CHAPTER 9
Kaya
For some reason, seeing Jessica anywhere near Maverick makes my blood boil.
I seriously need to reevaluate everything I always thought I knew about myself.
I have never gotten attached to a man. Ever.
But between Jessica and Jana making me unreasonably jealous over him, I have to question if that’s what’s happening.
Because I have to admit, that being on his bike with my hands holding onto him, feels right, and it scares the shit out of me.
I know I have an effect on him that’s more than just sexual energy.
I can feel the way my touch relaxes him.
His muscles were drawn tight when Jessica walked away.
He was tense as hell, but once my hands wrapped around him, everything in him loosened.
That’s something deep, and I don’t know what to do with it.
As we pull into the parking lot at the Iron Petal, I can’t help but be disappointed that the ride wasn’t longer.
I remove the helmet before climbing off, handing it to Mav.
He takes it and puts out his other hand for me.
Without thinking, I take it and allow him to help me off the bike. This is not me.
The Iron Petal is surprisingly charming from the outside.
It’s grey stone with a black roof and black shutters around large windows.
There are bushes planted along the outside of the building cut low enough that they don’t obstruct the view from inside.
We’re parked in the back near the dumpsters that have a decorative fence around them so they can’t be seen from the street.
It’s a nice touch that keeps the area looking clean.
Maverick leaves the helmet hanging on the handlebar, without letting go of my hand.
And that’s how we walk inside, with our fingers laced together.
Everything in my brain is telling me to stop letting him get so close, but I can’t seem to make my body cooperate.
It’s like there is a damn war going on inside me.
As we’re walking, I think again about the potential fetus.
If this man is already a possessive nut, how is he going to be once he finds out I have a uterine stowaway?
The thought makes me unreasonably excited.
I’m a pretty independent woman, but him being so possessive is actually a turn on for me.
The issue I have is not knowing how long it will last. Nothing ever lasts.
And while I put on a strong front regarding men, the truth is I’m weak.
I will absolutely break if I decide to let Maverick stay and he changes his mind.
I won’t be able to handle it. I know this about myself which is why I choose to protect my heart instead of taking the risk.
Maverick opens the door and holds it for me to enter.
I’ve been inside the Petal before when it was open.
Gretchen, Sophia and I have frequented it many times.
It has an industrial vibe to it with black and red everywhere.
Black vinyl stools line the long bar and there are tables throughout.
The wall art is simple consisting of photos of motorcycles, street signs, and artsy shots of roads, all indicating a biker’s touch.
But it also has a sleekness to it with red lines along the walls and the insignia Iron Petal on doors and signs.
Cipher is replacing a wall panel for the security system next to a door that was never there before. The old panel is lying on the bar next to a beer and a toolbox.
“Hey. You guys want a beer?” Cipher asks when he sees us.
“No thanks.” I say instantly. Maverick gives him a nod. “Now, take it easy, caveman. You have to get me back to my place in one piece.”
He gives my hand a squeeze and then winks at me. And now my panties are wet. What in the damn hell is going on? One wink from him and body reacts. I try to focus on the reason I’m here and not the way my pussy is tingling.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” Cipher asks as he tightens the last screw into the panel.
“I had mentioned to Dom that I can probably help you out with some of your work back at Carnage, if Ace will allow it.”
Cipher’s brows furrow in question. “What do you mean?”
“I’m a support specialist. I work IT, and have plenty of experience getting into things that others can’t.”
Cipher puts his screwdriver back in his toolbox and faces me. “Is that so?”
“Yep. I’m pretty confident in my abilities. I would be more than happy to show you what I can do. I’ve heard more than once that you barely eat or sleep because you’re so overworked between the security and trying to track Bishop and Max.”
“It would be nice to have some help, but I would definitely have to see you at work first and then we would need to talk to Ace.”
I didn’t expect any different. I know these guys aren’t going to just give me access to their systems without fully checking me out and seeing what I can do.
I’m not concerned though. I once tracked and fully investigated half of my senior class one weekend because I was bored.
By the end of it I knew everything about a few of the more interesting ones, down to the totals in their bank accounts, and that one guy had gone through a penis enlargement surgery.
“I’ll be more than happy to help. I get into systems all the time just for fun. It would be nice to have a reason. I’ve been keeping an eye on the Sullivan’s house myself, but haven’t seen anything going on there.”
Cipher raises a brow. “You got into their security system?”
“And the neighbors so I had a better view of the driveway and the side door.”
Cipher’s eyes widen and he grins. “Impressive.”
I shrug. “Not really. The setup is pretty basic.”
Maverick takes a swig from his beer as he watches our interaction. I can’t tell if he’s uninterested or if he’s even listening at all. He’s just standing beside me with his big body looking like a guard ready to pounce on anyone that breathes on me wrong.
Cipher picks up his beer. “Wow. Ok. Can you swing by the clubhouse tomorrow?”
“Sure. I have a few jobs to do early in the day, but I should be free around three.”
“Sounds good. I’ll probably be in the control room. Maverick can bring you down when you get there.”
I point at the new door. “Is that where the dancing area is going to be?”
Cipher takes a swig from his bottle. “Yeah. There’s going to be a bouncer here, checking IDs. With the door separating everything, we can still keep the regular Bar and Grille open to the public without anyone in here, including kids, seeing something they shouldn’t.”
“Smart,” I say simply. “When is it supposed to open?”
“Last month,” Maverick answers.
Cipher runs his hand through his dirty blonde hair.
“Yeah, we ran into a few snags with construction. The stage is done and the dressing rooms are just about finished. Lexi is waiting on some furniture and then we have to have a quick inspection. We’re hoping to have the grand opening in about three weeks. ”
“Did you hire dancers already?” I ask.
“Six so far, but we still need to lock down a few more. We want to have ten hired before we open.”
I glance at Maverick. “Maybe I should try out.”
He growls, like I knew he would. Messing with him is way too easy. He puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “I’m the only man that gets to see that tight little body, you got me?” he whispers in my ear.
Heat rushes through me settling in my core. The warmth of his breath on my ear nearly makes my eyes roll back in my head. I am in so much damn trouble with this guy.
“Ok.” I squeak out. “We should probably get going.”
Cipher’s lip tips as he looks back and forth between Maverick and I. “Alright. You guys have a good one. I’ll see you tomorrow, Kai.”
Maverick finishes his beer, leaving the empty on the bar. He takes my hand again as we head for the door. I give Cipher a quick wave before we step out into the parking lot. When we reach his bike, Maverick picks me up and places me on the seat facing him.
“What are you trying to do to me woman?” His husky voice, with that southern drawl, ignites my insides.
Instead of answering, I throw caution to the wind and grab his beard pulling his mouth to mine.
He steps between my legs as our lips come together.
His tongue plunges into my mouth and mine battles his for dominance.
I weave my fingers through his hair and he does the same in mine.
I scoot myself closer to his body, trying not to fall off the seat. I need to feel him against me.
When our mouths part, he whispers, “Come back to my room.”
God, do I want to. It’s been too long, but my brain comes back on board. I shake my head. “I really need to get home. I wasn’t lying when I said I have stuff to do before work tomorrow.”
His hand cups my mound. “You sure about that?”
My body says ‘hell no, you’re not sure!,’ but my stupid brain seems to be running the show right now. “Yeah. I have an early appointment at a firm downtown tomorrow. I have to be there by seven.” And since I need to make time to get sick beforehand, I should probably already be in bed.
Maverick’s tone quickly changes to one of annoyance. “How long are you going to keep doing this?”
I tilt my head. “Doing what?”
“Pushing me away.”
“That’s not what this is.” It really isn’t. Not this time at least.
“Then what is it?”
“Me being honest? You think I don’t want this?” I run my hand up his thigh and give the bulge in his jeans a gentle squeeze. “Because I do.”
Before I know what’s happening, he pulls me off the bike and is tugging me back inside. “Maverick! What the hell are we doing?”
“Bathroom,” he grumbles.
I smile as he pulls me along, because hell yeah.