CHAPTER TWO
MERIDEA
Why didn’t I tell him to fuck off? Declan King is the epitome of every woman’s dream man—tall, with muscles straining against the fabric of his black T-shirt.
His brown hair curls around the back of his ears, the front styled just messy enough to look intentional.
And those green eyes… they could make a woman ruin her life in an instant.
Add the sharp lines of his nose, those kissable lips, and the angular, bearded jaw has danger written all over them.
It’s odd. This is the first time I feel safe in a week. That’s how long I’d been running, and my dwindling funds can’t support me much longer. It’s too risky to access my bank account; any transaction would surely alert those who are after me.
Declan shouldn’t get involved with me, though. I’m dangerous. Or rather, danger is following me.
Declan places a vodka soda in front of me. “I really shouldn’t drink. I need to stay alert.”
“You’re safe here, Meridea,” Declan says confidently.
A sense of warmth washes over me; it’s been a while since I’ve felt truly safe.
I sip the drink. “I shouldn’t go to your house.” I lean in. “I’m being followed.”
He plants his palms on the bar and inches closer, smirking. “Is that so?”
My brows bunch together. “Yes,” I say sternly.
“Let them follow us to my home. I have the perfect gift for them. Your food will be out soon.”
Great, he must be some kind of violent lunatic. But then again, maybe he can give my pursuers a taste of their own medicine. Although, deep down, I know it’s still two against five.
I rub my forehead, trying to stave off a headache, when a blonde waitress arrives with my meal. She’s wearing a red tank top, tight jeans, and a tiny black apron.
“Here you go, sugar,” she says with a smile, setting the plate down.
“Thank you,” I reply, trying to ignore the way her eyes assess me from head to toe.
“Declan asked me to pick up some clothes for you,” she adds, smirking. “Okay… style: nonexistent.” She chuckles at her own joke.
I shrug, knowing that if I weren’t on the run, my appearance would be much more put-together.
“Sorry, I’m not here for a fashion show in this cute little small town. You know what? You don’t have to do me any favors.”
“Have you checked in at the hotel?” she asks, her big blue eyes locking with mine.
I glare at her. “Tell Declan thanks, but I’m leaving.” I stand abruptly.
She throws her hands up in mock surrender. “Whoa, sit down. I don’t want to deal with his mouth.”
I hesitate, then sigh. “Look, if you think I’m competing for Declan, I’m not. You don’t have to worry. I don’t want him. I’ve got enough shit going on in my life.”
I turn to leave and come face to face with a muscled chest. “Where are you going?” he growls.
I visibly swallow because for some reason he makes me nervous. “I’m not looking for trouble.”
He places his left hand on the bar and the other on the back of the red stool. “Sit down.”
I crane my neck to glare up at him. Damn, how tall is this guy? Six-four? At five-eight, he seems to tower over me.
“No, I’ve been getting dirty looks from the women sitting at the bar. Now the blonde is asking a shit ton of questions. Let me leave, Declan.”
“Fuck, no,” he grits out.
And that forces my pussy to clench. I don’t like the effect this handsome bartender has on me.
I cross my arms over my chest. “Declan, I told you, I’m trouble,” I whisper, so only he can hear my words.
“Lucky for you, I love trouble. Now sit that pretty little ass back in the seat,” he orders.
His scent—vanilla and oak—wraps around me, making my head spin. With a sigh, I sink back onto the stool, obeying his order.
“It seems I asked the wrong sibling to assist me,” Declan exhales, a hint of exasperation in his tone.
“You asked me because you know I have better fashion sense than Donovan,” Deanna quips with a grin.
“Meridea, this is my little sister, Deanna,” Declan says, his voice softer now. “She asks a lot of questions because…”
“…he doesn’t usually help people, especially not beautiful women,” Deanna finishes for him, smirking. “They’ve all tried to get his attention, trust me. It never works. He’s kind of a loner—well, outside of his biker buddies,” she adds with a chuckle.
My jaw drops in surprise.
“I’ll be right back, sugar.” She slips through the double doors leading to the kitchen.
A light breeze brushes the back of my neck, and I realize Declan is no longer standing behind me. My gaze shifts down the bar, and I spot him serving another customer.
The aroma of the burger and fries in front of me pulls my attention back. My stomach growls loudly, reminding me how long it’s been since I had real food.
I know I could’ve ordered a healthier option like grilled chicken with some tasty sides, but right now, nothing sounds better than sinking my teeth into a juicy cheeseburger.
I pick up the burger and sink my teeth into the soft brioche bun and juicy meat. “Oh my God,” I mutter.
The burger is mouth-watering. After surviving on chips, soda, and candy bars for days, this is a much-needed burst of flavor in an otherwise bleak day.
A voice interrupts my thoughts from my right. “Hello.”
I smirk and reply, “Hi.”
“My name is Steve. I’m here most nights.”
I furrow my brows in confusion.
“I just wanted to let you know that you’re in good hands with Declan. He’s a great guy. But don’t expect any kind of relationship with him; he can’t handle them.”
“That’s good to know. I’m not looking for anything with anyone, anyway. I’m just passing through town. Once I find a job, I’ll be gone within a month. I need to leave the country.”
His smile falters. “Enjoy your meal.”
Why did he seem sad when I mentioned leaving the country?
Before I can dwell on it, the sound of live music drifts through the bar. I wasn’t expecting that. A woman’s voice, smooth and angelic, fills the space. I glance over and see her on the small stage, dressed in a long-sleeved pink jumper that complements her cinnamon-toned skin beautifully.
My heart swells with love for this quaint little town, even though I just arrived. But I know I have to leave as soon as possible. This place doesn’t deserve to be caught up in the chaos of the men who are after me.
As I sip my vodka soda, I feel eyes on me. Glancing to my right, I catch Declan in conversation with another man, but his gaze is locked on me. A shiver runs down my spine, and goosebumps rise on my arms.
If my life were different and he wasn’t so adamantly against relationships… maybe we could’ve been something. But I shake off the thought as quickly as it comes.
Hours pass, and Declan appears in front of me. “We can leave now. Come behind the counter. We’ll head out through the kitchen.”
I nod, hopping to my feet without hesitation.
“Goodbye,” Steve says from his spot at the bar, giving me a small wave.
“Bye,” I reply softly.
The woman sitting a couple of seats down from Steve smacks her lips.
She thinks I want Declan. I don’t, but I wasn’t going to argue with her. Not tonight, anyway. I’m exhausted.
I follow Declan through the kitchen.
We step outside, and the bitter wind cuts straight through me, making me shiver down to my bones. Declan grabs a helmet from the back of his emerald-green Harley.
“Can’t believe you ride in this weather,” I say, hugging myself for warmth.
“It’s cold, yeah, but it’s not snowing yet. So, I’m good,” he replies with a shrug, completely unfazed by the chill.
I’ll freeze on the back of his bike. I remove the cap from my head and stuff it inside my little jacket.
Declan pauses, his green eyes scanning me for a beat longer than I expect. Without a word, he steps forward and slides the helmet over my head, his hands brushing against my hair as he adjusts it.
My heart hammers against my ribs. Stop it. This isn’t the time. I’m on the run, remember?
A shiver runs down my spine.
“I don’t live far,” he says, grinning as he buckles the strap under my chin. “I’ll get you warmed up in no time.”
“Declan, I’m not looking for anything from you. If you’re expecting something…”
“Oh, no,” he chuckles. “I meant I’ll start a fire to keep you warm.”
“I really hope you’re not a murderer. I could use a good night’s sleep.”
“Meridea, the entire town knows who I am.”
“This could be a ‘Get Out’ town.” I arch a brow.
He laughs. “Good point. Well, if it is, then no place would be safe here.” Declan reaches for the other helmet and slips it onto his head. “I’m going to keep you safe, Meridea. In order for me to do that, you’ll have to tell me exactly what kind of trouble you’re in.”
“Can we talk about it tomorrow?” I ask.
“Yeah, get on,” he instructs.
Declan swings a leg over the bike and settles into the seat, twisting the throttle until the Harley growls to life. The sound is low and powerful, reverberating through the narrow alley.
I hesitate for only a moment before I swing a leg over, placing my feet on the foot pegs.
“Hold on tight,” he calls over the roar of the engine.
I wrap my arms around his solid torso and lower the helmet’s visor. He guns the throttle, and we’re off, roaring out of the alley and into the main street.
The town comes alive as we pass. Holiday decorations glow warmly in every shop window, painting the streets in a nostalgic haze of red, green, and gold. It’s like something off a postcard.
Is it wrong that I rest my head on his back?
The engine is driving my pussy crazy. I know it’s only because my arms are wrapped around a muscled God.
This man is so handsome, he could be featured on one of those firefighter calendars.
I can only imagine how his muscles ripple under his leather jacket.
He pulls into a long driveway, then takes a sharp right. The six-car garage doors begin to ascend with a soft hum. I blink at the sleek setup. Is he renting this place from some rich guy? Or worse—does he live at home with his parents?