Chapter 5 #2
“That night, I truly thought you were just a girl looking to get a foot in the club. We get that a lot at our parties. I saw you at once and I knew I wanted you. Straight up, no bullshit, I knew I was going to go after you. Then, things went down the way they did. I loved every minute of it, Harper. I swear to fuck that night was the best I’ve ever had—but it didn’t scream that what we shared was with a woman I’d want to bring home to my son.
It screamed a night I shared with a party girl who was looking to get lucky at a biker club and see what we had to offer.
I’ve seen that a lot. It may have colored my views—I can admit that.
Yet, that’s where my head was. I knew I needed to get to my parents to spend breakfast with my son and then do some shit for my club.
I had a busy day ahead. For me, there’s a time to party and there’s a time to be about family and work.
That’s just the way it is. If I had even a hint that you were more than just a woman looking to spread her wings and walk on the wild side, it would have played out differently.
I know men who have taken old ladies that were club candy before and that’s fine.
They’re happy. A couple are monogamous, some still party with more than just them.
I don’t judge. It’s not my place. I can only speak for me.
I know that when I meet the woman I want to introduce to my son, I want to work for it. I want it to be about more than sex.”
I roll my eyes. What he’s saying does kind of piss me off and makes me want to slap him. It’s also making me uncomfortable. “Sure,” I mutter.
“Honest to God, sweetheart. Everything about you appeals to me. It did that night. It’s just that with my history, I have to think of my son.
I’m not a kid anymore. When I get serious about a woman, I know the type of woman I want.
Now, I fucked that up. I wanted more of you, but I did not know that you are all that you are.
The minute I did, the regret was instant.
I need you to believe that. I ran after you to get your number because I wanted more of you.
You don’t know me, but I don’t do that when it comes to women I sleep with for fun.
They come to me and sometimes I bite, sometimes I don’t.
” He pauses for a minute then lets out a sigh.
“If you hold onto that steering wheel any harder, it’s going to snap in two,” he chastises quietly.
“I’m just wondering if you actually believe the shit you’re trying to shovel me,” I hiss.
“You can’t deny I ran after you, Harper. Everything I’ve said is true.”
“Maybe in your mind.”
“It is,” he insists.
“Whatever. Do you know what I recall the most?” I ask, my brain replaying that morning over and over in my mind.
“What’s that?”
“You say you ran after me because you wanted more of me, but all I can remember is you calling me a stupid cunt.”
“Fuck, baby, I—”
“Do you really expect me to believe in what you are saying after that, Hunter?”
“No, but what I do want is for you to remember how good we were that night.”
“I don’t—”
“And maybe allow a little grace for a man who just had his chance of having children again greatly reduced by a woman he wanted to fuck again, so he didn’t have care to his words and let his anger run free.”
“Or maybe, that man is just a complete asshole and proved that the entire morning.”
“I know I have to earn your forgiveness. I’m just asking you to give me that chance.”
“I don’t want to get food with your son, Hunter. Besides, I’m full from the picnic. I’m also not ready to spend extended time with you alone.”
“Sweetheart—”
“I’m sorry, Hunter. The most I can tell you right now is that I’m willing to talk to you and see if we can build a bridge for the sake of Skull and Torch, because I care about them. Plus, honestly, I like King. I want to help him rebuild your club. That’s as much as I can handle right now.”
“I’ll take it,” he says at once, surprising me.
“Okay,” I answer, and it’s whacked as shit, but a part of me is upset that he gave up so easily. God, my head is a mess.
“I only have one question. How are we supposed to talk and learn to trust one another if you aren’t willing to spend time with me?”
“I said extended time alone. Maybe we can meet at places of my choosing and most likely I will have others around me. We’ll see how that goes first,” I tell him, wondering if he’ll even agree. I don’t know if I want him to at this point, or if I’m praying that he will refuse.
“It’s a deal,” he murmurs.
“Okay,” I whisper quietly, like an idiot.
“Can I come by the garage tomorrow?” he asks at once.
“No.”
“Baby, I can’t make amends if you won’t give me a chance.”
“I won’t be there, Hunter.”
“Can I ask where you’ll be?” he asks carefully.
I give him a look. He surprises me by smiling and throwing his hands up. “Okay, okay. So maybe, the next day?”
“Fine. Come by around one. That’s when I usually take my lunch break.”
“I’ll bring some takeout. What would you like?” he asks.
“Surprise me,” I mutter.
“I’ll do my best,” he promises.
I take him back to the club and we don’t really talk. I’m too busy praying I’m not making a horrible mistake.
I have a bad feeling that I am.