CHAPTER ELEVEN
I”m stocking the shelves with towels while Ky oversees a boxing class filled with young women. They seem to flood to his gym daily, less for working out and more for trying to flirt with the owner of the place. How he finds the time to be here overseeing everything, and continue with his underground fights, I’ll never know.
Music is pounding through the sound system, when the door to the gym opens and in walks Lexie with Zoe following close behind. The plan was to get out of here as soon as I finish up restocking with fresh towels, or I was going to lose my damn mind.
Ky doesn’t really need me here, but he’s keeping me around for the simple fact to keep me out of trouble and not go to see the woman who has just walked through the door. I would tell myself today is the day that I would see her, check in on her, but Ky’s kept me so busy that when I do eventually drag myself back to the clubhouse, I’m so fucking tired I can’t even think.
I stand there in shock when I see her; she doesn’t look like the confident, independent woman I remember from only a year ago. The woman who would chew my ass out for trying to hit on her, even though she was married. She never caved, and I’m sure she never would. If her marriage was on the straight and narrow.
Now, she just looks like a scared little mouse, that a small noise would send her scurrying. She’s wearing clothes that nearly swamp her slight frame, and I can tell she’s definitely lost weight since the last time I’d seen her. It’s her hair that’s taken all my attention, whereas the beautiful auburn color is still the same.
Her hair, which frames her beautiful face, is the same short style she sported a year ago, which was the last time I’d seen her. Her wide green eyes are still shining with a brilliance despite what happened to her. Regardless of all the changes in her, she’s still the most beautiful woman in the whole damn world to me. No one could compare before, since, or after her. Yeah, I’m a sappy motherfucker. So, sue me.
I saw the moment she clocks my presence, her eyes go wide, and I can see the gasp on her lips as her eyes search for an exit. It’s like I’m having an out-of-body experience as I see myself drop the remaining towels on the floor, and stalk towards my woman, there’s no way I was going to let her leave now that she was here in front of me. When I’m a hair”s breath away from her, I gently touch the side of her face, and smile down at her; she’s wearing white sneakers, so I practically loom over her.
I see no fear in her eyes as I smile down at her. “Hello, little one.” I growl softly. Watching as a deep blush covers her cheeks. Interesting.
“Stop pawing the girl and let us through.” Lexie breaks into our moment, a tone of exasperation in her voice.
“You’re just jealous. And I wasn’t pawing her” I shoot back and for a second, I think I see hurt in her eyes, but she quickly covers it by turning steely grey eyes towards me.
“As if. Neanderthal.” She smirks, pulling Zoe behind her and away from me. She walks up to the young and perky college girl Ky hired to man the desk. Most of the time, I’ve just caught her on the phone or filing her talons, instead of working.
I’ve wanted to fire her, but Ky’s determined to keep her around. Probably because he’s banging her, since I caught them in the supply closet the other day. Though, judging by all his female clients, she’s not the only one.
“We’d like to sign up for the self defense class.” I hear Lexie tell the girl at the desk, and a smile breaks out on my face. Lexie knows damn well we don’t have a self defense class set up yet. The little sneak knew I’d be here, and she’s deliberately brought my girl to me. I could kiss her right now. But of course, I won’t. I’m not like most of my brothers in the club who step out on their women on the regular. When I have a woman, she’s the only one in my life, and I haven’t had a regular woman since Zoe. And that was over a decade ago.
I had an attraction to Sage’s best friend who had been attacked by our arch nemesis Jose Ramos, and would’ve been interested in seeing where it went once, she was well enough to leave the hospital. But unfortunately, her injuries were too great, and she ended up passing away.
I shake my head to dislodge those morbid thoughts instead, focusing on the woman in front of me. I can’t help but smirk when I notice Zoe checking me out. I’m wearing the usual uniform for the gym, a pair of black shorts, and a blue tank top. But my muscles and tats on my arms and chest are on display, as are the ones on my legs. The rest, though, is covered up by my clothes.
I didn’t have as much ink on my body when I was seeing Zoe all those years ago, and I certainly didn’t have any of the piercings that adorn my body right now. The only one that can be seen are the nipple rings in both my nipples. And the tongue ring, if she went in for a kiss. I wonder what she’d think If she knew?
I notice her beautiful moss green eyes go wide, and force myself not to chuckle. Seems she noticed the tongue ring, anyway.
“I’ll look after these two, Tracy,” I tell the girl, grabbing two sign-up forms, There are no self-defence classes set up right now, but by the time Zoe’s ready to start, I’ll make sure it’s in place.
Lexie looks at me, shaking her head, but keeps her mouth shut. Good, I’d hate to tackle her if she outed me.
“Come into the office.” I instruct and both women follow me. Just as we enter Ky’s office, Lexie’s phone pings with a message.
“Fuck!” She explodes, making Zoe jump, and I narrow my eyes at the other woman.
“Sorry,” she replies sheepishly. “Riggs just texted. He needs me to come in earlier. Like now. Asshole.” She mutters to herself, even though the entire room heard her.
I watch Zoe as she narrows her eyes at her best friend. “You can’t leave me here.” She hisses. Lexie shrugs and looks to me for backup.
“I can take you home once we’re finished here.” I offer lightly.
Zoe sends me a tight smile, telling me without words just how much she hates the idea.
“Thanks, but I came with Lexie, and I’ll leave with Lexie. She can just drop me home on her way to work.” She looks pointedly at her friend, and it’s all I can do not to laugh out loud. The panicked look on her face is comical.
“Oh, come on. You’re not afraid, are you?” I throw down the challenge, arching a dark brow.
“Of course I’m not afraid.” Her eyes blaze green fire.
“Prove it. Let me take you home.” I can see the war going on within her, and I pray she returns with the right answer.
She takes a deep breath, crossing her arms over her chest, which pushes her tits up higher, making my cock harder in an instant in my shorts.
“Fine. You can take me home.” She finally relents, sending Lexie a murderous glance; and I force myself not to give her a winning smirk.
“Well, now that’s settled. I have to go,” Lexie announces, ignoring Zoe’s death stare, just as Ky finishes up with his class.
“Hey there, you two. Wasn’t expecting you?” he says, wiping his sweaty brow with a towel.
“Yeah, Lexie brought Zoe here for the self defense class.” I tell him, trying to communicate through telepathy to just go with it. But he must be off with the pixies because he denies, but soon catches on.
“We don’t have…Aha okay, the class will be starting up soon, and Chains will head it up.”
“Great. Now, I’d love to chat, but Riggs is blowing up my phone, so I’ve gotta jet.” Lexie replies, turning to look at Zoe. “I’ll be seeing you at home later tonight.”
“Oh, you definitely will be,” Zoe tells the other woman, with retribution in her eyes. Lexie leaves, but Zoe is still wound up tight like a coiled spring ready to explode.
I turn towards her, placing my hands on her arms, and I don’t miss the way she freezes slightly at my touch. I try not to let it get to me, and I make it my mission to track down the asshole who dared hurt my woman. Because that’s what she is. I just need to convince her of that.
“I”ll help Ky tidy up before his next class begins, and then we”ll head out.” I tell her. Feeling l an overwhelming desire to kiss her passionately as she bites her bottom lip. But I hold back. Mauling her in the middle of the gym wouldn’t be right, I need to give her time to get used to the idea of us.
“I’ll wait here.” She tells me softly, and I give her a smile.
“Go sit over there by the desk where Tracy is, and I’ll be as quick as I can.” I tell her, dropping a quick chaste kiss on her forehead, and walking away before I did something she definitely wasn’t ready for.
Half an hour later, after I’ve helped Ky clean up the gym, I take a quick shower, changing back into my usual clothes of jeans, T-shirt, my DCMC cut, and heavy motorcycle boots on my feet.
Walking up to the reception desk, finally ready to get out of here for the day, a frown marred my brow, when I notice Zoe on the phone and not Tracy, the girl hired to do the job.
Catching the tail end of the conversation, I realized she was making a booking for a customer, and my death glare then turned to Tracy who again was sitting there on her phone, popping gum. I spear her with a murderous glare, letting her see just what I’m capable of. Her throat contracts as she audibly swallows nervously, the gum disappearing.
“Who the fuck’s the receptionist here, you or Zoe?” I bark at the girl, who’s shrinking back in her chair by the second.
“Hey, what’s going on here?” Ky demands, coming to stand by the half-moon curved desk.
“This one,” I point to the girl, “was just sitting on her ass while Zoe was taking the call for a new client.” I explain.
“Really, I didn’t mind. Gave me something to do while I waited.” Zoe tries to back up the other girl.
“Not the point, little one.” I cut in. Trying to ignore the way, Zoe’s cheeks reddened at my endearment. Oh, she likes it alright. I make a note of using it more often in the future.
Ky turns his gaze onto Tracy. “Pack up your shit, you’re done here.” He tells her gruffly.
“But you can”t do that.” She spits out. But Ky cuts her off.
“I can and I have. You’ve been an average lay, and you’re a worthless receptionist. Now get the fuck out.” He dismisses her, as her face contorts in rage.
“Why, you worthless piece of shit! I have a good mind to speak to my lawyer about you.” She shrieks her threat, as Ky spins around on her, getting in her face.
“Just fucking try it. You do, and I’ll make things really uncomfortable for you and your entire family. Bitch. Now get.”
The two locked in some kind of stare off until Tracy jerks her gaze away, storming out of the gym in a huff.
“Was that really necessary?” Zoe’s the first to speak, as I throw her a warning look over my shoulder, but don’t reply, ignoring her narrowed gaze on me.
“What the fuck do we do now?” I grumble, turning my attention back to my brother Ky, and the fact he can’t keep his dick in his pants could come back to bite us on the ass. “We’re gonna need a receptionist to man the phones.”
Ky turns to Zoe, and I can see the cogs turning in his head as he turns on the charm.
“How about you, babe? You need a job? It’s part time, all you need to do is Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.”
I ball my hands into tight fists by my sides, so that I don’t fuck up my club brother. I hate it when he flirts, knowing he’s bound to get what he wants in no time. Not only is he a member of the Devil’s Carnage MC, he’s also Kick’s son, the president of the club. So, burying him six feet under is out of the question.
Zoe looks at him nervously. “Ah, I don’t know. I do plan on returning to my old job once I’m fully back to one hundred percent. But I must admit, I enjoyed the interaction. I have been feeling out of sorts since I moved here.”
“Then that’s settled. You can start on Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. I’ll see about getting someone else to job share with you for the rest of the day.”
“But I haven’t agreed…” Zoe begins, but Ky ignores her, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.
“Thanks, doll.” Before spinning on his heel and leaving the two of us alone to stare after him.
“What the hell was that?” she mutters, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“That was the whirlwind that is Ky. He’s used to getting his own way. He has his whole life.”
“No shit?”
“Come on, little one. Time to take you home.” I tell her, guiding her outside to the parking lot where my sled is parked. A possessive hand on the small of her back. Suddenly, Zoe stops, looking horrified when we stop next to my black and chrome Harley Fat boy.
“I can’t get on that,” she whispers.
“You can and you will. Or I’m going to turn your cute ass the same red as your face is going to be in a minute.” I tell her. And right on cue, she gasps, and a blush creeps along her pale cheeks.
“You wouldn’t dare?” She finally stands her ground, her small hands bunched into fists on her hips.
“I would, and you know I would. Now get on, so that I can get you home. I’m fuckin’ starving.”
She stands frozen for another minute, then without another word, she does as I ask. With a small huff, she slides on the helmet I give her, which is way too big, but anything is better than nothing. Throwing her leg over, she slides her front against my back, and it’s all I can do not to groan aloud.
I clear my throat, willing my cock, which has been permanently hard since Zoe walked into the gym, to go down. Revving the engine, I wordlessly wrap her arms, which she’d been holding loosely by her sides, tightly around my waist. It had been a long ten years since I had her on the back of my bike, there had been no one since her, and I vowed there would be no one but her from now on.