Chapter Nine
Bella
There’s the most amazing little tree in the courtyard of the clubhouse.
It gives the perfect shade throughout the day.
It towers into the sky, protecting me from the sun’s rays.
My pale complexion thanking me for the reprieve from the sun.
The UK isn’t known for its heat, but we seem to have been hit with an unusually warm spell of weather recently, the slightest glint of sunshine has my skin sizzling like a crisp.
This space has become a bit of a comfort for me over the last couple of days, feeling at ease behind the gates of the complex, protecting me from the chaos that waits for me on the other side.
The thought of going back to work tomorrow, back to the reality that has become my life in recent months, fills me with dread.
I lounge back, resting against the trunk of the tree, my book’s open, but I’m not really engrossed in the story as I people watch.
It really is one of my favourite pastimes.
Everyone has accepted me and been so kind.
Not probing me on how I came to gatecrash their little bubble.
I honestly thought they’d be hostile to outsiders, especially those outside the mc world, but they haven’t.
Red and Rochelle have treated me like I’ve always been a part of their group.
The clubhouse doors swing open and Clay strides out beside Gears. They speak for a moment, and I watch as he rakes a hand through his hair. It makes me smile. No matter how many times he does that, his hair still falls back into that perfectly messy, just-rolled-out-of-bed look. Unfair, really.
He spots me as he pats Gears on the back, and my gaze betrays me.
I find myself staring, lingering, as he starts walking over.
His jeans hug in all the right places, and the thought that flashes through my mind is absolutely not something I’ll ever admit out loud.
Apparently, Clay turns me into a horny schoolgirl. Fantastic.
“Morning, beaut,” he says when he reaches me, voice low and rough from sleep. The sound of it yanks me straight out of my dirty thoughts.
“Morning,” I manage, except it comes out as a croak. Heat floods my cheeks, and I cringe at myself, coughing to cover it. “Sorry. Frog in my throat.”
Smooth. Real smooth.
If he hadn’t guessed I’d been checking him out, he sure does now.
I drop my gaze to my book, hoping to hide my mortification. Clay sits beside me anyway, leaning in to peek over my shoulder. His quiet chuckle tells me he’s thoroughly amused and that I’m not hiding a damn thing.
“You do realise you’re only like three more pages along since the last time I looked over your shoulder?”
“Well, that’s what happens when people keep distracting you,” I reply, closing the book and placing it beside me. “Find yourself lucky that I haven’t gouged your eyes out for distracting my precious reading time.” I grin as he holds his hands up in defence.
“Duly noted,” he says with a nod. “I’ve got a proposition for you.”
I immediately divert my eyes to the ground, and he sighs gently, “Belle, stop overthinking,” he murmurs. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop me admitting I’m silently panicking that he’ll propose something that pushes me out of my comfort zone.
“I spoke to Drifter this morning about what we can do to help you.”
“You’ve already done so much . . .” I rush out, interrupting him. “Honestly, please, you don’t owe me anything.”
He takes my hand and brushes circles on the back with his thumb. It soothes me and my eyes flutter closed briefly.
“I know I don’t,” he starts. “But we’ve come up with a plan to get you some support with getting your boys back.” My eyes snap open, and tears threaten to fall. It’s all I’ve been thinking about for months, but with no idea how to even start, it’s only ever been a thought.
I swallow, not wanting to get my hopes up. I don’t think my heart can take it. “But how?”
“Gears’ sister is a solicitor. She’s going to come and see you to offer some legal advice and hopefully find a way to get them back where they belong.
” I’m so overcome with emotion that a sob escapes me, followed by a single tear rolling down my cheek.
Clay grins, “No tears, beaut. This is a good thing.”
“I . . . I . . . I don’t know what to say,” I stutter. “I know it won’t be easy. He has painted this awful picture of me.” I run my hands over my face, wiping away the tears, when I’m suddenly hit with a thought. “I’d never be able to afford her,” I say.
“You’re so innocent,” he says with a laugh as he brushes my hair from my face. “You won’t have to pay for her. She helps the club out whenever she can.”
“Oh my god,” I reach over, wrapping him in the tightest hug, squeezing him. “Thank you so much, you really are my Knight.” He wraps his arms around me, rubbing my back gently and I feel those sparks return. I pull back slowly. “Thank you,” I whisper.
Clay leaves the bathroom with a towel wrapped low around his waist. I find myself gawping at his physique.
The water glistens on his six pack, and I trail my eyes over his abs, leading to that sexy V shape sweeping below the towel, and can’t help but imagine running my nails along his toned muscles. Damn, I think I need to open a window.
When my eyes land back on his, he’s grinning from ear to ear, and I realise it’s the second time in as many days he’s found me eyeballing him. He leans on the door frame, clearly feeling pretty proud of himself.
“Sorry,” he smirks. “Didn’t realise you were in here.”
I give my head a shake and head for the corner of the room where my bag sits on the chair.
“I was just getting ready for work, I’m so sorry.
” I scramble through the bag looking for my scrunchy so I can tie my hair up out of my face.
He casually walks up behind me, so close I can feel the heat radiating from his skin.
His arm brushes against my back when he leans behind me to close the curtain and my skin breaks out in goosebumps.
“If you give me a minute to get ready, I’ll drop you off,” he says, and I move away, creating the space between us I so desperately need right now.
“That’s okay, I’ll walk. You’ve done more than enough for me.”
“Not a fucking chance, beaut,” he says. “Not only is it a good half-hour walk, but have you forgotten the reason you’re here?”
And that right there feels like a gut punch. I knew I was here because he was helping me, protecting me. I wasn’t fucking stupid, but it was also the realisation I’m not here because he wants me in that way. He just feels like I needed saving. I smile tightly.
“I’ll wait outside,” I say, making my way to the door.
Once I step out, I lean against the cool wood, letting it hold me up.
My mind reeling with the complete chaos that has become my life, and now someone show’s me the slightest bit of interest, and I find myself questioning everything.
Pull yourself together, woman. I push myself off the door and make my way downstairs.
Outside, I sense him before I see him.
“Ready, beaut?”
“Mmhmm.”
He throws me the helmet before helping me fasten it into place. He stares at me for a few seconds and looks as if he’s about to say something, but winks before closing the visor. Lifting me onto the pillion like every other time I’ve been on the back of his bike.
As we pull up to the cafe, he turns off the engine before offering his hand and helping me off the back of his bike.
“You okay?” he asks, removing my helmet. I nod, offering a small smile. His words repeating through my head, ‘Do you not remember why you’re here?’ He lifts my chin as he always does to bring my attention solely to him.
“You sure?”
“Yep,” I offer, popping the P for good measure. He takes my hand, and I try to stem this fire building in my heart. As we walk into my workplace, I pull my hand away and he frowns. Jodie comes rushing across, taking my now free hand.
“I want to know everything,” she whispers in my ear, pulling me off to the back room.
“I’ll be back at five to pick you up,” Clay calls after me, and I turn to give him a quick nod before walking into the staff room and flopping onto the sofa.
“That good, hey?” Jodie asks, wiggling her eyebrows.
“No, Jodie.” I run my hands over my face and sigh loudly. “Nothing’s going on. He’s just helping a girl out.”
“Nuh-uh, not a fucking chance, woman. You’re not telling me you’ve spent the last two days shacked up with that tattooed biker and not pounced on his bones.”
“Seriously, we haven’t. It’s not like that.”
“Wait, are you straight?” She laughs. “Not that it matters. I’m totally okay with some carpet munching.”
“Did someone say carpet munching?” Marco asks, entering the staff room.
“Bella has spent the last two days in the presence of that tattooed, sexy-as-fuck, shaggable man, and they’ve done nothing,” she screeches in mock horror. “I was just asking if she was straight.”
Marco shakes his head, laughing. “Jodie, we aren’t all as randy as you,” he says, throwing an apron at her. “Now, get to work. I don’t pay you to fantasise about riding some steed.”
She huffs before stomping towards the door like a sulky teenager. “Clearly, you didn’t get some cock last night, grumpy,” she shouts as she leaves.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yep,” I answer as I stand and grab my own apron. Why is everyone suddenly so fascinated with how I am? I went years without being seen, and all of a sudden, everyone wants to know.
Clay
As I drive to collect Belle, I’m nervous.
I haven’t heard from her all day, and it’s put me on edge.
She was quieter than usual after our encounter in the bedroom this morning, and I’m worried I’ve scared her off.
I thought about picking up the phone and calling her, but I’m already beginning to look like some crazy arsed stalker, so I talked myself out of it.