• Thirteen •
· Thirteen ·
“I’m not ole-lady material.”
Briar
What the hell was Storm doing here? It wasn’t like I’d done anything wrong. I hadn’t even started dating anyone. The money coming in from the tips and my cut of the house take on nights I worked was the best I’d ever made. Sure, it wasn’t what I would get from a wealthy asshole, but this was enough for now. Dovie was happy here. I had more time with her. We could go out and not worry about being seen. I wasn’t going to mess this up.
Trying to keep a smile and respond to the customers as I walked through them to get back to the table I had seen him sit at was difficult. I was on a mission, and until I knew the reason Storm was here, I wasn’t in the mood to chat.
“I want to hear that song you sang last Friday. The one you wrote,” a woman said from the lap of Country, one of The Judgment members.
I’d seen her here before, but I didn’t know her name. Country had a new one with him every week. It was hard to keep up.
“‘Tangled,’” the woman across from her said.
“All right,” I replied while still moving.
“You think about that marriage proposal?” Tex, another Judgment guy, asked as I passed him.
I patted his chest. “I’m not ole-lady material. I told you that.” I was learning their lingo as well as their names.
His hand came over mine, holding it to his impressive pecs. “Don’t know until you try.”
I laughed, pulling my hand free and shaking my head. “Not tonight, Tex.”
“Leave her be, Tex!” Pepper shouted out from the bar.
I managed to smile and nod at the next few before I finally got to the table where Storm sat, leaning back in his chair with a glass of whiskey in one hand and the other crossed over his chest, watching me.
Let the wet panties commence. Damn him and his sexy-ass face.
Might as well get this over with. He’d come over six hundred miles for a reason.
Pulling out a chair across from him, I took a seat just as Pepper appeared at my side, setting my ice water down in front of me.
“You got time to talk to this one?” she asked me point-blank.
I lifted my eyes to her and nodded. “Yeah.”
She swung her eyes to Storm. “Keep it quick. She’s got another set in fifteen, and she needs a break.”
Storm looked amused but nodded his head once before those hazel eyes of his shifted back to me. He lifted his hand to place the glass to his lips and took a sip, his eyes never leaving me. I fought the urge to squirm in my seat. Even his hands were sexy. Large, veiny, tanned. I bet they were rough from working with the horses.
“You got Pepper fooled real nice, don’t you?” he drawled, breaking the silence.
I glared at him, no longer focused on his hands. “What do you want, Storm? Or did you just come here to degrade me and call me names? I’d have thought by now, that would have gotten old. Lost its entertainment value.”
He chuckled and set his glass down, then leaned forward, putting his elbows on the table. “Just thought I’d come to make sure you’re not fucking over a friend.”
I leaned forward and narrowed my eyes. “I’m an excellent employee.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “Until you get what you want and bolt.”
Inhaling sharply, I moved back some, not liking how close we were. I could smell him, and he smelled damn good. I didn’t need that reminder.
“What I want is for you to leave me alone. I’m aware how Pepper is connected to … y’all. And I assure you that I want no trouble with any of you. If you’d all stop showing up here and let me just get on with my life, that would be great.”
A twenty-dollar bill landed on the table in front of me. I lifted my eyes to see Brick, one of the larger members of The Judgment, standing there, looking down at me.
“My ole woman wants you to sing ‘Stand by Your Man.’”
Goldie, his wife, was one of my favorite women in The Judgment. She was friendly, bubbly, and always smiling. The two of them didn’t seem like they fit. He was so grumpy, and she was the complete opposite. But when he looked at her, the worship in his gaze was clear. I had found myself longing for that more than once. To have a man look at me that way. I’d never know what it felt like, but I couldn’t help the way my heart squeezed when I saw them together.
“First one I’ll sing in the next set,” I told him, but moved the twenty back toward him. “No need for this. I’ll happily do it for Goldie.”
“Take it,” he said with a bark to his tone I was used to.
“I don’t—”
“I said, take it,” he interrupted me, turning and walking off.
With a sigh, I took the twenty and folded it up before looking back at Storm. He seemed to be trying to read my thoughts with the way his eyes were locked on me so intently.
“What?” I snapped.
He took another drink, then licked his bottom lip. “Just trying to figure out why you didn’t snatch up that money since that seems to be your goal in life.”
My stomach twisted as a sour feeling burned my throat. Why did I let this man and his hateful words bother me so much? He wasn’t important to me, and I didn’t need his approval.
I pushed back my chair and stood up, tucking the twenty into my pocket. “If that is all you need, then I’ll be heading on back. Don’t choke on your food,” I said, getting the hell away from him before he could say anything more.
I couldn’t go onstage angry. I had to get away from everyone and calm down before I had to walk back out there.
He was gone before my next set ended. Thankful that I didn’t have to feel his judgmental, disgusted gaze on me, I began to enjoy the night. I had even done two of my own songs and put my backup drum track on for “Honky Tonk Women,” which had the entire place cheering and filling the dance floor.
By the time I finished my last set, it was almost one. Pepper sent her guys through doing last call and clearing the place out as I took my tip jar and went through straightening and counting the money backstage. It had been a good night if you left out the fact that Storm had shown up to try and ruin things.
Heels on the hardwood floor caught my attention, and I looked up to see Pepper walk around the corner. She was smiling, clearly pleased with the night’s success. By my third set, the kitchen had run out of fried pickles, fries, and tonight’s special—the pulled pork coleslaw burger.
She held up a roll of bills. “This was left for you,” she said, then held it out.
Reaching out, I took what looked like a hundred-dollar bill wrapped around a few more bills. Curious, I unrolled it to find there were five hundreds. Frowning, I looked up at her. “I think someone made a mistake.”
She shook her head. “Don’t think so. It’s a hundred for every set tonight.”
I looked back at the money. “This can’t be a tip.”
“Oh, but it is, and you’re taking it.”
“Who in their right mind would leave me this kind of tip?”
Pepper sat down beside me on the edge of the back of the stage, then crossed her legs. “One Storm Kingston.”
“What?” I asked incredulously. “He left during my second set. This can’t be from him.” Then there was the fact that he hated me.
“It’s from him. He put it in my hands himself. Said to make sure you got it. And he didn’t leave during your second set. He just moved to the back.”
“What back?”
I could see the entire room from the stage. If he’d been in the back, I would have seen him.
“My office. He watched from the screens, and before you say anything, I let him because he had left you five hundred dollars. Not to mention the way he was looking at you like you were his favorite snack.”
I let out a laugh. “Storm hates me. Loathes me. This?” I held up the money. “This was some kind of bribe to get you to let him back there.” I stood up, starting to seethe. “He’s up to something. He doesn’t want me here. I don’t think he even wants me breathing and walking the earth. But mark my words: This money was not for me. It was for something else.”
Pepper leaned forward, resting her elbows on her thighs as she studied me. “You sure about that? Because I’m real damn good at reading men, and that one couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
“I am positive. All he did was make degrading comments when we spoke. I don’t know why he was here, but it wasn’t for me.” Then, I held up the money. “And I don’t want this. Take it.” I shoved it into her hand and bent down to pick up the real tips I’d made.
I was going home to take a hot bubble bath and drink an entire bottle of wine.
“I’m not keeping this money. If you won’t take it, I’ll make sure he gets it back,” she said slowly, then stood up. “If you’re sure.”
I nodded emphatically. “Very!”
“Go on home. Get some rest. You were incredible tonight,” she told me.
“Thanks. I need to go grab my things from the dressing room, and then I’ll head out. See you in two days,” I said, lifting a hand in a small wave.
“Drive safe,” she replied, then turned and walked back toward the bar with the five hundred dollars Storm had left me.
Asshole. Why would he do that? How was that supposed to insult me? I knew he’d had a purpose, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure it out.
Taking my time, I got my things together, downed a bottle of water, made sure my tips were safely tucked in my purse, and slid my gun into the waist of my jeans before heading for the side door. Not that I’d ever had trouble here, but it was best to be safe. The front door would be locked, and I was parked closer to the front of the side entrance. The door wasn’t locked yet, but I knew at least two of The Judgment guys would stay until Pepper was locked up and safely in her car, headed home. I had yet to meet her older brother, but I already knew he was very protective of her. His club made that very clear with the way they all seemed to be her personal bodyguards.
Stepping outside, I started toward my car when the dark figure leaning against it caused me to freeze. My hand went to the butt of my gun just as the man’s head turned, and the moonlight hit Storm’s face. Relief and annoyance collided into me as my hand let go of my gun, dropping back to my side.
“That’s a real good way to get shot,” I called out, not moving in his direction.
“I took my chances,” he replied, staying there against my car as if he owned it.
I had to get in my car to leave. His blocking me was one more strike against him tonight.
“What do you want, Storm? To call me some more names? Please get it over with so I can go home,” I said, then started heading in his direction again.
“You refused my tip,” he said as I got closer.
“That wasn’t a tip. No one tips that much. It was some weird, twisted thing that I can’t figure out the purpose of at the moment, but I’m tired, and you are standing in the way of me and a bubble bath.”
He didn’t move. Of course not. That would be the polite thing to do, but Storm was an asshole.
“You’re talented. Real fucking talented. You should be making a hell of a lot more than that.”
Okay. I paused. Was that a real compliment, or was he about to turn it around and make a snarky comment about me being a gold digger?
“You owned that crowd with ease, like nothing I’d ever seen. You should be packing out civic centers and football stadiums, not singing at bars.”
Now, I was completely thrown off guard. He looked serious. But I knew better. He was leading up to something mean.
I shook my head and placed a hand on my hip. “Sure, I’m the next Taylor Swift. Now, can you move so I can go home?”
The corner of his full mouth tilted up, and his eyes seemed to heat. Even in the darkness, I could see them change. A stir in my stomach was followed by a flutter. I blinked, trying not to fall for this. He was going to slap me with something cruel at any moment.
Did he know I struggled with how gorgeous he was? That my stupid body reacted to him even though my head knew better? God, I hoped not.
“Your problem is, you don’t see it,” he said, pushing away from the car and taking a step toward me, closing the distance. “All you see is what the mirror and men tell you. That you’re stunning. Men throw themselves at you. But your looks have nothing on that voice.”
When was he going to lay the smackdown and tell me I was a slut or whore or whatever? I was in need of that right now because the way he was making me feel, all warm and needy, was not good. I was letting my guard down, and that was a big no-no.
I swallowed hard and tried to take a step back, but my legs wouldn’t move. They were glued to the ground they stood on. Every breath I took, his scent filled my senses, making it hard to concentrate.
“You want millions, then make them. Use that talent of yours and be an independent woman who makes her money honestly.”
His voice was deep and husky, but the words were what snapped me out of whatever this was. He lifted his hand and ran a finger down the side of my cheek, trailing along my jawline, then into my hair. I was trembling. Damn this man.
Reaching up, I wrapped my hand around his wrist and pulled at it, trying to get it off me. His arm flexed, but that was the only sign that he even acknowledged my attempt at removing his hand.
“I’m sure that between those smooth, silky thighs is the hottest, sweetest pussy I’ve ever tasted,” he said as his fingers tightened in my hair, slightly pulling it with the action.
I stared up at him and watched his jaw clench as he held me there.
“This goddamn face,” he snarled angrily. “No man should have to endure this kind of temptation.”
“I’m not …” My words came out in a breathy gasp, but I wasn’t sure what it was I meant to say.
Every time he tugged at my hair, the area between my thighs he’d mentioned throbbed.
“You’re not what?” he asked in a sardonic tone, tilting his head to one side.
I opened and closed my mouth. I was struggling to keep a clear thought. He took a step closer, and then with a hard jerk of my hair, he turned me around until my back was against the car, and he was towering over me. A cry left me from the pain, but he didn’t ease up his hold. I felt his hand slide over my waist and slowly toward my back, making my knees weak from the rough feel of his callous palm. When the heavy metal from my gun was eased out, I tensed as fear began to slip into this needy lust haze he’d pulled me into.
My eyes followed his hand as he took my gun and placed it on the hood of my car behind me.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said, cupping the side of my face gently before gripping my chin almost too roughly. His heated gaze stared down at my mouth as his hold got tighter. “I hate this mouth,” he growled. “It’s too goddamn full and pink. Always so fucking pink. Taunting me. Making me ache to see these fat lips wrapped around my cock while I hear you choke on it.”
A whimper escaped me. My body felt like it was on fire. This was not normal, and what he was doing wasn’t okay. No man had ever talked to me like this. Yes, he was being a little too rough, but it was just enough to cause excitement. The edge of fear only seemed to heighten the emotion.
I should stop him. Scream. Get away. But my body was completely against that course of action. My panties were soaked, and I was aching so badly that I was having to fight myself to keep from rubbing against him.
“I want to kill. Rip off heads. Slice off every fucking dick that’s getting off right now to thoughts of you,” he snarled, tightening his hold on my hair even more, then pulling my head back so that my neck was exposed and he was all I could see.
Sucking in a breath, I trembled as he stepped closer to me, letting go of my chin and running his hand down the front of my chest, stomach, going until he found the edge of my miniskirt. My mouth fell open on a gasp as his hand shoved between my thighs, and two fingers slid inside my panties. Both my knees buckled, and I moaned from the sheer pleasure. The ache that had built was now a pulsing need.
“That’s a real fucking wet cunt.” He lowered his head until his forehead was resting against mine. “All that for me? Does a little pain make this pussy cream? Hmmm?”
The two fingers he slid over my slick folds thrust inside me hard, and I grabbed both his arms as a cry ripped from me. My hips rocked against his hand, wanting his fingers deeper. Needing them to move. To fuck me.
“That’s it, little siren. Lead me to my own fucking destruction.” His voice was hoarse, and I could hear his fast and heavy breathing. He wanted this too.
“You’d like to ride my cock like that, wouldn’t you? I’d split you in two,” he said just as his teeth grazed my neck. “This pussy is too tight. You’ve not had a real man’s dick inside you.”
He bit down then on the tender skin at the curve of my neck. The sharp sting only seemed to make me crazier.
“Oh God,” I breathed, bucking harder against him.
“Not even close,” he replied before he began to lick where he’d bitten.
Staring up at the sky, I was helpless to whatever this man wanted to do to me. The orgasm building inside me was growing stronger, and it was all that mattered. His mouth moved over my heated skin. He didn’t kiss me, but then he licked me like an animal. I wanted to feel him do that between my legs. Have him bite my thighs.
“Good little pussy,” he groaned. “I bet you’d like to straddle my face and fuck it. Let my tongue lick that clit until you’re screaming my name.”
His free hand jerked my shirt up and tugged my bra down until my right breast was free. When his teeth clamped down on my nipple, I threw my head back as the climax consumed me. He started sucking hard, only making it prolong the blissful release that was coursing through me.
My nails were cutting into his biceps, I realized as I slowly began to come back to myself. The nighttime sky came into focus again, and Storm slid his fingers out of me. Part of me was horrified at what I’d just done, and the other part wanted to grab his hand and force it back between my legs for more.
I gulped in air, my eyes on him, not sure what he was going to do next. He lifted his two fingers to his mouth, then began to lick them slowly while his eyes stayed on me. Good God. I shuddered, feeling my body began to stir again.
When he finished licking them, he stuck them in his mouth and sucked hard. I made a sound. I thought it was a moan, but I couldn’t be sure. I was completely focused on Storm sucking me from his fingers.
“Tight and sweet. Like honey. Maybe I was wrong after all. If you fuck anything like you just took my fingers, then perhaps that is your biggest talent.”
My head jerked back as if he’d just slapped me, and he might as well have done just that. Grabbing my skirt, I shoved it back down and found my balance as I straightened.
“Bastard,” I ground out as the shame of all I had just let him do to me sank in.
He chuckled. He actually fucking laughed.
“What? You use it for your gain all the time. I was just saying I understand it now. But then I didn’t fuck you, so I can’t be sure.”
I was going to shoot him. “Shut up,” I snapped, taking my gun from the car and jerking the door to my car open.
What had I been thinking? This man had never once been nice to me. But he could get me to ride his hand like a damn porn star in less than five minutes.
“Ah, little siren,” he drawled. “Did you think that me getting a taste of that pussy was going to change my opinion of you?” He made a tsking sound. “Silly girl. I’ve had a lot of sweet pussy. Yours wasn’t the first, and it won’t be the last.”
I hated him. I hated everything about him. Slamming the car door closed, I realized I was shaking as I put my foot on the brakes and pressed the button to turn it on. Never again. I would never ever get near him again. We wouldn’t even breathe the same air.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, and I’ll cut your dick off.
But it wouldn’t come to that. Because he was dead to me.