3. Caine
CHAPTER 3
CAINE
I left the glass of water on the bar, returning to the table where the guys are relaxing with nothing in my hands.
“Thought you were getting us drinks,” Drew complains.
“George hired some new girl,” I tell him as an explanation. The other bartenders know us here, but for some reason this new one intrigues me. The little feisty redhead. The fucking stunning redhead.
I’ve seen David, the other bartender, running back and forth, but it’s clear they’re testing her. And I’m not in the mood to deal with that shit.
“Fucking A, Caine, you could use your Goddamn words to order the drinks,” one of the other guys from the gym, Alexander, grumbles.
“Heard you don’t drink beer,” the new voice says from behind me right before the woman slides a tray full of cups with clear liquid on it. Everyone may think it’s liquor, but I’m sure it’s not.
“This dickhead doesn’t, but the rest of us do. But right now, I just want to know your name, sugar,” Alexander flirts.
I turn to see her reaction and notice how short she is compared to me. At six foot four I tower over most people and I’m guessing she’s about five feet.
“Then these can all be for the dickhead. Enjoy,” she smarts before walking back to the bar. My eyes catch on her full hips and round ass in her jeans that hug her perfectly.
“What happened?” Cal, another fighter at Uncaged, the MMA gym where we all train, asks returning from God knows where.
“Caine pissed off the new bartender, so instead of booze she brought us water.” Drew folds his arms across his chest. “Only water.”
Adam, our coach, sits quietly with his arms folded, just watching this all play out and I know he’s not about to get any more involved than he needs to. Sometimes I think he likes to watch all of the drama unfold with everyone else and then goes home to laugh about it.
“Fuck all of you. I’m going to get a drink, I don’t give a shit about you guys,” Drew announces, standing up and walking over to the bar.
I pick up one of the glasses of water, inspecting it for any possible spit, and even though it may not be there, I keep my sights set on the little bundle of fire working behind the bar as I down the entire thing in one gulp. I catch her small smirk, and I can’t deny the way it makes my body react. She’s a sexy thing, and she fucking knows it. Too bad she probably couldn’t handle me and what I need when it comes to sex. But fuck, I’d like to see her try. I bet she’d scream so pretty for me.
“Okay, well water may be enough for you, but not me.” Cal slaps his hands on his knees, rising up and going to the bar along with Drew. Alexander stands to join him, leaving just Adam and me.
Shrugging, I pull out my phone to scroll through my contacts to see who I could see to get in a quick fuck or a blowjob. Every single name I pass bores me, I feel like I want something new. I want someone who can actually keep up with what I need, and it pisses me off that not a single woman around here can do that for me.
Frustrated, I toss my phone down and chug another one of the possibly tainted waters. Adam looks at me with some stupid amused look on his face.
“What?” I snap.
He shakes his head. “Not my business.” He drinks one of the cups of water and doesn’t seem to care that it probably has the spit of a pissed off bartender in it.
The rest of the guys return, drinks in hand, and I want something stronger, but I have a fight in two days and can’t get drunk right now.
“What do you think her deal is?” Alexander asks and we all know who he’s referring to.
“Probably a short timer, she seems like she won’t stick around.” Drew shrugs.
“Yeah, especially if Caine tries to talk to her again,” Cal says as he shoves an elbow into my side, and I shove him away.
“Fuck off,” I grunt.
“Danner is looking good over there, a lot prettier than you fuckers.” Alexander stands, his eyes roam over to the blonde sitting at the bar that keeps talking to the redhead.
“She ever given you a chance with that ugly ass face?” Cal jabs and Drew lets out a chuckle.
“She wants to, just watch.” Alexander downs his drink, before standing tall and walking toward her.
“This should be fucking good.” Cal sits back like he’s about to watch a show.
I don’t give a shit about my buddy getting laid. I kind of want to leave, but I turn back and notice the way Adam is watching the same woman that caught my eye. Obviously, she’s new meat and going to get some attention from everyone, but the way he’s looking at her adds to how pissed off I am. Drew notices as well.
“I’m leaving,” I announce to no one in particular.
“See you tomorrow.” Adam nods and I don’t say anything in response.
I risk one last glance at the new bartender. The new mysterious woman that’s appeared in our town with an attitude leaving her fearless enough to stand up to me, even though she doesn’t know who it is she’s toying with. I don’t even know her name, yet I can’t deny that I’m curious about her. Intrigued, even.
She looks up and catches me staring at her, which is good because I want her to see. Again, instead of looking scared and cowering, she raises her chin slightly in a challenge. One I can’t help but meet with a raise of my eyebrow. I walk out the door before she can see the look of amusement on my face.
Little killer looks like she may want to play.
Before I do something that some would say is reckless, I get on my Ducati Panigale and drive the short distance back to my house. I live about a mile away from the beach, but closer to the MMA gym where I train. When I have fights, I have to travel, usually to Portland or Seattle, but I never wanted to live there. Adam has a great reputation as a coach, and I knew I wanted one of the best. Being able to train and live here was a win-win to me.
I grew up in the suburbs outside Chicago and I didn’t want to spend my entire life rotting in some place I don’t like. Especially after I really decided to pursue fighting. My parents made it obvious how unhappy they were with that decision.
Good thing it wasn’t their life.
We used to vacation in various places, but I always remembered Seaside and decided that would be the place I would start my adult life. It was a bonus that Adam Hayes happened to live here and had an MMA gym with an open spot for me to train. After giving college one half-assed year, I knew it wasn’t for me and never looked back.
I get home and toss my keys and helmet onto a table in the entryway before kicking off my boots and immediately going to my pull up bar to do a couple sets. I’m pent up, even after practice, and hate that no one is at the gym to spar with.
I could go hit the bag, but it’s not the same. I like it when they fight back—it’s always more fun to have someone challenging you. With that, my mind immediately goes back to the bartender from tonight. Just the thought of her attitude is already making my dick harden in my jeans.
Frustrated, I rip off my clothes as I go to the bathroom and jump into a freezing cold shower to shock my system. Fuck, a little distraction like her…I’d break her and love every single second of it, but I have different priorities and dealing with some newcomer is not on the top of that list.
I somehow find myself outside The Tavern around closing time. I don’t know why I’m here, hidden in the shadows waiting to get another look at her. Just a glimpse, I swear. I don’t know what it is that’s pulling me to her, but whatever it is, I won’t let myself touch.
I really did try to sleep, but I just needed to learn more about her. See her again. Fucking something. I don’t know who I am or what the fuck is wrong with me because I don’t do this—obsess over someone—but I know I needed to settle whatever bullshit has my mind going crazy over this girl because I can’t be this distracted and sleep deprived before my fight.
I shift my hood further over my head, covering my face from the fresh drizzle coming down. My foot is kicked up against the wall as I lean back on the wooden building that looks like it could’ve been here since the town was founded.
“You sure you don’t need help getting home?” a voice I recognize as David, the other bartender, asks.
“Pretty sure I can manage a couple streets by myself,” the redhead snaps, clearly annoyed. I tense at her tone.
“You sure? I don’t mind,” he tries again.
“I do. See ya later.” She blows him off and the side of my mouth kicks up at her reply.
“See ya, Max,” he calls.
Max.
That’s when I see her walk out of the door; she doesn’t even look in my direction, just heads in the opposite direction. She keeps a steady gait, pulling up her own hood to protect against the falling raindrops.
Kicking off the wall, I keep some distance as I follow her, not sure what I’m doing, but I can’t deny the feeling that following her awakens in me. The dormant beast that hasn’t gotten to play in a long time. The one that wants to close in on her. Grab her. Tell her to run from me. Chase her. Listen to her pleas to stop, all while her pussy cries with how much she actually wants it.
I step on a stick, and it lets out a loud crack and I watch her spine stiffen, but she doesn’t look back at me, just increases her pace that’s easy for me to match with my long strides. Stuffing my hands in the large pocket of my hoodie, I keep my eyes locked on her as she tries to rush back to wherever she’s staying.
Part of me wants to fuck with her a little more. Scare her. If I can’t touch her, then it’s at least something. Get her blood pumping. Make her breathing speed up. Her shoulders tense. Maybe she’ll even run. Fuck , I want her to run.
Taking out my keys, I hit the metal against the iron lamppost and hear her little gasp and it makes a small smile appear. Her pace picks up again, her shoes slapping against the wet pavement. I make the noise again and see her try to look back without seeming obvious. I duck my head slightly, so my hood covers most of my face.
She starts to run and the impulse to chase after her is so strong, the need so fierce it’s pounding in my veins, begging to be unleashed. It’s when she runs into a small house that I realize how long I’ve been following her. We made it off main street, where the bar is, down the boardwalk and to a residential street where evidently, she lives.
Staying in the shadows, I catalog the location for the future. Just in case this game escalates between us.
I’ll see you around, Max.