Chapter Nine
A thena
I swear I’m floating today, still riding the high from last night. Reaper was the last person I was expecting to find following me home after my shift, and while I was frightened at first, he quickly set my mind at ease. My head is still spinning over what he did with his tongue.
Of course, I’ve had men go down on me, but I never enjoyed it.
The act was more for them than for me; they always took it as a challenge when I told them I couldn’t come from oral.
I was far too uncomfortable over anyone having their face in my nether regions to remotely be able to relax, let alone orgasm on their tongue.
It was weird, and something I never wanted the pressure of doing.
However, when Reaper sank to his knees, pressed his nose to my panties, and inhaled deeply, only to repeat the process and get me dizzy on his need, I was rocked.
I think he’d stunned me so much over his presence, then his actions, I had no time to overthink or question anything when he’d tugged my panties off and buried his face between my thighs.
All I could do was hold on and thank the Heavens for sending such a sexy man to my doorstep.
He went on to prove me wrong about never being able to come that way, too.
Sweet Jesus, it felt so good having him down there, tasting and groaning like he couldn’t get enough, no matter how hard he tried.
Then there was a tiny prick of pain and him sucking, and so many other sensations mixed into one, I had no choice but to give in and let him take me over the edge.
I don’t know what the small amount of pain was, but it only served to heighten the experience in what came after.
Now, I think I’m broken for anyone else.
I’ll always compare them to last night, and I have a strong suspicion they’ll fall short every single time.
Reaper, however, he knows what he’s doing, and I’ll gladly spread my thighs open for him to lick me any time he wants.
Christ on a cracker. I exhale, catching an amused grin from my last table.
It’s two older ladies, I’d guess in their seventies or so, sipping coffee and chit-chatting.
It’s been a semi-slow night after a busy lunch, so I’ve enjoyed my few tables tonight.
They were all about taking their time and enjoying their food, which makes my job easier in the end.
“Need anything?” I check, the ladies seem to be good on their own, but I also don’t want them thinking I’ve forgotten about them or that I may be rushing them in any way.
The smiling lady shakes her head, “No. I was just telling Heather here how I think you must have a man on your mind. The dazed look in your eyes a moment ago is enough of a hint to know you’re thinking of something or someone special. It’s happened to us a time or two, so we know.”
“You are correct, ma’am. I met a gorgeous man, and he showed up to surprise me after work yesterday. I haven’t been able to get him off my mind since.” That’s putting it lightly, but there’s no way I’m embellishing to these two about my wild memory.
Heather speaks up, her voice quiet but firm. “Now, you tell that young man to come over at the appropriate hours. Don’t be a booty call for him, you’re much too sweet to be a flavor of the week. If he’s not ready to put a ring on it, he’s not ready to season it either.”
I laugh. I wasn’t expecting her choice of words, and it sounds so random coming from her.
I can’t help but be amused. “Thank you. I agree to no booty calls for me,” I confirm, flashing them a wide smile.
I wonder how Reaper would react if I told him what she just said.
The thought nearly makes me laugh out loud.
The first lady slides the check to the end of the table, with a twenty-dollar bill. “Here’s the check, deary. Now, you keep the rest of that for yourself, you hear?”
“Thank you. You both have a good night, and let me know if you decide on another cup.” They came in for pie and coffee, and have been here a while already, gossiping and giggling like best friends.
They’d refused the last refill I offered, and I’d already cleared their pie plates, so they’re probably about to leave.
Sliding the bill and check from the table, I stuff them in my apron to take care of in a minute.
As I do, I glance up, meeting the intense stare of a beautiful woman.
She’s outside the café’s large window, directly in front of me.
Her eyes blaze with a bright, eerie red color, and her skin is deathly pale, but absolutely flawless.
She’s got spiral curly hair with amazing volume, and a body that’s full of the type of curves many women dream about having one day.
She’s next level gorgeous, and also, so still…
Her presence reminds me more of a mannequin than a woman.
I offer a kind smile, hoping I appear welcoming, but she gives me nothing in return but a blank, soulless stare.
Furrowing my brows, I blink hard, then stare out again, only to see she’s disappeared.
So weird.
“Did you see the woman who was just outside?” I ask the ladies. They glance out the window and then back to me, both shaking their heads.
Strange.
Something about the woman from the window seems to draw my curiosity to her, but I can’t explain it.
I go to our café entrance, opening it enough to pop my head outside to see if she’s still here somewhere.
I glance from right to left, but no one’s there, almost as if I’ve imagined the entire thing, but I swear I saw someone.
“We’re heading out,” I’m interrupted by the two ladies. “You have a good night, deary.”
“Thanks, you too.” I hold the door open for them and watch as they walk to their vehicles that are parked next to each other.
They stand in the parking lot talking, so I close the door, locking it and flipping the sign to closed.
I’m ready to finish cleaning up so I can get out of here.
I’ve been feeling off all day, aside from having my head in the clouds.
I turn around, striding toward the register, when there’s a loud thump, making me jump.
Spinning to face the windows, my eyes scan over the entrance door first, then move on to check each large window.
Eventually, I pause on a bloody mark smeared down the glass where I’d momentarily seen the beautiful woman earlier.
My feet are moving on their own accord, before I realize it, carrying me to the same table the older ladies were at.
It’s still dirty with their coffee cups as my knee lands on the booth seat.
I lean over enough to stare outside, my eyes following the trail of dark blood.
On the ground lies a large, dead black bird.
“What the heck?” I whisper to myself. Chills creep over me as my skin suddenly feels tight, and my hands move to rub my arms, making the sensation fade away. If I thought earlier was strange, it has my weird meter notching way up with this latest development.
A loud knock draws my attention away, my gaze shooting to the long window inside the front door. Reaper’s large presence looms there, standing outside, dressed in all black. His attire and presence remind me of his namesake, but I swear I’ve never been this glad to see a big biker before.
I rush back over to the door, twisting the lock on the door and pulling it open, letting him slip inside.
Jimmy's in the back, but he won’t care if I have someone inside waiting for me.
I secure the door once again, twisting the deadbolt, then I spin toward the intimidating, muscular man.
My arms shoot around his middle, and then I’m hugging him, tucking my head to his chest.
The woman was weird, sure, but the dead bird has successfully freaked me out. I’m glad someone is here with me up front, and especially a strong someone.
One of his arms wraps around me as he rests the palm of his free hand on my hair, holding me to him. “What is it, Athena? Are you okay?”
Shaking my head, still planted against him, I admit, “It’s been a strange night, and I’m glad you’re here.
” I’ve been jumpy all day. Almost like I’ve had too much adrenaline pumping through my system.
Add it to the other stuff that’s just happened, and I feel like I might have a heart attack on the spot.
“I’ll be here any time you need me.”
“Thank you. It’s just a dark night; the moon is practically nonexistent out there. I think it’s making my eyes play tricks on me, and it’s all working to creep me out. I need to stay away from the scary movies and tune into Hallmark, I suppose.”
“Play tricks on you how?” He pulls back enough to gaze down at me, and I find myself becoming lost in his presence as I always seem to do whenever he’s near me.
His eyes are more silver tonight, it’s weird, and I try to think back to what they were last night and the time before. Dark red? That can’t be right, though.
“Your eyes, they’re silver.”
He blinks, glancing up at the ceiling light before meeting my gaze, “It’s the lighting in here, makes them look strange.”
“They were honey and red-ish the last time you were here.”
He shrugs. “They change based on my mood sometimes.”
“And tonight? How are you feeling?”
“Hungry,” he admits lowly before backtracking to reply louder, “I’m just pleased to see you, and it could be because of the moon. Maybe it being so dark out mixed with the lights in here makes them look different to you.”
Something tells me he’s lying, but I won’t call him out on it.
If he wanted me to know, he’d tell me. He’s a biker, I’m not ignorant enough to believe he’ll let me in on every aspect of his life.
Hopefully, though, he’ll at least include me in on the important parts.
“No biker friends with you tonight? I get you all to myself?”
He smirks, “Your first ride will be mine and mine alone. They can wait for the opportunity to have you on a midnight ride.”
I glance at the clock, cocking my brow. “Midnight? It’s nine p.m..”
“We call night rides midnight rides because by the time everyone has their shit together enough to make it to the bikes, it ends up being closer to midnight.”
“Oh,” I laugh. “Makes sense. You had me worried for a minute that you were going to make me wait three hours for a ride home.”
“Not at all. Are you ready?”
I nod. “Just about. Let me wipe this table really quick and let my boss know.”
“I’ll tell him while you finish up.”
I offer him a pleased smile as his thoughtfulness makes me feel all warm inside. “Thanks.”
He disappears through the swinging door to the back, making me think he’s been back there before, since he didn’t ask where he needed to go.
I wonder how Reaper and his club know Jimmy, and obviously well enough, they’ve been here more than once, after closing time.
I hope my boss hasn’t gotten into any trouble with them or anything.
Though if it were the case, I doubt his club would be so cordial.
Grabbing the used coffee cups, I use a wet towel to wipe down the surface and sanitize it. I shift my cleaning to the booth, wiping the seats down next, and can’t help but glance at the ground where the bird was.
It’s gone.
Only a bit of blood remains in its place.