Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Ayda
Iwasn’t sure why I agreed to a new car. I blamed Drew and make-up sex.
I was normally so lost in my own head and the numbness in my limbs that I didn’t even realize what I was agreeing to until I saw that look of victory shining from his eyes.
Apparently I needed airbags and a frame that wouldn’t bend when I sneezed on it.
The truth was I was expecting to end up with a tank, although I wasn’t quite sure they had airbags. I made a mental note to look into that.
Against my better judgment, my poor Corolla’s fate had been decided.
It was older than me, and finally being sent out to pasture.
Beyond that motorway to retirement, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
That thing had taken me to college, brought me home and taken me to and from three shitty jobs with great gas mileage.
It had done everything I’d asked of it and more.
Even then there was nothing really wrong with it.
I just saw that don’t argue look when I finally realized what I’d said yes to and left it at that.
I justified it to myself as keeping Tate safe and giving my over protective meathead some peace of mind.
I was so lost in my thoughts as I passed through the main room, I almost walked straight into the man of my dreams, all while envisioning myself in the Camaro I’d seen them tow in last week.
“Hey, you,” I said, reaching out and fisting the front of his shirt, just above his belt. “I thought you had a meeting with the boys this morning?”
It was only when our eyes met that I saw the look he was wearing.
Drew’s nostrils were flared, his chest heaving as he looked down on me and I was instantly reminded of the time I tried to leave the clubhouse, before we got together.
The anger in his face was apparent, but just when I was about to ask what happened, his hand flew up to my face, gripping tightly as his lips crashed down against mine.
He caught me by surprise, and before I’d so much as thought about it I was on my toes, my body pressing against his as a quiet whimper left my mouth, only to be swallowed by him.
There was no intimacy in the kiss he was giving me, no tenderness or adoration.
It was possession, one hundred percent marking his territory in the only way he knew how.
Not that I was complaining.
By the time he pulled back, I was breathless and boneless. My body was upright only because he was keeping me there in his grip, and by the small glint in his eye he’d achieved his directive, although I wasn’t entirely sure who it was for.
“Damn. I should run into you more often.”
“Or never leave my side,” he said quietly, his eyes falling to my mouth as his tongue ran over his bottom lip.
“That’s tempting, but I fear you’d get bored with me. It’s my absence that keeps the mystery.” I finally rocked down flat on my feet, but stayed grinning up at him like the love-struck fool I really was. “I was just going to drool over the Camaro, unless you have a Trans Am out there. Wanna come?”
His jaw set tight, even though he was now smiling.
“No to both those options. I want you in an inflatable car that doesn’t go above fifty.
” His laugh was much softer than his desperate grip on my waist as he dropped another kiss to my lips and spoke against them.
“As much as I’d love to make sure you don’t burn my money on something you’ll get yourself killed in, I have some things I need to take care of. ”
“Hey! They both have airbags and solid frames. They’re American-made muscle cars.
If I’m upgrading, I wanna look cool, not like a soccer mom,” I said, partly in humor, partly serious.
I put my hands on his shoulders and rubbed gently.
“Not nagging, but do these things need your attention now? Is it something I can help with?”
“You can help by not buying yourself a muscle car, darlin’.
” Pulling back and forcing us both to stand taller, he didn’t let me go as his eyes flashed to the door of his office then back at me.
“Apart from that, it’s all good. I’m just speaking with the guys about clearing up the mess with these kids.
Then I have some accounts crap to go over, which will bore the hell outta you and make you horny while I try to work and look all studious.
It’s probably best you climb this mountain without me.
Don’t expect to go too far, though. My guys will have their eyes on you the whole time.
” His grin faltered and his grip tightened, those small frown lines of his making a quick appearance before disappearing again. “Stay close to Deeks for me, okay?”
“I’m only going out into the yard, Drew,” I said quietly, my hands running down to his biceps as I tried to read the undecipherable look he was giving me. Lifting one hand, I tugged on his growing beard. “I may just punish you and pick out a Harley, or would that be a blessing?”
“Hmm. Interesting,” he whispered before sliding his other hand down to the top of my ass. “That could be a blessing and a major distraction. Best get that charm and charisma out of here before I show you just how good you’d look on one of those things.”
My laugh was genuine as I pushed my ass back into his touch, my eyebrows rising as I bit the tip of my tongue.
“Somehow I think our visions differ considerably.” I pulled one hand to my temple and narrowed my eyes. “Wait. I’m getting a psychic vision. You’re seeing me bent over a Harley, breasts down ass up? Is that about right, Mr. Tucker?”
“Fuck. It’s uncomfortable how well you know what goes on in my mind.” He stepped back, breaking contact completely, throwing both his hands in the air as that signature smirk of his spread up into one cheek. “Take your voodoo elsewhere, woman. I won’t be a part of it.”
“Aww, c’mon,” I said, purposefully jutting my hip out and curling my hair around one finger. “You like my brand of voodoo. It’s just a shame you have to work. We could have tried out the Harley thing.”
I gave him a wink and side-stepped his frame, sauntering slowly toward the door and swinging my hips. When I was past him enough that he’d have to actually chase me, I turned my head to glance over my shoulder at him, a small laugh coming as I dropped my hands to my side. “Maybe later?”
Walking backwards, he raised a finger and pointed it in my direction. “Your charm is mine, Ayda. All mine.”
“So are Char and Isma,” I responded, turning and giving him a little jiggle. I mouthed I love you at him before spinning on my heel and skipping toward the door in an exponentially better mood than I had been.
I thought our interaction was over until I heard him shout out across the bar, “I’m sending Deeks out right now to watch over my assets.”
“Why could I possibly need protection in the yard?” I sang, my body turning while my eyes stayed on him.
“Sometimes there’s wolves among the sheep, sweetheart.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m a carnivore.” I snorted, shaking my ass at him before pushing through the door and out into the beautiful fall day.
I breathed in the soil-scented air with renewed vigor, the day’s outlook now brighter than it had been. I barely made it two steps toward the picnic table when I saw Kenny leaning against the rails, looking out over the closed gate that led to the highway.
“Kenny? What are you doing out here? I thought y’all had club business?
” I skipped toward him, turning my back to the rails, my hands gripping the edge as I pulled my ass up onto it.
Once again, I realized that my distraction had blinded me to his body language and the joint in his hand. “Everything okay?”
“Fucking peachy.”
“Really?”
“Yep. What you doing?”
“Why, I’m picking out a brand new car,” I said in a game show presenter’s voice, my arm sweeping across the yard.
I was trying to cheer him up a little. There was something bothering him.
Kenny was generally a laid back kind of guy.
I didn’t think I’d seen him like that since I’d met him. “There anything I can do to help?”
Kenny let out all the breath in his lungs and threw the butt of his joint into a chimenea I bought to keep them warm while they sat out there and smoked. Rolling his shoulders, he turned to the side, resting his hip against the railing as a ghost of a smile appeared.
“You’ve already done it.” He sniffed and raised his chin in the direction of the yard. “What kind of car you looking for?”
“That’s actually up for debate. I want something sporty, but I think Drew wants me in a tank.”
“Well, in that case, you should probably do whatever Drew tells you to.”
“Do you know me at all, Kenny?”
He smiled, huffing out a laugh before he rubbed his hand across his mouth. “Maybe you can compromise? We had a brand new Tahoe come in. Total upgrade package, including sound system, tow package, and four wheel drive.”
“Sounds right up your alley.” I laughed, pushing his shoulder. “I want some American made umph.”
“Umph?”
“A car that growls.”
“There ain’t many Vipers in Babylon, A.”
“I’m not that delusional, K.”
“Okay, then what are you thinking?”
I kicked my legs against the rail and grinned at him sheepishly. “Shortlisted? Camaro, Mustang or Trans Am.”
“All three of them are in the fuck no column,” Deeks said, letting go of the door he’d just come through.
“Then I’ll keep the Corolla. If I’m getting something new, it’s gonna be something I want.”
“Drew said you would be difficult,” Deeks said, heading toward the porch steps, his hands in his pockets. “Let’s just go do this. That way you might be able to add something to that shortlist of yours he’ll be willing to compromise over.”
“You got any Ferraris?” I asked, grinning at Kenny before hopping off the railing and jogging after him. “How about Lambos? Aston Martins? Batmobiles?”
“It’s gonna be a long day.” Deeks chuckled, pushing an elbow out for me to hook my arm through. I took it and slowed to his speed, the maze of cars suddenly looking more daunting than it had only ten minutes earlier.
“Where’s your sense of adventure, Deeks?”
He threw his head back and let out a good hearty laugh, forcing my smile to almost quadruple. If I was going to be made to do this with anyone, I was glad it was him. Deeks knew me. He was immune to my bitching and antics, and that meant I had a good conscience with me for the afternoon.