Chapter Eight
Charli
“Well, what d’ya think after only two days? Gonna stick around?”
Charli looked at Stew as they worked side-by-side on the final two cars for the day. Thursday had been non-stop, and happily, Roark had been correct, in that Friday hadn’t been as bad.
“Oh, I’m definitely sticking around. I don’t mind keeping busy, but I won’t scoff at a slower pace. Pretty sure my shine is already wearing off, so next week should be easy as pie, right?”
Stew chuckled as he tightened down the clamps for a new battery he’d installed. Tonto was already emptying trash cans in the other bays after sweeping them out. Once Charli finished the heat shrink for new wiring beneath the dash of an older pickup, she could clean up her bay.
With thirty minutes technically remaining to the workday, Harvey informed them he wouldn’t answer any more calls, and he’d already turned off the open sign.
“I think it’s been productive enough. Doubt anyone’s going to come ‘round at the last minute anyways.”
Charli and Stew pulled out their completed vehicles while Harvey wrapped up the invoices with the customers.
Just as she and Stew were closing their bay doors, an SUV came roaring into the lot and pulled right up to Charli’s bay.
She waved them off, mouthing they were closed, but the idiot driver gunned his engine while inching forward, nearly bumping into the shop door that was still closing.
Charli stopped the door and stepped out of the bay and off to the side. Even though the driver’s window was up, she still couldn’t stop herself from yelling at the jerk.
“Hey! We’re closing! Unless you want to pay for a new bay door, I’d advise you back off!”
The SUV idled, and the window rolled down, revealing a thick man with shades and a cowboy hat on. He held up a cell phone, waving it. “Says here, you’re open another twenty minutes.”
“Not today, we’re closing early. You need something, you can return Monday morning.”
“And what if I want it now?”
“Then you might want to drive a few miles to Kimberly and visit the auto parts store. As I said, we’re closing.
” She eyed the rig, which looked brand-spanking-new, doubting this jackass needed a damn thing.
Vaguely remembering Roark saying something about a dark SUV, she eyed the driver again then glanced at his license plate, memorizing it.
Harvey appeared at her side, and she could see in her periphery that Stew and Tonto stood directly behind her.
“Doesn’t look like your new rig is in need of anything dire,” Harvey started, “but if you want to follow the lady’s advice and return Monday, we’ll be happy to help you with something then. And if you need anything sooner, plenty of stores open in Kimberly.”
“Follow the lady’s advice,” he echoed before snorting. “As if.” He spit out his window before making a sucking sound through his teeth.
Charli stiffened and started to take a step forward, but Harvey’s hand on her arm stopped her. Stew and Tonto stepped forward to flank her and their boss.
“Sir, I’ll kindly ask you this one time to leave my premises and never return.”
Charli could’ve sworn the man was about to say something else, but the roar of bikes had him rolling up his window and backing out, nearly hitting one of the Harleys in the process.
He stomped on the accelerator, spraying gravel, and peeling out onto the blacktop.
Charli watched Roark, Griff, and Motley park their bikes, their gaze on the vehicle.
“Prick,” she mumbled. “Any of you know who that jackass is?”
Stew and Tonto shook their heads while Harvey said, “Not a clue.”
Suddenly, Roark came running over, grabbing onto Charli’s arms. “You okay? What the fuck was that? That’s the SUV I warned you about.”
“Hey, I’m okay. Guy was being a fuckwad. I don’t know who he is or what his problem was.”
“That the first time he try to engage?” Griff asked.
“Yeah, as far as I know,” Charli said. “Something about him...”
“What?” Roark urged after releasing her arms.
“Seemed familiar. Not sure why. I haven’t been here in twenty years.” She shrugged.
“Remember what I said about your gut,” Roark said. “Maybe we put a guy here for security,” he said, looking at his Prez.
“Roark, that’s not necessary,” Charli argued. “We can handle what happens around here. Right, guys?” She turned to Stew and Tonto.
“Right,” Stew said as Tonto nodded. “I keep my .45 in my toolbox.” Stew raised the handgun he’d had at his side all along.
“Jesus, really?” Charli said then looked at Tonto. “You too?” The man raised a similarly looking handgun. “Well, now I’m jealous,” she said.
The two chuckled but quickly quieted when Roark gave them a stern look. “Glad you can protect yourselves along with my lady. Guess it’s time to get her certified and carrying.”
“Roark, I was kidding. Do you really think that’s necessary?”
He stared right into her eyes. “Better to have and not need...”
“...than not have and need,” Griff finished.
“Okay, okay,” Charli mumbled as she turned and reentered the bay. “Going down.” Stew and Tonto rushed back inside. “We’ll finish up and be ready to lock up shop in a few.” She hit the button, closing the bay door.
“Roark’s right, Charli,” Stew said. “You ever shoot a handgun?”
“No.” She walked to her stall and put all the tools away, cleaning up her area. “Tonto? Will you turn off the compressor, please?” The man nodded and walked to the machine, ensuring it was off for the weekend.
Within moments, the shop was squared away, and the three had stripped out of their overalls and washed up. When they joined Harvey and the guys in the reception area, Roark pinned her with a stare.
“You good?”
“I’m good,” she said. “What brings the top members of the Club by here on a Friday night?”
“Got some information we thought we’d share so everyone’s in the loop,” Griff said. “Didn’t want to talk business tomorrow during the Club party. We try to give the families a break from all that. Just a day to have fun, ya know?”
Charli nodded, ready to listen to what he had to say. For ten minutes, he filled them in on the hits the Club had taken and the correlation of damage to the farmers. He also said Roark would fill Charli in on other happenings the Club was involved in.
“I don’t want you in the dark about anything, Charli,” Griff said. “You’re part of us now. You good with that?”
“I’m more than good with that, and I appreciate your trust in me. Right now, I’m ready to head home for a shower and some food. Oh, I memorized the license plate to that SUV.” She rattled it off, which Griff made note of.
“I’ll ask Lutrell to run it and see what he can find out,” the Prez said. He looked between Charli and his SAA. “You two go have a good night, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Griff,” Charli said, then proceeded to say good night to the others. “Ready, Sarg?” She grinned at Roark.
“Ready, Sassy.”
“Oo, that’s a new one but not untrue.” She exited the shop as laughter followed her. Charli stood next to Roark’s bike, ready for the ride home since he’d brought her into work this morning. Within a minute, he joined her.
Roark stopped inches from her, framed her face, and kissed her soundly. When they came up for air, the others were pulling out of the lot.
“Hey,” he said softly.
“Hey.”
“I won’t apologize for overreacting. I won’t be too careful when it comes to you. Understood?”
“Understood. And thank you. For caring.”
“I’m going to care for you until I no longer can.”
“And you calling me your lady?”
He brushed his thumbs across her cheeks. “Because you are. I love you, Charli.”
Her heart soared. “I love you too, Roark. So much.”
She watched him process her words, his gaze never leaving hers. Then he recaptured her mouth for a demanding kiss.
“Let’s go,” he said once he released her.
Charli climbed on the bike behind Roark, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting against his back. It was thrilling to ride with him, and she was anxious to make time for longer ones.
Less than five minutes later, they were pulling up to Charli’s RV.
“What the...” She hopped off the bike and glanced at Roark then back at the enclosed carport standing proudly next to the trailer. “When? How?”
Roark grinned. “When Bradley says he’ll make something happen, he makes something happen. Had a team over here today to surprise you. So, surprise. It’ll work until something more permanent can be built. At least your car will be covered from the elements.”
“Well, I owe him and the team a big thank you. This is awesome.” Roark got off the bike and followed Charli to admire the structure.
Her heart did a happy dance at the wonderful gesture.
She entered the RV intending to put the Nova beneath the carport, but Roark pounced as soon as he locked the door.
He began kissing her while trying to remove her clothes at the same time.
“Roark, Roark,” Charli said breathlessly, “I want to move the car, and I need a shower.”
“No, you don’t. You need to be naked so I can fuck you.”
“Such a gentleman,” she teased.
“Nothing gentlemanly about my thoughts right now. Need you, Charli.”
She didn’t resist. Truth be told, didn’t want to.
She wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
As they stripped, kissing and groping, they didn’t even make it to the bedroom when Roark bent her over the arm of the couch.
Charli’s laugh quickly turned to a moan as he slid his hand down her backside and between her spread legs to finger her.
Roark peppered kisses up her back, stopping at her neck to suckle.
“Gonna make you come hard on my cock.”
“Fuck, yes,” she moaned.
“That’s my dirty girl.” He nipped her ear as he added a second digit, slowly pumping in and out. “My good girl. Sopping wet for me already.”
“Roark,” she practically whined.