Chapter 4 #2
“That’s amazing. I can almost picture you running around recess with a medical bag in hand,” I say.
“You wouldn’t be wrong,” he laughs. “Are you an only child or do you have siblings?”
“Only child and I hated it,” I admit.
I have to say I’m having a terrific time talking with him.
He’s funny, smart, and actually acts like he’s interested in what I say.
He tells me that he only has a few months left of his residency at the hospital and then he’ll be hired on as a full time general surgeon.
He works crazy hours right now, but everything should slow down in about two months.
He tells me about a sister that is my age who is married and has a niece who is two years old.
The way he speaks about little Annie is really quite adorable.
I love kids and can see myself one day having a few.
When the check comes, he quickly pays. Glancing down at my watch I notice that we’ve just spent over three hours talking. The restaurant is full with people now as we head out.
“Would you like to go for a walk to burn some of that chocolate cake off?” he asks laughing after I ate not only mine but most of his slice too. I’d forgotten how much I loved their chocolate cake and devoured it.
“Sure, but not too far these heels are killer.” I giggle and he offers his arm for me to loop it through.
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing you’re here with a doctor then.” He winks showing off those dimples as we walk out onto the sidewalk.
I have yet to get that electric buzzing feeling I felt from being around Kane, but since he made it clear that we aren’t going anywhere, I don’t see any reason why I can’t keep my options open.
Ian has been amazing and why shouldn’t I be wined and dined by a good-looking guy who seems truly interested in me.
My roommate always says time waits for no man.
We walk down the main street and talk more about his family moving here right after I left to live with Dad in Seattle.
He was in college getting his undergraduate at Yale and then continued to Harvard Medical School.
He never wanted the life of a huge city doctor and thought he could make more of an impact on smaller towns which is why he’s back here.
“So tell me something that no one else knows about Raegan Walker,” he nudges as we pass by the town square.
I think for a minute then say, “I love car racing.” I’ve never told anyone other than my roommate before and find that it’s so easy to open up to him.
“Really?” my answer throws him for a moment. “That sounds pretty hot, not gonna lie.”
I tell him about my love of car racing, which then I tell him all about my love of cooking and trying new things, which he also enjoys, and my love of the beach—the sand in my toes and the wind blowing through my hair.
As we start back towards my car, I hear the thunder of the engines before I can see them.
Motorcycles are coming down the main drag and I notice Kane right away.
On reaction, I put my arm out and wave in their direction.
I see a slight nod but can’t tell if it was me he was actually acknowledging.
As they pass I turn my attention back to Ian who’s now staring at me.
“Do you know them?” he asks and I’m not sure about the tone in his voice. Is he annoyed, or curious or was it distaste?
“Them? Oh, well I met some of them yesterday evening when I slipped away for a run. Also, my ex from six years ago is apparently part of it now. I found that out last night as well,” I say with a shrug.
The rumbles haven’t died down at all and as we are about to cross the street, a line of motorcycles block our attempt.
What the hell? Some get off their bikes to light up a smoke while others check their phones, but it’s the three massive bodies coming from the front of the line that have me concerned.
They are dressed in their cuts with white shirts and jeans with leather riding boots.
“Well, this is just great,” I hear Ian say under his breath.
“What’s going on here?” Kane demands in a calm and smooth tone flipping his hat from backwards so that the bill is above his face.
“Nothing that concerns you or your minions,” I say in a snarky way.
“That dress doesn’t say nothing to me, Raegan,” Kane scorns at me. His eyes are cold as stone staring a hole through me as he looks me up and down.
Why does he care? He’s the one who doesn’t want this to happen and made it clear where he stands.
I notice Havoc hasn’t uttered anything but is watching my every move. I really need to put us both out of our misery and talk this out so that we both can move forward. But my inner petty bitch wants him to suffer like I did all those years ago.
My frustration is getting the better of me and I turn back to Kane so I can nail this home.
“Kane, you’re acting like a jealous boyfriend right now, and I know that you don’t do relationships, so what are you doing right now?” I move closer to Ian and he puts an arm around my waist.
“Wildcat, you’re playing with fire right now, and I just want you to be careful who you let close to you. This guy isn’t as upstanding as he seems. Right, Ian?”
“Listen, I know that my family isn’t very accepting of the marriage between Allison and Kash, but Allison and I are making amends.
We’ve been hanging out more since I’ve been back, and she leaves Annie with me to babysit sometimes.
My parents are a different story, though,” Ian tries to explain himself.
“What I think, is that your family turned up their nose to my family instead of getting to know us. They threw Allison out on her ass when she didn’t conform to your parents demand to leave Blaze. I just don’t want Raegan to get sucked in and treated the same way.”
Why does he care?
“Well, thank you for your warning or whatever it is you think you’re doing here.
But I think you’ve seen that I’m a big girl and can handle myself just fine.
” It takes all my willpower not to read him the riot act.
Beckett and Ben both grin knowing that I’m seconds away from doing it, too.
“And you two, wipe those smiles off those faces.” I point to them.
“I can take care of myself and don’t need any assistance. ”
Ben is the first to move and swings down picking me right up off the ground twirling me around. Hearing some whistles I’m pretty sure everyone just saw my ass.
“Boy, have I missed you, Rae Rae,” he jokes and then kisses my forehead.
“Yeah, yeah and don’t call me that. You know I hate it, Benjamin!” I reprimand him but also call him by his full name, which he hates. He chuckles and places me back down.
They start to walk away, but before they do Kane tugs me away from Ian and leans down to my ear.
“See you real soon, Wildcat, and next time I’d pick something other than hot pink for a thong,” he says confirming my suspicions then walks away.
Beckett is right behind him flanking his right side. It’s now or never, Raegan.
“Beckett!” I yell making him stop in his tracks.
I walk over to him. I can see he’s bracing himself thinking that I’m going to attack him again.
“Maybe we can talk and clear the air. I mean it’s been six years and we’re both adults now.
And since I have a feeling we’re going to be bumping into each other a lot.
So, I think that maybe we should talk then hopefully move on.
I’m not saying that we’ll be best friends again or anything, but at least we can try to find a way to be civil. ”
I can see the features in his serious face light up as he takes a step to me like he might hug me, and I step back on reflex. I’m nowhere near ready for his touch even if it’s innocent. His face falls a bit but he recovers quickly.
“I would love that, Raegan. Thank you. Can you come by the clubhouse tomorrow?” he asks. There’s so much hope in his tone that it catapults me to when we were teenagers still hanging out and doing dumb shit.
I try thinking over all the things to finish in my inbox, and then Thursday I’ve got a street race that I found out about last week.
“I can come by Friday and that’s the earliest I can make it. I’ve some stuff to do but Friday works for me if you’re available.”
“I’ll make it work, Raegan,” Beckett declares and I know he will.
“Okay, maybe around four?”
He nods then walks to his bike. I stand there and watch as they mount and catch Kane giving me an appreciative nod.
I smile and wink, which earns me a panty dropping smile that sealed the deal all those month ago for our one-night romp.
They push off the curb one at a time and fall in line down the main drag again with their brake lights getting smaller and smaller.
I feel a hand on my upper arm and turn to see Ian waiting patiently for me.
“Thank you for putting up with…all that.” I gesture toward the road they’ve now vacated.
“It’s okay, Raegan, if you aren’t ready for a relationship right now. I understand.” He looks a little forlorn when he says this.
“Oh, no you misunderstand me. That talk with Beckett is about closure on something that happened six years ago. We aren’t together in any way shape or form.”
“And Stone?”
“Well,” I think about it for a minute. “We had a moment, but I don’t think he’s ready for the type of relationship I want.” I shrug because I don’t know where we stand. He was acting like a jealous man earlier, and it confuses the hell out of me.
So, until he can offer me what I want and need, I plan on living my life to the fullest with no regrets. He isn’t the only fish in the sea even if he makes my skin buzz with electricity and lights my panties on fire when he’s around.
“That’s excellent to hear, Raegan, because I’ve had a wonderful night with you and hope we can do this again,” Ian says as we continue to walk to my car.
“I would love for you to meet Allison, my sister. I know that the two of you would hit it off right away. Not to mention Annie, my niece, would love to have another girl around.”
“That sounds like fun,” I say as we reach my car. “So what was he talking about with Allison and your parents?”
Ian heaves a heavy sigh. “My parents are snobs, so when they found out my sister was dating a local biker and not the cream of the crop guy they wanted, they kicked her out. She married Kash and they had Annie. I was in school when all this happened and didn’t find out until I moved back here.”
“Got it. So that is why your mother and mine are best friends, they both share the same rod up their ass,” I voice.
“Pretty much,” he chuckles.
“Well, thanks again for an enjoyable and relaxing blind date, Ian,” I jest as we exchange numbers.
“Well, thanks for not being some weirdo who eats their hair,” he jokes about one of his blind dates that his mother set him up with in the past that we spoke about over dinner.
We both have a good laugh and then Ian makes his move by leaning in and kissing me.
I feel his tongue at the seam of my lips and grant him access.
Making out on Main Street is bound to get back to our mothers, and I hope they are delighted about this planned setup.
He places a hand on my hip and pulls me closer.
The kiss is good and passionate and when we break the connection to catch our breath, I give him one more peck on his soft lips before stepping away.
“Thank you for tonight, Ian.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Raegan.”
He opens my door for me then closes it when I’m secured inside. On the drive back to the house, I can’t help but think about how the next few days are going to be so busy and draining.
As I walk through the front door of the pool house, I send a text to Mom letting her know that was very sneaky. I tell her that I’m glad it worked out or I’d be beating her door down and strangling her.
I change into some comfy pajamas then head for my study to get some work done.
The computer dings letting me know I have a new email.
When I click on the newest one and open it, I see a new client offering me a boatload of money to hack into a system.
The money is enough to cover me and my expensive racing hobby for the next two years.
With my curiosity peaked, I click on the file and it opens, I scan the top part wondering who they’re trying to hack and when I’m halfway down I see who they need to get the goods on.
Dead Road MC out of Sweetwater, Texas.
Well, shit.
This just got a little more complicated.