Chapter 20
Mia
This fucking prick.
The hallway is empty as I head toward the dressing room to find a new outfit, and I force myself to focus on the feeling of freedom that came from dropping to my knees for him.
Watching Aiden come undone was the most beautiful, unhinged thing I’ve ever seen, and I know now that I may be a weak spot for him.
Which means this whole thing could play out well for me.
If we’re pretending to be a couple, and he’s taking me home with him, I’ll be in his personal spaces.
I have to be careful and do it right, but the more I think about it, the more I think Dagger just did me a favor.
There are a couple dancers changing when I enter the dressing room, but they don’t even look up.
Everyone walks around this place half dressed, so no one even bats an eye as I change into clothing that covers my ass better since I now have no panties.
A backless white top and a pair of high-cut soft black shorts fit perfectly.
I’m scolding myself for turning to mush under those hooded eyes the whole time but am willing to admit I am unable to fight him.
And now I see exactly what gets him off—power and control.
If I hadn’t just had his cock stuffed down my throat, I’d say he has small-dick syndrome, but it’s clear that isn’t the case.
In fact, much to my annoyance, I don’t think I could dream up a more perfect cock if I tried.
Long and thick, with those two enticing piercings.
My mind drifts again to what they would feel like inside me…
I give my head a shake as I finish dressing.
I have to find the will to stay in control, especially if he does take me to his home.
The way he looked down at me with what I thought was adoration one second, then like I was wasting his time the next, is something I’ll never give him the chance to do again.
I need to remember I’m here for a reason.
* * *
I don’t see Aiden for another two hours. And it isn’t until after ten thirty, when the place finally slows down, that the Almighty king emerges from the back, making his way over to me as I help Roz clean.
I stiffen when his hand grazes the open skin on my back. He leans down, and the feel of his hot breath on my neck sends the familiar clash of lust and anger surging down my spine. “You’re done working now.”
I don’t stop my wipe down of the chairs at the bar as I move away from his hand. “Didn’t get enough of telling me what to do in your office, boss?” I whisper so no one hears.
I don’t look up, and even though she can’t hear us, I can feel Roz watching us.
Aiden clearly doesn’t care. He swipes my braid off my neck and takes a deep breath in. “Not even fucking close,” he grits out, and my stomach erupts in butterflies no matter how hard I fight it.
Aiden drops his hand, so I turn to face him, placing my hands on my hips.
“We have rules to go over about this arrangement.” He points between us. “So, your shift is done,” Aiden commands.
I set my rag down and lean in. “I’m not leaving Roz hanging. I have to keep up a good relationship with her. She’s my boss too.”
Heat simmers in Aiden’s steely eyes at my defiance.
Sparks slink under my skin as his hand returns to my back and slides slowly upward to grip the back of my neck in a tight hold.
So tight, I flinch. The urge to stab him with the pen on the bar in front of me almost wins.
I clench my fist to stop myself from doing just that as he leans in, his lips at the base of my ear.
“Rule number one: You will do what you’re fucking told.
Make no mistake, Rhiannon, my kindness in saving you from a worse fate isn’t weakness.
” He tightens his grip on my neck even more, and it takes everything in me to keep my legs from giving out.
“Rule number two: I don’t wait.” He lets go of my neck and slides his hand back down to my waist.
“You have five minutes to join me. Do not test me.” And then he’s gone.
“You’re playing with fire,” Roz warns, coming closer. “Prez isn’t someone you want to fuck around with.”
“So he likes to remind me.”
“He likes you, you know.”
I scoff in disbelief. “He has an interesting way of showing it.”
Roz stops and folds her arms over her chest. “He’s a prick, there’s no doubt about it, but I care for that prick, so you better remember that.
Now, do what he says and get outta here.
I’ve got this.” Roz winks. “I’ll see you tomorrow.
” She turns around, dismissing me, and continues to stock the cooler.
I push the cleaning spray and rag toward her and head to the back.
By the time I push through the back door, into the alley where Aiden mutilated Ricky, I’ve changed into the clothes I wore in for my shift—yoga tights and an off-the-shoulder tee over a comfortable sports bra.
My girls are thanking me for the break from the underwire push up I rocked all night.
Aiden is waiting, leaning against his Harley, halfway through a cigarette, looking like the man of my lust-filled nightmares.
I wrinkle my nose. “My first rule? I’ll never be with a man who smokes.
It’s repulsive.” Aiden brings his cigarette to his lips and takes a long, exaggerated drag.
The rings on his first two fingers glint in the glow of the streetlight as he exhales, blowing the smoke right into my face.
I choke and turn my head as he shows me once more that he simply doesn’t give a fuck what I think.
He pulls a black helmet from the throttle of his bike and hands it to me.
I take it reluctantly. “So, what, I’ve earned the right to ride with you now?” I ask quickly.
He looks at me in all seriousness, despite my sarcasm. “Defending Cara the other night, standing up for her without hesitation…” His eyes move over my face. “Yeah, you’ve earned it.”
What he’s really saying, in his own terms, is that he respects me for what I did, and I hate that it makes me feel warm inside.
“Let’s go.” He tosses the last of his smoke into a puddle at my feet, almost hitting my shoe.
“Charming,” I offer, as I slowly step around it.
I guess I’m not moving fast enough for his liking, because he takes the helmet from me, places it on my head, and clips the strap under my chin. The thick definition of his neck strains as he looks down at me. “Don’t give a flying fuck about charming you.”
I scoff. “Is that any way to treat your ol’ lady?”
“Just get on the fucking bike, Mia.” He puts on his own helmet, then climbs on the bike and fires it up. The sound of the engine rumbles through me, adding to the live-wire feeling I already have just from being near him.
“Dick,” I mutter, making sure the helmet is secure on my head. Wanting him and wanting to hit him is a dangerous combination.
Putting my foot on the kick and climbing onto the bike behind him comes easily.
“This isn’t your first time on a bike,” he notes.
I’ve been riding on the back of a bike since I was a little girl. The slow, heavy rumble of a Harley is the sound of my childhood.
“Nope” is all I offer as I widen my legs and take a deep breath before wrapping my arms around his waist. It’s inevitable to touch him, so I own it, willing myself not to feel anything as I pull in close, settling my arms around his warm, chiseled body. He’s so large it’s like trying to hug a bear.
But then he surprises me, hooking his fingers behind my knees to pull me in even closer. I do my best to ignore the electricity zinging up my thighs as his big hands grip me, and the tightening in my chest as I press it to his wide, leather-clad back and inhale the smoky, spicy scent of him.
I fight the desire with everything in me, but as he pats both my hands and then revs the throttle, adrenaline flows through my veins.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask, realizing I hadn’t before.
“Wherever the fuck I want.”