.