Chapter 3 Storm
THREE
STORM
DOTTIE
As we both look at the menus in our hands, I’m at a loss for words.
First off, I don’t even know this dude, which is why I’m shocked at myself for not only inviting him to dinner but then I trusted a perfect stranger into a closed area, my cage.
Now. we are seated together at The Wooden Spirits, which has a ton of people I know all around us.
I just know something is going to ruin this feeling I’m experiencing being with Benji.
Then I hear the voice of Shadow calling my name.
I lower my menu, looking up at her to see those dead as fuck icy-blue eyes are glaring in his direction.
“Hey, Shadow. You and Panther here for dinner?”
Her eyes move to me and I can see the million and one questions.
When she has that look in her eyes, I know there’s no way to escape from her probing nosy-ass.
I see the menu lower on the other side of our table, and that’s when I see something I barely ever see: a stare off between Benji and Shadow.
Then to my utter surprise, it’s Shadow who looks away, though Benji continues to stare daggers at her.
His face is void of any emotion, though those eyes of his again look dead just like Shadow’s always look.
The same dead glare she uses to terrify people.
“Who the hell are you and why you sittin’ with my sister? You ain’t from around here, are you?”
Benji’s head shifts toward me and his eyes never leave my face.
When he mouths “seriously” to me, I can’t help but chuckle.
Shadow literally growls but what has me laughing out loud is that Benji growls even louder back at her.
This is what Panther and Avalanche wander up too.
Panther pulls Shadow against him, and I can see her letting her walls drop because she’s in his arms. Avalanche moves up toward our table first.
“Hey, brother, how’s it going? Try the special, Cook always does it up right. Well, that is if you’re not a vegetarian or what do they call them now: yeah, gluten free, not vegan, right? Though gotta say, Cook is working to find alternative menu items now too. You good, Halo?”
I watch as the man in question closes his eyes while taking in a deep breath, then lets it out.
His shoulders seem to relax, as does his body.
I can’t pull my eyes off of him, which is shocking because usually I never put my eyes on any man.
Learned my lesson early in life; it’s better to blend into my surroundings with eyes cast down while not looking at anyone in particular for any amount of time, as it can be taken as an invitation.
Someone tapping me on the shoulder has me shifting and lifting my head, until my eyes meet those icy-blue eyes with a thousand questions swimming in them.
Not my story to tell and since both Avalanche and Panther were present at the sanctuary, they can relay what they know, which is probably more than my information.
They were all probably questioning Ollie, I’m sure, on the way back to the sanctuary.
Meanwhile, Benji and I headed into town.
Just as my enforcer goes to open her mouth, the waitress comes over to take our order.
“Hey, Dottie, nice to see you. Have you two decided on what you want or do you need a minute or two?”
Before I can reply, Benji’s deep raspy voice quietly states he’ll have the special with a bowl of the cream of potato soup.
The waitress, Cindy, asks if he wants salad with house dressing and he tells her, “Yes, please.” When she turns to me, I tell her to make it two.
She thanks us then turns and leaves. Knowing that unless I give her something, Shadow will stand here all night, including during our dinner, I turn to her and start to explain how I met Benji.
Well, until he clears his throat, stands up, and puts his arms across his chest in a defensive manner. Oh shit, here we go.
“May I ask why my business is yours? I’ve done nothin’ to deserve this kind of harassment, lady. Now, we’d like to eat our food in peace, so can you please leave us to it? I’d appreciate it, ma’am.”
Trying not to laugh, instead I snort loudly, which has Avalanche laughing while Panther turns away, probably to hold in his own laughter.
Shadow’s getting more pissed by the second until her ol’ man leans down, whispering something in her ear.
Even with her skull tattoo, I can see her face starting to turn pink before she looks down at me, saying goodbye.
Then the three of them turn and head toward the front area.
When I look toward Benji, his head is down and he’s wringing his hands together.
“Hey, she don’t mean no harm, she’s just very protective. Shadow doesn’t realize how she comes across. Sorry if she offended you.”
It’s like he didn’t even hear me. So when I reach across the table, even before I can put a hand on his—he seems to literally flip out—grabbing my hand, pulling me up, while twisting my arm behind my back.
This all happens in a split second, right before Benji growls in my ear, “You are not to touch me. EVER.” I do what Shadow taught me by taking in small breaths while relaxing my body.
He must feel it because he immediately releases my arm, twisting me around so we are facing each other.
“Fuck, Dottie, I’m so sorry. Touching is extremely hard for me.
Don’t ask, please, at least not while were here.
Why the fuck did I try to go outside my comfort zone?
I know it don’t work for me, for Christ’s sake.
Did I hurt you? Goddamn, I’m just gonna take off.
Can I get my bags from your trunk? You sure as hell don’t need my kind of trouble, that’s for sure. ”
Knowing he’s being dragged down by a shit ton of memories and he’s letting those take over his present situation, I give him a second or two before responding. I hold my hands up, showing him I’m not going to attempt to touch him.
“Come on now, Benji, don’t make an impulse decision.
Let’s just eat then you can decide your next steps.
I was wrong to try and touch you, I know better.
Believe it or not, that woman who just left is not only our club enforcer but a very good friend of mine.
She’s taught me very well to read signs and body language.
Somehow, I neglected to remember those lessons while dealing with you.
Again, I’ll apologize, but hey, let’s not rush into anything.
We came for some food and, oh look, our food is on its way.
How can you say no to that potato soup with fresh biscuits?
I mean, there’s even bacon, onions, and cheese on top of your soup.
Ya know what they call that, right? Loaded.
Come on, sit down with me and let’s eat. ”
I carefully sit down and wait, not wanting to put any pressure on him.
He looks around, seeming to memorize his surrounding, while he takes some really deep breaths, then looks down at his steaming soup.
When his stomach growls loudly, I know he’s going to sit down, which he eventually does.
He grabs his napkin first, putting it on his lap, then he reaches for the spoon, which he shoves into the soup then back up to his mouth.
The noises coming from him as he eats his soup have me rubbing my thighs together, which in itself totally shocks me.
My God, I can’t remember the last time I had any interest, especially when it came to sexual noises a man makes, let alone one I don’t know jack shit about.
When he lifts his eyes, the sadness in them hurts my heart.
I give him a small grin, which he hesitantly returns, then digs back into the soup.
I know he’s hiding something enormous but at this point, I don’t care.
What I want is for him to try and, hopefully, maybe even trust me, because it’s apparent he needs someone to be his friend and have his back.
And for some ungodly reason, I want it to be me.
If my twin sister, Dani, was here, she’d tell me I’m letting my bleeding heart guide me down an unknown path.
She’d be right, though I’d never say that out loud, especially to her.
Like most twins, we have a very healthy competition going between us constantly, and I would never purposely tell her she’s right because it will go straight to her head. Big time.
“So, Dottie, how’d you end up here? I mean, in nowhere Montana, in this town, what’s it called again?”
I put my spoon down and wipe my mouth before I answer back.