Chapter 3 #2
“Yeah, we know ‘em,” Pretty Boy replied. “They own territory to the east, in the plains. We’re not exactly friends, but we aren’t at each other’s throats either.”
“Well, you might change your mind about that,” the woman countered. “There’s a rumor floating around. The Filthy Rebels want to expand their territory. And they’re prepared to muscle their way onto your turf. Take what they want by force.”
“So, you’re saying we have a target on our backs,” Ironside put in.
She nodded. “Word on the street says they intend to start picking you off, one at a time. Then they’ll go for the killing blow and wipe you out completely.”
“What a comforting thought,” Pretty Boy said drily. “Why would you tell us this anyway? What’s in it for you? I can’t imagine this information comes cheap. What’s your price?”
The woman shrugged.
“Let’s just say that I’d rather have you boys on my side than against me. Purely for self-serving purposes, of course. I saw a golden opportunity and I took it. Besides, keeping a few tattooed tough guys in my back pocket for emergencies will probably come in handy one day.”
“How do we contact you if we need more info?” Pretty Boy said.
“I’ll find you,” she replied. “It’s too easy to tap a phone for my comfort. And I don’t trust most folks to pass along information.”
“At least give us a name then.”
She considered for a moment, rocking back on her heels as if she was prepared to bolt at a moment’s notice.
“Bobbie,” she admitted. “Just Bobbie.”
Backing away, she saluted then melted into the crowd.
“Well,” Ironside said. “That sets my teeth on edge. I’ll let Hillbilly know. There isn’t much we can do tonight, so you boys can stay behind and enjoy the concert if you want.”
Pretty Boy decided to hang out for a while longer. Before I could make my decision, a familiar voice cut through the concert noise.
“Tarzan?”
Turning around, I came face to face with Keely. Her cheeks were flushed and her pin-up curls were coming loose in messy waves. She wasn’t wearing that sack of a diner uniform anymore.
Instead, she had a frilly little sundress on, peppered with clusters of pink and yellow flowers. A small ribbon bow gathered between her breasts, puckering the fabric of her low-cut neckline.
Made it damn difficult to think of anything besides tugging it loose with my teeth.
“I knew it was you!” Keely declared, practically shouting to be heard over the music. She waved around a coconut-shaped cup with a small umbrella and a hot pink crazy straw. “I would recognize those big muscles anywhere.”
Her words slurred slightly and she swayed on her feet. When she stumbled closer, she nearly collided with me. I caught her elbow to steady her, trying not to pay too much attention to the coolness of her skin under my palm.
“How much have you had to drink tonight?” I asked.
She screwed one eye shut as she mentally calculated.
“Only two or three—wait, no, maybe four—fruity mai tais. They tasted so good. It’s the weekend and I wanted to enjoy myself during my time off, ya know? I was supposed to meet a friend, but plans changed at the last minute, so I decided to fly solo.”
“Please tell me you didn’t drive here,” I said.
Given the current state she was in, I dreaded the thought of her behind the wheel.
Keely shook her head emphatically and wobbled.
“No way. I took an Uber.”
Well, that was slightly better, but not by much. It didn’t sit well with me, imagining her getting into a stranger’s car while she was like this.
Then Keely pouted and poked me in the chest.
“I’m very disappointed in you, by the way. You haven’t called me. I gave you my number and…and…free pie…and I was really hoping you’d call me. But you didn’t.”
“Yeah, I know. It’s just…” I trailed off. There was no good excuse for flaking on her.
“Don’t say it,” Keely replied, shaking her head. “I’ve heard it all before. You’re busy. You didn’t have time. You’re keeping your options open. I know the drill.”
I’m scared to death because of how much I want you and we’ve only just met, I thought.
Inching closer, she skimmed her hand down my arm, leaving a trail of heat in her wake. She flicked her gaze up to mine with a dreamy smile.
“You should kiss me,” she murmured
Fuck. She didn’t know what she was saying.
“You’re drunk, Keely,” I replied.
She shrugged. “So? I wanted to kiss you when I was sober, too. The only difference now is that I have the guts to say it out loud.”
The breath rushed out of me at her confession. Taking Keely by the elbow, I pulled her a safe distance away to the fringe of the crowd where we had a marginal amount of privacy. And Pretty Boy wasn’t eavesdropping on every word we said.
“It was her loss, ya know,” Keely added in a loud whisper.
I frowned, confused. “Who?”
Keely gestured at me.
“The woman who made you all…sad and gloomy. I know what heartbreak looks like. I was engaged once.”
That prickly jealousy bristled along my spine again, putting my hackles up.
“But you’re not engaged anymore,” I pointed out.
“Nope,” Keely replied, popping the P. “He left me. Fell in love with someone else only a week before our wedding. I had the most beautiful dress ever. Invitations were sent. I wrote my own vows and…and…then poof! All gone. Wedding cancelled.”
She swept an arm wide to punctuate her story, lost her balance and nearly toppled over. The remnants of her drink sloshed onto the grass. I caught her around the waist, steadying her again until she was standing on her own two feet.
Who the hell would leave this precious creature one week before her damn wedding?
Keely tilted her head and blinked up at me with glossy wide eyes. She traced the Prospect patch on my chest with one fingertip. After a breathtaking, heartstopping moment, her fingers strayed to the collar of my shirt, following the ink that curled over my clavicle.
I shivered at her touch, and my cock pulsed at her close proximity, practically plastered against me.
“Like I said,” Keely added. “Whoever she is—the woman that broke your heart—it’s her loss. You’re one helluva catch, Tarzan. With your sexy muscles and tattoos and…and…handsome face…”
Her fingers wandered up to my jawline, following the line of my mouth.
My arm tightened around her waist, pulling her soft, plush curves even closer until there was no space left between us.
“Come on, Tarzan,” Keely whispered. “Kiss me.”
Splaying my palm across her lower back, I thought about kissing her. Hell, my head was full of nothing but Keely.
She was drunk though. It wouldn’t be right.
And I couldn’t leave her alone here either. Not when she was this tipsy. It wasn’t safe.
So, I did the only thing I could think of.
First, I tossed Keely’s cup in the trash.
Then I bent at the knees and scooped her over my shoulder.
Her skirt barely covered her ass, and I tried my best to smooth it down without looking like I was copping a feel.
I curved my hand around the smooth flesh of her upper thigh to hold her in place.
“Tarzan—oh my God!” she squealed. “Put me down or I’m gonna puke.”
“Show’s over, sweetheart. I’m taking you home to sleep off that alcohol you’re pickled in.”
“I can walk,” she grumbled, gripping the back of my cut.
“That’s debatable,” I countered.
“But I’m—I’m too heavy! You can’t lift me!”
I snorted. “What does it look like I’m doing right now?”
Keely grunted then groaned.
“My head hurts. Everything is so…spinny.”
“That would be those mai tais kicking your ass. It’s gonna be worse in the morning.”
Carrying Keely to the parking lot, I set her on the back seat of my bike and buckled my spare helmet on her. She stifled a yawn and her eyes began to drift closed. It looked like she would be passing out in T-minus two minutes. I had to get her home quick.
Climbing onto my bike, I reached back and took Keely’s arms, guiding them around my middle.
“Hold on tight,” I said. “Falling off is not fun, believe me.”
Keely snuggled against my back with a contented noise.
“You’re so warm. And strong. And big.”
“Focus, sweetheart. Where am I taking you? Point me in the direction of home.”
Keely said nothing, resting her cheek between my shoulder blades with a sigh.
Damn it. She wasn’t lucid enough to get a coherent response out of her. The only choice was to take her back to Teddy’s place where she could sleep it off.
Fuck, if Teddy found out I brought a girl home, he would be utterly insufferable. I’d never hear the end of it.