Chapter Four #2
“Babe, I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve gotten off about the idea of you on my bike.
It’s my number one fantasy, but you deserve to have the full first date experience.
After tonight though, you best believe I’m going to get your tight little body pressed up against me with the motor vibrating between those luscious thighs as fast as I can. ”
“Loyal, you can’t talk like that,” she hisses with a smile.
“I’m just telling you how it is, Mami.”
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” she asks after a minute.
“I’d rather show you.”
“I love surprises,” she admits softly.
I want to tell her that I know but keep that thought to myself. For the next twenty minutes we make idle chitchat until we get to the restaurant.
“Stay put,” I tell her as I pull up to the valet.
I get out and rush to the passenger side, waving the valet off. I help her out of the car and then pass him the keys. Once inside, the hostess takes my name and then leads us to a table in the back that’s out of view.
When I made the reservation, I thought about asking for a table out in the open so everyone could see that she’s mine, but tonight is not about that. It’s about convincing her that I’m worth the risk and that I’m serious about her.
“This place is gorgeous,” she says with awe in her voice.
“I’m glad you approve. I heard the food’s good.”
Only after we’ve looked at the menu and placed our order does the date really start.
“So, what do you want to talk about?” she quips, making me smile.
“You,” I tell her honestly.
She rolls her eyes with a smile. “How about you start, Casanova?”
“Well, how about something you asked me a long time ago, but I never answered? My name is actually Matt.”
She gasps dramatically. “You mean Loyal isn’t actually your name?”
“I know, it’s hard to believe.”
She gives me a little smile. I wonder if she remembers the day she asked for my name.
“A biker only gives his real name when he finds the one he plans to spend the rest of his life with.”
By giving her my name, I’m making a statement. I’m telling her in my own way that I see this lasting a long time.
“Where did Loyal come from?” she asks, surprising me.
“My brothers. That’s what you call the members of the club. If you ask them, I was loyal when others weren’t.”
“It sounds like there’s a story there,” she muses.
“There is, but that can wait for another time.” I wink. “It’s not polite dinner conversation.”
She laughs. “What else is there to know about you?”
“There’s really not much to know. I am local to San Antonio.
Born and raised here. My father was a drug runner.
Went missing in Mexico when I was a kid.
Never met my mom. My abuela raised me until she passed when I was thirteen.
Lived in a group home for a while but hated it, so I ran away.
Was homeless for a few years. Ended up joining the Lotus when I was nineteen.
” I shrug as if that weren’t hard, but I hate thinking about the way I grew up.
My abuela was a mean old woman who treated me poorly. It’s no wonder she raised a man like my father.
“Well damn, Loyal, or should I call you Matt?”
“Loyal.” I reach across the table. “At least when we are in public. You can call me Matt anytime you want in private. Especially in bed.” I wink at her.
She blushes. “We have been together for a year, and I had no idea about all of that. I feel selfish. Like I didn’t take the time to get to know you.”
“We have been trying to keep it casual. Now tell me more about you. I know about the dickhead ex, but I don’t know how you got here. I want to know everything,” I tell her.
She sighs, squeezing my hand. “Well, if you hadn’t already guessed, I had my daughter young.
I was sixteen, and our parents lost their minds.
Forced us to get married and all of that.
I should have run away like you did. Maybe I could have saved myself some grief.
When I got divorced, my parents were ashamed of me.
They still won’t talk to me, but they talk to Billy all the fucking time. ”
“Divorce isn’t acceptable, huh?” I ask softly.
She shakes her head slowly. “Not in their eyes, no. Happiness isn’t something they get.”
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugs. “It’s okay. Their loss.”
I couldn’t agree more, but I keep that to myself.
“What made you become a nurse? How did that happen?” I ask, trying to talk about lighter topics.
It does the trick. She lights up.
A smile crosses her face. “I always loved helping people. Despite having Farrah when I was sixteen, I never let it stop me. Billy never understood and tried to talk me out of going to college. He thought it was a waste of time and money, but I did it anyway. Now I’m happy that I did.
I chose labor and delivery because I remember the woman who helped me deliver Farrah.
She was so kind and supportive. I wanted to be that for others, so here I am. ”
“Why didn’t he support you?” I ask, even though I know she probably doesn’t want to talk about it.
“Billy is just one of those guys who doesn’t care about anyone else. He thinks he comes first. It’s all about him. He wanted me pregnant and in the kitchen our entire marriage. He never understood why I felt the need for birth control.”
“He’s selfish,” I murmur.
She nods. “Honestly, it’s amazing that we lasted as long as we did. I never wanted to marry him, but felt like I didn’t have a choice. Then when I left, I second-guessed myself the entire time, but I’m out now, and that’s all that matters.”
“You are and you’re better for it. As far as I’m concerned, Sami, you’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. It’s clear you don’t need anyone, but I hope you’ll let me stay around.” I caress the back of her hand.
“I will for now.” She winks, making me chuckle.
I lift my drink, and she reaches for hers.
“To new beginnings,” I say.
A pretty smile crosses her face. “To new beginnings.”
What she doesn’t realize is that she just gave me a little more insight on what she’s looking for in a relationship, and I’m going to use it to my advantage.