Chapter 6 Torque
Ican’t believe Noelle agreed to come to the clubhouse with me so easily. I’m fucking relieved. I was starting to plot how I’d kidnap her if she said no. I’m not leaving her here alone when the worst storm to hit Ohio in decades decides to dump a foot of ice over the city.
Will it be that bad? Who knows? Better to be prepared.
I follow Noelle upstairs, pausing to stare at the artistic display of framed photos on her wall.
There’s a little nook here with a recliner, a bookshelf, a big plant, and a window that lets in plenty of natural light.
The pictures must be of family. I see her, I’m guessing her sister, brother, mom, and dad.
There are quite a few shots, but none of them are recent. I’d say at least five years old.
My girl doesn’t see her family often. Other than spending time with her sister and niece, it seems like she’s alone too much. I’m about to change that.
I head down the hall and see another display of framed photos. This time, it’s all her sister and niece, mostly Ainsley, from birth to her current age. They’re all adorable. I already knew that Noelle loves that little girl, but this proves it. Noelle and her sister, Amy, must be close.
There are two empty rooms on each side of the hall, one a bathroom, before I see my woman. She’s bent over a suitcase and framed by the doorway. I lift my hand and rub over my sternum because she’s a near-ache in my chest every time I see her. So fucking beautiful. She’s everything I want and more.
When I walk inside Noelle’s bedroom, she straightens and walks to her dresser, grabbing bras and panties that she carefully packs in neat little stacks. I watch her because it’s my favorite thing to do, just admiring her ass and the graceful way she moves. She turns me on just by breathing.
It’s fucking crazy. I’ve never felt like this with a woman. It’s always sex, and then I’m on my way. I don’t make any promises, and there’s no misunderstanding. I make it clear what I want, and there’s no room for more.
Until now.
“You need any help?” I ask as I lean against the door jamb.
“Nope. Almost done.”
She’s fast. I see a smaller bag filled with essentials like her deodorant, brush, hairspray, and toothbrush.
By the time she’s finished, there are two suitcases, both Samsonite hard shell cases.
One is bigger, while the other is a carry-on.
She picks up her purse and stuffs her phone, charger, and a few small items inside.
“There. I’m good.”
I smirk, barely resisting asking her how long she’s planning on staying because she could move in with how much she’s bringing. The woman clearly has her things she can’t live without, but who am I to stop her?
“We should get moving.” Reaching for her hand, I tether our fingers and draw her close. “Got anything else in the house you need to take care of before we go? Just the fireplace?”
She blinks. “Yes. Oh, and locking up.”
I slide my thumb over her bottom lip and lower my head. “We’ve got to stop at the auto shop first. Just a quick detour.”
“Okay,” she replies, a bit breathless. Her gaze locks onto my mouth instead of my eyes.
“Beautiful, you waiting for me to kiss you?”
“Torque.”
My hands glide across her neck and move up to cup her face.
“You’re fast becoming an addiction, Noelle.
” I don’t wait for her to reply. I swoop in and press my lips to hers, devouring the moan that creeps up her throat.
I’m ready to take this to the next level.
I need to taste more than her sweet lips.
I’ve got an idea. I just hope the weather holds out long enough.
“Come on, baby. We need to get movin’.”
Once I’ve started my truck, so it warms up for her and placed her suitcases inside, I return to the house as she’s locking up. My gaze catches her neighbor watching us through his window as he scowls.
“He’s not too friendly. Is he?” I ask, wondering why he’s so prickly.
“I try to be patient, but I lost my temper with him earlier today,” she admits.
I’m intrigued. “Oh? What happened?” I tuck her into my side as we rush to my truck, not expecting an answer until we’re inside.
Noelle shivers as she rubs her gloved hands together, taking a moment to buckle her seatbelt.
“Mr. Warner came by today to let me know he’s filing a complaint with the HOA because I let you shovel my yard.
” She rolls her eyes. “I told him I was filing a complaint for harassment, and if he has a problem with my boyfriend coming over, he can tell them about it. I also said he can get off my property since he’s not welcome. ”
I sensed that wasn’t all he said. She seems pissed.
“What else did he say?” I ask, trying not to hyperfocus on the part where she called me her boyfriend.
“He said he doesn’t want people like you hanging out in our neighborhood.” She huffs. “What a narrow-minded, horrible thing to say.”
It didn’t faze me. “I’ve heard a lot worse, sweetheart.”
“It doesn’t make it right.”
“No,” I agree. “It doesn’t.”
She leans back and seems lost in thought as I back out of her driveway and head toward Blade Auto Repair. The shop won’t be open for much longer, and I need to check in with Smoke and Zoo.
“You didn’t say anything about the boyfriend part,” she says in the silence that follows.
“Well, that’s because I’m happy and have no objections.” I smile a little too widely as I think about it. “Good to know where I stand.”
“It’s not presumptuous?”
I glance at her profile and see that she’s clenching her hands, probably wondering if it’s too much and too soon. It’s not for me. I’m already growing obsessed with her. More than that, I want to see how far we can take this. “No, baby. Not at all.”
She looks relieved. “Okay.”
“I think we’re both on the same page, Noelle.” I use her name on purpose because she needs to know I’m serious.
“I think so too.”
When we pull up to the auto shop, most of the staff have already left. I sent Smoke a text before I left Noelle’s house, so he knows to expect me. I shut off the engine and tick my chin toward the entrance. “Will you come inside with me? I might be a few minutes.”
“Sure.” She unbuckles her seatbelt, and I exit my truck, leading her inside.
We don’t use the main entrance for customers; we use the staff door instead, which leads into the shop. Only Smoke and Zoo are inside.
Smoke gives Noelle a too-big grin. “Hey, honey. How’s Ainsley?”
“Hi, Smoke. She’s good. Just a little disappointed that she missed Santa.”
He nods. “It’ll probably have to wait until after this storm.”
“I suppose so.”
Zoo shoves me aside as he picks up Noelle’s hand and kisses the top. “You sure you want this stubborn fool? I’m happy to take his place.”
Noelle scans his cut. “Well, Zoo, he’s been a keeper so far, but if that changes, I’ll let you know.” Then she fucking winks at him.
What the fuck?
Smoke guffaws, slapping me on the back. “You’ve got competition.”
“The hell I do,” I mutter, pushing Zoo aside. “Fuck off with that.”
He’s grinning so wide I want to punch him in the throat.
I turn to Noelle. “He’s the biggest flirt in the club.”
Her lips twitch with humor. “I can see that.”
Smoke ticks his head toward the front of the shop. He wants to talk, and we can’t discuss business in front of Noelle. “I’ll grab a Coke and wait for you.”
“Uh, yeah,” Zoo adds. “Me too.”
They’re not even close to being discreet.
I press my hand to Noelle’s lower back and lead her to the office. It’s warm, and there’s a couch inside along with a TV, a desk, a few chairs, some vending machines, and a coffee station. “Sorry, I’ve got to leave you for a few minutes. Storm and Zoo got some shit to discuss.”
“This is where we have that conversation about club business and what it means. Right?”
“Yeah, baby. I can’t talk about ongoing club business in front of you. It sucks. I know.”
“So, I wait here for you.”
“Yes.”
“I think I’m okay with that. Whatever it is, it’s best I don’t know. Plausible deniability.”
“Yeah, that’s one way to look at it.” She’s taking this well. “There are times when I have to leave, and it won’t always be convenient. I’ll have to exclude you from things, and it’s not because I don’t want to include my woman. It’s just how it is.”
“Can I know if you’re safe? If you’re in danger?” She nibbles on her lower lip. “I don’t want to worry because I don’t know what you’re doing or who you’re with.”
I get it. “Babe, I won’t be hooking up with club girls or other women. If I’m gone, it’s a club errand, church, or shit I need to handle. None of it is because I’d rather not be with you.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah?” I want to make sure she’s good with this before I walk away.
“I don’t pretend to understand it all, but I get that you have a life in the club. I’ve got my own life too. We’re allowed to be our own people and have separate lives, Torque.”
“That’s true, baby. As long as we make time for us.”
“And we will.”
This was too fucking easy. I never met a woman who accepted my life as a one-percenter biker this quickly.
“The outlaw part, though. That’s what I’m not sure about.”
Yep. There it is.
“What do you want to know?”
“I don’t want to change you, Torque. You’re a good man. From what I’ve learned about you, you’re not someone who harms others without justification or goes after innocents. I don’t think you’re a killer, but if you are, it’s because someone did something horrible. Am I right?”
Fuck. I didn’t want to have this conversation yet, but it’s unavoidable now. “I have. Do you want to know the reason?”
She visibly swallows. “How many?”
“Two,” I reply firmly. “The first man raped a twelve-year-old girl from my neighborhood. The second shot my brother.”
She blinks, processing my words. “Do you plan to kill again?”
“No, but if I have to, I will.”
I give her time to let that sink in.
“Torque?”
“Yeah, sweetheart?”
“I still think you’re a good man.”
Fuck. That hits me right in the chest, directly in my heart.
Her words warm something cold and dark in my chest after losing my mother and brother.
She’s bringing me back to life, giving me more reason to wake up in the morning than just my club.
I’m content with my life as a Viper, but now, with her, it’s so much fucking more.
“Damn, Noelle. You just made me so fucking happy.”
She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her cheek against my chest. “I don’t believe a man who protects kids, his family, and his club can be a bad person. You’re the guy I want in my life, Torque.”
“And you have me.” I tilt her chin up because I’m greedy for the soft cushion of her lips and kiss her. It’s quick, but I’ll make up for it soon. “I’ll be back.” I hug her close against me, squeezing her before I release her.
“I’ll just be a good girl and wait,” she teases.
And I’ll reward her.
Smoke and Zoo turn my way when they see me walking toward them. I ignore Zoo, who looks ready to say something that will piss me off. His smile broadens.
“Don’t,” I warn him.
Honestly, I’m surprised Zoo is sober, but he’s been trying to get his shit together. Storm had a long talk with him over the summer.
Smoke shakes his head. “Enough. I spoke to Storm.”
Zoo’s humor vanishes. “What did he say? Did he find out who shot him?”
That’s what I want to know.
“He thinks it’s one of his members who has suddenly gone missing since the shooting.”
“Who? Someone we know?”
“Yeah. Lefty and Murder’s best friend. Guy named Shark.”
Shark? “Never heard of him.”
“Me either,” Zoo confirms.
“Yeah, that’s what Storm says too. Hangman said he kept quiet until the day he shot him.”
Well, fuck.
“Storm wants everyone at the clubhouse. Too much risk with the weather. He doesn’t want anyone getting stuck out there if Shark decides to come after the club.”
“Then we go on lockdown until this storm is over,” I agree.
Zoo nods. “It’s the right call.”
Smoke and Zoo leave a few minutes later. I’ve got the keys to lock up. Once I walk around and ensure everything is secure for the night, I return to Noelle.
Outside the door, I glance at my cell, checking the storm’s approach. There’s just enough time to reward Noelle for being a good girl. I need to taste her, watch her lose control, and hear her moans of pleasure. I have a feeling that she’s just as eager and impatient as I am.