Chapter 2
Being this close to Astrid had my entire body tingling.
I couldn’t believe she was here. Just two weeks ago, I’d made up my mind that if she didn’t return to Bristol soon, I’d go hunting for her.
I had waited long enough for us to explore this awareness or obsession between us.
I was more than convinced there was something significant and lasting, if we both put our minds to it.
I knew she was attracted to me. Astrid was fighting it.
When Tinker mentioned he was taking Astrid and Haven to dinner tonight, I made sure to steer the conversation so he’d ask me to come.
It wasn’t hard to do. The way Tinker smirked, I wondered if he knew of my interest in her.
If he did, he kept his mouth shut. I asked him to keep it a surprise.
He didn’t ask why, but Tinker promised he wouldn’t say a word to either woman.
When I arrived at The Grove, I found him and Haven already there.
When I joined them at their table, Haven welcomed me.
She remarked on what a good surprise it was to have me join them.
I hoped Astrid felt the same. When the hostess brought her to the table, I saw the brief hesitation in Astrid’s step when she saw me.
My gut told me that she was contemplating running, but she had too much pride and backbone to do so.
As she sat down and the conversation began, I soaked her in. Astrid was sassy, strong, took no crap, appeared to be smart, and so much more. Those were in addition to her outer appearance, which was nothing to be disappointed in.
Her gorgeous face topped her tall figure.
Her dark brown hair was long. The times I saw her before, she usually had it in a bun.
Tonight it was down, long and free. The wave in it gave it life.
Her skin was lightly tanned, highlighting the golden freckles scattered over her cheeks and nose.
The tan, along with her dark brows and lashes, made her light green irises pop.
Her petite nose and pouty lips urged me to place my mouth against hers. It was hard to resist.
Then there was the rest of her body. She wore a dress that came to a few inches above her knees.
It was the wraparound kind that hugged her body and perfectly showcased her curves.
While more than decently endowed in the tit department, her hips and thighs, along with her round ass, made her body more banging in my eyes.
I was a man who wanted a woman to have something to hold on to.
Sure, I’d fucked skinny women. When it was just sex, I wasn’t as picky.
However, if I were to get serious about a woman, then those skinny women would be out.
I was a big man and enthusiastic in bed.
A tiny thing would break. I wanted a woman whom I could fuck like a beast if the situation called for it.
That didn’t mean she would never get tender and slow.
I would give her whatever pleased her the most. Sex between us would be for mutual pleasure, not just my sexual satisfaction.
With the club sluts and hang-arounds it was never about them.
Sure, I usually got them off, but it was secondary to my goal of getting off.
Call me a dog, but it was the truth. However, with Astrid, that would never be my sole purpose.
My gut told me her happiness and more would be my foremost objective.
Thinking about her body and sex had me hard as steel. Thank God the table and the tablecloth hid it. At times, I had to concentrate to follow the conversation because my mind wandered to tantalizing thoughts of Astrid.
Suddenly, I perked up when I heard that she was looking to stay in Bristol. The talk about her finding a place almost had me blurting out that she didn’t need to waste her time doing that. I had a house for her.
When the waitress left with our orders, Tinker responded to the remark Astrid had made just before Georgia arrived to take our drink orders.
“Astrid, there’s no charge for us to make repairs if they’re needed.
I’m not trying to make money for Iron’s Rehab.
It’s to prevent my wife’s friend from being left with a potential mess.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of unscrupulous people who will sell homes and such without disclosing that there are unresolved problems.”
“And I appreciate you being willing to do that, Tinker. But you shouldn’t do it for free. You have bills to pay and a family to care for. It’s not right for someone to expect free labor just because I’m friends with your wife.”
Her response went against the club’s mentality. Sure, we didn’t do it for everyone, but if it was someone related to the club or a close friend, we didn’t charge.
“Astrid, it’s what we do for family and close friends. Clearly, Haven sees you as a good friend,” I said.
“I do,” Haven said quickly.
Astrid smiled at her. “And I see you as a good friend, too. I haven’t had one in a long time.
Being close to you is a big reason I decided to settle here.
But I don’t expect you or Tinker to do things like that for me.
It’s the same thing as you offering me a place to stay until I find one.
It’s sweet but too generous. I can stay in the hotel. ”
It was clear that she was uncomfortable with the idea of being helped. Why? I had no idea. Tinker and Haven recognized that, based on the way they steered the conversation away from the topic.
“Okay, we’ll talk about this when the time comes. At the very least, as your friend, you have to let us give you a discount. And before you say no, I refuse to hear it. Now, let’s get to relaxing and enjoying ourselves. Oh, here comes our appetizer,” Haven said.
I was relieved by the interruption as Georgia set down our drinks and the platter. She immediately asked if we’d decided on what we wanted for our entrées. I knew mine. It seemed Tink and Haven did as well. While we placed our orders, Astrid did a quick read-through and gave her order last.
“I’ll get those in right away. If you need anything, just holler or ask someone to get me. I’m here and available for any of your needs,” Georgia said.
I thought I detected a double entendre tone to her offer, which made me look closer at her.
Her smile was the same, but I swore there was an odd vibe coming off her.
I dismissed it until she turned to leave.
Georgia was standing next to me the entire time she served us and took our meal orders.
When she swung around to walk off, her hand skimmed the back of my neck, then across my shoulders.
Somehow, I didn’t jerk. I disliked being touched unless I invited someone to do so.
As she sauntered away, I told myself I was crazy.
It had to be an accident. My hyperawareness of Astrid seated next to me was messing with my head.
I was yearning to drag her chair over until she was plastered to my side. I wanted to be able to smell her scent and feel her body touching mine. Christ, these months without a glimpse of her had stretched my control paper-thin. I was pulled from my thoughts by her directing a question to me.
“So, Mayhem, how’s business been at Punisher’s Eden? Still having crazy women picking fights in the bathroom?” Her lips twitched.
I grinned. “No, but then again, you haven’t been there. It’s pretty damn boring. The employees are complaining,” I teased.
Her laugh made me smile harder. “Oh no, that’s not what happened. I didn’t start the fight. I just helped to make it fair. You know, I’m looking for a job. Maybe I should check out Eden. I could keep up the morale of the staff.”
Instantly, my amusement fled, and anger hit me. “There’s no goddamn way you’re working at Eden,” I snapped.
“Why not?” Astrid asked, giving me a surprised look.
“If you think I’m letting you strip, you’re crazy. No way,” I hissed.
“I didn’t mean stripping, for God’s sake. I know that’s not in my wheelhouse. I don’t have the right stuff for that. I meant as a waitress or maybe as a bouncer. You can advertise that you have a female bouncer available for catfights if there are uneven numbers.”
Her answer made Haven chuckle. I felt like an ass for jumping to the conclusion she wanted to strip.
“God, that would be so much fun to see. But why did you say you don’t have the right stuff to be a stripper? It sounded like you think you couldn’t be one,” Haven stated.
“I couldn’t. Those women are expert dancers, and you saw them that night.
I heard the rumors that Eden has the most beautiful and sexy strippers.
Only the best work at Eden. I have too much of everything except boobs to be one.
The runway model types with fake boobs are the ones to bring in the money in a place like Eden. ”
I was taking a drink when she said it, and I choked on it. She gave me a concerned look as she asked if I was alright. As I coughed to clear my airway, Tinker voiced what I wanted to say.
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Joking about what?” Astrid asked.
“That you truly believe you’re not attractive and sexy enough to be a stripper. That men and women wouldn’t pay to see you do it?” Tinker added.
“Yes, I don’t have the goods, so to speak. Perfection is what the clients expect. Believe me, there’s nothing perfect about me.”
“Like hell they wouldn’t pay to see you.
We’d have them knocking down the door. Sure, some men want a Barbie, but most want a real woman.
Someone with meat on their bones. Not a woman made of nothing but sharp angles and hardness.
There’s no one there who can hold a candle to you,” I told her gruffly.
Her mouth dropped open, and I read the surprise on her face. “I, you, well, that’s sweet of you to say. But I’ve got to ask. Don’t you look at them while they dance?”
“I have, yes,” I admitted.
“Who hires them?” Astrid asked next.